OPERATION DECK DECONSTRUCTION #4

OPERATION DECK DECONSTRUCTION #4
[Use Soundwave's voice for full effect!]

Hello everyone, this my fourth deck analysis. I enjoy doing the analysis and like the challenge. 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. My goal is for me to hone my deck analysis using what I have learned while playing and in previous blogs. Here is the deck below.


Name: Nadima Wall
Author: Ira Fay
Description: I noticed that Hatch the Viper isn’t in the TWDA. It seems like a really strong card, so I wanted to make a deck that used it well. I've also considered using Nehsi (with Trophies!) or Seterpenre, but I wanted to try the pure Gangrel angle due to lower capacity and nice Gangrel clan masters.

Crypt: (12)
5x Nadima(G3)
4x Mirembe Kabbada(G2)
1x Chandler Hungerford(G2)
1x Dr. Allan Woodstock(G3)
1x Ramona (advanced)(G2)

Library: (60)

Master: (13)
3x Blood Doll
1x Backways
1x Ecoterrorists
1x Fame
1x Heidelberg Castle, Germany
1x Pentex(TM) Subversion
1x Perfectionist
1x Powerbase: Montreal
1x Smiling Jack, The Anarch
1x The Rack
1x Wider View

Action: (11)
4x Dark Mirror of the Mind
2x Shadow of the Beast
1x Form of Corruption
1x Nose of the Hound
1x Restoration
1x Set's Curse
1x Soul Scan

Retainer: (9)
6x Hatch the Viper
1x Dog Pack
1x Homunculus
1x Mr. Winthrop

Equipment: (3)
1x Bowl of Convergence
1x Camera Phone
1x IR Goggles

Action Modifier: (7)
5x Freak Drive
2x Earth Control

Combat: (9)
5x Earth Meld
3x Form of Mist
1x Unflinching Persistence

Reaction: (8)
2x Eyes of Argus
2x On the Qui Vive
2x Wake with Evening's Freshness
1x Forced Awakening
1x Set's Call
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WHO IS THE AUTHOR
Ira Fay is a strong vtes player who has been around the scene for some time now. I've met him at several tournaments and even traveled to one at the college where he works. He has an interesting grasp of how to table-talk and how to read a table. He asked me to review this untested deck and I agreed. Hopefully, my review will give him some advice and maybe we'll see this deck hit a tourney some day!

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Name: Nadima Wall
Author: Ira Fay
Description: I noticed that Hatch the Viper isn’t in the TWDA. It seems like a really strong card, so I wanted to make a deck that used it well. I've also considered using Nehsi (with Trophies!) or Seterpenre, but I wanted to try the pure Gangrel angle due to lower capacity and nice Gangrel clan masters.

[Adam Notes:]
So here Ira wants to make a Tournament Winning Gangrel - Hatch the Viper deck. A tough challenge indeed! Well, I'm going to review this deck a little differently. If you read my previous blog "Deck Design and the Engine that Could", I am finding that by answering some key questions, one can find issues (in a general sense) very quickly. So below, I will repost the main questions, but then try to answer them (or fail to answer) has we go through different portions of the Crypt and Library.

[pick theme] - Answer: Gangrel-Hatch the Viper

1) Is my Machine a Bleed or Vote machine?
2) What is my Engine to make my machine work?
3a) What cards/decks, cause my Machine to fail?
3b) Does my Engine have an answer for it?
3c) Are those cards/decks likely to be seen?

Crypt: (12)
5x Nadima(G3)
4x Mirembe Kabbada(G2)
1x Chandler Hungerford(G2)
1x Dr. Allan Woodstock(G3)
1x Ramona (advanced)(G2)

[Adam Notes:]
1) Is my Machine a Bleed or Vote machine?
Answer: Well... it's obviously not a vote crpyt. So therefore, bleeding must be the main way to oust. There may be "Backup machines" (Smiling Jack, Fame) - but that should just be that, a backup machine if bleeding is not working out. As we go further down I can see that bleed tech is limited so this a limitation that we will have to try and correct.

Other interest options of crypt:
Antonino - the +1 stealth on undirected is great
Danielle Diron - Her ability is very useful and discipline spread fits the bill.
[for these two vamps, see comment on Book Going Forth by Night below]


Library: (60)

[Adam Notes:] 
So Ira made this as a 60 card deck. Typically small decks need to be one of three things. 1) Very aggressive and focused or 2) have a type of recusion 3) focus on permaments. It seems that for this deck (Hatch the Viper), this is #3. So let's keep that in mind.

