[Tourney Report] Praxis Seizure: Butler, WI
Matthew Heslin
coordinated by new Prince of Butler, WI, David Robins.
Ten Wisconsin Methuselahs showed up at the crack of
mid-morning to do battle to determine the fate of Butler.
(This roughly doubled the population of the town for the
day.) As the judge, I'm making the report. It went down
like this...
First Round:
(table 1)
Jack Stainback, playing Giovanni w/Harbingers, preying on
Cameron Domer, playing Slaughterhouse, preying on
Terry Madden, playing Protean/Gangrel toolbox, preying on
Dave Buerger, playing Assamite stealth bleed-bloat, preying on
Ed Gross, playing Giovanni Possession, preying on Jack.
This table was split in two by Terry's early start
into Dave's pool, which Dave was having trouble keeping
above a survivable level. Terry was also able to keep
Cameron in check by blocking and Earth Melding most
of his actions. On the other half, Jack and Ed were
contesting, torporizing, and diablerizing each other with
little regard for the rest of the table. Ed's remaing
forces managed to oust Jack after contesting costs and
losing vamps put a hurt in Jack's pool, but Terry ousted
Dave and Ed shortly thereafter. Brought down to one-
on-one, Terry couldn't deal with Cameron's massive
Auspex (Big Eye, baby), and ended up going down to
a Slaughterhouse deck that couldn't manage to play
even one Harbinger for about eight turns. Terry, 2 VP;
Cameron, 2 VP; Ed, 1 VP.
(table 2)
Matt Stainback, playing the Giovanni pre-con, preying on
Keith Kusnier, playing Tzimisce wall, preying on
Chris Barbaro, playing !Malk stealth-bleed with equipment,
preying on,
David Robins, playing Ravnos toolbox, preying on
Matt Strehlow, playing The Combo*, preying on Matt Stainback.
* Rehlow's deck gets out The Baron, who tools up with
a Soul Gem and promptly brings out the rest of the crypt
in a single turn. Or that's what it's supposed to do. It's
fun to watch, whether it works or not.
While I didn't see as much of this game as the other,
it lasted longer and featured more restrained play. Prince
of Butler David Robins was first ousted, as one might
expect -- stealth bleed vs. the Ravnos and all; though there
were a few Drabas thrown around that ruined Chris's
day. Chris's deck was interesting for the equipment he
used -- I saw four or five of Chris's vamps equipped
with IR Goggles *and* Starshells or Mark Vs over the
course of the day. He used Reg Driscoll to good effect
in this pursuit. Matt Stainback was second ousted, as
Matt Strehlow's deck featured a lot of unblockable
actions, and well, the Giovanni have certain issues we
don't like to talk about in mixed company. The remaining
three Methuselahs timed out: Chris 1.5 VP, Rehlow 1.5
VP, Keith .5 VP.
Round Two (ding ding)
(table one)
Dave Robins (Ravnos) preying on
Ed Gross (Giovanni) preying on
Dave Buerger (Assamite) preying on
Terry Madden (Gangrel/!Gangrel) preying on
Keith (Tzimisce) preying on Dave Robins.
This one was the shorter of the two tables, as Dave B's
deck was firing on all eight. He hit most of his 8 Embraces
early, played Alamut, used it to pass a Con Boon or two,
and got a Heartblood of the Clan in play. All in all, a
fine showing of this deck. Dave Robins was able to put
some pressure on Ed, but not enough to oust -- though
had he noticed his untapped Rom Gypsy, he would have.
(Tough break, Dave.) Keith spent time building up, and
took a small beating from Terry's bleeding Protean vamps,
but Dave made the table relax and forget about its problems
by ousting them all. Dave Buerger, 5 VP, table win.
(table two)
Jack Stainback would have played at this table, but he
misunderstood the tournament structure and made plans
for his afternoon. Thus, four players at this table.
Chris Barbaro (!Malkavian), preyed on
Matt Stainback (Giovanni) preyed on
Cameron Domer (Harbingers, !Ventrue), preyed on
Matt Strehlow (The Baron) preyed on Chris.
Again, against all predictions, the Slaughterhouse deck
manages to rear its ugly head and grind its way to a victory.
