Deck Archive: Close Combat--It's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore!

Submitted by Xian

Introduction

This deck was originally introduced in the premiere issue of the V:EKN Tremere Newsletter and is one of my favorite examples of how the more recent DCI rulings have helped decks, rather than hurt them. As James pointed out in an eloquent defense of the rulings, without the change to Immortal Grapple, this deck would not work at all, as the thaumaturgy strikes couldn't be used during the second round.

I have played a few times with this, including a couple of playtest games on JOL, in which it got utterly roasted by the Justin and a horribly bad card (playtest 16), and it is having trouble against Gomi in playtest 18. However, in the first real-space trial, it completely demolished a Malkavian-antitribu deck that it was happy to have as its prey. Beyond that, I don't recall its particular successes or failures. Hopefully I will have a chance to test it again soon.

The general concept it to rush any vampire that is annoying you, pound it down to 0 blood, or as near as you can on the first round, using Immortal Grapple to assist, and then hit with a Walk of Flame the second round. Admittedly, your opponent can still use sneaky tactics like Majesty (which James informs us is pronounced "I am the cheese") on the second round, but if you're extremely worried about that, you can also just attempt to re-Grapple the second round and pound them silly. Admittedly, it would be nice if you could maneuver to long during the second round, but in general, the Grapple and Taste of Vitae should be adequate. At its simplest, the basic combo is very clean. Assuming superior potence and thaumaturgy, the combat goes: Rush, Immortal Grapple, Undead Strength (strike for 3), press with the IG, Walk of Flame (2 aggravated). 4 card torpor...rather efficient. There are of course variations you can add with Fists of Death and the like, and there is also the option of using Blood to Water for those pesky large vampires that are still rather full after the first round.

Personally, I really enjoy this deck, as it is usually quite unexpected. Everyone has seen celerity and thaumaturgy decks, as well as fortitude and thaumaturgy decks, but this one is rather off the beaten path. If you really enjoy playing the Tremere, throw this one in every once in a while to shake things up a little.

The crypt is larger than ideal for a rush deck, but that's just something that we have to live with, at least until there's a pile of wacky new vampires with unusual discipline combinations. It would probably prove to be too much trouble to try to throw in even more skill cards, but don't let me stop you from trying. As well, it might not be a bad idea to replace some of the larger vampires with, say Anvil, and other smaller ones.

Crypt

12 Vampires

Total Capacity: 83 Lowest Draw: 19 Highest Draw: 37 Average Capacity: 6.92

Library

90 Cards

16 Masters

56 Combat

14 Actions

4 Equipment

Return to the Deck Archive Index