OPERATION DECK DECONSTRUCTION #2
[Use Soundwave's voice for full effect!]
Hello everyone, this is my second post of where I analyze a deck and post my findings for my readers to look through. It is my hope that with this analysis, the author and my readers get ideas for their own decks and hopefully make them look at deck designs in a new way. Here is the deck below.
Deck Name : Prying Open My Third Eye
Author : Matt Hirsch
Description : !Salubri combat/blood denial
The general idea is to present a scary-looking combat deck, but actually use more blood denial tricks than just direct rushing and blocking. Blood denial itself is not a winning strategy, but it makes combat targets a lot easier to knock down.
Built for the Pawtucket VTES tournament, so the expected metagame was stealth/bleed heavy, hence the heavy use of anti-bleed cards. Combat was expected to be light, so I didn't feel the need to beef up too much in that regard. I wouldn't bring this deck to a combat heavy environment.
Also, it's important to note that the crypt is a bit Auspex light in this Auspex deck; the player should be careful about getting superior auspex on the table early. Don't influence out Qawiyya first, unless the Auspex skill card is in hand.
Crypt [12 vampires] Capacity min: 3 max: 9 average: 6.5
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3x Qawiyya el-Ghaduba 9 FOR POT VAL aus pre !Salubri:5
3x Uriel 8 AUS FOR VAL ani obe bishop !Salubri:4
2x Langa 5 VAL for !Salubri:4
1x Aredhel 5 FOR VAL aus !Salubri:4
1x Neighbor John 5 AUS dom for !Ventrue:4
1x Nkechi 4 aus for val !Salubri:4
1x Rashiel 3 for val !Salubri:4
Library [90 cards]
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Master [16]
1x Admonitions, The
1x Archon Investigation
1x Auspex
4x Blood Doll
1x Depravity
1x Dreams of the Sphinx
2x Fame
2x Haven Uncovered
1x Path of Retribution, The
1x Two Wrongs
1x Wash
Reaction [31]
1x Delaying Tactics
2x Eagle's Sight
2x Enhanced Senses
2x Eyes of Argus
3x Forced Awakening
5x Hide the Heart
1x My Enemy's Enemy
2x On the Qui Vive
3x Precognition
2x Spirit's Touch
2x Telepathic Counter
4x Telepathic Misdirection
2x Wake with Evening's Freshness
Combat [22]
1x Amaranth
4x Armor of Caine's Fury
2x Blissful Agony
1x Boxed In
2x Death Seeker
2x Eye of Unforgiving Heaven
1x Hidden Strength
1x Indomitability
1x Pulled Fangs
1x Rolling with the Punches
1x Skin of Rock
2x Taste of Vitae
2x Trap
1x Weighted Walking Stick
Ally [4]
1x Gregory Winter
1x Impundulu
1x Neighborhood Watch Commander (Hunter)
1x Ossian
Action [9]
4x Brother in Arms
1x Harass
1x Rayzeel's Song
1x Revelations
2x Sense Death
Action Modifier [2]
1x Freak Drive
1x Kiss of Ra, The
Action Modifier/Combat [4]
4x Burning Touch
Equipment [2]
1x Codex of the Edenic Groundskeepers
1x Palatial Estate
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WHO IS THE AUTHOR
Matt Hirsch is a friend of mine from the Boston area, and is the Prince of that play group. He was also the 2010 NAC Champion with a strong Hannibal Bleed-Vote deck. I've always been impressed with some of his unique deck ideas (as we can see with the deck listed)! However, in reviewing this deck, I think I see a couple of ideas that may help this deck out.
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Deck Name : Prying Open My Third Eye
Author : Matt Hirsch
Description : !Salubri combat/blood denial
The general idea is to present a scary-looking combat deck, but actually use more blood denial tricks than just direct rushing and blocking. Blood denial itself is not a winning strategy, but it makes combat targets a lot easier to knock down.
Built for the Pawtucket VTES tournament, so the expected metagame was stealth/bleed heavy, hence the heavy use of anti-bleed cards. Combat was expected to be light, so I didn't feel the need to beef up too much in that regard. I wouldn't bring this deck to a combat heavy environment.
Also, it's important to note that the crypt is a bit Auspex light in this Auspex deck; the player should be careful about getting superior auspex on the table early. Don't influence out Qawiyya first, unless the Auspex skill card is in hand.
[Adam's Notes:]
So according to Matt Hirsch's notes, he is supposed to look like a combat deck, but actuality he is a anti-stealth-bleed deck, while using blood denial to make his real combat enough to knock guys down. So that means we have 3 things to look at here.
DECK REQUIREMENTS: (Note this for it will be referenced alot)
1) Is the combat "scary looking"?
2) The anti stealth bleed tech
3) Blood denial tech.
Let's get crackin'!
