Martin Weinmayer wins Iberian Grand Prix 2025!
This tournament was played with 41 players in Lisbon on November 29. Reported by Ricardo Marta, VEKN National Coordinator of Portugal:
Standings before the final:
1. Pedro Luis 2 GW, 9 VP
2. Martin Weinmayer 2 GW, 7.5 VP
3. Mikhail Klokov 2 GW, 7.5 VP
4. Hilario Cabello 1 GW, 7 VP
5. Paul Direktor 1 GW, 5 VP
Round 1
Hilário: 1 transfer (29 pool)
Paul: 2 transfers (28 pool)
Pedro: 3 transfers (27 pool)
Mikhail: 4 transfers (26 pool)
Brings out Suwira (2 on Aaradhya)
Martin: 4 transfers (26 pool)
Round 2
Hilário: Plays Wider View (28 pool). 4 transfers (24 pool). Brings out Lubomira Hradok and Old Neddacka.
Paul: 4 transfers (24 pool). Brings out Branimira.
Pedro: 4 transfers (23 pool). Brings out Roberto Rivamonte.
Mikhail: Plays Uptown Hunting Ground (24 pool). Suwira calls successful KRC 2 on Martin (24 pool) and 2 on Pedro (21 pool). Transfers 2 back to pool (26 pool).
Martin: 4 transfers (20 pool)
Round 3
Hilário: Plays Vessel and Shanty Town HG (21 pool). Old Neddacka bleeds Paul for 2 with Enthrall, bounced to Pedro (19 pool). Lubomira plays Inside Dirt on Paul (21 pool). 4 transfers (17 pool). Brings out Skulk.
Paul: Villein Branimira for 3 (24 pool). Branimira Deep Song backwards, Direct Intervention from Hilário (16 pool). New Deep Song, Branimira on Lubomira, Lubomira goes to torpor. 4 transfers (20 pool).
Pedro: Roberto bleeds for 3 with Break the Bonds and Power of One, Mikhail (25 pool). 4 transfer (15 pool). Brings out Oleg.
Mikhail: Plays Wider View and Unholy Sacrament (22 pool). Suwira bleed with Entrancement, Martin (18 pool). 4 transfers (18 pool). Brings out Khin Aye.
Martin: 4 transfers (14 pool). Brings out Aaradhya.
Round 4
Hilário: Lubomira plays Inside Dirt (blood) on Branimira. 2 transfers (14 pool). Brings out Bloodfeud.
Paul: Plays Anarch Revolt. 4 transfer (16 pool). Brings out Adrino Manauara.
Pedro: Oleg bleeds for 1, Mikhail (17 pool). Roberto bleeds for 2 with Break the Bonds Mikhail, deflected to Martin (12 pool). 4 transfers (11 pool). Brings out Luciano.
Mikhail: Pays AR (16 pool). Suwira calls vote to break AR, successful. Khin Aye calls Cold War on Martin, out voted. No transfers (16 pool).
Martin: Aaradhya governs down. 4 transfers (8 pool). Brings out Dark Selina.
Round 5
Hilário: Plays Forward Momentum. Bloodfeud plays Night Moves on Paul. Adrino deflects to Pedro. Luciano reduces with Visions of Zapathasura. Old Neddacka bleeds for 1, Paul (15 pool). Skulk plays Inside Dirt on Paul (12 pool). Lubomira bleeds for 1, Paul (11 pool) and untaps with Forward momentum. Lubomira plays Inside Dirt on Paul (8 pool). 4 transfers (13 pool) – draw from crypt.
Paul: Plays Villein for 5 Adrino (13 pool). Plays Carfax Abbey (11 pool). Adrino plays Deep Song rush on Skulk, Skulk goes to torpor
Branimira equips Ivory Bow (10 pool). No transfers (10 pool).
Pedro: Luciano bleeds for 2 with Break the Bonds on Mikhail (14 pool). Roberto bleeds for 3 with Visions of Gehenna on Mikhail (11 pool). 4 transfers (10 pool) – draw from crypt.
Mikhail: Plays Dreams of the Sphinx (10 pool). Khin Aye calls Cold War on Pedro, Oleg plays Delaying. Transfers 1 back to pool from Dreams (11 pool).
Martin: Plays Privileged Position. Aaradhya calls Banishment on Bloodfeud, superior voter cap (10 pool). Uses Privileged Position to burn pool on Hilário (12 pool). Dark Selina Govern bleed for 3, Hilário (9 pool). Aaradhya plays Eternal Vigilance. No transfers (10 pool).
Round 6
Hilário: Old Neddacka plays Night Moves on Paul (9 pool). 1 transfer (8 pool). Brings out Bloodfeud (again).
Paul: Branimira plays Mr. Winthorp. Adrino plays Deep Song rush on Bloodfeud, both end up in torpor after mandatory press to continue. No transfers (9 pool).
Pedro: Plays Week of Nightmares.
Renato plays Field Training on Luciano.
