Rodinei Camargo is the 2025 champion of Portugal
Reported by Sandro Rodrigues, with comment by the champion.
In a GREAT weekend of VTES events, which took place at Versus Gamecenter Lisboa & Algés, we hope that everyone had a good time here! Friday March 14 had a draft with 30 players, Saturday March 15 was the Nacional with 57 players, and Sunday 16 was the GL/PT ligue with 41 players. Rodinei Camargo ended up winning the National (4 VP final) with 57 players from 7 different nationalities, with his deck “The Revenge of Ceoris”.
Standings before the final:
1. Rodinei Camargo
2. Filipe Henriques
3. Rafael Hilario Del Rosal
4. Rafael Rocha
5. Tamás Glied
Rodinei about the final: “I arrived in the finals in first place, and I chose to sit in front of Rafael Hilario's Tzimisce V5 deck to redirect the Govern bleeds to my prey Filipe Macieira, a mono-Dementation, and in the next, Tamas Glied, a True Brujah with Summon History Allies and Vote, because they had little intercept and did not redirect bleeds, and I tried to buy time to defend myself from the True Brujah's police actions.
My prey's Dementia vampires were aggressive, rapidly depleting the True Brujah's pool. Being down to seven pools already, the True Brujah was able to call the Remnant of the Endless Storm to attack my prey, play a Protect Resources, and use a multi-action strategy of Banishment and Voter Captivation to defend himself and increase his pool in a remarkable comeback
With Gregory Winter's blood steal and Muddled Vampire Hunter's rushes, Tamas prey Rafael Santo de Souza applied a lot of pressure to the Tzimisce; however, his Demention bleeds got deflected and eventually reached my prey.
The two Dementation decks were simultaneously destroyed by the True Brujah's explosive turn of Reckless Agitation + Ancilla Empowerment, which left the Tzimisce with two pools.
When it was my turn, I recruited Carlton Van Wyk to defend me against the Remnant rush and saved my predator's Baron from torpor so he could defend himself against the political actions.
As time ran out the True Brujah made the bold decision to go for his second VP. The Tzimisce fought valiantly and kept bleeding, but I was able to win by using bounces, Direct Intervention, and Delaying Tactics, and pressuring with the five Nephandus I was able to achieve victory. The True Brujah deck proved to be very strong and well played by Tamas Glied and was very close to winning.”
Final Score: Rodinei 4 VP, Tamas 1 VP.
Crypt (12)
2x Carna, The Princess Witch 7 AUS DOM THA primogen Tremere:3
1x Ladislas Toth, The Torch 7 AUS DOM THA for archbishop Tremere antitribu:3
2x Selena 6 AUS DOM THA Tremere antitribu:3
5x Antonio d'Erlette 5 THA dom for pot Tremere antitribu:4
1x Anarch Convert 1 Caitiff:ANY
1x Tupdog 1 POT VIS Gargoyle:3
Library (90 cards)
Master (38; 1 trifle)
12x Ashur Tablets
1x Bleeding the Vine
3x Direct Intervention
1x Dreams of the Sphinx
1x Giant's Blood
1x Information Highway
2x Jake Washington
1x Life Boon
6x Liquidation
7x Parthenon, The
2x Shard, London, The
1x Wider View
Event (4)
1x Scourge of the Enochians
3x Unmasking, The
Action (2)
1x Dominate Kine
1x Magic of the Smith
Ally (10)
1x Carlton Van Wyk
9x Nephandus
Equipment (2)
1x Bowl of Convergence
1x Heart of Nizchetus
Action Modifier (8.)
1x Conditioning
7x Mirror Walk
Action Modifier/Reaction (2)
2x Murmur of the False Will
Reaction (24)
9x Deflection
2x Delaying Tactics
4x Eyes of Argus
4x On the Qui Vive
2x Redirection
3x Telepathic Misdirection
Thank you to all participants and sponsors (allowed all participants to have the right to one Fifth Edition deck and something more) of this event.
Vadim Grigorev is the 2025 champion of Lithuania
Reported by Nerijus Mikalajunas, VEKN National Coordinator of Lithuania. Photos by Marko Saari.
Vadim Grigorev of Belarus, brilliantly driving the old-school Ravnos Clown Car, wins “Vilnius by night 2025 (In Memoriam Julius Stonis)” and is crowned the Champion of Lithuania! 44 Methuselahs from 8 nations battled it out in Vilnius on Saturday March 3.
Player's standings before the final:
Vadim Grigorev 2 GW, 8 VP
Alexander Roman 1 GW, 5.5 VP
Tomasz Kloczko 1 GW, 5.0 VP
Marius Žeimantas 1 GW, 5.5 VP
Marcin Zakrzewski 1 GW, 5.5 VP
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Two Polish, two Belarussian and one Lithuanian players made it to the finals. Vadim was top seed – a crucial advantage he did not let go to waste while choosing the seating for the finals. Choosing a spot between a Tzimisce bleed (with very little intercept) and 1 cap bleed, he did not have a hard time being caught on important actions, such as Mozambique Allure and Embrace. The Eldest are Kholo helped the Consanguineous boons to go through and mitigate the Tzimisce bleeds.
Vadim was in no hurry to oust his prey and let Alexander be the first to oust Marius’ voting Lasombra. Marcin’s Tzimisce were the next to go, but Tomasz’s Nephandi were too few to resist the hordes of newly embraced Ravnos, who swarmed both him and Alexander during the week of Nightmares.
Final result: Vadim 3 VP and GW, Alexander Roman 1 VP, Tomasz Kloczko 1 VP.
National Coordinator Nerijus with champion Vadim.
For the Lithuanian VTES Community this is much more than "just a tournament", as it is traditionally organised on the Saturday closest to the birthday of our dear departed friend and Lithuanian VTES legend Julius Stonis.
Tournament winning deck: “Ravnos in Africa” by Vadim Grigorev
Crypt (12)
1x Ghivran Dalaal, The Dead God 5 ani aus chi FOR Ravnos:2
1x Andrei Puxon5 ani cel chi for Ravnos:2
1x Anka, Priestess of Thorns 4 ani chi pro Ravnos:2
1x Khalil Ravana 5 ani for pre CHI Ravnos:2
1x Lazar Dobrescu 3 for Ravnos:2
1x Salbatore Bokkengro 4 for pro CHI Ravnos:2
1x Sasha Miklos2 chi Ravnos:2
1x Sennuwy, The Promoter4 ani chi for Ravnos:2
1x Spleen, Georgio Gutterpunk 2 ani chiRavnos:2
1x Vedel Esbreno 3 chi forRavnos:2
1x Zip2 ani Ravnos:3
1x Ashlesha 3 aus chiRavnos:2
Library: 75 cards:
Master (12)
1x Anarch Troublemaker
3x Life in the City
6x Ravnos Carnival
2x Week of Nightmares
Action (40)
27x Embrace, The
13x Mozambique Allure
Political Action (8)
8x Consanguineous Boon
Action Modifier (4)
4x Change of Target
Action Modifier/Reaction (11)
11x Eldest Are Kholo, The
We would like to thank the Wargamer Club - the hub of the local vampires and our long-time friends who are making the abundance of the playmats come true - DeepCut Studio.
A special thanks goes to Marko Saari for the photos of the event and for an excellent job as a head judge!
See you all next year - 02 28 2026!
Vampire: Elder Kindred Network Newsletter February 2025
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, 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)
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
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.
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