Reported by José Fontenele, VEKN Baron of Rio de Janeiro:

On Sunday, June 7th, the tournament "1st Step of the South American VTES Grand Prix" was held at the Tijuca Municipal Club, within the Iniciativa RPG event in Rio de Janeiro, the largest RPG event in the state. With a record attendance of 39 players, we had three extensive rounds of combat, (many) bleeds, and manipulations to conquer the coveted spot in the final and the Grand Prix title. It is necessary to have Fortitude!

A three-round tournament plus a final is no easy feat. From the start, it was necessary to worry both about the time of the rounds and the sanity needed to pilot the same deck in different scenarios and conditions. As many players present had never played in this format before, I heard reports of mental fatigue and even stress with their own deck – which is why we always recommend choosing a deck you already master in tournaments. This makes each round less tiring and also helps in planning each table's victory.

Regarding the decks present, it was noticeable how the fierce competition to reach the final (and secure an even more complete prize pool) led the players, in majority, to choose decks focused on bleeds for the tournament. At every table there was at least one, and even two or three decks focused on inflicting the maximum possible damage on the prey, just in different ways. We had bleeds with allies (merciless specters), bleeds with votes, bleeds with swarms, power bleeds, low-cap bleeds, and high-cap bleeds. On the other hand, it was also possible to find combat decks, vote decks (we had a rare Legacy of Pander deck), and powerful walls to slow down or redirect the heavier bleeds.

There was, therefore, a whole hodgepodge of strategies, machinations, and manipulations to snag a spot in the championship final. With the tight schedule and moods affected by each round where "the deck wouldn't run" or "the cross-over didn't help," among other justifications for things not going well, we had 3 very competitive rounds where it was possible to witness a five-way tie between third and eighth place in the number of VPs until the final round.

In other words, as I heard from other more experienced players, only the decks that truly performed well in all rounds made it to the final. And the finalists, with their respective decks, were:
1. Anderson Pinto Rodrigues 2 GW 10 VP
2. Alberto Ferreira e Sousa 2 GW 8 VP 156 TP
3. Gabriel Mattos 2 GW 8 VP 156 TP
4. Cristiano Cordeiro Teixeira Vaz 2 GW 7 VP 168 TP
5. Yuri Furtado Prange    2 GW 7 VP 144 TP

The final table promised plenty of excitement. Gabriel Mattos is the current city champion, Yuri Prange is another great champion (currently the Top-1 in the State), and there's also the experienced Cristiano, Prince of Niterói, emerging with his Nosferatu decks; “Bacia”, an experienced tournament player, and, making his finals debut, Anderson “Panda”, who earlier had the luck of winning a Dark Sovereigns booster pack and also taking home a brand new Arika card as a prize.

After a little over an hour and a half of play, Anderson “Panda” won the GP! First final and first championship, 100% success rate. Respect! He's the one who tells us about how the last game went:

"In the final, there he was again, I met Yuri once more to thwart my dream of becoming a tournament champion. I've been playing since 1998 and have always been just another participant in the championships. Also in the final, Cristiano with his Nosferatu, whom I met in the previous round, "Bacia," and Gabriel "Joe Stock," both with their Oblivion vampires, filled the table with Spectral Servitors.
  As the first in the overall score, I could choose my position at the table and decided to risk being preyed upon by the Nosferatu, also seeing that he would be in trouble with the Spectral Servitors. Gabriel started in sprint mode, raised his vampires, who in turn summoned their Spectrals, and there they all went to bleed 3 or more against Cristiano, who seemed like he wouldn't last long.
  For me, it was a relief. Either Cristiano focused on surviving or he gave up the game if he wanted to attack me. Those who were blocked met their bloodthirsty crows and bats, or spectral plasma." "Bacia," in the same recipe, raises a vampire, who recruits Spectral Servitor, and everyone starts bleeding the prey. I watched, summoning a Thing here, another I read, giving my humble bleeds of 1, which were accepted and turned into Propaganda of the Deed on the table.
  And then she appeared again, Luck, Yuri equips himself with a miraculous Gran Madre di Dio. Gabriel immediately warned, "if you equip it, the servitors will be practically nullified." And so it was, after that the course of the match changed completely. Gabriel goes all out and kills Cristiano; "Bacia" is increasingly drying up Yuri's pool, and I see the Hecata already sitting on the table to decide between the two who would be the champion.
I waited and Gabriel came with his bleeds, my Bait and Switch were already waiting for him, 3 bleeds passed to the prey and "Bacia" has his pool zeroed. In my hand the final card. Turn passed to me and I call a Revolutionary Council, having 6 vampires in play, nobody blocks, I kill Yuri and Gabriel in the same action, giving a VP of thanks for the Gran Madre di Dio.
  Thiago Souza, our match judge, even says that it was with refinements of cruelty.
It was a great joy, my friends, to win a tournament of your favorite game, in an event with 40 participants and 3 rounds plus a final – it was special. Now that song by The Cardigans – ‘Losing’ in My Favorite Game sounds different to me”.

