Greetings fellow Methuselahs,
Hot summer here, and hot Sabbat precon previews continues! Above you find the stunning art for Eulogio Sánchez de los Reyes by Raquel Cornejo, incredible right? We also want to show Putrescent Sustenance, with cool art by Peter Scholtz. Make sure to read the card texts carefully - these are stronger than they look at first glance!
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VTES celebrities from the past return to judge EC 2025!
We are very excited to spread the news that two real Vampire: The Eternal Struggle heavyweights will return to the scene as judges at the European Championship 2025 in Aarhus, Denmark:
• L. Scott Johnson, known as “LSJ”, is most likely the person that has shaped VTES the most after it first was designed. He was the lead designer of the game at White Wolf from 2000 (the Sabbat War set) until 2010, and responsible for not only many set designs, but also plenty excellent rules changes, tournament play rules and all those rulings and clarifications that we still find online with his initials.
• Pascal Bertrand became the official VEKN Rules Director in 2011, after many years as a succesful player and also the National Coordinator of France. He continued Johnson´s rulemongering online for many years - things signed "PBE" or "Floppy" are his work.
So when it comes to rules knowledge, the EC is in VERY good hands. If you plan to attend, if not only to meet these extraordinairy gentlemen, PLEASE pre-register at vtes-ec2025.org!
VTES keeps growing!
The number of active players of Vampire: The Eternal Struggle keeps rising:
2019: 1 363 players
2020: 1 700 players
2021: No data collected (Covid)
2022: 1 389 players
2023: 1 831 players
2024: 2 383 players
2025: 2 736 players
With “active player” we mean one who has played a tournament in the last 18 months.
Between 2022 and 2025, the game gained a total of 1 347 new active players, which is an average increase of around 449 players per year. Of course we aim for more, this means we will be over 3 000 active players in 2026!
VTES rulebook now also in Brazilian Portuguese!
English - of course! Spanish - yes! French - yes! Italian - yes! Japanese - yes! Latin - believe it or not, it´s true! And now also you can download the VTES rulebook in Brazilian Portuguese, totally free at Blackchantry.com > Utilities > Rulebook. This translation is by Fernando “Sydnelson” Cesar with help from Alexandre Marçal, Kleber Bertazzo, Marcelo Oliveira and Wiliam Fonseca Lino. BIG thanks to you guys!
Tomasz Pietkiewicz wins Grand Prix Poland 2025!
56 eager players turned up for this event in Warsaw on July 5.
Read the full report: Grand Prix Poland 2025
Jozef Patrnciak is the 2025 champion of Poland!
This event was played with 53 Methuselahs on July 6 in Warsaw.
Read the full report: Poland National Championship 2025
Jesper Bøje is the 2025 champion of Belgium!
30 Methuselahs attended this tournament in Mechelen on July 6.
Read the full report: Belgium National Championship 2025
Ruben Feldman is the 2025 champion of Switzerland!
This event had 20 players in Geneva on July 12.
Read the full report: Switzerland National Championship 2025
Matt Hodsdon is the North American Cup winner 2025!
Reported by Darby Keeney:
First, I want to congratulate all the finalists and the eventual winner, Matt Hodsdon. The tour as a whole was another fantastic series of events ending in a resounding Cup Win at Origins. 2024/25 saw continued upticks in both interest and attendance. Three of this season's events represented a resurgence of organized play in those regions after lengthy periods of torpor, so I couldn't be happier with that progress.
The 2024/25 Cup Final seating was:
• Karl Schaefer, winner from Madison WI playing Malgorzata & Co Bloat
• Matt Hodsdon, winner from Dallas TX playing Legacy Tzimisce Combat Wall
• Albert Presto, winner from Lancaster PA playing Malkavian Bleed
• Alexandre Bustros, winner from Quebec CA playing Anarch Tzimisce Toolbox and
• Darby Keeney who stood in for Mask Jasper, the absent winner from Los Angeles CA, playing Anarch Brujah Bruise Bleed.
The game started with most of the interactions occurring on one side of the table: Alexandre working on Darby with bleeds and bounces while Darby first made certain that Malgorzata could not get an early foothold, then turning around to address a growing Dominate threat behind. All the while, Matt quietly built his playspace.
Karl finally made a bit of a recovery but Matt was right there to do wallish things while Darby continued to be mostly right-facing. In the end, Matt's well-established defensive deck did what you might expect... winning in the endgame. Congratulations Matt, on your well-deserved victory!