Luciano bleeds for 4 with Break the Bonds and Power of One, Mikhail (7 pool). Renato bleeds for 4 with Visions of Gehenna, Direct Intervention from Martin (9 pool), moved to 3 with True love’s Face, Mikhail (4 pool). Transfers 1 back to pool (11 pool).
Mikhail: Plays Purchase Pact. Khin Aye calls Cold War on Pedro (8 pool), superior voter cap (6 pool). Khin Aye plays Freak Drive and plays Under Siege (5 pool). Khin Aye plays Freak Drive. Suwira calls Anarchist Uprising: Hilário burns 4 (4 pool), Paul burns 2 (7 pool), Pedro burns 3 (5 pool), Mikhail burns 2 (3 pool) and Martin burns 2 (7 pool). Khin Aye bleeds for 1, Martin (6 pool). Transfers 2 back to pool (5 pool).
Martin: Aaradhya calls Cold War on Pedro (2 pool) and burns Shanty Town HG from Hilário, superior voter cap (8 pool). Dark Selina calls Cold War on Pedro (0 pool) and burns Carfax Abbey from Paul, superior voter cap (10 pool). First VP for Paul (13 pool). Uses Privileged Position to burn pool on Hilário (3 pool). Aaradhya bleeds for 2 Hilário (1 pool) and plays Enkil Cog. No transfers (10 pool).
Round 7
Hilário: Vessel back (2 pool). Old Neddacka plays Night Moves on Martin (9 pool), untaps with Forward Momentum. Old Neddacka plays Inside Dirt on Paul (10 pool). Lubomira bleeds for 2 with Enthrall, Paul (8 pool). No transfers (2 pool).
Paul: Plays Fame on Suwira. Branimira rescue Adrino. Adrino hunts. No transfers (8 pool).
Mikhail: Plays Dreams of the Sphinx (4 pool). Khin Aye hunts. Martin’s Aaradhya Enkil Cog bleed for 3, Hilário (0 pool). First VP for Martin (15 pool). No transfers (4 pool).
Martin: Gains from Edge (16 pool). Villein for 5 on Dark Selina (21 pool). Plays Monastery of Shadows (18 pool). Aaradhya bleeds for 3 Paul, Adrino fails to block, sends to Mikhail, Khin Aye blocks. Dark Selina bleeds for 1, Paul (7 pool). 4 transfers (17 pool) – draw from crypt.
Round 8
Paul: Branimira hunts. No transfers (7 pool).
Mikhail: No actions.
Martin’s Aaradhya Enkil Cog bleed for 3, plays Direct Intervention (16 pool) on Organized Resistance but Branimira still blocks. Transfers 1 back to pool from Dreams (5 pool).
Martin: Gains from Edge (17 pool). Dark Selina calls Cold War on Paul (4 pool), superior voter cap (19 pool). Uses Privileged Position to burn pool on Paul (3 pool). Aaradhya bleeds for 3 Paul, Adrino sends to Mikhail, Khin Aye blocks. 4 transfers (18 pool) – draw from crypt.
Round 9
Paul: Plays Garibaldi-Meucci Museum. Adrino hunts. Branimira hunts. Martin’s Aaradhya Enkil Cog bleed for 3. Paul (0 pool). Second VP for Martin (24 pool).
Mikhail: Khin Aye bleeds for 5 with Legal Manipulations and Iron Glare, Martin (19 pool), Mikhail (6 pool). Khin Aye plays Freak Drive and calls KRC with Magnetic Authority (for 2 pool), Martin (16 pool), Mikhail (5 pool). Suwira bleeds for 3 with Legal Manipulations, Martin (13 pool). Transfer 2 back from Magnetic Authority (7 pool).
Martin: Plays Villein for 2 Dark Selina paying 1 (14 pool). Plays Ventrue Headquarters (13 pool). Dark Selina governs bleed for 3, Mikhail (4 pool). Aaradhya calls Cold War on Mikhail (1 pool). Uses Privileged Position to burn pool on Mikhail (0 pool). Third VP for Martin (19 pool)
Martin wins with 4 VPs and GW. Paul 1 VP.
Tournament winning deck: “Cold War” by Martin Weinmayer
Crypt (12 cards)
5x Aaradhya, The Callous Tyrant 10 ANI DOM FOR POT PRE cardinal Ventrue:6
2x Dark Selina 9 CEL POT PRE dom for cardinal Brujah antitribu:5
2x Věnceslava, The Implacable 9 DOM FOR POT PRE cel archbishop Brujah:6
1x Rexton "Savage" Abernathy 8 DOM POT PRE cel archbishop Brujah:6
1x Üresség 8 CEL POT PRE dom for archbishop Brujah:6
1x Khin Aye 7 POT PRE dom for priscus Ventrue:6
Library (90 cards)
Master (22; 6 trifle)
1x Creepshow Casino
2x Direct Intervention
2x Dreams of the Sphinx
1x Elder Library
1x Giant's Blood
1x Gurchon Hall
1x Information Highway
2x Monastery of Shadows
1x Papillon
1x Privileged Position
1x Secure Haven
2x Ventrue Headquarters
6x Villein
Action (10)
2x Eternal Vigilance
8x Govern the Unaligned
Political Action (16)
1x Anarchist Uprising
1x Ancient Influence
1x Ancilla Empowerment
4x Banishment
8x Cold War
1x Political Stranglehold
Equipment (2)
2x Heart of Nizchetus
Action Modifier (28)
4x Dominant Personality
2x Enkil Cog
4x Iron Glare
4x Perfect Paragon
4x Relentlessness
6x Unthinkable Humiliation
4x Voter Captivation
Combat (6)
6x Majesty
Reaction (6)
6x Deflection
Thanks for this report, and thanks to all organisers, sponsors and players!
