Tzimisce Clan Newsletter
March 2001: Vol. 3 Issue 1
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"The basis of optimism is sheer terror."
-Oscar Wilde
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Contents
1. Interview with a Rulemonger
2. Combo of the Month
3. Deck of the Month
-----------------------------------------
1. Interview with a Rulemonger
This month we had a chance to sit down with the lead designer of White Wolf’s
latest expansion and pick his brain about the Sabbat War expansion, the
Tzimisce, and the future of the clan. When asked about his role with White Wolf
L. Scott Johnson claims only these, “Lead Designer” on Sabbat War and the
“Net.Rep” for V:TES, the duties for each are independent of the other.
Now on with the interview:
JC: Now that Sabbat War has been out since Halloween 2000 and you’ve had time to
reflect how do you think you did on first expansion? Is there anything you wish
you had or hadn’t done?
LSJ: The first part could probably be better answered by people more removed
from the process, like the players, but since you've asked... I think the
expansion was well done, given the parameters. But my opinion is naturally
biased for such a purely subjective topic. From a design standpoint, it would've
been nice to include more cards - both reprints and new cards. But since both
White Wolf and I were new to the creation process, I think it was a good
decision to test the waters. There's nothing really badly missing or badly done
enough for me to wish I had done it differently, no. I had a lot of fun doing
it, as well, and the White Wolf staff is easy to work with, so that probably has
something to do with my impressions of the set.
JC: How much creative freedom do you enjoy during the initial design of a card
before the "Rulemonger" in you kicks in and says, "What the hell was I
thinking?"
LSJ: Not much. The rulemonger filter is almost always on.
JC: Do find this frustrating at times?
LSJ: Not as much as the people I interact with, I'd say.
JC: What was your favorite part of designing the first expansion to V:TES in
some years? What was the worst part?
LSJ: My favorite part was making new vampires - adapting the main characters
like Sascha and Lucita. The worst is deciding what Sabbat cards to cut to fit
the set onto the given sheets in a balanced fashion.
JC: So what vampire in Sabbat War do you really consider your baby? Also, which
one is your favorite to play?
LSJ: The Little Tailor was the most fun to develop. Greta Kircher is always fun
to bring out.
JC: What was/is the hardest part in designing new cards for the Tzimisce? What
was/is easiest part?
LSJ: I don't break it down like that, sorry. I did some research in the White
Wolf source material for Tzimisce characters, traits, and Vicissitude powers
that weren't yet represented, and adapted the ones that seemed useful to the
card game. The hard part is designing non-specific cards, like Blood Siege and
Storage Annex - the ideas for which aren't neatly packaged in some clanbook
somewhere.
JC: What’s the one card the avg. Tzimisce vampire can play that causes you the
most headaches when designing new cards?
LSJ: None, really. The stock Tzimisce cards don't really push any limits when it
comes to corner cases, so standard (good) designs for new cards don't have to
examine any of them specifically looking for troublesome corner cases. Reform
Body is the most unusual, so some card texts dealing with burning or torpor or
diablerie are checked for interaction with that card, so I guess Reform Body
would be the one card that matches your description, with the note above that
the headache level is low in general.
JC: What are your thoughts on the roles the Tzimisce play in V:TES now and in
the future?
LSJ: The same: unmatched intercept-combat ability. Both ani and vic are
wide-ranging enough to give them the toolbox they need to be effective at such a
difficult main strategy.
JC: Are there any future enhancements in the works for the Tzimisce? Clan
specific and/or Vicissitude related?
LSJ: They might get some help, but probably not in the form of clan-specific
cards or vicissitude-specific cards, given the nature of the next expansion.
Beyond that, there's always "maybe". :-)
JC: What do you feel are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of playing the
Tzimisce?
LSJ: Their intercept capability, with the means to follow through once they
block, is clearly their best characteristic. Their lack of influence (2 prisci,
a bishop, and an archbishop)[editor’s Note: +1 10 Cap Cardinal] and dearth of
stealth and bleed enhancements are all vying for the "biggest Tzimisce obstacle"
title.