Champion's deck: "Thing in the Tijuca Forest"

2x Casey Snyder     6  PRO ani cel for  baron  Gangrel:6
2x Kuyén      6  ANI PRO    baron  Gangrel:6
1x Massimiliano     7  ANI FOR pro   baron  Gangrel:6
1x Ángel Guerrero   7  ANI DOM PRO   baron  Tzimisce:6
1x André the Manipulator  6  FOR PRO     Gangrel:5
1x Branimira     6  ANI dom pre pro  baron  Tzimisce:6
1x Kamile Paukstys  5  PRO ani for    Gangrel:6
1x Nathan Turner    4  PRO ani     Gangrel:6
1x Indira     3  PRO      Gangrel:6
1x Ruslan Fedorenko    2  pro      Gangrel:6

Library (90 cards)
Master (23; 1 trifle)
6x Villein
4x Effective Management
2x Archon Investigation
1x Anarch Railroad
1x Backways
1x Carfax Abbey
1x Dreams of the Sphinx
1x Ecoterrorists
1x Ennoia's Theater
1x Garibaldi-Meucci Museum
1x Giant's Blood
1x Information Highway
1x Parthenon, The
1x Powerbase: Montreal

Action (14)
13x Thing
1x Rewilding

Action Modifier (11)
5x Propaganda of the Deed
4x Earth Control
2x Monkey Wrench

Action Modifier/Reaction (4)
4x Form of the Bat

Combat (15)
9x Earth Meld
4x Form of Mist
2x Claws of the Dead

Political Action (6)
2x Consanguineous Boon
2x Eat the Rich
2x Revolutionary Council

Reaction (17)
7x Bait and Switch
6x Organized Resistance
2x Delaying Tactics
2x Deep Ecology

Our friend Lucas "Odin" Guimarães made a great video on his YouTube channel showing the RPG event and also the VTES championship. 

Acknowledgments

A Grand Prix like this, with a record number of participants, lots of prizes, and widespread player satisfaction, is not something that is built alone. I want to thank all the participating players, the people who came from Araruama, Nova Iguaçu, Itaocara, Volta Redonda, São João de Meriti, Niterói, the West and Southwest Zones, the city center, in short, everyone who traveled on a somewhat cold Sunday to Tijuca to play VTES (and enjoy RPG at Iniciativa as well).

The prizes were another highlight of the championship, so I want to thank Editora Conclave (www.conclaveweb.com.br), Gabriel Mattos from Joe Stock (www.joestock.com.br), and Jean from VTES Store (www.vtesstore.com.br), great partners who fostered the GP's prizes.

I would also like to thank two friends who played very important roles in running the championship: Thiago Santos, who was our head judge throughout the tournament, and our comrade Archbishop Marcelo Farias, who gave a VTES workshop to those interested. Thank you all! Until next time, and let's play VTES!


For clarity: The South American GP consists of three stages: two in Brazil and one in Chile. The final stage takes place in the country that is not hosting the South American Championship itself. This year, the first stage happened in Rio de Janeiro. The second stage will take place in Fortaleza (in August), and the third in Santiago, Chile. There is also the Brazil GP, where State and Regional events count towards the final table during the Brazilian Championship.

Thanks for this report and thanks to all organisers, sponsors and players!

These tournaments were played June 18-21 in Columbus, Ohio. Reported by Ben Peal:

Greetings, Methuselahs!

We've wrapped up the 2026 Week of Nightmares and Origins weekend, and we're proud to present Jess Nash as the 2026 North American Champion! Jess emerged victorious with a Path of Power and the Inner Voice political deck. We welcomed over 60 unique players during the week, including players visiting from Austria, Denmark, and Australia!

After eight tournaments held over five days at Game Table Adventures in Newark, OH and R Bar in Columbus, we shifted over to the Greater Columbus Convention Center for the Origins Game Fair. Kelly Schultz got things going Thursday morning, besting a field of 50 players with a V5 Toreador political deck. We had 51 players for the Thursday evening event, won by Will Matson with a V5 Ravnos Anarch bleed deck. Alex Romano threw everyone for a loop Friday morning, winning a 55-player tournament with a Henry Twister deck. VTES legend Martin Weinmayer was back to his old tricks on Friday evening, winning a 55-player tournament with Gangrel Anarchs.