Cameron actually got to play a Harbinger, Egothha, earlier
than eighth round this game. His prey, Rehlow, found that
his Baron combo was easier to pull off when he actually had
cards in his library. He was decked, and despite his NEC,
soon ousted. Chris raced against the sweeping tide of
Cameron's deck, and managed to oust Matt Stainback with
his bleeds, but soon after he too was looking at an empty
deck. His equipment made this less of a losing proposition,
but Cameron's Fortitude made his equipment less of a
consideration. Chris 1 VP; Cameron 3 VP, table win.
Final:
Cameron Domer (first place by TPs), Slaughterhouse
Dave Buerger (second place by TPs), Assamite
stealth bleed and bloat
Terry Madden (place) Gangrel/!Gangrel
Chris Barbaro (place) !Malk stealth bleed
Matt Strehlow (place) The Baron combo
Note that table wins did not affect the final placement
of this tournament. Dave and Cameron were tied at 1 TW,
5 VPs each. Though, no doubt the size of this tournament
had something to do with this outcome...
The first thing I notice about this seating order is
that Chris, Matt and Cameron are all packing bounce.
On one occasion I saw Terry bleed his predator after
being bounced three consecutive times on the same action.
Dave's deck was working again, and declined to do too
much Embracing (one), voting, or Heartblooding -- it was all
stealth bleed, all forward. Cameron put a Pulse of the
Canaille on Egothha early, and with his Slaughterhouses
was making headway into Dave's deck. Dave responded
by smacking massive Night Moves and stealthed Computer
Hackings into Terry, who was ousted first. Chris's deck
was likewise working at a good pace, and Dave offered
him a 3-2 split in return for zero pressure until Cameron
and Rehlow were ousted. There was some question with
the rest of the table as to the legality of this deal, but Chris
ended the controversy by declining, and ousting Rehlow.
(This is how all controversy should be ended.) Rehlow's
deck was thwarted due to a lack of stealth (vs. Cameron's
massive Big Eye) and one vital failed self-diablerie (important
to have burned vampires when Possessing).
Chris was also packing enough intercept and bounce
to derail Dave's onslaught, and Cameron used this opening
to put bleeds past Dave's constantly tapped minions. Dave
went to his great reward soon after, and the game came
down the one-on-one. Cameron used Agaitas's special
ability to draw off of Chris's deck to good effect, playing
Skill cards and increasing the speed of his deck-grinding.
It came down to a full-out bleed war, in which Chris's deck
had the natural edge. Chris 3 VP, Cameron 1 VP,
Dave 1 VP.
A good time was had by all, and first-time competitors
Matt and Jack Stainback and Keith Kusnier all played well
on their "maiden voyages." Prizes were awarded to first-
timers, first, second and third place finishers, and the person/
people who traveled furthest (Cameron and Dave live further
west than Rehlow, and Cameron's bedroom is further west
than Dave's). We'll try to post a winning deck from Chris
later this week -- or perhaps Chris will post it himself, if
he reads this.
Thanks to HobbyTown for providing the space, and
Dave Robins for the food, prizes and coordination. Next
time we'll have twice as many participants, twice as much
competition, and perhaps even players from other states
(hint hint, nudge nudge, Minnesota and Illinois, you losers).
Madison's next Sunday, and we got the Storyline game
there in February, so y'all come out and join us. And look
for Storage Annex: Milwaukee, coming soon ... : )
--Matt Heslin, judgemeister
hamdamcwa
>
> a Soul Gem and promptly brings out the rest of the crypt
> in a single turn. Or that's what it's supposed to do. It's
> fun to watch, whether it works or not.
Is there any way you can persuade Matt to get a decklist up onto this
forum?
I was thinking of much the same thing the other week, and would like
to see how he made up his.
Many thanks
DH
Xian
[snip]
> Cameron Domer, playing Slaughterhouse, preying on
Heh. The funny thing is, I was thinking to myself just last night,
"does Cameron ever experiment...does he ever play anything aside from
Camarilla vote?" I guess the answer is yes. :)
> Matt Strehlow, playing The Combo*, preying on Matt Stainback.
Heh. "The Combo." I totally have to see this next time I'm down.
