This tournament was played with 25 Methuselahs on March 1. Report by the winner Hugh Aldous:

Decklist: “Top of the Pile” (as I only picked this due to it being on the top of my card pile the morning of the GP).
Crypt:
5 Stanislava
3 Xavier
2 Ingrid Rossler
1 Genevieve
1 Hartmut Stover

Library: 88 cards
Masters:
9 Zillah’s Valley
5 Villein
2 Jake Washington
2 Perfectionist
1 Giant’s Blood
1 Monastery of Shadows
1 Ennoia’s Theatre
1 Backways
1 Ecoterrorists

Actions:
6 Govern the Unaligned

Political Actions:
2 Parity Shift
2 Kine Resources Contested
4 Camarilla’s Iron Fist
3 Banishment
1 Disputed Territory
1 Ancient Influence
1 Political Stranglehold
1 Reins of Power
1 Neonate Breach

Allies:
1 Double Deuce
1 Carlton van Wyk

Retainers:
2 Homunculus

Action Modifiers:
5 Earth Control
1 Enkil Cog
5 Forced March
5 Freak Drive
4 Instantaneous Transformation
3 Momentary Delay

Combat:
5 Earth Meld
5 Form of Mist

Reaction:
6 Deflection

Note: This is taken after the final round, a few players had left already.

The early rounds:

The first round of the Australian Gran Prix was held in Melbourne, a southern city in the state of Victoria (It is the mainland part above the tiny island). We had people flying in from all around the country and New Zealand. The organisers had hosted it in our local nerd store, Plenty of Games, with about 25 players in attendance. The first few rounds are always a good chance to catch up with people and get into the groove of playing. Many of the attendees in the Aus scene know each other, as we tend to travel for events. I chose to take whatever deck happened to be on top of my pile of cards that morning, as I had only got permission decided to play maybe two days prior. In my usual style, I could not remember if I had picked up my Daughters of Cacophony Opera deck or Stanislava. Hence round 1 was a blind shuffle and surprise. I think the other players would rather I not poorly sign Carmen while playing, so Stanislava it was. It is not a hugely original build, but taking some inspiration from other games regarding tempo and opportunity cost advantage, it does try to win quickly and efficiently with multiple acting large vamps. It is the same deck that I had taken to the Aus Continentals last year in Sydney funnily enough.

My first round consisted of holding off some of our youngest, but in no ways inexperienced, players from beating me to death with Nos. Our Queen does not like being rushed at all. A quick speed dual ousts allowed me to remove two players in quick succession and then proceed to sweep the table. It is worth noting that my prey in the final was on this table, Daniel S.

My second game was by far some of the best VTES I have played. As half of my Stani build relies upon vote, but not beholden entirely to it, seeing three vote decks and a Brujah baron beat face as my predator was not great. Fortunately, some of my cross tables were willing to discuss options, and what followed was two hours of intense negotiations on just about every action being taken. Trust me in that some may find this to be the most piss boring thing to do, but it was some of the best and most nuanced VTES I have played to this day. Big props to all the players in that round especially Dave S and Ke C. My days highlight was that one Disputed Territory was passed in a 35 to 33 vote, and it wasn’t the vote that I intended to need to pass. It took 14 minutes to pass. Of note that Rich A was in this round.

Random titles are a thing apparently.

My third game was a near blur at this point, one of my mates for a long time was my prey, Matthew O N, and flubbed in his crypt draw for Valkyries. Awkwardly, I also was not able to hit the gas and take advantage of this. IIRC I did end up getting ousted in the last few minutes of the game. Of note that Nathaneal was in this round and would be in the final.

Standings before the final:
1. Richard Aumann 2 GW 8.0 VP
2. Nathaneal Zheng 2 GW 7.5 VP
3. Daniel Spivak 1 GW 6.0 VP
4. Hugh Aldous 1 GW 5.5 VP
5. Justin Evans 1 GW 5.0 VP

The final:

With 1 GW and a few VPs I was able to get into the final table. The final itself was held a few doors down at a hotel bar and lounge, a practice we have done before. Out of the other four players, I knew roughly what three of them were running. My predator was a gentleman named Justin, who had travelled to play. This had me a bit wary, as I cannot predict how they will react or their own tells. Dan S paying a stealth bleed thing was fine, as in my mind he could weaken Nathaneal. This was vital to my position as I would be competing with Nathaneal over titles and knowing his cockroach build of flicking everything that comes his way I would somewhat struggle to land a blow at all. Rich A was playing Banu Haqim, a build which I have tried to get to work since V5 dropped but am still eternally going to struggle with. In my experience it is inconsistent, but Rich had his own spin with Infernal Pursuits. This is another that I needed to keep in check as if Rich was able to drain any of my vamps my game plan would be cooked, but inshallah this unknown (to me) Justin can do something. Turned out Justin was playing some Gangrel Wolfpack, another build I have tried and do quite like. I thought that at least I can judge the person unknowingly while having some idea of the deck being played.