On Saturday, we had 59 players for the North American Championship. Jess Nash took the early lead, contesting with his prey Karl Schaefer, who was also playing Path of Power and the Inner Voice politics, and eventually ousting him. Ned Leeds followed up by ousting Chris Malec's Ashur-uballit deck with Path of Caine Enkidu rush. Ned's deck stalled out and Kelly Schultz was able to take advantage, ousting him with a Cybele Scobax deck. In tense head-to-head, Jess uncorked some big damaging votes and finished off Kelly for the victory.

Wrapping things up on Sunday, we had a 33-player tournament which Martin Weinmayer won, pulling out his signature Stanislava deck.

Thanks again to all of you for another great Week of Nightmares and Origins! Shout outs to KGS Cards, Rick Stock, Mark Loughman, Jay Kristoff, and Alex Romano for prize support and tournament organization! And thanks as always to Origins, R Bar, and Game Table Adventures for their gracious hosting!

Congratulations to the tournament winners and again to Jess Nash for winning the 2026 North American Championship!

I look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Origins Thursday 1
50 players
Winner: Kelly Schultz playing V5 Toreador politics

Top 5 going into the final round:
1. Lasse Gringmuth Aagaard (Path of Power and the Inner Voice)
2. Marcos Acevedo, Sr. (V5 Malkavian)
3. Eric Albenze (Hecata) 
4. Kelly Schultz (V5 Toreador)
5. Logan Jameson-Hatch (Group 5 Ventrue)

Results of the final round:
1. Marcos Acevedo, Jr. (1 VP)
2. Erik Albenze
3. Kelly Schultz (2 VP, #4 seed)
4. Logan Jameson-Hatch (2 VP, #5 seed)
5. Lasse Gringmuth Aagaard

Final standings here: https://www.vekn.net/event-calendar/event/13215

Winning decklist: “2025 NAC Inner City Bypass” by skychan

Crypt (12 cards, min=27 max=36 avg=7.92)
3x Diana Iadanza    9 AUS CEL FOR PRE    justicar  Toreador:7
1x Annabelle Triabell  9 AUS CEL PRE dom for  primogen  Toreador:6
3x Modius        8 AUS CEL PRE obf    prince   Toreador:7
1x Catalina Vega    8 AUS CEL PRE for    prince   Toreador:6
1x Marcos Belegrad   8 AUS CEL PRE ani    prince   Toreador:7
1x Flávio Gonçalves   7 CEL PRE aus for    prince   Toreador:6
1x Maila        6 AUS PRE cel      primogen  Toreador:6
1x Mkhokheli      6 PRE aus cel for    prince   Toreador:6

Library (90 cards)
Master (29; 9 trifle)
2x Art Museum
2x Camarilla Conclave
1x Creepshow Casino
4x Dreams of the Sphinx
7x Information Highway
1x Monastery of Shadows
1x Protected Resources
7x Villein
2x Wider View
2x Zillah's Valley

Political Action (24)
1x Ancilla Empowerment
3x Banishment
8x Camarilla's Iron Fist
2x Disputed Territory
6x Kine Resources Contested
1x Meddling of Semsith, The
1x Neonate Breach
1x Parity Shift
1x Political Stranglehold

Action Modifier (25)
1x Alacrity
2x Awe
3x Bewitching Oration
5x Loup
5x Perfect Paragon
9x Voter Captivation

Action Modifier/Combat (8)
3x Force of Personality
5x Resist Earth's Grasp

Action Modifier/Reaction (2)
2x Scalpel Tongue

Combat (2)
2x Charismatic Aura

Origins - Thursday 2
51 players
Winner: Will Matson playing Ravnos Anarch bleed

Top 5 going into the final round:
1. Steve Williams (Group 3 Toreador)
2. Will Matson (Ravnos Anarch bleed)
3. Julian Acevedo (Group 5 Dementation bleed)
4. Albert Presto (V5 Lasombra)
5. Erik Albenze (V5 Tremere)

Results of the final round:
1. Will Matson (3 VP)
2. Erik Albenze
3. Albert Presto (1 VP)
4. Julian Acevedo (1 VP)
5. Steve Williams

Final standings here: https://www.vekn.net/event-calendar/event/13216

Winning decklist: “[I'm the Face in Your] Dreams of Glass” by Anemone
Description: G7 Ravnos stealth bleed w/ defensive module

