Valerius Maior, Blur and Majesty/Immortal Grapple

Uncle wrote:

Also, having been on the wrong side of Immortal Grapple recently (My Baali combat deck centres around aggravated damage and blood theft), I was wondering if it was possible to counteract it with Majesty? I know the card says that both players can only use hand strikes, but I thought I'd test my luck.

Ankha wrote:

Uncle wrote:

Just a quick question about the timing behind these cards and their effects.

When Valerius Maior, Hell's Fool (Camarilla) activates his effect (If Valerius strikes with a strike that requires Thaumaturgy, he gains an optional additional strike, only usable to strike with a strike that requires Thaumaturgy), when does the additional strike resolve?

See rulebook for details, but each pair of strikes (yours and the opponent's) resolve one by one.
So you resolve Valerius' first strike and your opponent's first strike at the same time.
Then Valerius gains a new strike. Your opponent may gain also a new strike (Blur, etc.). If only Valerius has an additionnal strike, play your strike card (opponent doesn't strike) and resolve it alone.
If both combattants have additionnal, resolve both strike normally (the same way as the first pair of strikes).

Each pair of strikes (one from each of the minions) is resolved before going on to the next pair.

Ankha wrote:

Uncle wrote:

Were I to play Theft Of Vitae to steal 2 blood, would I then be able to play another one before my opponent's strike, or does the additional strike resolve following the pre-ordained strikes? This question also applies to Blur (Gain 2 additional strikes).

You play Theft (and gain an additionnal strike). Opponent strikes also. Both strikes resolve at the same time. Then you declare your additionnal strike and resolve it.
A bluring opponent gaining 2 additionnal strikes at superior would have to announce its 2nd strike and resolve it, then its 3rd strike and resolve it.

NB: Additionnal strikes are skipped if the opponent is already in torpor after resolving the previous pair of strikes.

Ankha wrote:

Uncle wrote:

Also, having been on the wrong side of Immortal Grapple recently (My Baali combat deck centres around aggravated damage and blood theft), I was wondering if it was possible to counteract it with Majesty? I know the card says that both players can only use hand strikes, but I thought I'd test my luck.

No. Majesty is not a hand strike.
See Anesthetic Touch for a card that "beats" Immortal Grapple.