Upgrading the V5 Ventrue deck

After the spectacular collapse of my first game (a noble disaster, but one I weirdly enjoyed), I retreated to my haven. Well… my living room. But in spirit, it was a haven. My mission was clear: the deck needed fixing.

My card pool was limited: the V5 Ventrue deck, a New Blood Ventrue deck, and (my secret weapon) two copies of Keepers of Tradition 2.

Step one: the crypt. New rule, no untitled vampires. Titles are the backbone of influence, and I had no intention of being embarrassed again. Alexa, Alice, Sybren, and Horst (whose initials spell ASH, which feels like foreshadowing) were chosen. The Keepers set, however, offered even greater treasures. Mary Anne Blaire, the stern Justicar who looks like Shrek’s mean but refined cousin (why is she green though?)  joined immediately. I liked her so much I added three copies. Lodin and Victor Donaldson (who is also green) followed. Apparently, Ventrue prestige comes in shades of emerald.

 

With my crypt sorted, I moved on to the library. Hidden Strength? Deleted. It felt about as useful as a Nosferatu at a beauty contest. In their place I added more Majesty (the “nope, I’m out of this fight” card) and Deflections, which remain as satisfying as ever, for what is more aristocratic than persuading one’s predator to inconvenience one’s prey instead?

I trimmed some Master cards, added four Villein, and slipped in some Freak Drives. The plan: if I get blocked, I’ll just shrug, untap, and try something else. Maybe politics first, then bleed. Or maybe bleed first, then politics. Who knows? I’ll improvise and pretend it was strategy all along!

So the deck is ready, and this weekend I’ll face the table again. Nosferatu will skulk, Malkavians will scheme, Gangrel will do their feral thing and I, as a proper Ventrue, shall endure. Victory? Maybe. Dignified ruin? More likely. Either way, I’ll be back with another tale. 

The game never ends, only pauses. I’ll see you at the next move.

Custodian Hargrave