Pre-maneuver cards

Is there a limit for the amount of cards played in the pre-maneuver phase of the combat?

Nope. They follow the standard timing rules. The acting methuselah can play any number of effects (Trap, Carrion Crows, Drawing out the Beast, Concealed Weapon, Pack Alpha, etc etc), then the defending methuseah can play one effect. (Then other players can play effects, but that usually doesn't come up in combat). Then the "impulse" goes back to the acting methuselah. Until everybody passes.

Josh is correct. Moreover, the default for VTES card play is: "no limit". The exceptions, given in the rules are: * Action Modifiers / Reactions (a given minion has a limit of one of a given card, by name, per action). * Additional-Strike-gaining-effects (one per round per minion) * Conviction (see rules) And other obvious stuff: * Actions / Master card / Event (limit: one per action / MPA / DPA) * Strikes (one per strike) Others as given on explicit card text.