Crypt (12 cards, min=16 max=29 avg=5.58)
1x Noluthando 8 ANI OBF PRE aus cel Ravnos:7
1x Sreelekha 8 ANI FOR OBF PRE Ravnos:7
1x Hafthor Thorsteinsson 7 ANI OBF PRE pot Ravnos:7
1x Doc Martina 6 ANI OBF for pre Ravnos:7
1x Luciano Carvalho 6 ANI OBF pre Ravnos:7
1x Roberto Rivamonte 6 ANI OBF PRE Ravnos:7
2x Phaibun 5 OBF PRE ani Ravnos:7
1x Gathii 5 ANI PRE obf Ravnos:7
1x Jean-François 4 ani obf pre Ravnos:7
1x Zafira 4 PRE obf Ravnos:7
1x Oleg Kaprizov 3 obf pre Ravnos:7

Library (90 cards)
Master (18; 9 trifle)
1x Anarch Railroad
1x Club Illusion
5x Dabbler
1x Dreams of the Sphinx
1x Fortune Teller Shop
1x From a Sinking Ship
1x Park Hunting Ground
1x Sudden Reversal
4x Villein
2x Week of Nightmares

Action (20)
16x Break the Bonds
2x Entrancement
2x Field Training

Action Modifier (33)
2x Elder Impersonation
2x Lost in Crowds
11x Memory Rift
3x Power of One
4x Spying Mission
2x Veil the Legions
9x Visions of Gehenna

Action Modifier/Combat (2)
2x Swallowed by the Night

Combat (2)
2x Majesty

Reaction (14)
3x Dogged Pursuit
4x Night Terrors
1x On the Qui Vive
6x Visions of Zapathasura

Event (1)
1x Narrow Minds

Origins - Friday 1
55 players
Winner: Alex Romano playing Henry Twister

Top 5 going into the final round:
1. Mariya Hyryk (Dmitra Brujah politics)
2. Lasse Gringmuth Aagaard (V5 Salubri combat)
3. Karl Schaefer (Path of Power and the Inner Voice politics) 
4. Alex Romano (Henry Twister)
5. Marcus Acevedo, Jr. (V5 Ventrue politics)

Results of the final round:
1. Marcus Acevedo, Jr. (0.5 VP)
2. Alex Romano (1.5 VP)
3. Lasse Gringmuth Aagaard (1 VP)
4. Karl Schaefer
5. Mariya Hyryk (0.5 VP)

Final standings here: https://www.vekn.net/event-calendar/event/13217

Winning decklist: “Would You Tell Picasso to Sell His Guitars?” by rayromanosucks

Crypt (12 cards, min=12 max=24 avg=4.5)
6x Henry Taylor            6 POT cel pre pro   Brujah antitribu:3
2x Regilio, The Seeker of Akhenaten  3 aus obf       Nosferatu:2
2x Zöe                3 AUS cel obf     Malkavian:2
1x Isabel de Leon           3 AUS         Toreador:2
1x Lena Rowe             3 aus obf pre     Pander:2

Library (61 cards)
Master (49; 3 trifle)
1x Anarch Troublemaker
1x Antediluvian Awakening
1x Bleeding the Vine
5x Blessings of the Loa
1x Brothers Grimm
1x Direct Intervention
12x Dirty Contract
1x Fear of Mekhet
1x Giant's Blood
1x Life Boon
1x Millicent Smith, Puritan Vampire Hunter
2x Parthenon, The
1x Pentex(TM) Subversion
1x Powerbase: Barranquilla
1x Powerbase: Montreal
2x Protean
1x Protected Resources
1x Rack, The
1x Rumor Mill, Tabloid Newspaper, The
6x Slaughterhouse, The
1x Smiling Jack, The Anarch
2x Vessel
1x WMRH Talk Radio
2x Waste Management Operation
1x Wider View

Action (3)
3x Anima Gathering

Ally (1)
1x Carlton Van Wyk

Action Modifier (3)
1x Forgotten Labyrinth
2x Hedonism

Combat (3)
1x Disengage
2x Earth Meld

Reaction (2)
1x Delaying Tactics
1x On the Qui Vive

Origins - Friday 2
55 players
Winner: Martin Weinmayer playing Gangrel Anarchs

Top 5 going into the final round:
1. Martin Weinmayer (Gangrel Anarchs)
2. Albert Presto (Brujah Anarchs)
3. Mark Figuerola (Hecata)
4. Will Matson (Tzimisce Anarchs)
5. Mark Loughman (V5 Lasombra)

Results of the final round:
1. Albert Presto
2. Mark Loughman (1 VP)
3. Will Matson
4. Martin Weinmayer (3 VP)
5. Mark Figuerola (1 VP)

