Tourney Report: Dragon*Con '99

Two V:TES tournaments were held at Dragon*Con this past weekend. On Friday, I held a Bring-Your-Own Sabbat sealed deck tournament (8 packs of Sabbat boosters per player), with 23 participants. 9am Saturday morning (which came real early for those of us who were around when the sealed deck game ended at 1:30am) marked the start of the V:TES constructed tournament, which 19 players attended. (This level of attendance made V:TES the second biggest draw at the gaming area in Dragon*Con - just as it was last year, according to gaming director John Bunnell - and is just slightly above average for southeastern USA tourneys, I think.) Particpants came from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Louisiana. SEALED DECK TOURNEY: For a sealed deck game, the decks flowed remarkably well. Only one game out of ten was called for time. After the two preliminary rounds, five players were selected for the finals: Jeff Stephens (9VP), R. David Zopf (5VP), Norman Brown (4.5VP), Chris Boget aka Sorrow (4VP), and Rob Grau (4VP). (David had been unavoidably detained prior to the start of the tourney, so had had only ten minutes in which to open his packs and construct his deck, yet still made it to the finals.) Rob Grau won the evening with 4VPs, with Jeff Stephens taking the remaining VP for a second-place finish. CONSTRUCTED DECK TOURNEY: One game in each of the first two rounds had to be called for time - one with two players standing and the other with four. Plenty of Anarch Revolts around to keep the games short. Making the final cut were: Rob Grau (11VPs), David Davila (8VPs), Ben Peal (5VPs), Chris O'Brian (4.5VPs), and Chris Boget aka Sorrow (4VPs). The finals went down to the wire, with Ben and Sorrow each getting 2 VPs and David getting the remaining one. With the higher standing going into the finals, first place went to Ben. -- I had a great time running those two tournaments, and I hope to see many of you there again next year. -- THE DECKS: Rob Grau (sealed deck): 2 Shane Grimald Cameron Ignacio Vasantasena Dani Tommy Josef Beast, Leatherface of Detroit Calebos Marlene, the Infernalist Vanessa Political Hunting Ground Steam Tunnels 2 Ascendance The Barrens Dominate Information Highway 2 Short Term Investment Computer Hacking Forced Awakening Fake Out Trap 2 Laptop Computer Sport Bike .44 Magnum Gas Powered Chainsaw Consanguineous Boon Crusade: Detroit Excommunication Sabbat Priest Transfer of Power Bribes Surprise Influence 2 Carrion Crows Cat's Guidance Guard Dogs 2 Song of Serenity Raptor 2 Obedience 3 Redirection Slaughtering the Herd 3 Threats (one lost as Ante in the second round) Cloak the Gathering 2 Forgotten Labyrinth 2 Swallowed by the Night 3 Pushing the Limit 2 Sacrament of Carnage Undead Strength Ben Peal (constructed deck): Zoe Didi Meyers 2 Isabel de Leon 2 Justine, Elder of Dallas 2 Gloria Giovanni Kurt Strauss Ingrid Russo 2 Marlene, the Infernalist 9 Anarch Revolt Antediluvian Awakening 2 The Barrens 3 Blood Doll 2 Dreams of the Sphinx 2 Elysium: the Arboretum 2 Fragment of the Book of Nod 2 KRCG News Radio 2 London Evening Star, Tabloid Newspaper 2 The Rumor Mill, Tabloid Newspaper 2 Sudden Reversal 5 Wake with Evening's Freshness 4 Spirit's Touch 4 Enhanced Senses 6 Telepathic Counter 12 Bonding 9 Deflection 3 Govern the Unaligned 13 Obedience -- L. Scott Johnson (sjoh...@math.sc.edu) | Beware of the man http://www.math.sc.edu/~sjohnson | who won't be bothered Graphics Specialist and V:TES Rulemonger | with details.

>Ben Peal (constructed deck): [ quoted text not captured ] Oops: I left off a line: 5 Eagle's Sight [ quoted text not captured ]

L. Scott Johnson wrote in message <7lvedu$f...@redwood.cs.sc.edu>... >Particpants came from Georgia, South Carolina, North >Carolina, and Louisiana. > and Massachusetts... >SEALED DECK TOURNEY: For a sealed deck game, the decks >flowed remarkably well. Only one game out of ten was called >for time. After the two preliminary rounds, five players >were selected for the finals: Jeff Stephens (9VP), R. David >Zopf (5VP), Norman Brown (4.5VP), Chris Boget aka Sorrow >(4VP), and Rob Grau (4VP). (David had been unavoidably >detained prior to the start of the tourney, so had had only >ten minutes in which to open his packs and construct his >deck, yet still made it to the finals.) > Grrr. I got locked out of my hotel room (where my and Ben Peal's Sabbat packs were) for two hours. Thanks to all who held off starting the tournament for us :-) Still, it was a fun drill in deck construction. >Rob Grau won the evening with 4VPs, with Jeff Stephens >taking the remaining VP for a second-place finish. > >CONSTRUCTED DECK TOURNEY: One game in each of the first two >rounds had to be called for time - one with two players >standing and the other with four. Plenty of Anarch Revolts >around to keep the games short. Making the final cut were: >Rob Grau (11VPs), David Davila (8VPs), Ben Peal (5VPs), >Chris O'Brian (4.5VPs), and Chris Boget aka Sorrow (4VPs). I think its worth mentioning here that Mr. Grau was playing some freakish Giovanni/Ravnos Goodnight Sweet Pince/Reanimator deck!!! I'd appreciate it if he would post the concept, and possibly the deck, so we can all figue out who let these Independents into the finals. Rob claimed at the tourney to be the beneficiary of the many Anarch Revolts that hit the table across all rounds of play, but that alone won't get you into a final with 11VP. Rob??? Congrats to Ben Peal. You should have seen him in the finals!!! <grin> Like I said, Ben, don't play that deck again, or your heart is likely to explode!!! This was also my first time playing Sorrow in casual environment. Definitely one of the sharpest players I've come across. Regards, R. David Zopf Atom Weaver (& V:EKN Prince of Charlotte, NC)

