Reported by Tito Teixeira, VEKN National Coordinator of Portugal that leaves his position with this. The new NC is Ricardo Marta – good luck at the job Ricardo!

33 players gathered at the Mercadia Games games shop in Lisboa on November 2 for the 2024 Portuguese National Championship.

After 3 rounds, standing at the top of the rankings were
1. Luis Sancho (Gangrel Wall),
2. Tiago Gonçalves (Tzimisce bleed),
3. Diogo Pratas (Unnamed bleed),
4. Eduardo Mateus (Helena wall), and
5. Luis Santos (Ravnos Laibon swarm).

As one would expect given the table seating the Ravnos were unable to gain much momentum and any pool due to Helena's blocks, and so they got ousted first - their demise was speeded up by an Antediluvian Awakening played by Eduardo and a Contagion on The Unnamed.

The Tzimisce were limited to 2 minions as a result of a bad crypt draw and the constant pool drain of the AA and Contagion, so they were also unable to get much past the Gangrel wall. Most bleeds that were not blocked would be deflected to the Unnamed, who had the pool gain to weather a few hits and also got an Unleash Hell's Fury in play. This and the Gangrel claws resulted in the Tzimisce taking several trips to torpor, eventually culminating in a couple of diableries that put Tiago out of the game - his pool didn't last much longer under the combined pressure of the unlock phase effects, the Unnamed bleeds being deflected his way, and a few bleeds by Helena's support team (Zoe and Franciscus).

With the timer close to running out Diogo kept pushing The Unnamed bleeds (who by then had managed to recruit an Homunculus and Enkil Cog) to gain the pool he needed to stay alive, but in doing so he miscalculated and left the Gangrel dangerously low on pool. Eduardo realized Luis was out of wake cards and lunged for the oust, getting his 2nd VP. Shortly after that the timer ended, giving Eduardo the GW.

Eduardos tournament winning deck: “The Downward Spiral”

Crypt (12 cards)
4x Helena (Adv.) 10 dai obf pre tha AUS CEL DOM Independent Toreador:3
2x Helena 10 obf pre tha AUS CEL DOM Camarilla Toreador:3
1x Isabel de Leon 3 AUS Camarilla Toreador:2
1x Yvette, the Hopeless 3 aus cel Camarilla Toreador:3
1x Zöe 3 cel obf AUS Camarilla Malkavian:2
1x Emerson Wilkershire III 2 pre Camarilla Toreador:3
1x Franciscus 1 aus Camarilla Caitiff:2
1x Anarch Convert 1 Anarch Caitiff:Any

Library (90 cards)
Master (18, 6 trifles)
1x Dabbler
2x Wider View
2x Villein
1x Discipline: Fortitude
1x Secure Haven
3x Dreams of the Sphinx
1x Elder Library
1x The Barrens
1x Pentex Subversion
2x Antediluvian Awakening
1x Smiling Jack, the Anarch
2x Direct Intervention

Event (2)
1x Waiting Game
1x Narrow Minds

Reaction (70)
9x Diabolic Lure
6x Quicken Sight
6x Enhanced Senses
8x Eyes of Argus
8x Eagle’s Sight
2x My Enemy’s Enemy
8x Telepathic Misdirection
10x Deflection
13x Obedience

All finalists took trophies home along with several goodies. Many thanks to Mercadia Games, Ultra Pro, Black Chantry, and Tiago Gonçalves for the prize support provided.