-----------------------------------------
2. Combo of the Month:
It was either Justin Lacey (charlotte) or Derrick Ray (atlanta) that brought up
this little beauty during a post tourney chat session.
Objective: Get into combat start laying down Weather Control after Weather
Control to the opposing vamps capacity + 1, and then play a Bloodform when
you’re done playing all those Weather Controls. Now watch as your prey goes
scrambling for a ruling, as I did before publication.
This combo requires Thaumaturgy and superior Vicissitude and unfortunately for
us there’s only one vampire in the game that pull off this combo w/o the aid of
skill cards, Sascha Vykos.
Weather Control: Combat, Thaumaturgy
Only usable at beginning of combat. Both combatants and each of their retainers
take 1 damage before range is determined each round. This damage cannot be
prevented. (S) As above, but the amount of damage inflicted increases by 1 each
round.
Bloodform: Combat, Vicissitude
(S) Play before range is chosen. This vampire is immune to non-aggravated damage
for the current round. This vampire cannot strike this round. This vampire gets
an optional press, usable only to end combat.
-----------------------------------------
3. Deck of the Month
Blood Control
by: Joe Churchill
Description/Notes: This deck is built for Sascha and focuses on the Weather
Control/Bloodform combo. Without Sascha the deck will be doomed. It’s also
really more of template designed specifically around this month’s combo.
Additional deck ideas would be to switch out some Weather Controls with Traps,
Maneuvers, and splash in some Theft.
Crypt: (12 cards) [Min: 18, Max: 32, Avg: 6.67]
3 Ian Forestal (AUS DOM THA, Tremere Antitribu, 8)
1 Magdelena Schaefer (THA, Caitiff, 2)
1 Sarah Cobbler (dom THA, Tremere, 4)
4 Sascha Vykos (ani AUS dom THA VIC, Tzimisce, 8, Priscus)
3 Violet Tremain (dom pre tha vic, Tzimisce, 6, Bishop)
Library: (90 cards)
Master (10 cards)
4 Blood Doll
4 Vicissitude
2 Recruitment
Minion (80 cards)
15 Bloodform
8 Bums Rush
6 Deflection
12 Govern the Unaligned
4 Meld with the Land
5 Wake with Evening's Freshness
30 Weather Control
-----------------------------------------
Letters to the Editor
For ideas on the newsletter, on future articles, deck submission, general
discussion, or corrections, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Joe Churchill
Editor
tzim...@warghoul.com
Evil combo. So I take it that being immune is not the same as preventing?
Also since they both happen in the same phase, before range is chosen, that
the bloodform activates before the damage is dealt?
"Joe Churchill" <jo...@brooklyncasket.com> wrote in message
news:FXNn6.984$45....@www.newsranger.com...
[ quoted text not captured ]
cur...@aol.com (Ian Lee) writes:
> Wouldn't you have to play the Bloodform first? I thought WC damage was instant
> upon playing the card.
No.
The damage from WC resolves "Before range is determined" which
can be any point during the entire "Set range" step. If you are the
acting Methuselah, you can order such events as you wish.
(Yikes, I hadn't seen bloodform before. Yikes.)
--
James Coupe | PGP Key 0x5D623D5D
"Definitely a woman" - www.thespark.com/
Standard disclaimers apply to this post. Full written details
available upon request. Your statutory rights are not affected.
In article <20010302141338...@ng-fo1.aol.com>, Ian Lee says...
>>Weather Control: Combat, Thaumaturgy
>>Only usable at beginning of combat. Both combatants and each of their
>>retainers
>>take 1 damage before range is determined each round. This damage cannot be
>>prevented. (S) As above, but the amount of damage inflicted increases by 1
>>each
>>round.
>>
>>Bloodform: Combat, Vicissitude
>>(S) Play before range is chosen. This vampire is immune to non-aggravated
>>damage
>>for the current round. This vampire cannot strike this round. This vampire
>>gets
>>an optional press, usable only to end combat.
>>>
>Wouldn't you have to play the Bloodform first?