Master: (13)
3x Blood Doll
1x Backways
1x Ecoterrorists
1x Fame
1x Heidelberg Castle, Germany
1x Pentex(TM) Subversion
1x Perfectionist
1x Powerbase: Montreal
1x Smiling Jack, The Anarch
1x The Rack
1x Wider View

[Adam Notes:]
This is a fine set of master cards, even for a 90 card deck (and Ira has it a 60). Since this is such a small deck, it is very important to see if each Master card helps 1) the Machine (bleed) 2) The Engine (stealth? int? combat?) d) Answer the question 3a-b-c?

Even though this will make this analysis lengthy, we will go though each master card and try to answer the questions above.
Definite "Keeps":
Blood Doll - This helps question 3a "what causes my Machine to fail?" The answer "pool loss" is pretty straight foward. A good example why this is a staple in most decks.
Backways - Persistent stealth - minor Engine
Ecoterrorists - Persistent pool gain - Question 3a
Fame - A 'backup machine' oust mechanic to aid in bleeding
Heidelberg Castle - To aid in Engine - move retainers and bleed equipment around
Wider view - Indirectly helps machine - you need the correct vampires (limited choice) to make this work.

Questionable:
Pentex(TM) Subversion - A staple in most decks, however we have to ask - does this help Machine (bleed) or engine (toolbox, equip and hatch the viper). An argument could be made 'yes' by pentexing a blocker. But eventually one runs out of wakes to defend it. Lets put that in the 'maybe' category.
Perfectionist - Well, the idea is that it pays for the Hatch the Viper and allows blood gain faster. On the other hand, it doesn't help with bleed. And we need to make sure that we can oust.
Powerbase: Montreal - While this is a persistent pool gain - it can be used by others and the amount of actions this deck can take is limited. Bleeding will be difficult in the long run so keeping pool off the table is better.
The Rack - Same issue as Pentex, but in this case, it affects your game and not the table. So more likely to be left alone. A Strong Maybe
Smiling Jack - Again, a 'backup machine' oust mechanic so not bad.

All these questionable Master card slots allows us to consider other master cards that could be useful. Remember, the Machine is Bleeding and the Engine is permanents in terms of Hatch the Viper and bleed.

Intercept Location - The extra intercept can make the difference. People are playing with less and less stealth and relying on the built in stealth of actions to get through. Throws off the math with people trying to get by. With Nadima its even better.

Elysium: Sforzesco Castle - a underused card which in today's metagame might be worth considering. If your prey, pred OR grand predator (due to bounce) is play camarilla, then this card is excellent for such a deck that needs to stay untapped.

Carver`s Meat Packing and Storage - A strong combination with the Event Scourge of the Enochians (and even better with Aranthebes). All three stop a weakness of the deck of multiple minions overwhelming your wakes.

Creepshow Casino - If you look below, you can see the majority of actions are undirected. Thus this could be part of the engine. (Monastary of shadows is an option but only Nadima can use it).

Erciyes Fragments - Free. Usually not stolen and with auspex on Nadima, you have 3 of the 4 most common discipline to call upon (ani aus for but no dom). Consider it a resource for extra wakes.

Haven Uncovered - While not a Pentex this allows you to take out key minion and only that minion can remove the haven, which you can defend.

As a deck without bounce or votes, Archon Investigation, Direct Intervention, and Sudden Reversal are very important.

BONUS OPTION - Instead of that crypt, one can basically do the same but with Anarch Converts. This gives extra options of things like Anarch Railroad, Piper, Anarch Revolt, Club Illusion and even Smear Campaign to get rid of things like Enkil Cog. And that is just master card options. [And you don't have to play Wider view]

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Action: (11)
4x Dark Mirror of the Mind
2x Shadow of the Beast
1x Form of Corruption
1x Nose of the Hound
1x Restoration
1x Set's Curse
1x Soul Scan

[Adam Notes:]
Actions! Okay, so in a 60 card deck, each slot is important. So I think we can take the time to go more into detail here.
Dark Mirror of the Mind:
I happen to know that Ira is huge fan of Dark Mirror of the Mind (see TWD and Finals report: Member of the Entourage on www.vekn.net) but sorry Ira, I just think that you have more important actions to take (or not take and stay up to defend) with the one vamp (Nadima) who can play it. [So that give us 4 card slots]

Shadow of the Beast - These are permaments which are pretty good.
Form of Corruption - As a deck that cannot stop a forward motion prey too much, this is a fine card.
Nose of the Hound - Okay, a surprise rush. But only Nadima and Dr. Alllan can play it. A disciplineless rush or Taunt the Caged beast is good. Sense Death at animalism is okay if you want a stealth rush, but limited by capacity.
Resotration - Nice idea, but only Nadima can really use it. A funny thing about this card is that I've never seen it blocked. Ever. So maybe not for this deck, but something to consider. [1 card slot]
Set's Curse - Interesting card. I'd keep it as a surprise.
Soul Scan - So this card is draw Nadima. But only Dr. Allan can play it. If you don't draw Nadima, that means you are likely to draw Mirembe Kabbada. So will likely have Mirembe and Dr Allan in play, that is 10 pool. Bringing out Nadima is possible, but unclear. Better playing with the little guys in that situatino. [1 card slot]

So that's 6 card action card slots. We are going to hold on to those until we review the other actions (retainers and equipment).