[3-2 split]
> There was some question with
> the rest of the table as to the legality of this deal, but Chris
> ended the controversy by declining, and ousting Rehlow.
> (This is how all controversy should be ended.) Rehlow's
All controversy should be ended by ousting Rehlow? Sounds good.
[snip]
> Dave Robins for the food, prizes and coordination. Next
> time we'll have twice as many participants, twice as much
> competition, and perhaps even players from other states
> (hint hint, nudge nudge, Minnesota and Illinois, you losers).
:P Butler's even *farther* than Madison; and Madison is about 3.5 to
4 hours (at 75 mph). In your face, Milwaukee!
> Madison's next Sunday, and we got the Storyline game
Good chance I'll be down for both, so quit your complaining. Speaking
of which, if anyone has stuff they're looking for in trade that Kevin
doesn't have (farfetched, I know) or that you don't want to trade
Kevin for, email me and let me know. I'll probably just be bringing
down a *folder* of popular rares and Bloodlines stuff, but any hints
would be nice. :)
I'm still not sure how I feel about this whole "Cameron not playing
vote" thing. It's kind of like me playing without a minimum of 30% of
the deck being combat.
Xian
Cameron
>
> Heh. The funny thing is, I was thinking to myself just last night,
> "does Cameron ever experiment...does he ever play anything aside from
> Camarilla vote?" I guess the answer is yes. :)
Hey! I have a nice Lasombra Vote Deck... And an Assamite Vote deck.
Oh, and Lisette Visquel kills you now (which won Day Op: Milwaukee) I
just get out the really annoying stuff for you. Gee thinking of me.
I guess that means Fear of Mekhet at Cardinal Sin, huh?
>
> > Matt Strehlow, playing The Combo*, preying on Matt Stainback.
>
> Heh. "The Combo." I totally have to see this next time I'm down.
to quote James: "You might rabbit, you might"
[snip Rehlow as problem solving device]
> > Madison's next Sunday, and we got the Storyline game
>
> Good chance I'll be down for both, so quit your complaining. Speaking
> of which, if anyone has stuff they're looking for in trade that Kevin
> doesn't have (farfetched, I know) or that you don't want to trade
> Kevin for, email me and let me know. I'll probably just be bringing
> down a *folder* of popular rares and Bloodlines stuff, but any hints
> would be nice. :)
Shroud of Absence. Gimme gimme gimme. I'll send you an email.
> I'm still not sure how I feel about this whole "Cameron not playing
> vote" thing. It's kind of like me playing without a minimum of 30% of
> the deck being combat.
Sigh, I'm gonna have to play Lisette now on Sunday. Look upon your
achievments and weep. In all actuality, I should have played the
Lasombra deck (the other one I had really ready to go, but decided to
go with Matt's jibes and play the Harbringers deck. (At the bar he
bounces for Matt told me to play a Trujah deck I split the
difference.) The Lasombra would have been nigh on unstopable in that
metagame. Oh well.
Cameron
Xian
> > "does Cameron ever experiment...does he ever play anything aside from
> > Camarilla vote?" I guess the answer is yes. :)
>
> Hey! I have a nice Lasombra Vote Deck... And an Assamite Vote deck.
Heh. You're right, I have seen the Lasombra vote deck. Perhaps I
should restate? :)
> Oh, and Lisette Visquel kills you now (which won Day Op: Milwaukee) I
Mmmmm...Lisette.
> just get out the really annoying stuff for you. Gee thinking of me.
> I guess that means Fear of Mekhet at Cardinal Sin, huh?
Hehehe. Yup. I've traded for about 8 Fear of Mekhet, and they're all
going in my deck. It's a Nosferatu/Brujah mono-potence weenie rush
deck, so it's immune to PTO, mostly immune to Hostile Takeover/ToGP,
and has plenty of rush actions to disrupt all the Obedience. And the
Fear of Mekhet. :)
Actually, I was thinking of all the Madison players, but it went
something like this:
Cameron: Camarilla vote/PTO
Kevin: Tzimisce
Dave: Assamites
BJ: Protean stuff
Rehlow: ummm...allies, or something :)
Heslin: troublemaker
Heh.
