The Deck to Beat: Ani Combat

Gotsdam + Edward Vignes with some Sudden Revversals

Stunt Cycle is a really bad card against Aid From the Bats+Carrion Crows.

ani do not need to manouver to long to deal damage. If it detect long range potence it can easily use the manouver to go to close range instead.

Increased Strength+Thrown Gate is something I've grown to like recently. A two card combo that will outdamage the Aid+Crows combo and holds it own against pretty much all kinds of combat just like the ani combo can. It can cycle Increased Strength to deal even more damage.

Any combat ends stops Animalism dead. People just need to stick their majesties back in their decks.

Also, any form of press shuts it down hardcore. The only press they get is from the bats. They waste 3 cards and an action to hit you for 3. You tap your guy and bleed them for 5. Police Department. Fortitude with optional press. Deny. Heck, even defensive Bats will work.

As a bonus, presses are great against Nephandi, War Ghouls and the increasinly popular Rock Cats. Some even come with a maneuver too. The way to survive animalism at the moment is, IMO, pack Majesties or pack Presses.

I personally prefer Torn signpost/slam/grapple/taste route. After 1-2 of those treatmans, followed by a second tradition or two when they try to leave torpor quickly persuades them too look the other way

Ranged aggravated is nice, Tzimisce would be good for that (either with Chiroptean Marauder and Breath of the Dragon) *and* they could prevent the Ani-Guys coming back from torpor.

And thmubs up for the Police Department.

One remark about Chaundice: actually not so good against Aid+Crows, since she can only prevent dmg. from opposing minion's strikea.

Nothing, nothing can stop them.