Final standings here: https://www.vekn.net/event-calendar/event/13218

Winning decklist: “Gangrel Origins Friday 2” by Martin Weinmayer

Crypt (12 cards, min=18 max=28 avg=5.83)
1x Adrino Manauara     8 ANI DOM PRO pot  baron  Tzimisce:6
1x Ángel Guerrero     7 ANI DOM PRO    baron  Tzimisce:6
1x Massimiliano      7 ANI FOR pro    baron  Gangrel:6
2x Casey Snyder      6 PRO ani cel for  baron  Gangrel:6
2x Kuyén          6 ANI PRO      baron  Gangrel:6
1x André the Manipulator  6 FOR PRO          Gangrel:5
1x Branimira        6 ANI dom pre pro  baron  Tzimisce:6
1x Kamile Paukstys     5 PRO ani for        Gangrel:6
1x Nathan Turner      4 PRO ani          Gangrel:6
1x Indira         3 PRO            Gangrel:6

Library (90 cards)
Master (24; 7 trifle)
1x Anarch Free Press, The
1x British Museum, London, The
2x Carfax Abbey
2x Club Illusion
2x Direct Intervention
1x Elder Library
2x Garibaldi-Meucci Museum
1x Life Boon
2x Papillon
1x Powerbase: Los Angeles
1x Powerbase: Montreal
1x Rack, The
7x Villein

Action (1)
1x Constant Revolution

Political Action (2)
2x Revolutionary Council

Equipment (3)
2x Heart of Nizchetus
1x Sniper Rifle

Retainer (6)
1x Crypt's Sons
1x Mr. Winthrop
4x Raven Spy

Action Modifier (2)
2x Monkey Wrench

Action Modifier/Reaction (6)
6x Form of the Bat

Combat (17)
1x Donnybrook
10x Earth Meld
6x Form of Mist

Reaction (29)
8x Bait and Switch
5x Delaying Tactics
16x Organized Resistance

North American Championship
59 players
Winner: Jess Nash playing Power of Power and the Inner Voice politics

Top 5 going into the final round:
1. Karl Schaefer (Path of Power and the Inner Voice politics)
2. Ned Leeds (Path of Caine Enkidu rush)
3. Kelly Schultz (Cybele Scobax)
4. Jess Nash (Path of Power and the Inner Voice politics)
5. Chris Malec (Hecata Ashur-uballit)

Results of the final round:
1. Jess Nash (3 VP)
2. Karl Schaefer
3. Kelly Schultz (1 VP)
4. Ned Leeds (1 VP)
5. Chris Malec

Final standings here: https://www.vekn.net/event-calendar/event/13220

Winning decklist: “Oderint dum metuant” by apoapsis
Description: "Let them hate, so long as they fear"

Crypt (12 cards, min=29 max=40 avg=8.75)
4x Aaradhya, The Callous Tyrant  10 ANI DOM FOR POT PRE  cardinal   Ventrue:6
2x Dark Selina           9 CEL POT PRE dom for  cardinal   Brujah antitribu:5
2x Věnceslava, The Implacable   9 DOM FOR POT PRE cel  archbishop  Brujah:6
1x Rexton "Savage" Abernathy    8 DOM POT PRE cel    archbishop  Brujah:6
1x Üresség             8 CEL POT PRE dom for  archbishop  Brujah:6
1x Khin Aye            7 POT PRE dom for    priscus   Ventrue:6
1x Concordia            6 DOM PRE for pot    bishop    Ventrue:6

Library (90 cards)
Master (26; 8 trifle)
1x Creepshow Casino
1x Dark Influences
2x Dreams of the Sphinx
1x Elder Library
1x Giant's Blood
1x Gurchon Hall
1x Information Highway
1x Monastery of Shadows
1x Papillon
1x Privileged Position
1x Secure Haven
4x Unholy Sacrament
2x Ventrue Headquarters
6x Villein
2x Wash

Action (8)
8x Govern the Unaligned

Political Action (16)
1x Anarchist Uprising
1x Ancient Influence
1x Ancilla Empowerment
4x Banishment
6x Cold War
2x Kine Resources Contested
1x Political Stranglehold

Action Modifier (28)
4x Dominant Personality
2x Enkil Cog
4x Iron Glare
4x Perfect Paragon
4x Relentlessness
6x Unthinkable Humiliation
4x Voter Captivation

Combat (6)
6x Majesty

Reaction (6)
6x Deflection

Origins Sunday
33 players
Winner: Martin Weinmayer playing Stanislava

Final standings here: https://www.vekn.net/event-calendar/event/13219

Top 5 going into the final round:
1. Martin Weinmayer (Stanislava)
2. Alex Romano (Molly MacDonald Creeping Sabotage)
3. Mariya Hyryk (Kiasyd bleed)
4. Brad Cashdollar (Brujah Anarchs)
5. Andy Smith (G5-6 Tremere + Gargoyles)