No, you have to play the WC first due to it's card text, "Only usable at
beginning of combat." Then when you're finished playing the WC(s) play any
before range cards, like Bloodform, then take 1 damage before range is
determined ala before you start playing manuevers etc.
WC never states at what time during the before range is determined it takes
effect, so play any cards before range, before you take the damage, then right
before you choose to play post-before range cards you'll take the damage from
the WC(s).
>I thought WC damage was instant upon playing the card.
Incorrect, a two cap with tha can take down an 11 with 12 WCs.
Thanks,
Joe Churchill
Editor: Tzimisce Clan Newsletter
tzim...@warghoul.com
In article <E2Sn6.8210$7Y1.8...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net>, Walter
Denny says...
>
>Evil combo. So I take it that being immune is not the same as preventing?
>Also since they both happen in the same phase, before range is chosen, that
>the bloodform activates before the damage is dealt?
Correct. Except you must play all your WC(s) first.
[ quoted text not captured ]
Ian Lee wrote:
> Wouldn't you have to play the Bloodform first? I thought WC damage was instant
> upon playing the card.
No. WC sets up a damage-dealing effect. That effect occurs "before range" in
each round - not necessarily the instant the WC is played.
--
LSJ (vte...@white-wolf.com) V:TES Net.Rep for White Wolf, Inc.
Links to revised rulebook, rulings, errata, and tournament rules:
http://www.white-wolf.com/vtes/
Walter Denny wrote:
>
> Evil combo. So I take it that being immune is not the same as preventing?
> Also since they both happen in the same phase, before range is chosen, that
> the bloodform activates before the damage is dealt?
[HUGE QUOTE OF ENTIRE NEWSLETTER MERCIFULLY SNIPPED]
You can play Bloodform in "response" to damage (so long as the damage is done
during the "before range" step, of course) - basically in the same timing
window in which you could play damage prevention.
In the combo given, though, you could play Bloodform at any point in the
series of Weather Controls if you're acting, since you can choose to
hold the damage from the WCs off until you're finished playing other
effects.
[ quoted text not captured ]
Joe Churchill wrote:
> No, you have to play the WC first due to it's card text, "Only usable at
> beginning of combat." Then when you're finished playing the WC(s) play any
> before range cards, like Bloodform, then take 1 damage before range is
> determined ala before you start playing manuevers etc.
You could mix them up in any order. "Beginning of combat" is equivalent
to "before range is determined on the first round of combat".
[ quoted text not captured ]
In article <3A9FFC31...@white-wolf.com>, LSJ says...
>
>Joe Churchill wrote:>> No, you have to play the WC first due to it's card text, "Only usable at
>> beginning of combat." Then when you're finished playing the WC(s) play any
>> before range cards, like Bloodform, then take 1 damage before range is
>> determined ala before you start playing manuevers etc.>
>You could mix them up in any order. "Beginning of combat" is equivalent
>to "before range is determined on the first round of combat".
>
I would think the wording "Only usable at the Beginning of combat" would
supercede any "before range is determined." Since Weather Control also goes on
to include the "before range is determined."
Thanks,
Joe Churchill
In article <3A9FFC31...@white-wolf.com>, LSJ says...
>>Joe Churchill wrote:>> No, you have to play the WC first due to it's card text, "Only usable at
>> beginning of combat." Then when you're finished playing the WC(s) play any
>> before range cards, like Bloodform, then take 1 damage before range is
>> determined ala before you start playing manuevers etc.>
>You could mix them up in any order. "Beginning of combat" is equivalent
>to "before range is determined on the first round of combat".
>
I would think the wording "Only usable at the Beginning of combat" would
supercede any "before range is determined." Since Weather Control also goes on
to include the "before range is determined."
Thanks,
[ quoted text not captured ]
>You can play Bloodform in "response" to damage (so long as the damage is done
>during the "before range" step, of course) - basically in the same timing
>window in which you could play damage prevention.
>
>In the combo given, though, you could play Bloodform at any point in the
>series of Weather Controls if you're acting, since you can choose to
>hold the damage from the WCs off until you're finished playing other
>effects.
