Proposal for a new set: 'IV'

Is govern broken or not is another discussion. For sure it's one of the best cards in vtes. But if I understand correctly you don't want to create vtes from a start and just ban all old cards but to introduce a game to new players using limited number of rules/ cards, etc to mke it easier for them. In that case they should get to know about govern, deflection, parity and all other basic cards by playing with them.

Just saw this thread - what a great idea and just what we need. I recently played an intro game with two of my old friends, who are experienced gamers (card gamers, even). I used the barbed wire project decks to give them exposure to a broad range of cards and situations, but without being too fancy. Even for them, it was waay to complex and they didn't seem to grasp the potential of the game. Dont think they will ever play again...

I think the format you are developing could simplify the game and make it easier to introduce to new players. Keep up the good work!

A few comments: like Ben said, it would be great if the format could work for 2-player games. Not sure how to do this - maybe adjust pool or transfers or hand size?

Secondly, if you are only allowing a few vampires of each clan, consider reducing crypt size. Contesting will probably be more frequent in any event, but thats not a big problem imo.

cnislev wrote:

Just saw this thread - what a great idea and just what we need. I recently played an intro game with two of my old friends, who are experienced gamers (card gamers, even). I used the barbed wire project decks to give them exposure to a broad range of cards and situations, but without being too fancy. Even for them, it was waay to complex and they didn't seem to grasp the potential of the game. Dont think they will ever play again...

I think the format you are developing could simplify the game and make it easier to introduce to new players. Keep up the good work!

A few comments: like Ben said, it would be great if the format could work for 2-player games. Not sure how to do this - maybe adjust pool or transfers or hand size?

Secondly, if you are only allowing a few vampires of each clan, consider reducing crypt size. Contesting will probably be more frequent in any event, but thats not a big problem imo.

Thanks for the feedback! I'd love to try a scalable variant, to let decks be built / the game be played more easily as 2+1+1+1 players (rather than separate designs for 2 players versus 4-5 players), but I've avoided answering that question with this iteration of IV to get people more accepting of a game without rule changes.

If we went for a smaller range of crypt cards, an easy solution would be to halve the crypt - 4 vamps in Uncontrolled, 2 in Crypt. The randomisation of having 12 characters is part of the game now, but there's nothing particularly necessary about it from a design perspective.

Cheers
Disco

A couple of us have been working on a similar concept. However as opposed to restricting / redesigning the set, we've been building basic decks for new players. This includes 5x pre-made decks which are designed to be reasonably well balanced and played almost like a board game (pick a random deck).

The core idea is that all cards in the decks should have a small amount of text and be understanding by simply reading them. Then it's possible to take along to other board gaming events as an easy introduction to new players.

Only a few minor tweaks to the rules: 20 pool to start with, 6 crypt cards, 40 or so library cards. Pool count could probably be tested further, however because you control what's in the decks you can ensure cheap vampires / less pool damage. And if any of the players are interested they can then follow it up.

Will post the deck lists below.

Deck Name : Basic VTES - Bruise Vote
Quite a bit of vote damage, little bit of vote push.
Should have most votes on table (3 - 4).

Crypt [6 vampires] Capacity min: 2 max: 6 average: 4.16667
1x Tara (6) prince Brujah (group 5)
1x Tomaine (6) primogen Brujah (group 4)
1x Paul Calderone (4) Brujah (group 5)
1x Reginald Moore (4) primogen Brujah (group 4)
1x Garret (3) Brujah (group 4)
1x Honest Abe (2) Brujah (group 5)

Library [40 cards]

Action [5]
1x Charming Lobby
2x Esprit de Corps
2x Show of Force

Action Modifier [10]
2x Change of Target
2x Inspire Greatness
3x Iron Glare
3x Voter Captivation

Combat [3]
3x Thrown Gate

Master [7]
2x Grooming the Protege
3x Minion Tap
1x Oxford University, England
1x Sudden Reversal

Political Action [9]
3x Consanguineous Boon
5x Kine Resources Contested
1x Perpetual Care

Reaction [6]
3x On the Qui Vive
3x Touch of Pain



Deck Name : Basic VTES - Laibon Breed
5x Bamba, 2 votes via kholo.
Lots of multiact with forced marched.
Bloat with tribute to the master.