Then again, I suppose from the other side, it looks like:
Xian: Tremere, or potence, or both
[trades]
> Shroud of Absence. Gimme gimme gimme. I'll send you an email.
Cool. Email.
> Sigh, I'm gonna have to play Lisette now on Sunday. Look upon your
Don't do it on my account. I mean, we wouldn't want too many potence
decks there. Play whatever you think will do well. Just don't expect
it to work. :)
> achievments and weep. In all actuality, I should have played the
> Lasombra deck (the other one I had really ready to go, but decided to
> go with Matt's jibes and play the Harbringers deck. (At the bar he
Heh. Harbingers.
> bounces for Matt told me to play a Trujah deck I split the
> difference.) The Lasombra would have been nigh on unstopable in that
> metagame. Oh well.
Ah, the Butler metagame. Sounds like it was pretty lively, and it
looked like there were a bunch of different deck styles. How many of
the attendees were *local*? (As opposed to from Madison/Milwaukee
proper.) Looked like a pretty good turnout, all told.
Xian
Halcyan 2
>going in my deck. It's a Nosferatu/Brujah mono-potence weenie rush
>deck, so it's immune to PTO, mostly immune to Hostile Takeover/ToGP,
>and has plenty of rush actions to disrupt all the Obedience. And the
>Fear of Mekhet. :)
That's just mean! Especially since Fear of Mekhet isn't unique!
Just think of the havoc that Anson and the Parthenon can have (guess what? Your
freshly influenced Sheldon gets two Fears of Mekhet. Say bye-bye now...). =P
Halcyan 2
Matthew Heslin
"Xian" <xb...@qwest.net> wrote:
> > just get out the really annoying stuff for you. Gee thinking of me.
> > I guess that means Fear of Mekhet at Cardinal Sin, huh?
>
> Hehehe. Yup. I've traded for about 8 Fear of Mekhet, and they're all
> going in my deck
Sweet! I've always thought there needed to be more
paranoid deck choices in the metagame around here. I
mean, who's gonna play with Nosferatu Performance Art
unless I do? I'll try to include a few Democritusses in whatever
deck I build for Cardinal Sin: Failure of Mission. : )
> Actually, I was thinking of all the Madison players, but it went
> something like this:
> Heslin: troublemaker
Okay, FIRST off, I'm a Milwaukee player. I just range
near and far from the city of beer. SECOND off, I most
strenuously object to being labeled and pigeonholed as a
"troublemaker" and will be entirely accomodating and cooperative
next tournament just to prove you wrong! Wait. No.
Scratch that. I'll play Fortitude or IG and kill whatever
you play dead. Yeah. ; )
> Ah, the Butler metagame. Sounds like it was pretty lively, and it
> looked like there were a bunch of different deck styles. How many of
> the attendees were *local*? (As opposed to from Madison/Milwaukee
> proper.) Looked like a pretty good turnout, all told.
Okay, check it out: Butler is about six blocks of northwestern
Milwaukee that somehow has it's own "Welcome To" signs.
They have a George Webb's, a Sentry supermarket, and the
Butler Inn. Beyond that, I'm unsure why they exist separately
from Miilwaukee proper. David, the Prince there, has a small
playgroup of which the Stainback brothers were participants in
PS: Butler. Ed, Terry, Keith and I represented Milwaukee, and
the Evil Madison Aggregate of Dave, Cameron and Rehlow
were the bearers of hatred and forbearance.
But no one represented Minneapolis, Xian. No one at all.
It's like Minneapolis didn't even exist for the purposes of this
tournament. Yup. Just a big, blank spot on the map next to
St. Paul. Or, including St. Paul. I'm never sure. You get my
drift.
And Boris -- the same goes for Chicago. : )
See y'all in a week --
--heslin
Xian
>
> "Xian" <xb...@qwest.net> wrote:
> > Hehehe. Yup. I've traded for about 8 Fear of Mekhet, and they're all
> > going in my deck
>
> Sweet! I've always thought there needed to be more
> paranoid deck choices in the metagame around here. I
> mean, who's gonna play with Nosferatu Performance Art
Heh. A friend just asked me about Nosferatu Performance Art yesterday.
Funny. :) We've been seeing a Toreador deck or two every now and again up
here.