Retainer: (9)
6x Hatch the Viper
1x Dog Pack
1x Homunculus
1x Mr. Winthrop

[Adam Notes:]
Not bad. But since this is a bleed deck, J.s Simmons and Tasha Morgan may be good here.


Equipment: (3)
1x Bowl of Convergence
1x Camera Phone
1x IR Goggles

[Adam Notes:]
Bowl of Convergence can only be used by two minions. Perhaps Sport Bike or Phased Motion Detector if you want to save on pool. More bleed equipment and bleed retainers would be good.

Action Modifier: (7)
5x Freak Drive
2x Earth Control

[Adam Notes:]
Looks okay, I might steal an earth meld or two for more earth control. With so many permanents, you need to make sure they 'stick'.


[Adam's Notes: ACTION REVIEW]
So Ira has 23 actions. Should have 2-3 minions, assume 2 actions a turn. First vampire comes out around turn 2. And games end around turn 12-13. So the math seems correct about right there. So let's recap.

The deck is a bleed deck (cause its not vote), with some other minor attacking pool options, Fame and Smiling Jack. But just the fact that the "Backup Machine" is only two cards means that we have to increase the bleed option here. - Here is some thoughts:

Heidelberg will allow retainers and equipment to move around - A second copy is possible.
Even if HeidelBurg is not drawn, having each minion bleed for two is more forward. So J.S Simmons, Tasha Morgan, Camera phone(s). In a 60 card deck, having 6 bleed permaments is pretty good. Getting 3 in play doubles your oust potential.

OTHER ACTIONS -
Book of Going Forth by Night. Allows others to get Hatch the Viper as well as killing allies gives them to you.
Jack of Both Sides - While this probably won't make the cut in a 60 card deck, it works for the majority of the cards. And people tend not to block because it doesn't put the key action in the ashheap. (Works well with earth meld).
Aranthebes - you are limited by your wakes. This stops some actions.
Gather - When used with House of Sorrows (which works with Ecoterrorists, Backways, Heileberg, Aranthebes)
Ivory Bow - with 1-2 Hatch the Vipers, burning guys is not too hard.
Covenant of Blood - Independents have trouble getting permament rush. This is an option...

Combat: (9)
5x Earth Meld
3x Form of Mist
1x Unflinching Persistence

[Adam Notes:]
Ira seems to be trying to avoid the manuever-to-long issue. Instead of Unflinching Persistence, Drawing out the Beast seems strong.


Reaction: (8)
2x Eyes of Argus
2x On the Qui Vive
2x Wake with Evening's Freshness
1x Forced Awakening
1x Set's Call

[Adam Notes:] The Eyes of Argus can only be used at inferior here, which may have been Ira's point (+2 int for D actions), but Forced Vigilance is an option as is Steadfastness as well. Or just more other wakes.

OTHER CARDS
The Uncoiling - An excellent player by the name of Darby Keeney once stated that if you are not using Gehenna events, you should always play this card. Anthelios, Unmasking as examples are just too strong.
Scourge of the Enochians - You only have so many wakes. Get those 1-2 caps off the table.
Rapid Change - Instead of more Earth Control like I mentioned early, 1-2 of these for versatility.
Army of Rats - Another "Backup Machine" reduce pool effect.
Agg poke - If you don't have one in there, you can't keep 'em 'honest'. Burns vampires too with hatch the viper.


CONCLUSION -
So this deck is an interesting concept, but in my opinion it needs a bit of work. In the current version, it doesn't vote and it doesn't bleed, and has limited rush even. In the past, I made two votes versions of this. One was with the setites and gangrel. The Setites call KRC and Free State Rant (villien and voter cap for pool gain). Hatch the Viper for defence and torporing guys with low blood. The other was Group 4 starring Xendil, Gangrel anti bleed and vote. (cute tech is that the Path of Feral Heart makes Hatch the Viper free).

Thanks to Ira for letting me review his deck. I know I did not place it on laurels, but it was an interesting review and hopefully my input will help you in the future deck designs of it.


Adam