[Submission] Dead Reckoning

This is a continuation of my original thoughts about Grave Whisperings - using the departed enemies of an enemy to wreak havoc.

Dead reckoning
Thanatosis/Necromancy
1 blood

You cannot play another action modifier to increase this bleed amount.
+1 bleed
As above. If your prey controls a location, choose one and flip a coin: if heads, the location burns.

Alternative superior:

As above but put this card into play. When you have three copies, burn them to burn a location controlled by your prey.

Flavour text
"The account-holder may have been terminated, but the debt hadn't been settled".
or
"Zombies don't know fear, don't fatigue, and are completely obedient. The trick is to ensure they last long enough".

Art notes
Four zombies (tattered/torn clothing and holding a variety of makeshift weapons) standing under a street light, with an deserted but illuminated factory up ahead.

World of Darkness reference
Zombies don't know fear, don't fatigue, and are completely obedient. But they don't last very long (WW reference here ). Once a Samedi found a targets' property, it makes sense to send in some Zombies to create some extra destruction - more damage, and if you're really lucky, maybe they'd create some utter chaos.

Originally, thought the superior would be "Gain a blood/pool", but that might involve Zombies surviving and bringing back resources: don't think they're that intelligent, so gone with further destruction instead.

How does this card address a compelling game need?
Improve the Samedi/Harbingers ability to bleed, but also having a slightly chaotic element.

Creator: Chris Nelson.

Actually, that superior alternative could be stockpiled. Better written as:

"As above, but place a counter on a location controlled by your prey if successful. Burn three counters to burn the location".

chrisn101 wrote:

Dead reckoning
Thanatosis/Necromancy
1 blood

You cannot play another action modifier to increase this bleed amount.
+1 bleed
As above. If your prey controls a location, choose one and flip a coin: if heads, the location burns.

I'm unconvinced at inferior. Two disciplines and 1 blood is quite a lot for +1 bleed. Dominate, Vicissitude, Abombwe, Serpentis and Dementation can all do it for free with one discipline. True Love's Face can do it with two (Obf/Pre) for free, and Weigh the Heart can do it with the super-weird combo of Aus/Ser. Aire of Elation can do it for Presence with one blood and one discipline and that's mostly best for the Toreador anyhow (who get an extra +1), and Old Friends can do it with one discipline (although it has a frustrating DNR clause).

I'd try to find something extra for it to do at inferior, on top of the bleed. Or alternatively, consider doing something like making it free at inferior and making the superior have a burn a blood clause if you think it needs it.

Or make the card free, and modify the superior to need burned blood and function like the Obfuscate ability of Keystone Kine.

Ah, Keystone Kine is not a card I am familiar with. The blood-burning was because I thought of Zombies doing it so it was 'indirect'.

Extending this, and yes, you're right, quite expensive compared with Necromancy bleed cards, how about....

Cost: 1 blood
+1 bleed. Put this card in play. If this action is blocked, untap the acting Vampire: this card represents a zombie ally with 3 strength who can play basic Fortitude cards as a 3-capacity Vampire. Burn during you untap.
As above, but for +2 bleed and, if your prey controls a location, choose one and flip a coin: if heads, the location burns.

chrisn101 wrote:

Cost: 1 blood
+1 bleed. Put this card in play. If this action is blocked, untap the acting Vampire: this card represents a zombie ally with 3 strength who can play basic Fortitude cards as a 3-capacity Vampire. Burn during you untap.
As above, but for +2 bleed and, if your prey controls a location, choose one and flip a coin: if heads, the location burns.

That feels somewhat over the top, what with the bleed, the ally, and the location destruction all in one action.

When I was suggesting something additional at inferior, I was meaning more like a: "And if this action is blocked, this acting vampire gets an optional maneuver in the resulting combat" sort of thing that you find on quite a few action modifiers. Except in the case of a bleed modifier, that particular style of ability is a lot less helpful as you're likely to wait until blocks are declined to play the modifier. (Not guaranteed you have to play it in that way, but it's likely.) Off the top of my head, maybe something like: "Tap the next minion who uses a card or effect to reduce the amount this bleed is for."

I'd personally prefer one of the slower, non-coin-flippy location destruction options. Or something that only burns one of your prey's locations if the bleed resolves against your prey, although that isn't required by Keystone Kine. Given that locations are probably a more reliable include in decks, I think I'd still prefer it though - The Barrens, Ventrue HQ, various Hunting Grounds, some Powerbases, The Rack, Info Highway, some of the bloat locations (Ecoterrorists etc.), all the media locations... very common to see. So I'd prefer something a little slower and more careful.