Tournament Report: Slovak ECQ 2008
dvorax
Bratislava. 46 players attended, making this the biggest VtES event in
Bratislava ever (or at least as I can recall ;) ). The tournament has
been held in a new location, a restaurant, making it comfortable to
play and eat/drink at the same time, minor flaw beeing, that the
waitress was overwhelmed by so many guests for all day. All in all,
the atmosphere was very friendly and I am glad to have organized an
successful event.
I had not much time to take notes during the preliminary rounds, but
have a nice play-to-play from the finals, which I would like to share
with you:
Final Seating:
Adam Horvath - Hungary (Omaya wall) ->
Balazs Palffy - Hungary (!Toreador Embrace Grande) ->
David Wittmann - Hungary (Hektor multiacting Bitter Rituals) ->
Richard Glasner - Slovakia (Saulot Daring Marionette) ->
Csaba Gregus - Hungary (!Tremere Unmasked Allies)
The game starts with happy transferring and slow build-up, after three
or four rounds Adam has Omaya with Talons of the Dead, Bowl of
Convergence and some 1-cap support. Balazs has Jost, Nicolas Chang,
Carter and Mylan Horseed. David has Hektor, Jaggedy Andy and the Black
Forest Base. Richard waits with his minions and has 10 pool on one
crypt card and starts to influence to another. Csaba has Kurt Strauss,
Selena and Unmasking in play.
First notable play is Balazs's Mylan bleeding, Hektor blocking,
playing Immortal Grapple and Mylan is the first burned minion, but as
it turned out later, definitely not the last. David then Minion Taps
Hektor, who equips with Heart of Nizchetus, Forced March and plays an
Ancient Influence, showing Richard, that it isn't always wise to not
influence minions with a combat deck in the back. Richard finally
brings out Saulot. Csaba's Selena tries to Govern down, but Omaya
watches and blocks; Selena plays Burst of Sunlight, but gets
Rotschreck from Omaya's Claws. Adam plays it safe for a long while,
doing nothing forward, building up (Zoe with Ivory Bow, Khalu with
Sniper Rifle). Balazs' Jost starts the breeding engine, and Sheila
Mezarin joins his ranks. David doesn't like those 5 !Toreador on his
back, so Hektor, the only titled vampire on the table, calls Dogs of
War, Forces the March and Rumbles Sheila. Balazs plays Direct
Intervention, but can't save Sheila, as Hektor uses the Dogs to send
her to torpor with his aggravated hand and Immortal Grapple, Freak
Drives and diablerizes her with Ritual of the Bitter Rose going to
full capacity and stays untapped after another Freak Drive - Miguel
Santo Domingo comes to help Hektor.
Richard's Saulot takes control of Hektor with unblockable Spirit
Marionette (thanks to Repulsion and especially Neutral Guard), Hektor
with his Fortitude bleeds with Daring the Dawn - the trip to torpor
would definitely slow down David, if not ruin his game completely -
but Adam, the cross-table buddy, saves his day with Direct
Intervention. Richard brings out Nergal and goes down to 4 pool.
Another round passes, with Csaba and Adam building up, Balazs slowly
bleeding and then David Minion Taps Hektor, who rushes Nergal,
Grapples and Amaranths him, Freak Drives and bleeds Richard for 2
(with help of Miguel), Jageddy Andy ousts Richard with another bleed
for 2, and David gets another Dogs of War on the table.
Another tranquil turn around the table gets Csaba a Hexaped, 2 pool to
Adam (Black Forest Base) and Anarch Troublemaker to Balazs, who tries
to get another Embrace, but is blocked by Omaya and Majesties. David
plays Monster on Hektor, another nasty multiacting tool, but decides
to wait a turn, just bringing Armin Brenner to his service - Adams
doesn't like this "stalling", and urges David to finally do something
forward. ;) Csaba sends Selena to bleed with Govern, Omaya plays
Telepathic Misdirection (Direct Misdirection by Balazs), so Zoe has to
do the same. Adam then starts to bleed Balazs bringing him to 7 pool
with his for-one bleeds. Balazs gets back what he lost with an Art
Scam and Jost gets another Embrace, who is blocked hunting, but
Changes the Target.