Crypt [12 vampires] Capacity min: 3 max: 9 average: 6.5
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3x Qawiyya el-Ghaduba 9 FOR POT VAL aus pre !Salubri:5
3x Uriel 8 AUS FOR VAL ani obe bishop !Salubri:4
2x Langa 5 VAL for !Salubri:4
1x Aredhel 5 FOR VAL aus !Salubri:4
1x Neighbor John 5 AUS dom for !Ventrue:4
1x Nkechi 4 aus for val !Salubri:4
1x Rashiel 3 for val !Salubri:4
[Adam's Notes:]
So the main problem I see, is that the proportion of disciplines to the vampires who can play them. Matt was quick enough to mention that Qawiyya should not see play right away unless the Auspex master card was drawn. So let's continue along these these lines.
Assumption: The player wants the option to play a card at superior and only plays inferior if he has to. Note: Some cards this could be argued against, but we are just trying to gather general data.
Auspex: 19 cards (21.11%). Crypt: 4 out of 12 (25%). 2 unique vampires.
Fortitude: 6 cards (6.67%). Crypt: 7 out of 12 (58.33%). 3 Unique vampires.
Valeren: 20 cards (22.22%). Crypt: 9 out of 12 (75%). 4 Unique vampires.
So as Matt implied, this is a Auspex heavy deck, but is likely (85.9) that you will get 1 vampire with AUS. However, it is just ONE vampire to do all the AUS tech. AND its a 74.5% chance that that vamp is Uriel, who will be wanted to do the AUS and the VAL tech.
Recomendations:
- So the easiest change is switching Qawiyya for Dela Eden. Then you have many vampires that fulfill discipline requirements, could use Laibon tech [Well-marked, Powerbase: Tswanne, Swarm(???) etc]. But I suspect that Mr. Hirsch really wants to use Qawiyya so let's move on!
- Saulot is another option of course, but that would be a lot of library change work to afford so many big guys, despite his special.
- Removing a vamp for another another AUS vampire. Possible options are Solomon Batanea [5 Cap. nec AUS FOR. Laibon.] or a second Neighbor John.
- Increase the number of Auspex master card. Or perhaps a Lilth's blessing which will allow one to search for it. Or both. But that will be discussed in the Master section.
Note that through this talk we see the need for 1-2 wider view so that Matt can get his optimal crypt based on the table. But that will be discussed in the Master section.
Library [90 cards]
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Master [16]
1x Admonitions, The
1x Archon Investigation
1x Auspex
4x Blood Doll
1x Depravity
1x Dreams of the Sphinx
2x Fame
2x Haven Uncovered
1x Path of Retribution, The
1x Two Wrongs
1x Wash
[Adam's Notes:]
So although a lot of these cards can be changed for 'better' cards, one has to remember the theme as described by the author. Archon Investigation, Fame, Haven Uncovered, even Two Wrongs (maybe) stick to the Deck Requirements stated above.
Recommendations:
Path of Retribution should be switched with Code of Samiel. There is only 6 valeren cards in deck that cost 1 blood.
Depravity should be switched with Blooding by the Code. The Superior Valeren on someone small (like a Brother's in Arms) is great for cards like Hide the Heart.
Admonitions should be switched for the Barrens, there are a decent amount of cards that would not be used depending on the situation. But a Heart of Nizchetus might be more effective and allows for a different master card slot.
I have found that splashing a Villein in a Blood doll deck (even if you don't have the Giant's Blood I see) is a good thing. Intercept seems to be light, and using it on a hunt is rare. Villein on 5 cap for everything and then hunt is a free 5 pool, especially with all the untap. And of course this could combine with Lilith's Blessing. 3 Blood Doll, 1 Villein seems right.
Although having a Dreams is always good, another viable option which fits with blood denial is Retribution. I would give it a shot.
The Wash while useful, a wider view should be more important I think.
As per discussion with the crypt, having a second Auspex master card in this would be good. Obviously doubling the chances of drawing one.
Other possible cards to fulfill criteria: Yawp Court, Mob Connection, intercept location, Smiling Jack. [Example: By reducing the auspex package (more Hide the Heart perhaps), you can take the Auspex master card slot.] Also, I've always put Erciyes Fragments in Auspex decks.
So a "possible" master card package I would recommend would be.
Master [16]
1x Barrens, The
1x Archon Investigation
2x Auspex
3x Blood Doll
1x Villein
1x Blooding by the Code
1x Retribution
1x Fame
2x Haven Uncovered
1x Code of Samiel
1x Two Wrongs*
1x Wider View
*(Not a fan, personally would switch for a 2nd Wider view or a Erciyes Fragments or a Lilith's Blessing perhaps)
Reaction [31]
1x Delaying Tactics
2x Eagle's Sight
2x Enhanced Senses
2x Eyes of Argus
3x Forced Awakening
5x Hide the Heart
1x My Enemy's Enemy
2x On the Qui Vive
3x Precognition
2x Spirit's Touch
2x Telepathic Counter
4x Telepathic Misdirection
2x Wake with Evening's Freshness
[Adam's Notes:]
For the description that Matt gave, this is a fine package of reaction cards. The only thing would note is that the theme is to wake and block, not necessarily bounce (only 5 bounce cards). To take full advantage of the 9 wakes, I would make sure to have some permanent intercept like a Bowl of Convergence or a Sport Bike. (or both).
