Valerius Maior is an Infamous Insurgent

I lately missed a tournament win by a few minutes with this one (damn those Ashur Tablets for making people think five minutes about what they take back into their deck ).

Comments very welcome!



Deck Name: Hell's Insurgent
Created By: Joscha Düll
Description: Deck based on Valerius Maior with Infamous Insurgent and Kaymakli Fragment.

This deck has a strong defensive angle and a medium offense. The goal is to oust the prey and win the endgame in the headups. So the quicker somebody else is ousted the better for this deck. Obviously the best predator is a standard obfuscate bleeddeck without combatdefense. With the aggravated damage from Flames of the Netherworld the blocks hurt. Uta gives the deck some offensive options too (Uta weilding the Ivory Bow, nice).
Infamous Insurgent/Rutor's Hand plus Kaymakli Fragment is strong, but not decisive to get. At least it is fun when the trick works.
Spirit Summoning Chamber is such a good card for this deck. It gives you the chance to have the right card in hand at the right time: Magic of the Smith in the beginning, the right combat card for the block or the rush, a Biothaumaturgical Experiment if you need the +strength or the maneuver, the Rutor's Hand if you need more actions or last but not least the needed stealth.
It's clearly no Tier-1 deck, but it is fun to play and surprises with it's aggrocombat.

Crypt: (12 cards, Min: 17, Max: 31, Avg: 6,25)
3 Uta Kovacs ser AUS DOM THA 8 Tremere Antitribu
4 Valerius Maior AUS DAI DOM nec pre THA 7 Tremere Antitribu
1 Selena AUS DOM THA 6 Tremere Antitribu
1 Elena Mendoza Vasquez dom obt AUS THA 6 Tremere Antitribu
1 Yasmin the Black dom pre AUS THA 6 Tremere Antitribu
1 Masika St. John THA 3 Tremere
1 Jacob THA 2 Tremere Antitribu

Library: (71 cards)

Master (15 cards)
1 Villein
1 Powerbase: Montreal
1 Fame
2 Spirit Summoning Chamber
1 Pentex Subversion
1 Giant`s Blood
1 Direct Intervention
1 Rack, The
1 Vessel
1 Blood Doll
1 Wider View
1 Infernal Pact
1 Infamous Insurgent
1 Galaric`s Legacy (that's enough, you can always become anarch with the action if you need to)

Action (11 cards)
1 Contagion
4 Govern the Unaligned
2 Biothaumaturgic Experiment
1 Rutor`s Hand
3 Magic of the Smith

Action Modifier (3 cards)
3 Mirror Walk

Reaction (19 cards)
1 Eagle`s Sight (could maybe be more to get the bleed only prey handled, but what to take out without limiting the defense?)
2 Spirit`s Touch
3 Telepathic Misdirection
3 My Enemy`s Enemy
1 Wake with Evening`s Freshness (the good ole wake because you can't rely on Otqv too much and bouncing with Forced Awakening hurts)
3 On the Qui Vive
2 Forced Awakening
2 Eyes of Argus
2 Deflection

Combat (17 cards)
6 Apportation
3 Rego Motus
2 Blood Fury
6 Flames of the Netherworld

Equipment (4 cards)
1 Ivory Bow
1 Heart of Nizchetus
1 Bowl of Convergence
1 Kaymakli Fragment

Event (1 cards)
1 NSA Trio

Combo (1 cards)
1 Sense the Sin


This deck clearly dies to damage prevention (hence the Blood Furies). But you can alter it to your metagame.

Joscha wrote:

I lately missed a tournament win by a few minutes with this one (damn those Ashur Tablets for making people think five minutes about what they take back into their deck.

If you aren't exaggerating, then I'd have called a judge. A player has one minute to make each game decision, and the Ashur Tablets effect is one of those.

KevinM wrote:

Joscha wrote:

I lately missed a tournament win by a few minutes with this one (damn those Ashur Tablets for making people think five minutes about what they take back into their deck.

If you aren't exaggerating, then I'd have called a judge . A player has one minute to make each game decision, and the Ashur Tablets effect is one of those.

In retrospect I should have (though it wasn't really five min., but more than two definitely and there was more than that like throwing away add. cards got with Dreams of the Sphinx and swapping cards via Anthelios). But it was a tourney with buddies and the guy really gave his best and did not stall intentionally. Calling the judge often kills a former good mood at a table. Maybe he should stop playing those cards .

I saw the deck in action (twice) and loved the way that it played, but I'm really surprised now that I've seen the list to learn just how little offensive power it has. Splashing in two or three Conditionings (or more Sense the Sin) couldn't hurt. And while the Blood Furies are okay (and are especially useful given the Biothaums), they might be better as simple Thefts of Vitae.

Thanks for the suggestion, Liam. I will go for two more Sense the Sin as it doubles as intercept (even at aus vs. smaller minions). But don't underestimate the power of blocking decks. If you are able to block vital actions of your prey like superior Governs, equip-, recruit or political actions you often can oust quickly enough. Look how often Tzimiscewalls get the win. They mostly play without or with just a few +bleed cards (IIRC). And if nothing helps I still got my Fame. But yes, it is no deck for a sweep .
Regarding Theft of Vitae I think that nobody really fears it. I mean okay, you lose two blood in a combat and the opponent gets it. But is that a big deal compared to going to torpor or get hit for three?

Joscha wrote:

Regarding Theft of Vitae I think that nobody really fears it. I mean okay, you lose two blood in a combat and the opponent gets it. But is that a big deal compared to going to torpor or get hit for three?

It's certainly not a terrifying card, but it becomes scary when it's coupled with a press and second round aggravated damage. And it of course gives you two blood, which can be useful in a pinch. That said, I of course see the value in being able to torporize someone.