The play then slowly goes on with Hektor burning Csabas Hexaped and
Saiz damaging him with newly played Tension in the Ranks. Another
notable play was by Balazs, who gets his Foundation Exhibit Washed but
nevertheless plays his political hand - Kine Resource Contested is
delayed by Adam, one Consanguineous Boons Directly Intervened and
another canceled by Khalu's special. Another two of Balazs' Boons make
on the table, which gives him a round or two, with Adam's slow forward
movement. David then burns next two of Csaba's minions, Ehrich Weiss
and Procurer who both block Hektor rushing Selena. Armin Brenner uses
the Black Forest Base to bring David to 37 pool. Csaba launches an
attack on Adams dwindling pool, but is Telepathically Misdirected on
both bleeds with Govern.
On David's next turn Kurt Strauss is burned, Hektor gets Preternatural
Strength and some bleeds with Iron Glare bring Csaba down to 3 pool.
Csaba with just Selena left waits for his final moments and Balazs
dumps a Palla Grande, bleeding David for nice 10 pool. David is
impressed and although still with a 23 pool buffer, rushes backwards
with two Dogs of War and Monster and burns two Embraces. Csaba sensing
his only chance bleeds with Selena, but is blocked and Adam with his
slow but patient bleeds finally ousts Balazs.
David plays Rumble with Hektor to get rid of Omaya, but Khalu has
enough blood to cancel the action, so Hektor has to use one of the
Dogs, Khalu with Sniper Rifle blocks Hektor, who is dangerously low
with blood. Hektor is shot on first round, but prevents, presses and
sends Khalu to torpor on the second round of combat. Armin Brenner
then rushes Omaya, both combatants prevent in the first round, but
Armin Brenner has a prevent ready in the second, too and so Omaya goes
to torpor after a Disarm. Miguel quickly diablerizes Omaya and fills
his buddies with a Ritual of the Bitter Rose. Monster and Forced
Marches leave David with enough untapped minions to finally oust Csaba
with bleeds.
With only two players Adam launches a desperate attack and plays
Pentex Subversion, but David has a Sudden Reversal ready. Adam plays
Aranthebes and gets Heart of Nizchetus (David got his one destroyed by
Anarch Troublemaker), and transfers down to 5 pool - hoping to survive
the round to get another Omaya. His hopes are shattered, as David uses
the Anarch Troublemaker to tap Zoe Adam's last blocker. Hektor bleeds,
is blocked by Zoe with Forced Awakening, but is Immortally Grappled
and burned by Amaranth. Armin Brenner then finishes the work with Iron
Glare and Miguel's special.
David Wittmann played very well, his deck flowed nice, and in the end
he burned 12 minions With no apparent problems he has made 4VPs after
approximately 90 minutes. Adam Horvath the preliminary top-seed
managed to make 1VP and finished second just like other finalists -
probably thinking, if saving Hektor from torpor-trip by Daring the
Dawn was the right thing to do.
Winners Deck:
Deck Name : I like to Rumble
Author : David Wittmann
Crypt [12 vampires] Capacity min: 1 max: 10 average: 7.08333
------------------------------------------------------------
4x Hektor 9 CEL POT PRE QUI for priscus !
Brujah:4
3x Armin Brenner 10 CEL FOR POT PRE ani obf archbishop !
Brujah:4
2x Miguel Santo Domin 7 POT PRE cel for !
