V:EKN Caitiff Newsletter, July 1998 Official Newsletter Introduction | Fiction | Strategy and Decks | Contact Info July 1, 1998 Introduction What was I thinking? Haven't I already got enough to do? Well, yes. But I wanted to make a newsletter that would be a catch-all for all of the wacky decks out there -- especially my own. In particular I love playing weenie decks. I love wacking an Inner Circle member to ashes with Smudge or taking Arika down while I sacrifice my lowly Guiliano. I like rooting for the underdog. So, here's for all you neonates, outcasts, and anarchs. Fiction - The Third Tradition (part one) I can still see the agony on my sire's face as she struggled to escape the burning building. Sarah managed to reach the window just in time for us to catch a glimpse when the curtain of fire finally overcame her. The Ventrue Prince's figure was briefly visible in the halo created by the nearby flames. He calmly faced the burning building as most people would face a dazzling sunset. That night was my introduction to the Camarilla. I was removed from the building by Emerson's goons before they started the fire. Strangely, I never saw them until after they had a hold on my limbs. I smelled smoke just as I was thrown to Emerson's feet outside. Emerson spoke to three hulking men who responded with shouts of disapproval of the one who would defy his authority. I assume they were referring to Sarah. What had she done? I guess I didn't care. I hated these men and wanted to make them regret what they'd done. I sprung to my feet and attempted to run away but I didn't get far before a hand around my neck lifted me a couple of feet off the ground. Its grip tightened and demanded, "Show a little respect for your Prince." My body complied with some unseen force that commanded it to kneel down before Emerson. Slowly he lowered his head to my ear and whispered, "You shall be like my own childe. Tonight you have become mine." Strategy and Decks Well its not a Caitiff deck but it is a deck consisting of the newly embraced. This is my Weenie Dominate Bleed deck. Arguably the most dominant tournament deck to ever be played in Los Angeles. It is a deck that is often called "cheesy" as well as any number of four-letter words. I assume that is because they think the deck is easy to make or play. In fact, a veteran player will appreciate the intricacies of the deck and will understand the fragile balancing of resources that is required to win with such a deck. Also, if it were such an obvious deck design I wouldn't have received so many negative critiques that said I should have this card or that card. The deck's beauty is in its purity. Its balance gives you the right cards at the right time. The real key to success though, is in playing the deck. A keen sense of timing is needed as well as a good ability to read and understand the positions of your opponents. How low do you go on pool to pay for another Misdirection? When should I play a bleed modifier before block attempts are made? When should I bleed without a Misdirection? When is it worth it to self-contest one of my vampires in torpor? When should I bleed my predator? When to hunt? This same deck in the hands of a new player will not be nearly as powerful. Enjoy the deck -- just don't play it against me at any tournaments. Card List Crypt Royce x 2 Cap 2 dom Mustafa Rahman x 2 Cap 2 dom Ohanna x 2 Cap 2 dom Samson x 2 Cap 2 dom Christine Boscacci x 2 Cap 2 dom, vic Brooke Cap 3 dom, tha Jing Wei Cap 3 dom, tha Cameron Cap 3 dom, pot Masters Misdirection x 12 Dominate x 6 Archon Investigation x 2 Deal with the Devil Information Highway The Barrens Elder Library Minion Govern the Unaligned x 12 Computer Hacking x 4 Scouting Mission x 2 Conditioning x 14 Threats x 7 Sleeping Mind x 2 Bonding x 3 Foreshadowing Destruction x 3 Deflection x 9 Redirection x 2 Dragon's Breath Rounds Wake with Eve.'s Freshness x 7 Yes, I know its a lot of Masters. Anytime I use over 18 masters in a deck (that doesn't have Anson or The Parthenon) I make sure to add The Barrens and Elder Library. Having the extra hand size from Elder Library allows me to not worry if I have more than 1 Master Card in my hand. The Barrens allows me to cycle any Master hand jams I come across as well as gives me the ability to make sure I have the right number and kind of actions and modifiers. I cycle through the bleed cards pretty quickly so I am usually able to get all three locations into play. This is just the current incarnation. For a while I had tons of Zip Guns and Dragon's Breath Rounds in the deck. The last time I ran this in a tournament I used a single Dragon's Breath Round. It payed off a couple of times as other players paused for a turn or two until they had the means to deal with a Zip Gun and Dragon's Breath combo. Those pauses are invaluable since you are oftentimes only a card or two away from taking out a prey. Lastly, I'll explain that the Deflections are important because you tend to get ganged up on with (D) bleeds from all over the place. The angrier the other players get, the more assistance they end up offering as you send their bleeds to your prey. If your hand starts to jam-up with Wakes and deflections, make sure to gloat and goad the other players into bleeding you. Contact Info Feel free to email me if you would like to submit fiction, or wacky weenie deck designs or strategy. -Robert (rrgoudie@earthlink.net)