Card idea: Thick Blood

Ankha wrote:

- they would be stronger against non fighting decks. But they are already powerful against them...

Well, they relie entirely on Psyche! to be powerful against them. It would be another card to deal with S:CE.

Also, Assamite are supposed to be, well, Assassins. In my book, they should be especially strong against people that just want to live, but not especially strong against already decent combattant like Brujah.

Imo, Assamites should be assassins. They have THREE disciplines that allow them attack unseen, unheard and fast enough to not leave a trace. In vtes it's not represented at all - they fight like every other clan, and their opponents are perfectly aware of their strikes when assamites rush them (as assamites declare it first), and can react against it.

Card that assamites deserve is something that reward them from, as it would be in world of darkness, attacking someone by surprise. In vtes it can be represented in many ways, perhaps the best one would be either combat card or action modifier/reaction that only works if this assamite isn't blocked (so work when he enter combat at stealth and when he blocked someone) that use and/or that prevent opponent from striking in initial strike resolution.

Preventing other from using power of their blood is also quietus theme, and current cards represent it in bad way, but if we really want to help assamite combat (and nosferatu, and !gangrel if it's mono obf card), rewarding them for using stealth rushing is the way to go.

Attacking someone unseen is generally represented either with first strike (plenty of that in assamite discplines), or with manuevers (given by most rush cards). You already have Hidden Lurker for the cannot strike effect.

Klaital wrote:

Attacking someone unseen is generally represented either with first strike (plenty of that in assamite discplines), or with manuevers (given by most rush cards).

"plenty" is a bit much. They have shadow feint and Silence of death that are more or less playable, but still way too expensive for first strike.

Also, first strike and maneuvers are, well, relatively weak effects, that work mainly against combat powerhouse. Mind of the wild feel more hired-killer than Shadow feint for me.

Klaital wrote:

You already have Hidden Lurker for the cannot strike effect.

Which is extremely expensive for a pretty good effect. Not a bad card, just one who is scarcely playable because of the cost. Also, it is not exactly a surprise ambush in that the vampire already had a combat.

Klaital wrote:

Attacking someone unseen is generally represented either with first strike (plenty of that in assamite discplines), or with manuevers (given by most rush cards). You already have Hidden Lurker for the cannot strike effect.

While nice effects, first strike is generally speaking useless effect, and maneuvers aren't useful against someone who just s:ce (first strike isn't useful either).

Hidden Lurker is good effect, but isn't exactly stealthy assassin given the minion already blocked one action. Stealthy assassin would prevent the opponent from striking in the first place and made sure his strike hit the target. It's strong effect, i know it, but totally reasonable.

Lech wrote:

Stealthy assassin would prevent the opponent from striking in the first place and made sure his strike hit the target. It's strong effect, i know it, but totally reasonable.

One way to implement this may be a quietus rush that disallow strike card if the opposing methuselah don't discard two combat cards. It would be a pain in the ass of S:CE about as big as Immortal grapple, while still having weakness (block in this case)