Results of the final round:
1. Alex Romano (0.5 VP)
2. Martin Weinmayer (1.5 VP)
3. Mariya Hyryk
4. Andy Smith (0.5 VP)
5. Brad Cashdollar (0.5 VP)

Winning decklist: “The Return of the Queen” by Martin Weinmayer

Crypt (12 cards, min=36 max=44 avg=10.08)
5x Stanislava    11 ANI CEL DOM FOR PRO      inner circle  Gangrel:2
2x Hartmut Stover  10 CEL OBF PRO dom for      archbishop   Gangrel antitribu:3
1x Genevieve    10 ANI FOR PRO aus dom      priscus    Gangrel antitribu:2
1x Xaviar (ADV)   10 ABO ANI FOR PRO aus cel pot  justicar    Gangrel:3
2x Ingrid Rossler  9 ANI FOR PRO dom        prince     Gangrel:2
1x Mark Decker    8 CEL PRO ani for obf pot    prince     Gangrel:3

Library (90 cards)
Master (24; 7 trifle)
2x Backways
1x British Museum, London, The
1x Camarilla Conclave
2x Direct Intervention
2x Dreams of the Sphinx
1x Elder Library
1x Giant's Blood
2x Jake Washington
2x Monastery of Shadows
2x Papillon
1x Secure Haven
6x Villein
1x Wider View

Action (8)
8x Govern the Unaligned

Political Action (8)
1x Anarchist Uprising
1x Ancient Influence
2x Ancilla Empowerment
2x Banishment
1x Political Stranglehold
1x Reins of Power

Equipment (2)
2x Heart of Nizchetus

Action Modifier (18)
2x Conditioning
2x Earth Control
2x Enkil Cog
6x Forced March
6x Instantaneous Transformation

Action Modifier/Reaction (6)
3x Form of the Bat
3x Murmur of the False Will

Combat (12)
4x Earth Meld
8x Form of Mist

Reaction (12)
8x Deflection
4x Sense the Savage Way

Thanks to Ben Peal for organising these tournaments, and thanks to any helpers, sponsors and of course the fantastic players!

Reported by Julio García Martín, prince of Alcalá de Henares:

On June 27th, 158 Metuselahs answered the call. During this day, old pacts were broken, alliances were formed only to die a few turns later, and the Jyhad was once again waged on the tables of the 2026 Spanish VTES Championship.

However, it wasn't just the strategists who attended the gathering. Those whose hands have shaped the game's imagery for decades were also present. Presiding over this illustrious conclave was Lawrence Snelly, a true legend with over thirty years of experience illustrating the cards that have accompanied generations of players. Alongside him shone some of the biggest names in the national scene: Francisco Tebar, Marta Ruiz Anguera, and María Loren, who shared their talent by signing cards, chatting with attendees, and offering the opportunity to purchase original artwork.

The future was also represented. Daniel Argudo, one of Black Chantry's newest additions, offered a glimpse of the talent that will shape the look of the game's upcoming expansions. Completing this exceptional lineup was Ginés Quiñonero, Black Chantry's art director, reinforcing the bond between the publisher and a community that continues to grow year after year.

Artists: María, Marta, Lawrence, Francisco and Ginés.

When the moment of truth arrived, the real fight for the throne began.

With 158 participants, every victory point was precious, and every decision could determine the outcome of a game. The tables became battlefields where diplomacy was as lethal as the cards themselves, and where patience proved as important as aggression. Despite the event's scale, the championship proceeded at an excellent pace, with hardly any delays and an exemplary atmosphere, demonstrating once again the commitment of all the players.

Predictions suggested that at least three tables would be needed to reach the final. But fate had other plans. The competition was incredibly close. Dozens of players arrived at the two tables, and the final spot was decided in a dramatic three-way tie. Two tables and nine victory points were enough to achieve glory... while others, by an almost imperceptible margin, saw their dream of competing for the title slip away.

Standings:
1. Miquel Jorge Tortajada 3 GW 9 VP
2. Israel Alcalde 3 GW 9 VP
3. Ivan Bernal 2 GW 10 VP
4. Oscar Garcia Vera 2 GW 9 VP
5. Alfonso Barrientos 2 GW 9 VP

And then came the final table.

Five Metuselahs took their seats, knowing that only one would leave the room as champion. For almost two hours, every action was measured, every temporary alliance concealed an inevitable betrayal, and every move brought them closer to or further from the coveted victory.