Crypt [6 vampires] Capacity min: 3 max: 6 average: 4.83333
1x Agru Kabera (6) Ishtarri (group 4)
1x Honorine Ateba (6) Ishtarri (group 4)
1x Elizabeth Conde (5) Ishtarri (group 4)
1x Shasa Abu Badr (5) Ishtarri (group 4)
1x Kenyatta (4) Ishtarri (group 4)
1x Abu Nuwasi (3) Ishtarri (group 4)

Library [40 cards]

Action [12]
5x Bamba
1x Dream World
5x Enchant Kindred
1x Mind Numb

Action Modifier [8]
2x Aire of Elation
5x Forced March
1x Uncontrolled Impulse

Action Modifier/Reaction [1]
1x Ishtarri Kholo

Combat [4]
3x Hidden Strength
1x Soak

Master [6]
1x Celerity
1x Glutton
1x Sudden Reversal
3x Tribute to the Master

Political Action [1]
1x My Kin Against the World

Reaction [8]
2x On the Qui Vive
3x Steadfastness
3x Terra Incognita


Deck Name : Basic VTES - Setites
2x Corruption Actions, 2x Corruption Modifiers, 4x Temptation - should be quite powerful in a low cap meta.
3 votes via Ferraille (for defense only)
Ousting with multiple minions and Enticement.
Bloat mechanic with Hesha

Crypt [6 vampires] Capacity min: 2 max: 6 average: 4.33333
1x Allonzo Montoya (6) Abomination (group 3)
1x Hesha Ruhadze (6) Follower of Set (group 2)
1x Dedefra (5) Follower of Set (group 2)
1x Nepata (4) Follower of Set (group 2)
1x Celine Chevalier (3) Follower of Set (group 2)
1x Lalitha (2) Follower of Set (group 2)

Library [40 cards]

Action [11]
2x Consignment to Duat
3x Enticement
2x Revelation of Ecstasy
4x Temptation

Action Modifier [8]
2x Forgotten Labyrinth
4x Lost in Crowds
2x Venenation

Action Modifier/Combat [3]
3x Swallowed by the Night

Combat [2]
2x Tongue of the Serpent

Master [9]
4x Blood Doll
1x Crocodile Temple, The
1x Dummy Corporation
1x Ferraille
1x Opium Den
1x Retribution

Reaction [7]
4x Ecstasy
3x On the Qui Vive



Deck Name : Basic VTES - Bikers with bats
Celerity (light) Combat
High pool cost but strong permanent intercept (locations x2 and bikes x2)
No votes.

Crypt [6 vampires] Capacity min: 1 max: 5 average: 2.83333
1x Dodd (5) Brujah antitribu (group 2)
1x Victor Tolliver (4) Brujah antitribu (group 2)
1x Jacob Bragg (3) Brujah antitribu (group 2)
1x Sarah Brando (3) Brujah antitribu (group 2)
1x Nik (1) Caitiff (group 1)
1x Smudge the Ignored (1) Caitiff (group 1)

Library [40 cards]

Action [8]
4x Bum's Rush
4x Flurry of Action

Combat [11]
2x Flash
2x Infernal Pursuit
2x Lucky Blow
1x Sideslip
4x Taste of Vitae

Equipment [6]
4x Baseball Bat
1x Leather Jacket
1x Sport Bike

Master [9]
3x Blood Doll
1x Dummy Corporation
1x Fame
1x KRCG News Radio
1x Mob Connections
1x WMRH Talk Radio
1x Waste Management Operation

Reaction [6]
3x Forced Awakening
3x Wake with Evening's Freshness



Deck Name : Basic VTES - Malk
Dominate (light) Stealth Bleeder (average 1 - 2 stealth, 3ish max).
2 votes (7 cap minion). Perhaps too strong.

Crypt [6 vampires] Capacity min: 2 max: 7 average: 4.33333
1x Gilbert Duane (7) prince Malkavian (group 1)
1x Ozmo (6) Malkavian (group 1)
1x Didi Meyers (5) Malkavian (group 1)
1x Roland Bishop (4) Malkavian (group 1)
1x Normal (2) Malkavian (group 1)
1x Ohanna (2) Malkavian (group 2)

Library [40 cards]

Action [8]
1x Dominate Kine
7x Scouting Mission

Action Modifier [11]
3x Bonding
1x Conditioning
2x Elder Impersonation
2x Faceless Night
3x Lost in Crowds

Combat [5]
5x Glancing Blow

Master [8]
1x Antediluvian Awakening
1x Barrens, The
2x Blood Doll
1x Forest of Shadows
1x King's Rising
1x Malkavian Prank
1x Sudden Reversal

Reaction [8]
2x Forced Awakening
2x Redirection
2x Telepathic Counter
2x Wake with Evening's Freshness

I like Ke's small beginner's decks. It's like the "demo" packs, but better.

It would be nice to see more decks with that format that have been balanced for that power level with few complicated cards.

You could have dozens of such decks using different clans, sects and strategies.