The Deck to Beat: Ani Combat

Some months there was a discussion here on how to beat the "Girls will find ..." deck, which was at that time the deck to beat. With the EC last weekend I think the deck to beat currently is Animalism combat. Animalism won three out five tournaments, although I have to admit with variations, Ahrimanes, Nana Mono-Ani, Nana Pot-Ani.

So my question is, how do you beat reliably Ani Combat -- without losing focus on your offensive/defensive capabilities? Malkavian '94 with tons of Obdience? Lawfirm with a larger number of Majesty? Stickmen with more than usual maneuvers?

And no, "more Ani Combat" is not a correct answer!

1. Trap + Apparition Ravnos Wall
2. The Unnamed with mixed up combat section: Earth Meld, Form of Mist and Shadow Feint!
3. Lot of pre s:ce (14+ in 90 cards)
4. Any big damage done with first strike
5. Modified pot deck: instead of Thrown Sewer Lid play with Stunt Cycle as the long range option -> 4R damage and prevent 2! All these ani guys don't have celerity to prevent the Stunt Cycle
6. Any fix prevent source that does not come from equipment: Chaundice special, Guardian Angels, Well Marked, etc.

So you can see that there are plenty of options...

In RopeCon 2011 tournament, Nangila+Nana team was won in the finals with Muddled Vampire Hunter.

Ambrosius, Tye Cooper, Ponticulus are great as well.

And, if you are playing against "Girls..." version of ANI combat, it will have more masters than combat in the early game so it's not that bad.

As I heard multible times while preparing for the EC, ranged aggravated damage is an option -- of course not to every type of deck ...

Soak + Eye of Unforgiving Heaven
Blissful Agony

B)

Weenie . With Combat Ends that also work as block denial, bleed boost or bruise, it can shut down the and still play its game.

Mephistopheles wrote:

5. Modified pot deck: instead of Thrown Sewer Lid play with Stunt Cycle as the long range option -> 4R damage and prevent 2! All these ani guys don't have celerity to prevent the Stunt Cycle
(...)
6. Any fix prevent source that does not come from equipment: Chaundice special, Guardian Angels, Well Marked, etc.

Stunt Cycle, Chaundice and Well Marked cannot prevent damage from Carrion Crows.

Sticking with , a Slam will most often be enough.