Darby Keeney wins Gulf Coast Roast 2025!
Finalists: Andy, Brad, Darby, Dean and Mark.
This event took place on December 8, reported by Kelly Lyons, VEKN Prince of Vidor, with deck comment by the winner:
The Gulf Coast Roast II came to an ending in Vidor, Texas. The Last Grand Prix was played and all that was left was for the top 5 players to duke it out and see who would be crowned champion. There were 4 returning players to the Final Table; last year’s winner Andy Smith, Mr. Hard Money Brad Cashdollar, the Prince of Biloxi Dean Garrison, and the #1 ranked U.S. player Darby Keeney. The newcomer to the table was Mark Figuerola. The final was untimed and this lead to a 3 hour match of perseverance and fortitude.
Andy was the first one out and Mark had the first VP. A trend of started were ouster became the ousted. Mark soon followed Andy and Brad cashed in for his lone VP of the match before he was also removed by his predator, Dean. Dean hung in there for a good period of time but was dominated by Darby’s minions that continued to keep growing. Meanwhile, Dean ran out of cards and moves. The dust had settled in Texas and Darby Keeney stood tall as this year’s champion. Congratulations to Darby Keeney and the rest of the finalist.
Final result:
Darby Keeney 2VP
Dean Garrison 1VP
Brad Cashdollar 1VP
Mark Figuerola 1VP
The tournament winning deck: “Hold My Beer Revision 4” by Darby Keeney
This crypt migrated from all Nosferatu (4 duplicated primogen) to superior Animalism with useful vampire specials. With that change, Protected District appears in smaller numbers, supplemented by Confusion of the Eye (unused this weekend). Baixnho vs Bereguela is give-and-take, the deck really wants some rando 4-cap [ANI] vamp.
The library is atypical - a combat deck of less than 90 cards with 7 Villeins. I've decked myself only once, so this feels "correct" in pratical use. I've gone 1.5/1 Bats:Crows. That's lower than my old 1.6/1 ratio but higher than the 1.3/1 I believe best suited for an S:CE-heavy meta. Retaining maneuvers for vampires playing with 1 blood seemed more valuable than meeting theory-crafted output potential. The stealth is sparse, but feels like just enough.
Basic play remains the same:
- minimize pool expenditure,
- get vampires and Villein for 5 (see above),
- play combat and taste to 3+ blood,
- then play turns situationally based on hand contents.
Crypt (12 cards)
2x Dowager, The 6 ANI OBF aus pot primogen Nosferatu:6
2x Larissa Moreira 6 ANI OBF pot primogen Nosferatu:6
2x Lenny Burkhead 6 ANI obf pot pre primogen Nosferatu:6
1x Baixinho 3 ani obf Nosferatu:6
1x Doc Martina6 ANI OBF for pre Ravnos:7
1x Gathii 5 ANI PRE obf Ravnos:7
1x Horace Radcliffe 5 ANI POT obf Nosferatu:6
1x Nikolaus Vermeulen 7 ANI POT for obf prince Nosferatu:6
1x Trung Chau Pham 3 ANI Ravnos:7
Library (80 cards)
Master (16; 7 trifle)
4x Ashur Tablets
1x Bleeding the Vine -- with only 4 Tablets, this is mandatory.
1x Direct Intervention
1x Giant's Blood
1x Labyrinth, The
1x Secret Library of Alexandria, The -- marginal until it isn't.
7x Villein
Action (11)
11x Deep Song
Ally (1)
1x Carlton Van Wyk
Action Modifier (6)
3x Faceless Night
3x Lost in Crowds
Action Modifier/Combat (5)
5x Swallowed by the Night
Combat (29)
12x Aid from Bats
1x Canine Horde
8x Carrion Crows
5x Taste of Vitae
3x Terror Frenzy -- feels like a 4th copy could work
Reaction (11)
2x Confusion of the Eye -- has to be useful in the long run.
2x Guard Dogs -- the best of bad options.
2x On the Qui Vive
5x Protected District
Event (1)
1x Scourge of the Enochians -- in preference to Carver's.
Thanks to Kelly and everyone else involved in the Gulf Coast Roast, and good luck with the next circuit!
Überwald League of Temperance - a beginner-friendly tournament
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!
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