In article <7m0cph$mdq$1...@nntp1.atl.mindspring.net>, Richard Zopf <guenh...@mindspring.com> writes >I think its worth mentioning here that Mr. Grau was playing some freakish >Giovanni/Ravnos Goodnight Sweet Pince/Reanimator deck!!! Sounds not unlike one of Mr. Legbiter's concoctions. Essentially, have a crypt full of princes. GSWP them out for the pool, then Possess them back in. Because you have so many votes, voting can form a good portion of the rest of your deck. -- James Coupe (Prince of Mercia, England) Vampire: Elder Kindred Network http://madnessnetwork.hexagon.net http://www.obeah.demon.co.uk

> who let these Independents into the finals. Rob claimed at the tourney to > be the beneficiary of the many Anarch Revolts that hit the table across all > rounds of play, but that alone won't get you into a final with 11VP. Rob??? Stealth and massive pool gain. There were alot of decks that I did not expect to see at the tournament. I just don't think they could have kept up. > Congrats to Ben Peal. You should have seen him in the finals!!! <grin> Both he and I were about the same - my hands were shaking as bad as his. :) It was definately the most intense game I had ever played. > This was also my first time playing Sorrow in casual environment. Definitely > one of the sharpest players I've come across. Thanks! I'm glad there's at least one person who doesn't think I suck. :p I really enjoyed myself. The calibre of skill that showed up was very high. I was glad I had the opportunity to play against everyone I had. It just bites that we all can't get together on a more regular occasion. Sorrow --- I don't want to be alone | I hurt, therefore I am anymore |-------------------------------- I don't want to be anyone | "What are you looking at...? anymore | you never seen anyone try to I don't need a reason to kill myself | commit suicide before?" - Anon ------------------------------------------------------------------------

In article <mJ2h3.973$721.1...@newshog.newsread.com>, "Sorrow" <cbo...@apdi.net> wrote: [Snip] >There were alot of decks that I did not expect >to see at the tournament. [Snip] Correct: I didn't think anyone would be prepared for my deadly Rock/Paper/Scissors deck ;-) Joe Churchill http://tzimisce.home.mindspring.com/ Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

Richard Zopf (guenh...@mindspring.com) wrote: : I think its worth mentioning here that Mr. Grau was playing some freakish : Giovanni/Ravnos Goodnight Sweet Pince/Reanimator deck!!! I'd appreciate it : if he would post the concept, and possibly the deck, so we can all figue out : who let these Independents into the finals. Rob claimed at the tourney to : be the beneficiary of the many Anarch Revolts that hit the table across all : rounds of play, but that alone won't get you into a final with 11VP. Rob??? A Ravnos/Giovanni deck had no business making it to the finals, let alone score 11 VPs...which is only testament to Rob's game play. He recognized that there were a few Anarch Revolt-based decks and managed his pool and his style of play accordingly. Also, his deck had a pretty serious knock-out punch...Hold back, play conservatively, let the Anarch Revolts take their toll, then drop the hammer. Unfortunately for him, his deck stalled severely in the finals. If he had gotten at least one Prince out, he would have fared a lot better. : Congrats to Ben Peal. You should have seen him in the finals!!! <grin> : Like I said, Ben, don't play that deck again, or your heart is likely to : explode!!! Aiieeeee...there's nothing like dropping 4 Anarch Revolts in the end game...pleaseletmeoffthisrideiwanttogetoffnow... : This was also my first time playing Sorrow in casual environment. : Definitely one of the sharpest players I've come across. While I was content to let him take out Rob and Dave in the final round and deal with him one on one for the win, I wasn't at all expecting such a drawn-out and thrilling end game...I figured he'd either quickly succumb to the Anarch Revolts or he'd overwhelm me with voting attempts to the point where I'd be hand jammed to death. He managed to get enough pool gain out to keep things even, and kept constant pressure on my minions (and my deck). Fortunately, my deck held up under fire. The Fragment of the Book of Nod and The Barrens went a long way towards getting me the cards I needed. That was definitely the most exciting game I've ever played. Well played, Chris. - Ben Peal fu...@mindstorm.com

> : This was also my first time playing Sorrow in casual environment. > : Definitely one of the sharpest players I've come across. > While I was content to let him take out Rob and Dave in the final > round and deal with him one on one for the win, I should have left Dave alive to take care of you. At least he would have ran out your intercept. > I wasn't at all expecting such a drawn-out and thrilling end game... :) > I figured he'd either quickly succumb to the Anarch Revolts or At least I was drawing my Voter Caps that game. <g> > he'd overwhelm me with voting attempts to the point where I'd be > hand jammed to death. With all the intercept you had, I don't think you had much to worry about > He managed to get enough pool gain out to keep things even, and > kept constant pressure on my minions (and my deck). Fortunately, > my deck held up under fire. The Fragment of the Book of Nod and > The Barrens went a long way towards getting me the cards I needed. I so should have paid for a new vamp as soon as I ousted Dave. This was my downfall, I think. I probably could have taken at least the Fragment. I would have also had another vamp to use to draw out your resources. > That was definitely the most exciting game I've ever played. Indeed. > Well played, Chris. I want a rematch! ;) [ quoted text not captured ]

Sorrow wrote in message ... > It just >bites >that we all can't get together on a more regular occasion. > Yeah. Hey Davila, how's that real time online effort of yours coming along?? [ quoted text not captured ]