Since the theme of this deck is anti-bleed, and superior AUS is an issue, Matt could consider cutting some 2-3 cards (duplicates) and try out Steadfastness. The +1 int (against D actions) or reduce a bleed could fit nicely. He won't know until he tries.
Combat [22]
1x Amaranth
4x Armor of Caine's Fury
2x Blissful Agony
1x Boxed In
2x Death Seeker
2x Eye of Unforgiving Heaven
1x Hidden Strength
1x Indomitability
1x Pulled Fangs
1x Rolling with the Punches
1x Skin of Rock
2x Taste of Vitae
2x Trap
1x Weighted Walking Stick
[Adam's Notes:]
So this is the part where the combat should look scary but in reality it is effective against guys with low blood. With only 22 slots, there is not much I would change except for some minor tweaks.
- The Rolling with the Punches I would switch for a Superior Mettle or a Soak (depending on whether you want synergy with Trap or Eye of Unforgiving Heaven)
- The Taste of Vitae only gains you blood if used with Qawiyya, other fortitude cards should be better.
- The Amaranth is prayer card (which of course Matt is free to keep in), and interesting alternative for that card and the Boxed In is two copies of Lessons in the Steel. Note that it is a inferior that gives a press.
- Options is always better, I would switch the Skin of Rock for a Resilence or another Indomitability.
Ally [4]
1x Gregory Winter
1x Impundulu
1x Neighborhood Watch Commander (Hunter)
1x Ossian
[Adam's Notes:]
One can only have so many allies, I would just note that Carlton Van Wyck is annoying against your deck (not many presses, no Vengenence of Samiel). Would be better to play one yourself.
Action [9]
4x Brother in Arms
1x Harass
1x Rayzeel's Song
1x Revelations
2x Sense Death
[Adam's Notes:]
I can see the use of most of these, although Rayzeel Song does not fit with deck description. Aranthebes the Immortal would perhaps be better.
Action Modifier [2]
1x Freak Drive
1x Kiss of Ra, The
[Adam's Notes:]
Just a splash I see, these might be better as the intercept equipment mentioned above.
Action Modifier/Combat [4]
4x Burning Touch
[Adam's Notes:]
Just keeping them guessing. While the inferior is nice for them losing one blood, there are not many "must block" actions here.
Equipment [2]
1x Codex of the Edenic Groundskeepers
1x Palatial Estate
[Adam's Notes:]
While these two cards are good, I think something as simple as Camera phones should work much more effectively.
REVIEW:
CARD SLOTS ARE NEEDED! So there are a lot of different cards that can be added that would aid in the description requirements. What are possible removals which losing theme?
Based on what was written above, I would say that 2 actions, 6 action modifiers, 2 equipment, 2 combat, 3 reaction [total: 15 cards] could be swapped around for different cards each time Matt plays and still keep to theme. [Master cards were already discussed.]
Possible cards that keep to the 3 requirements stated at the beginning.
- More Hide the Heart (Blood denial)
- Young Bloods (Blood denial)
- Events: Restrictive Vitae, Dr. Marisa Fletcher, CDC, Hunger Moon. [Although with this I would increase blood gain cards] (blood denial)
- Ivory Bow (scary combat)
- Banshee Ironwail!!! [[Unique melee weapon. Cold iron. Strength +2 damage each strike. Bearer gets -1 stealth on each action. If bearer blocks an action, the acting minion burns 1 blood or life (before combat begins, if any).]] (This is scary combat and blood denial And a strong card against Kyasid Stealth Bleed.)
- Bowl of Convergence. Sport Bike. (anti Stealth bleed)
- Keep it Simple (Anti Stealth Bleed)
- Aranthebes, the Immortal (Anti Stealth Bleed)
- Flak Jacket or Kevlar Vest. The assumption is not heavy combat so preventing the hand strike consistently is strong.
CONCLUSION:
So we have now reviewed this interesting deck. It has some weaknesses, no strong oust mechanic, and weak against combat. But Matt in his criteria implies that there is a lot of stealth bleed, so table collapse is usually eminent by the 1st hour. After that, everyone is at low blood, and everyone has an oust mechanic. :)
I hope that Matt (and the rest of you) find this analysis useful. I enjoyed reviewing it and it definitely has encouraged me to take a look at Salubri Anti decks again.
Adam Hulse