>
But I suppose this isn't the case of you're the blocking minion and you want to
Bloodform?
So if a different acting minion is blocked by your minion and the acting minion
plays 8 Weather Controls (and wants to apply damage instantly), can your
blocking minion's Bloodform avoid the damage?
Halcyan 2
>You can play Bloodform in "response" to damage (so long as the damage is done
>during the "before range" step, of course) - basically in the same timing
>window in which you could play damage prevention.
>
>In the combo given, though, you could play Bloodform at any point in the
>series of Weather Controls if you're acting, since you can choose to
>hold the damage from the WCs off until you're finished playing other
>effects.
At what point would Illusions of Kindred kick in? Could you wait until the
opponent plays a bunch of WCs, then end combat with Illusions and take no
damage?
Would it matter if it was the acting player or the opposing player who played
Illusions?
Ian Lee wrote:
>
> >You can play Bloodform in "response" to damage (so long as the damage is done
> >during the "before range" step, of course) - basically in the same timing
> >window in which you could play damage prevention.
> >
> >In the combo given, though, you could play Bloodform at any point in the
> >series of Weather Controls if you're acting, since you can choose to
> >hold the damage from the WCs off until you're finished playing other
> >effects.
>
> At what point would Illusions of Kindred kick in? Could you wait until the
> opponent plays a bunch of WCs, then end combat with Illusions and take no
> damage?
No. You could wait, yes, but you'd still take the damage.
> Would it matter if it was the acting player or the opposing player who played
> Illusions?
Only in that the acting player could interrupt the stream of WCs to play her
Illusions (and just take damage from the WCs already played).
[ quoted text not captured ]
halc...@aol.com (Halcyan 2) writes:
> But I suppose this isn't the case of you're the blocking minion and you want to
> Bloodform?
>
> So if a different acting minion is blocked by your minion and the acting minion
> plays 8 Weather Controls (and wants to apply damage instantly), can your
> blocking minion's Bloodform avoid the damage?
Since Weather Control sets up a damage resolution phase, where cards
are playable (for instance, Skin of Night, were the damage to be
aggravated from Dawn Operation), I see no reason why Bloodform could
not, similarly, be played.
[ quoted text not captured ]
cur...@aol.com (Ian Lee) writes:
> At what point would Illusions of Kindred kick in? Could you wait until the
> opponent plays a bunch of WCs, then end combat with Illusions and take no
> damage?
Illusions resolved when it is played - it doesn't set up an effect for
later resolution like Weather Control.
However:
Weather Control's damage will occur even if combat is subsequently
ended before range (by Mariel or Elysium: Arboretum, e.g.) [LSJ
19971110]
Since Illusions is such an effect (ends combat before range), WC takes
effect as per the ruling.
> Would it matter if it was the acting player or the opposing player who played
> Illusions?
No. The card resolves when played.
[ quoted text not captured ]
Joe Churchill <jo...@brooklyncasket.com> wrote in message
news:FXNn6.984$45....@www.newsranger.com...
> 1. Interview with a Rulemonger> JC: What do you feel are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of
playing the
> Tzimisce?
>
> LSJ: Their intercept capability, with the means to follow through once
they
> block, is clearly their best characteristic. Their lack of influence (2
prisci,
> a bishop, and an archbishop)[editor's Note: +1 10 Cap Cardinal] and dearth
of
> stealth and bleed enhancements are all vying for the "biggest Tzimisce
obstacle"
> title.
I will have to disagree with part of this. The Tzimisce have no problems
with political influence, aside from Closed Session. I played a Tzimisce
Voting Deck
at the third tournament of Praxis Seizure LA (OrcCon Feb 2001),
(http://www.vtesinla.org/OrcCon2001Report.htm) and took
second place. All of the other decks in that finals were Camarilla based,
relying heavily on table votes.
http://lasombra.tripod.com/tzimisce/tv.htm
Carpe Noctem.
Lasombra
http://lasombra.tripod.comhttp://legbiter.tripod.comhttp://vekn_clans.tripod.com