Brujah:3
1x Caroline Bishops 3 cel for pot
Pander:4
1x Jaggedy Andy 1 pot
Pander:4
1x Kai Simmons 1 cel
Pander:4
Library [90 cards]
------------------------------------------------------------
Action [7]
2x Preternatural Strength
5x Rumble
Action Modifier [16]
6x Forced March
4x Freak Drive
6x Iron Glare
Action Modifier/Combat [9]
6x Resist Earth's Grasp
3x Ritual of the Bitter Rose
Ally [1]
1x Mylan Horseed (Goblin)
Combat [32]
7x Amaranth
2x Disarm
9x Immortal Grapple
4x Pursuit
2x Skin of Steel
2x Slam
3x Soak
3x Superior Mettle
Equipment [1]
1x Heart of Nizchetus
Master [16]
1x Black Forest Base
2x Dreams of the Sphinx
1x Giant's Blood
7x Minion Tap
2x Monster
1x Sudden Reversal
1x Tension in the Ranks
1x Wash
Political Action [8]
1x Ancient Influence
6x Dogs of War
1x Political Stranglehold
Overall Standings:
# Name..................(GWs/VPs/Final VPs)
1. David Wittmann........(2/6/4)
2. Adam Horvath..........(3/11/1)
2. Csaba Gregus..........(3/9,5/0)
2. Richard Glasner.......(2/10/0)
2. Balazs Palffy.........(2/9/0)
6. Peter Koncek..........(2/5)
7. Norbert Broda.........(1/8)
8. Branislav Boda........(1/5)
9. Lubomir Boda..........(1/5)
10. Gergo Gyarmati........(1/4,5)
11. Jozsef Kuminka........(1/4,5)
12. Martin Pacev..........(1/4)
13. Michal Wagner.........(1/4)
13. Matus Kovalcik........(1/4)
15. Robin Prochazka.......(1/4)
16. Jan Laus..............(1/3)
17. Ondrej Kilian.........(1/3)
17. Martin Sykora.........(1/3)
19. Jiri Rubes............(0/3)
20. Attila Timko..........(0/3)
21. David Ingr............(0/3)
22. Richard Farkas........(0/2)
23. Daniel Mikuscak.......(0/2)
24. Martin Cajagi.........(0/2)
25. Maros Chomjak.........(0/2)
25. Peter Ducai...........(0/2)
27. Michal Bartos.........(0/2)
27. Peter Kopac...........(0/2)
29. Balazs Pahi...........(0/1,5)
29. Jakub Marek...........(0/1,5)
31. Gyula Erdos...........(0/1)
32. Pavel Hruby...........(0/1)
33. Martin Valcak.........(0/1)
34. Michal Faldyna........(0/1)
34. Gerhard Breytenbach...(0/1)
34. Marek Lelovsky........(0/1)
37. Ferenc Horvath........(0/1)
38. Tomas Kralik..........(0/0)
38. Peter Korsos..........(0/0)
40. Martin Major..........(0/0)
41. Martin Mytny..........(0/0)
42. Vit Hejny.............(0/0)
42. Martin Bartko.........(0/0)
42. Jovan Pavlovic........(0/0)
45. Jan Harcarufka.......(0/0)
45. Nemeth Bence..........(0/0)
ben...@gmail.com
> Overall Standings:
> # Name..................(GWs/VPs/Final VPs)
> 17. Martin Sykora.........(1/3)
> 24. Martin Cajagi.........(0/2)
> 33. Martin Valcak.........(0/1)
> 40. Martin Major..........(0/0)
> 41. Martin Mytny..........(0/0)
Ah, yes, that's the Slovakia I remember. :)
- Ben Peal
librarian
Maybe should change the name to Martinia...
best -
chris
(Bruins need 3 straight FTW!)
--
Super Fun Cards
www.superfuncards.com *NEW Website!*
auct...@superfuncards.com
Johannes Walch
> Final Seating:
> Adam Horvath - Hungary (Omaya wall) ->
> Balazs Palffy - Hungary (!Toreador Embrace Grande) ->
> David Wittmann - Hungary (Hektor multiacting Bitter Rituals) ->
> Richard Glasner - Slovakia (Saulot Daring Marionette) ->
> Csaba Gregus - Hungary (!Tremere Unmasked Allies)
Huh! Were there a lot of guys from Hungary or are they just too good to
be true ;-)
> Winners Deck:
> Deck Name : I like to Rumble
> Author : David Wittmann
What a cool deck to win an ECQ with, esp. "in style" by burning his way
through the final table. I can´t remember the last time I have seen the
Amaranth/RotbR Combo in play and certainly not in an ECQ. Kudos.
Although I wonder why the Omaya wall played so defensively and did not
block the build up from the !Tor to get an easier oust.
ben...@gmail.com
> Huh! Were there a lot of guys from Hungary or are they just too good to
> be true ;-)
The Hungarians have been looting and pillaging up and down the
Danube in the past 2 years.
- Ben Peal
Huruem
I've been playing him in a vote/bleed deck around iron glare with
enough combat cards to send vampires into torpor when they're really
annoying, and man, this vampire rocks ! Nice deck, I think I might
give it a try myself :p
Arthur