And then my crypt failed me. I drew two Xaviers, and Ingrid and Genevieve. Though there was enough Valley to pump a vamp out, being player one with this put me far behind. Early on Nathaneal and I had an agreement to be closer to the friends end of the frenemies scale, as we both needed to pass votes until adjacent. As people knew I was playing Stanis, seeing Ingrid flipped over as my first vamp raised some eyebrows. It was useful enough to then purchase new crypt and villein them to essentially just a flick bank for Deflection. After another four rounds I was able to get Stanis out, and then the game actually began for me at 3 pool.

A cross table Political Stranglehold and cheeky pool gain let me then bring out Xavier. My thinking was that I needed to pick up my infant son from his babysitter, and either I win quickly or just lose. This turned out to be the correct choice, as it allowed me to oust Dan S, and begin to stabilise.

Justin had continuously bled me for one or two with his tiny Gangrel, but he upset the applecart when blocking a political action by Ingrid, and proceeding to burn them with agg damage.

At about the one and a half hour mark, Nathaneal had their pool going up and down like the stock market, and I was able to sneak an Enkil Cog onto Xavier. Rich was not getting through the Gangrel, and they were starting to run out of gas which tends to happen with the Wolfpack build. I was further able to contest the Double Deuce on my back, and get Jake Washington to take a hit for the team.

The entire game I had been trying to line up negotiations with all the players, really discarding the never negotiating with your prey/predator hypothesis out the window. Akin to the second round, having to navigate the game state while accounting for different motivations is one of the aspects that makes VTES unique in my experience. He even encouraged me to break a deal just made with Justin to not block a parity shift that would target Nathaneal, only to then have it target him. I also had to consider keeping Rich alive as my support for votes had him being targeted by Nathaneal, given that V5 Banu Haqim have not an insignificant number of votes. I didn’t understand why exactly people were accepting and then following through on agreements this late in the game, but who am I to correct them. As one player said to the others, ‘Hugh holds grudges for a long time across games’. I have no idea what they mean.

We are playing for sheep stations at this level, and that would be the third deal I broke that day. I am not sorry.

Then, surprisingly, Xavier was able to sneak through a bleed for two. It landed and Nathaneal was ousted. The entire game changed. I honestly did not expect to be able to get through Nathaneal and their Aksinya build.

However, I was not about to count my eggs hatching and with about twenty minutes left on the clock I held and hoped that my pool would be able to hold the wolves at bay until time. In all fairness I played my turns super quick to allow the other players to attempt to get ousts, only bleeding with Double Deuce to move the Edge to affect game state. All my remaining vamps were sent to torpor. Rich got close to ousting Justin, but time was called.

With that, and a victory tawny supplied by the hotel, I ran off to get my son after thanking everyone. Coming from a quite bad position for a build that relies on action economy and efficient resource use to threaten negotiate its way to not being ousted first was good VTES, and the quality of gameplay was very high.

The event was well managed, and support from both BCP and locals was amazing. The next leg of the Gran Prix will be held in Perth, the other side of our country. I eagerly await to see who can claim the WA title, and how many deals Ben S can break in a day.

Thanks for this report, and thanks to all organisers, sponsors and players!

Preview art by Krasen Maximov for a upcoming library card.

Greetings fellow Methuselahs,

HECATA IS IN STORES!

February 28 was the official release date for the Fifth Edition Hecata preconstructed deck, and that is also, as per the new ways, the official tournament legality date for all the new cards in the deck. No idea what this is? Take a look at the Blackchantry.com product page, which has a full content list and all the new cards depicted!

THE NORTH AMERICAN CUP CONTINUES!

By now you surely know of the spectacular Gulf Coast Roast Grand Prix series of tournaments in southwest USA, but maybe you have missed the North American Cup series? Two events has already been played:

In Gap, Pennsylvania on January 18, Albert Presto won with a Tzimisce G6 stealth-bleed deck (winning deck here).

In Los Angeles, California, on February 16, Mark Jasper won with an Unmada bleed deck (winning deck here).

Next up is Dallas, Texas, on March 22-23.