> > Actually, I was thinking of all the Madison players, but it went
> > something like this:
> > Heslin: troublemaker
>
> Okay, FIRST off, I'm a Milwaukee player. I just range
I know, I just like teasing you. :)
> near and far from the city of beer.
Mmmm...beer.
> SECOND off, I most
> strenuously object to being labeled and pigeonholed as a
> "troublemaker" and will be entirely accomodating and cooperative
> next tournament just to prove you wrong! Wait. No.
Good plan!
> Scratch that. I'll play Fortitude or IG and kill whatever
> you play dead. Yeah. ; )
Heh. Good luck. Bet you can't guess what *I'm* going to play.
> Okay, check it out: Butler is about six blocks of northwestern
> Milwaukee that somehow has it's own "Welcome To" signs.
That's the best kind of town, though. The ones that make you question the
rationality of the universe. Kind of like the whole city of Madison/town of
Madison thing.
> They have a George Webb's, a Sentry supermarket, and the
Jorge Weeb!
> But no one represented Minneapolis, Xian. No one at all.
As mentioned. Insanely far to drive when I had other plans for the weekend
as well. :)
> It's like Minneapolis didn't even exist for the purposes of this
> tournament. Yup. Just a big, blank spot on the map next to
> St. Paul. Or, including St. Paul. I'm never sure. You get my
> drift.
Next to. Well anyway, it looks like I'm going to be down this weekend, not
sure if anyone else will be coming or not. Should be fun...
> And Boris -- the same goes for Chicago. : )
That Boris is a troublemaker too. :)
Xian
Cameron
> > just get out the really annoying stuff for you. Gee thinking of me.
> > I guess that means Fear of Mekhet at Cardinal Sin, huh?
>
> Hehehe. Yup. I've traded for about 8 Fear of Mekhet, and they're all
> going in my deck. It's a Nosferatu/Brujah mono-potence weenie rush
> deck, so it's immune to PTO, mostly immune to Hostile Takeover/ToGP,
> and has plenty of rush actions to disrupt all the Obedience. And the
> Fear of Mekhet. :)
Good, then my FOR princes deck will do well on the day....
> Actually, I was thinking of all the Madison players, but it went
> something like this:
>
> Cameron: Camarilla vote/PTO
> Kevin: Tzimisce
I think of that weenie embrace thing
> Dave: Assamites
> BJ: Protean stuff
actually, he's all about Big Eye.
> Rehlow: ummm...allies, or something :)
Tricks. and more tricks.
> Heslin: troublemaker
In Spades.
[snip uncalled for knocking of a fine princedom that hosted and great tournement.]
Cameron
Oebadon
> > something like this:
> > Heslin: troublemaker
>
> Okay, FIRST off, I'm a Milwaukee player. I just range
> near and far from the city of beer. SECOND off, I most
> strenuously object to being labeled and pigeonholed as a
> "troublemaker"
I too resent this comment, as I believe I'm still currently higher on
the Hated Troublemaker list than Heslin. Please, people. Spread the
hate where the hate is due; don't make me repeatedly bleed you
cross-table.
> But no one represented Minneapolis, Xian. No one at all.
> It's like Minneapolis didn't even exist for the purposes of this
> tournament. Yup. Just a big, blank spot on the map next to
> St. Paul. Or, including St. Paul. I'm never sure. You get my
> drift.
> And Boris -- the same goes for Chicago. : )
I cried, Xian, cried. I wasn't even there, and I cried. Did you cry
too, Heslin?
>Good chance I'll be down for both, so quit your complaining.
Speaking
>of which, if anyone has stuff they're looking for in trade that Kevin
>doesn't have (farfetched, I know) or that you don't want to trade
>Kevin for, email me and let me know. I'll probably just be bringing
>down a *folder* of popular rares and Bloodlines stuff, but any hints
>would be nice. :)
Off the top of my head:
Judgment: Camarilla Segregation
Derange
Protect Thine Own
Uncle Ian
Call the Great Beast
The Call
Smiling Jack the Anarch
Kindred Spirits and Confusion(Kevin won't trade me *all* of his ;) )
(and the obligatory) Lunatic Eruption
See you this weekend,
BJ, Young Turk and Paragon