We'll continue to run the NA Cup for at least one more year, though there has been some discussion about breaking the series into smaller regional pieces after this year. The 2025/26 tour begins with Chris Malec hosting in Albany NY over the September 5-7th weekend. Jason Ketcham will host West Coast leg in San Diego CA, tentatively scheduled for November 21-23th. We're accepting applications for the 3 remaining tournament weekends, trying to maintain some level of geographical diversity. If you have an interest in hosting, reach out to me and we'll see what can be done.
Again, thanks to all the North American organizers and players for making this another successful series of events!
Ropecon 2025 – 28th time for Petri!
VTES at Ropecon in Helsinki, Finland, this year was not a NC, CC or GP level event, so it doesn´t get the formal write up here, but we want to acknowledge that this 47 player tournament was the 28th time around for organizer Petri Wessman – a spectacular record! He first held VTES at Ropecon 1995, and with a gap in late 90s and during Covid, he has been persistent. What a VTES hero!
Read the full tournament report at the VEKN forum: Ropecon 2025 (In Memoriam Lauri Salmi)
The Garou Rim Gazette also had a nice report: VTES report from Ropecon 2025
Photo by Marko Saari.
Marius Iscru wins Grand Prix London 2025!
This tournament was played with 40 beautiful people on May 17, but it is not until now that facts and images found their way to the editor of this newsletter.
Read the full report: Grand Prix London 2025
The first VTES 1v1 tournament in Barcelona
On July 19th, 2025, eight players gathered at La Cendra - Espai Veïnal in Barcelona to participate in the very first tournament testing the Vampire: The Eternal Struggle format for two players – a significant shift from the traditional multiplayer experience. Held over three rounds, each consisting of best-of-three matches.
Players described the format as “fast and furious,” with a pace that leaves little room for long-term plotting. “You don't have time to think too much about your next turn – because your next turn is already here”, one participant noted. The streamlined mechanics and continuous tension from turn one made it an engaging and accessible format, especially for newcomers. As one player put it, “It's an intelligent game - two distinct styles clashing, and you commit to your strategy from the start”.
The game’s mechanics, especially the first-turn transfer rules, were praised for adapting well to the duel format. However, as expected with a pioneering event, certain imbalances were noticed. Several participants highlighted the need to revisit specific cards, especially Break the Bonds, which in this format can dominate with its three effects. Vampires with built-in dodge, such as Phaibun, were also flagged as possibly overperforming. Nevertheless, these issues were met with understanding: "It’s normal. The format is just taking its first steps – there’s room for refinement."
Decks and results
The undefeated winner was Aleix, who piloted a stealth-heavy Ravnos deck, which won all six games it played. He attributed his success partly to lucky pairings: “I never faced a true wall. Nosferatu with Animalism, Auspex, and cards like Second Tradition or Elder Intervention are key counters to stealth in this format – but I didn’t run into them.”
“Shhhhh, a dormir” by xiela
Crypt (12 cards)
4x Sreelekha 8 ANI FOR OBF PRE Ravnos:7
2x Doc Martina 6 ANI OBF for pre Ravnos:7
2x Roberto Rivamonte 6 ANI OBF PRE Ravnos:7
1x Luciano Carvalho 6 ANI OBF pre Ravnos:7
2x Phaibun 5 OBF PRE ani Ravnos:7
1x Gathii 5 ANI PRE obf Ravnos:7
Library (50 cards)
Master (6; 1 trifle)
2x Dummy Corporation
1x Elder Library
2x Grooming the Protégé
1x Wider View
Action (10)
10x Break the Bonds
Ally (1)
1x City Star Taxi
Action Modifier (18)
3x Cloak the Gathering
3x Faceless Night
3x Lost in Crowds
3x Spying Mission
6x True Love's Face
Action Modifier/Combat (3)
3x Swallowed by the Night
Combat (4)
4x Voracious Vermin
Reaction (8)
2x Guard Dogs
6x Party Out Of Bounds
Second place went to a Brujah deck focusing on Line Brawl and Enchant Kindred, with a combat package delivering up to 6 potential damage per action. The player noted that matchups heavily influenced outcomes, and wished for more opportunities to test the deck against a wider variety of archetypes, especially those played by Tomàs and Monaru.