After that: Montreal, Canada on April 26-27 and then Madison, Wisconsin on May 17-18, and a final played sometime during the 2025 Week of Nightmares in Columbus, Ohio.

Thanks to Darby Keeney, Mark Loughman and Matt Hirsch for coordinating this. Do you have questions about the North American Cup? Check out this thread at VEKN.net forum, it has more details and you can post your queries.

REMEMBER: PROMO CARDS ARE AVAILABLE ON PRINT-ON-DEMAND

If you are a VEKN volunteer, for example organising a tournament or demo games, remember that you can have your National Coordinator order promotional cards on print-on-demand from Drivethrucards (USA) or Gamepod (Spain). The selections on the two sites are a bit different, for example on Gamepod you can get some German language promos. Ask your NC to get hold of the special links needed to have a look! Some examples are depicted above.

 
VERY EASY RULES QUESTIONS

Really easy ones ... huh? How many of these could you answer correctly?

Q: I bleed. My predator attempts to block with Unleash Hell´s Fury. Can I play Where the Veil Thins on superior to get pass it?
A: Yes, as Unleash Hell´s Fury cannot burn blood. (ANK 20230226)

Q: A vampire with Fame on them is in combat and receives aggravated damage enough to burn. Does the vampire´s owner burn 3 pool?
A: No, as the vampire never goes to torpor, but is instead burned.

Q: Do my vampire have to be unlocked to play Obedience?
A: Yes. Unless the card says otherwise, reactions can only be played by ready, unlocked minions (or a ready minion under a Wake effect). (see "Summary of the course of an action" in section 3 of the rulebook).

Q: Can I play Freak Drive on my vampire´s action after I played Mirror Walk and the action is blocked?
A: No. Mirror Walk ends the actions, so no further modifications are possible. (RTR 20180719)

Q: Does the "take over" effect of Puppet Master trigger if the vampire who played the Puppet Master is banished by a Banishment?
A: Yes. That trigger effect has nothing to do with the status of the vampire who played Puppet Master.

Q: My minion tries to enter combat with my prey´s locked minion with a Ambush card. My prey uses Sense the Savage Way to unlock the targeted minion. What happens? Does my Ambush action "fizzle"?
A: Yes, if the action is unblocked when it resolves and the target is unlocked, the action fizzles (cost, if any, is paid, and it is considered successful, but has no effect). But Sense the Savage Way forces a block attempt, so both minions may end up in combat anyway, although without the maneuver that Ambush would give the acting minion. (ANK 20210124)

Q: I have a Pentex Subversion played on one of my prey´s minions. I am ousted by my predator. What happens with the Pentex Subversion card?
A: It is removed from game, because you are ousted, all the cards you control are removed from the game - see rulebook section 5.

Q: I have an Anarch Revolt in play. Someone tries to use the built-in political action to burn it. Can I play Delaying Tactics on this referendum?
A: Yes, Delaying Tactics cancels the referendum as per card text, and no minions controlled by the acting Methuselah can perform the same political action again this turn.

Q: I am at 1 pool. Can I put 1 pool damage on myself with a Kine Resources Contested, but recoup with a Voter Captivation up to 2 pool and survive the action?
A: No, as Voter Captivation is played after the referendum is resolved. If the effect of the referendum ousts the acting Methuselah, there is no time to play it to prevent the ousting. (RTR 19951110)

Q: I play an Alastor political action, and the referendum is successful. But when I look through my deck I can´t find a single equipment card left. Can I get the Alastor card on my vampire without any equipment?
A: Yes, finding equipment is optional. (LSJ 20050331-2)

Do you have VTES rules questions? The easiest way to find answers, except for checking the rulebook, is probably to ask at the VEKN forum, at the VEKN Facebook page, at the VTES subreddit, or in the VTES Discord.

BLACK CHANTRY SUMMARY: FEBRUARY 2025

• The Fifth Edition Hecata preconstructed deck is in stores (see above).

• “Preview season” of New Blood Hecata and Lasombra packs is a bit delayed, but will commence soon. They will look like this:

• It looks like the next batch of legacy cards for print-on-demand will be available mid March, both on Drivethrucards and Gamepod. Follow Black Chantry in social media to not miss this!

• The third round of playtesting of the 2025 Sabbat cards is ongoing, ending on March 30. Much art is delivered as this is written, looking AWESOME in a dark and grim way that reflects the terrible nature of the sect. If you are a playtester, please take your time to play some test games and leave feedback!

• Do you want to know more about upcoming VTES releases? For the general plan, read the roadmap article.

