Card Idea - Ghouled Dog

@Surreal:
And that is entirely why I wanted to change that. That's basically -Sticks or -Guns... not combat. This is to facilitate combat options that aren't -Sticks/Guns.

@Alek & James:
So you'd prefer to obviously make it just like another Animalism retainer that is rarely used (because Murder of Crows is infinitely better)... Wolf Companion?

Juggernaut1981 wrote:

@Alek & James:
So you'd prefer to obviously make it just like another Animalism retainer that is rarely used (because Murder of Crows is infinitely better)... Wolf Companion?

No.

Why so confrontational?

Juggernaut1981 wrote:

@Surreal:
And that is entirely why I wanted to change that. That's basically -Sticks or -Guns... not combat. This is to facilitate combat options that aren't -Sticks/Guns.

I don't see how this would change things. don't have problems with presses or maneuvers. There is already plenty of that in and some in too. I feel problem is more that doesn't really suit together. Aggra poke doesn't benefit so much from additionals without ability to get extra +str. It makes sense to give some retainers for which would make environmental dmg. That makes aggra hands more scary.

I feel every discpline with is just support discpline.

@James:
Not confrontational, just seemed to me that what I was hearing was: "Make it an animal that does 2 damage during the strike resolution step at close" which is basically a Wolf Companion and something I was deliberately trying to avoid. I rarely see them used, I haven't see too much point with them...

@Surreal:
What are the common ways to get around Agg-Poke?
- Run to long and combat ends
- S:CE
- Prevent

So this is to help ensure a comparatively cheap, permanent way to reduce the problems of Agg-poking by . There isn't much to stop prevent, other than trying to force them to play it all. There isn't much to stop S:CE other than Psyche! (which would work just fine with this card because it would reset the Ghouled Dog as well)... So while it isn't 'perfect', its intent is to make a more dangerous in combat without breaking them or just "Have more hand damage" (like Talons of the Dead which is basically useless as well)

I'd personally make the dog deal a pool damage to opposing minions Methuselah if the opposing minion goes to torpor, which helps saves cards in other area's while keeping the !gangrel relatively fighting the same as they always have, like ninja werewolves.

Juggernaut1981 wrote:

I've been thinking about ways to help Gangrel Antis get a bit better at the things they do without having to graft on giant piles of Dominate or Presence.

"Inability to win combats" is one of the only problems that the !Gangrel don't have. Giving them a mostly wallpaper combat permanent isn't going to help them win any games.

Juggernaut1981 wrote:

Realistically, I've always viewed City Gangrel, in particular, as ambushers. They'd run gangs of muggers.

Muggers don't beat people up for fun. A card which gave players controlling !Gangrel pool for beating up opponents, particularly a permanent (like a retainer), would be a lot more useful to the clan than any amount of help winning combats.