As night was about to claim the board, Miki Jorge Tortajada, who had arrived as the top seed, demonstrated why he had dominated the championship since the previous rounds. He waited for his moment, played patiently, read the board with precision, and when the opportunity arose, he delivered the decisive blow. The point and a half he got was enough to claim the title and become the new 2026 Spanish VTES Champion.

The tournament winning deck: “Potato's New Groove with modifications” by Outback295 (Based on a deck by Jani Malmi)

Crypt
4x Ambrosio Luis Monçada, Plenipotentiary  10  DOM OBT POT PRE aus for  cardinal  Lasombra:2
3x Gratiano     8  DOM OBT obf pot  priscus Lasombra:2
2x Alvaro, The Scion of Angelica  9  OBT POT dom pre  archbishop  Lasombra:2
2x Antonio Delgado    9  DOM OBT POT tha  archbishop  Lasombra:2
1x Francisco Domingo de Polonia   9  DOM OBT POT PRE pro  archbishop  Lasombra:2

Library (84 cards)
Master (18; 1 trifle)
7x Unholy Sacrament
6x Villein
1x Barrens, The
1x Black Forest Base
1x Gurchon Hall
1x Monastery of Shadows
1x Power Structure

Action (6)
6x Govern the Unaligned

Political Action (17)
6x Cold War
2x Banishment
2x Kine Resources Contested
2x War of Ages
1x Anarchist Uprising
1x Ancilla Empowerment
1x Meddling of Semsith, The
1x Political Stranglehold
1x Reins of Power

Action Modifier (25)
5x Amici Noctis
4x Shadow Play
4x Shroud of Absence
4x Dominant Personality
2x Conditioning
2x Private Audience
2x Magnetic Authority
2x Unthinkable Humiliation

Action Modifier/Reaction (7)
5x Ominous Chorus
2x Murmur of the False Will

Combat (2)
2x Majesty

Reaction (9)
7x Deflection
2x Obedience

Every great story needs allies. Our deepest gratitude to the sponsors Glass Taller, Átomo Game, TCG Market, Infernal Forge, Doctor Muge, Kingdom Wargame, Estalia, Black Penny, and Alcalá Comics, who made this championship possible, and especially to Black Chantry, whose support allows VTES to continue bringing together players from all over Spain each year. Also thanks to Conclave Ibérico and the Círculo de Isengard Cultural Association, with its sponsor Domino's Pizza.

The dust settles once more on the tables. The cards return to their decks. The old guard retreats back into the shadows. But only for a while. Because the eternal struggle never ends. See you at the 2027 Spanish VTES Championship!

Thanks for this report, and thanks to everyone at this HUGE event!

Finalist with champion in the middle.

This tournament was played in Vitrolles on May 30 with 24 players. Words below by Jean-Baptiste Becker, reported by Laurent Ribeyre, VEKN Prince of Vitrolles:

Early in the morning I met with my playgroup in Marseille for a quick coffee and we drove to Vitrolle. Coffee was much needed as I couldn’t sleep the night before, I never sleep before tournaments. I helped Kyle with his decklist in the car and explained him how everything works.

The tournament venue was great and there were a lot of promo cards ! Lots of familiar faces which is always great. It’s been a while since I played a tournament so I didn’t expect much.

First Game: Florian (Diana) > Patrick (Imbued) > me > Paul > Nathan Hernandez (Hecata Pulse)
This game didn’t go well for me. I got very close to kill Paul but I got stealth lock very early in the game while taking votes damage.
Result: Florian 2 VP , Patrick 1 GW 3, Paul, Nathan and me 0

After round one we go for a nice lunch together, chicken brochette, gratin dauphinois and tiramisu. My stomach is pleased. One more much needed coffee and on to the next round.

Second Game: Kyhan (Matasuntha) > Orian (Enkidu) > Tero (Nefertiti) > me > Frederic Pin (Garou)
I started this game with information highway so my crypt came out well. Frederic sent Apache Jones to torpor but I ousted him in the following turn and started to bleed Kyle. Tero did very good damage to my pool but was low aswell. Orian convinced me to back bleed and oust Tero before ousting Kyle. I wasn’t sure I could oust my second prey before my predator ousts me, so I agreed. Big mistake? As promised, I ousted Tero and found myself stuck in between Matasuntha and Enkidu, who killed me.
Result: Kyhan 0VP, Orian 1 GW4, Tero 0 VP, me 1 VP, Frédéric 0 VP