• Currently these Black Chantry products are available through Gamepod, Drivethrucards.com and other stores:
Lost Kindred bundle (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Keepers of Tradition Reprint Bundle 1 (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Keepers of Tradition Reprint Bundle 2 (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Heirs of the Blood Reprint Bundle 1 (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Heirs of the Blood Reprint Bundle 2 (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Den of Fiends Preconstructed Deck (Also Spanish, French) (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Libertine Ball Preconstructed Deck (Also Spanish, French) (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Pact with Nephandi Preconstructed Deck (Also Spanish, French) (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Parliament of Shadows Preconstructed Deck (Also Spanish, French) (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Anthology I bundle
VTES Card Creator (Drivethrucards only)
25th Anniversary
First Blood: Malkavian (Also Spanish, French) (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
First Blood: Nosferatu (Also Spanish, French) (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
First Blood: Toreador (Also Spanish, French) (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
First Blood: Tremere (Also Spanish, French) (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
First Blood: Ventrue (Also Spanish, French) (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
VTES Legacy Card Singles (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Promo Pack 1 (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Promo Pack 2 (Drivethrucards and Gamepod only)
Promo Pack 3 (For promotion only)
Promo Pack 4 (For promotion only)
VTES "Parity Shift" playmat
VTES card sleeves
Vampire: The Eternal Struggle Fifth Edition (Stores only)
Vampire: The Eternal Struggle Fifth Edition Latin (Drivethrucards only)
Fifth Edition: Malkavian (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
Fifth Edition: Nosferatu (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
Fifth Edition: Toreador (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
Fifth Edition: Tremere (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
Fifth Edition: Ventrue (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
Promo Pack 3 (Event promos only)
Fifth Edition: Banu Haqim (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
Fifth Edition: Brujah (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
Fifth Edition: Gangrel (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
Fifth Edition: The Ministry (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
New Blood: Malkavian (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
New Blood: Nosferatu (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
New Blood: Toreador (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
New Blood: Tremere (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
New Blood: Ventrue (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
The Fall of London (Also Spanish, French, Latin)
Echoes of Gehenna
Shadows of Berlin (Also Spanish, French)
New Blood: Banu Haqim (Also Spanish, French)
New Blood: Brujah (Also Spanish, French)
New Blood: Gangrel (Also Spanish, French)
New Blood: The Ministry (Also Spanish, French)
Fifth Edition: Ravnos (Also Spanish, French)
Fifth Edition: Salubri (Also Spanish, French)
Fifth Edition: Tzimisce (Also Spanish, French)
30th Anniversary (Also Spanish, French)
Fifth Edition: Lasombra (Also Spanish, French)
Fifth Edition: Hecata (Also Spanish, French)

Do you have opinions or questions for Black Chantry? Start a topic on the VEKN forum, or contact the company by e-mail, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

RECENT NEWS IN THE WORLD OF DARKNESS

Some highlights from the World of Darkness team at Paradox Interactive in February:

• For all you lovers of live-action vampire roleplaying, By Night Studios now has two new books up for crowdfunding. "Enemies of Darkness" and "Laws of the Reckoning" introduces new powers, new enemies and new loresheets as an expansion of Mind's Eye Theatre: Laws of the Night.

• "Wyrmtide" is a sourcebook for Werewolf: The Apocalypse from Renegade Game Studios now available for preorder. It covers enemies (Black Spiral Dancers, Pentex, Banes, agents of the Weaver and Wyld), how to fight them, sample stories, as well as more Loresheets, Gifts, Advantages and Flaws for your characters.

• Two new Dev Diary entries for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 were published. In number 26 you get to learn more about how the tradition of the Masquerade works in the game, and in number 27 we meet some of the very interesting mortal NPC´s of the game.

Subscribe to the World of Darkness channel for more news!

CALENDAR

Upcoming tournaments for the coming month (registered so far) are in:
Australia
Brazil x13
Czech Republic
Deutschland
Finland
France
Hungary
Italy x3
Lithuania
Mexico
Online x2
Poland x2
Portugal x3
Spain x11
Sweden
USA x6

For details about these events, see the VEKN Event Calendar.

Remember: Online tournaments are possible - just check the box "Online tournament" when you add the event to the calendar!

CONTACT VEKN

You can contact the VEKN Inner Circle members using contact forms at VEKN.net. Also follow the official VTES Facebook page Vampire: The Eternal Struggle, the official VEKN X (Twitter) account @VEKN_VTES and the official VTES Discord server.

Thus he learned what sorrow does mean: To love his fortune all too keen.