“Two player brujah hardcore” by Leolegna
Crypt (12 cards)
3x Saku Pihlajamäki 8 CEL PRE POT pro for baron Brujah:6
3x Valeriya Zinovieva 7 POT cel pro pre baron Brujah:6
2x Atiena 6 CEL obf pre pot baron Brujah:6
2x Octane 6 CEL PRE POT Brujah:6
1x Leumeah 6 PRE cel pot for baron Brujah:6
1x Siarhei Levchenko 5 CEL PRE pot Brujah:6
Library (60 cards)
Master (7)
2x Celerity
2x Fame
1x Misdirection
1x Perfectionist
1x Tension in the Ranks
Action (13)
8x Line Brawl
5x Enchant Kindred
Combat (29)
9x Dust Up
9x Pursuit
6x Taste of Vitae
5x Slam
Political Action (1)
1x Kine Resources Contested
Reaction (10)
7x Organized Resistance
3x Protection Racket
Standings:
1. Ravnos
2. Brujah
3. Malkavian
4. Nosferatu
5. Salubri
6. Nosferatu
7. Salubri
8. Ani/pre Anarch
Deck construction was one of the early challenges. With little meta history to draw on, players approached the format intuitively. Despite this, most found the experience rewarding and instructive.
If there’s one thing that stood out even more than the game, it was the atmosphere. The camaraderie, shared meals, and good spirits made for a memorable day. “It had been a long time since I’d seen such a positive environment playing Vampire”, one participant reflected.
The success of the event has sparked enthusiasm for continued experimentation. Suggestions include designing cards specifically for the 1v1 format to better tailor strategies and pacing. Weekly meetups were even proposed to further explore and grow this alternative mode.
Special thanks to Rémi and Monaru for organizing the event, and to everyone who came out to test, laugh, and play.
All you need to know about the 1v1 VTES playtest can be found at the dedicated playtest site.
Reminder: Please join the World of Darkness Community Map!
Please, advertise your VTES playgroup and/or VTES events on the World of Darkness Community Map! This is important to help the game grow. But only things that happen in public places where anyone is welcome (nothing played at someone´s home) and no online events.
Check out the map here: World of Darkness Community Map
Submit here: Map submission form
Black Chantry Summary: July 2025
• Release date for the four new Sabbat preconstructed decks will be October 26. Yes, there is a gap between the preview tournament in mid June and this, but a series of fortunate and unfortunate factors played in, and it is what it is. Great thing to look forward to though! Full deck lists have been revealed at the product pages on Blackchantry.com, have a look there, and then immediatelly rush to your favourite store and force them to preorder for you.
• These Sabbat decks will also appear in Brazilian Portuguese fairly soon - translation is ongoing as we speak.
• The design team is not lazy! The first round of playtesting of the two upcoming sets "Brazil by Night" and "Shadows of New York" has just begun. The editor had a quick look at no less than 61 cards, and WOW it looks interesting. Camarilla, Sabbat and Anarchs all have stuff there, for example Primogen only-cards, new funny combat tricks and several "discard a card to do something cool"-effects. Some illustrations are already commissioned. Release of both is scheduled for the first half of 2026. Do you have an experienced playgroup and want to apply to become playtesters? Contact your test coordinator: English language: Norman Brown, Spanish: Darío Canto, French: Edouard Menneson and Portuguese: Claudinei Mendonça.
• Please, join the open playtest of VTES 1v1! No registration needed for this one. All rules are at the dedicated playtest site. Many thanks for any feedback. So far most seem positive to the format - see the Barcelona report above in this newsletter!
• Currently these Black Chantry products are available through Gamepod, Drivethrucard
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)
New Blood: Hecata (Also Spanish, French)
New Blood: Lasombra (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
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Recent news in the World of Darkness
Check out the episode on the World of Darkness Youtube channel
Calendar
Major events coming up:
August 9: National Championship Norway
August 16: Grand Prix Herne, Germany
August 16: National Championship Ireland
August 16: National Championship South Africa
August 23: Grand Prix Biloxi/Gulfport, Mississippi
August 23: Grand Prix Santiago, Chile
August 30: Grand Prix Auckland
September 6: Asian Championship, Mandaluyong, Philippines
September 6: Grand Prix Sul Americano (Campina Grande, Brazil)
September 6: National Championship Czech Republic
September 13: Grand Prix Harmelen
October 4: Grand Prix New Orleans, Louisiana
October 13-16: Week of Nightmares Aarhus
October 17: European Championship Aarhus
October 25: Oceania Championship, Melbourne, Australia
November 22: National Championship Sweden, Stockholm
December 6: Grand Prix Vidor, Texas
December 14: Grand Prix Cearense
Upcoming tournaments for the coming month (registered so far) are in:
Australia
Brazil x14
Canada
Chile x2
Denmark
Hungary
Ireland
Italy x2
Mexico
New Zealand
Norway
Online x3
Poland x4
Russia
South Africa
Spain x2
Sweden
USA x4
For details about these events, see the VEKN Event Calendar. Also, check out the World of Darkness Community Map.
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.
We think we understand the rules when we become adults, but what we really experience is a narrowing of the imagination.