We normally only present National, Grand Prix and Continental level tournament reports here, but we make an exception for this one, to showcase what a neonate playgroup looks like and how to develop it. Words by Sven Helmer, VEKN Prince of Zurich, Switzerland:

On 22 November, sixteen Methuselahs gathered in Zurich for the tournament "Überwald League of Temperance".* For ten of the players, this was the first tournament they have ever played in, that is why the tournament announcement asked players to not play hyper-competitive decks. This worked out quite well and everyone had a lot of fun, showing everyone that VTES tournaments are usually quite relaxed and laid-back affairs. I chose not to participate, so I had enough time to answer questions and explain cards, as I expected a higher number of rules questions/clarifications.

After two rounds, the finalists were determined: Tacitus (Ministry Stealth-Bleed/Vote, 2 GW, 7 VP), Milan (Karl Schrekt Tremere Block, 2 GW, 6 VP), Kevin (Nergal Stealth-Bleed, 1 GW 6 VP), Sven (Stanislava, 1 GW 3 VP), Jennifer (Path of Death Servitors, 0 GW, 3 VP). Jennifer managed to oust Tacitus before the game timed out, securing the tournament win. Although the final included a significant number of wraiths, the zombie in the background of the picture of the finalists did not participate.

The tournament winning deck, Servitor Swarm, was described by Jennifer as a Servitor deck with the Path of Death and Soul as a basis for more bleed:

Crypt (12 cards)
2x Sakura, The Merciless 7 DOM OBL THA aus pot Lasombra:6
1x Parijat, the Dark Oracle 7 AUS DOM FOR OBL Hecata:6
2x Aitana, The Unholy 6 AUS OBL for tha Hecata:6
1x Azucena 5 DOM OBL pot Lasombra:6
1x Zbigniew, Hunter of Mekhet 5 OBL aus dom tha Lasombra:6
3x El Monseñor 4 OBL dom Lasombra:6
1x Alek König 3 OBL Hecata:6
1x Peter St. John 2 obl Hecata:6

Library (90 cards)
Master (16; 3 trifle)
2x Archon Investigation
2x Blood Doll
1x Burial Site Hunting Ground
1x Charisma
2x Dreams of the Sphinx
2x Effective Management
1x Fragment of the Book of Nod
1x Information Highway
1x Powerbase: Munich
2x Villein
1x Wider View

Action (10)
2x Govern the Unaligned
8x Shroud of Decay

Ally (16)
16x Spectral Servitor

Action Modifier (26)
1x Conditioning
9x Gifts From Hereafter
5x Shadow Cast
5x Shadow Cloak
3x Stygian Shroud
3x Where the Veil Thins

Combat (6)
6x Pass Through Shadow

Reaction (14)
6x Deflection
3x Delaying Tactics
5x Shadow Sentinel

Event (2)
2x Unmasking, The

For the Zurich playgroup, this tournament was an important milestone. Compared to the first tournament we held in Zurich, we were able to double the number of participants and the fledgling playgroup is in a good state, we manage to play quite regularly, managing to get a session in almost every week.

Until a few years ago, there was only one noteworthy playgroup in Switzerland, the one in Geneva. We are happy to have established a second one. On the way there, we experienced what a lot of other new playgroups have also found out. Be patient, this is not going to happen from one day to the next, there are going to be setbacks. Only one of the three demo sessions we ran actually brought in a couple of new players. Play in a public place to attract attention to get potential new players interested in the game (fancy blood counters and edges also help here). Try to create a friendly environment, i.e., leave your cut-throat decks at home for a while. We played a lot of V5-clans to teach basic strategies and always had plenty of these decks around for players to try out.

Many thanks also to TwoMoons, a trading-card shop that opened its doors recently in Stettbach for hosting and supporting the tournament. We hope to have many more tournaments and VTES sessions at this location in the future.

* In case you are wondering where the tournament name comes from, this is a reference to Terry Pratchett. It is the name of a vampire self-help group trying to abstain from human blood.

Thanks for this report Sven, and good luck in the future Zurich!