Third Game: Me > Thomas (!Gangrel path of caine)> Théo (Disease) > Danilo (Tremere Intercept) > Bertrand (Mata Hari)
Third times a charm. I play Bitter and Sweet Story and Information Higway early in the game and I draw most of my master cards in the following turns. I oust Thomas very fast and end up with 4 vampires and 10 cards in hand. In the following turn I play Last Stand and I was low on pool again, Danilo propose me to back bleed and oust Bertrand when I’m done with Théo. I agree, oust Théo, Proc last stand for an extra turn, I fail to oust Bertrand who deflects some of my bleed to Danilo. At his turn Bertrand then cast vote to try to oust me but Danilo saves my life countless time by intercepting his votes and sending his vampires to torpor. I oust Bertrand and then Danilo.
Result: me (1 GW 4), Thomas 0, Théo 0, Danilo 1 VP, Bertrand 0

We took two hours break to watch the Champion’s League’s final, I took this opportunity to lay down and rest and in order to come back stronger. Still couldn’t sleep, I was too excited and scared.

The ranking before final was:
1. Orian Gissler (France) 2 GW, 8.5 VP         
2. Jean-Erwan Gerard (France) 2 GW, 6.0 VP         
3. Martin Weinmayer (Austria) 1 GW, 6.0 VP
4. Tero Aalto (Finland) 1 GW, 6.0 VP
5. Jean-Baptiste Becker (France) 1 GW, 5.0 VP

JB and Simone were separated by the Tables Points.

Final: Orian (Enkidu) > Tero (Nefertiti) > me > Martin (Gangrel Baron) > Jean-Erwan (Banu)
Orian opens with Information Highway which is a shame since it’s my starting hand. I decide to contest. My hand sucks, I have touch of clarity, kindred spirit, eyes of chaos and coma. I’m push bleed lock but I want to keep coma for Enkidu and Touch to cancel Tero’s govern. I try to bleed Martin but fail miserably as I don’t draw stealth but master cards and push bleed instead. JE back rush which is crazy, giving me the opportunity to oust him. I play dreams, draw to two cards. I finally find my stealth cards and oust Martin, Bitter and Sweet Story right after that which is perfect. JE bleeds Orian and loses a vampire in the process, he has only one left. I’ll oust him next turn for sure, so Orian decides to rush Apache Jones, I play coma and trade Enkidu for Apache. Tero diablerize Enkidu, Jean-Erwan, against all odds, votes to burn his vampire in the blood hunt. I then Pentex Jean-Erwan’s last vampire, bleed and oust. Orian is ousted next and so is Tero. GW 5 for me.

Tournament winning deck: "Blood For the Blood God" by Jean-Baptiste "JB Fuzz" Becker 

Crypt (12 cards)
1x Apache Jones     5 DEM aus for obf            Malkavian antitribu:4
2x Arthur Denholm   5 AUS DEM obf                Malkavian:5
1x Bela             3 DEM ani obf pro            Malkavian:5
1x Bloody Mary      8 AUS DEM OBF pre  primogen  Malkavian:5
2x Hagar Stone      6 AUS DEM obf                Malkavian antitribu:5
2x Jackie           3 DEM                        Malkavian antitribu:4
1x Marta            3 aus dem                    Malkavian antitribu:4
2x Morel            6 AUS DEM OBF                Malkavian:4

Library (90 cards)
Master (14; 1 trifle)
1x Barrens, The
1x Bleeding the Vine
1x Dreams of the Sphinx
1x Effective Management
1x Elder Library
1x Failsafe
3x Information Highway
1x Last Stand
1x Metro Underground
1x Momentum's Edge
1x Pentex(TM) Subversion
1x Powerbase: Savannah

Action (22)
19x Kindred Spirits
3x Madman's Quill

Action Modifier (37)
2x Cloak the Gathering
3x Elder Impersonation
17x Eyes of Chaos
2x Faceless Night
2x Leverage
2x Lost in Crowds
4x Mind Tricks
2x Spying Mission
3x Veil the Legions

Action Modifier/Combat (7)
4x Deny
3x Swallowed by the Night

Action Modifier/Reaction (2)
2x Touch of Clarity

Combat (1)
1x Coma

Reaction (6)
2x On the Qui Vive
4x Telepathic Misdirection

Event (1)
1x Bitter and Sweet Story, The

The champion Jean-Baptiste Becker.

I’d like to thank the event organizers who made it possible, the players for coming, Emma for great pictures, my playgroup for teaching me through the years and all the sponsors for the prizes! See you in Vilnius Methuselahs! See you in Vilnius Methuselahs!

The event was sponsored by UltraPro and Blackchantry directly and through Gamepod. Thanks to these sponsors, and thanks to all organisers and participants!