In this post, I wanted to share some of the websites, blogs, and channels I stumbled upon during my own research journey. I'm genuinely grateful to everyone who spends their free time creating content for this game, writing articles, compiling data, recording videos, and generally keeping the Eternal Struggle alive on the internet. I just wish there were more of it. Always more!
Think of this as a travel journal written by a curious neonate, hopping from archive to archive, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible without accidentally summoning a demon or blowing up the chantry.
The Obvious Beginning: VEKN
My journey began, as it probably does for most players, at vekn.net. I downloaded the rulebook to my phone and spent several evenings reading it like a forbidden manuscript, scrolling through sections and occasionally stopping to mutter, "Ah, that's how that works".
From there, I found the tournament reports and newsletters, which I still enjoy reading regularly. They're a great way to get a sense of what's happening in the wider community. Then something unexpectedly surreal happened: shortly after I started this blog, I opened the September newsletter and saw my humble little site mentioned, flagged as great VTES content. I stared at the screen like I'd just been acknowledged by a Prince. It was a fantastic feeling, and one I'm still grateful for.
VEKN also helpfully links to other VTES-related sites, so this eager neonate clicked onward.
Black Chantry: Where the Future Lives
Next stop was the Black Chantry Productions website. I went through their articles like a scholar cramming before an exam, learning about promo cards, upcoming releases, and the general roadmap of the game. This was also where I learned an important lesson: not all previous sets can be purchased anymore. It makes sense, of course… but it still stings a little when you realize how many shiny things exist just out of reach.
That said, the site is incredibly useful, and yes, I ordered a few decks shortly afterward. Research requires funding.
Orpheus' Information Highway
Then I found Orpheus' Information Highway, and this one really resonated with me. I loved the way Orpheus ranks cards, explains synergies, and walks through deck ideas while keeping the atmosphere and lore of the game intact. It feels like VTES when you read it, not just math and mechanics. My favorite article there was about the Tremere New Blood cards (no surprises there) and I particularly appreciated seeing deck lists featuring my beloved Warlocks. I've been an eager follower of the blog ever since.
The Codex of the Damned
At this point, I wanted to deepen my understanding of the game beyond individual cards. That's when I discovered the Codex of the Damned, which felt like opening a long-sealed vault. Finally, a place that clearly explains strategies, archetypes and example decks in a structured, approachable way. For me, this site was a treasure trove, but my favorite section has to be the breakdown of best cards by discipline or action type. It's incredibly helpful when you're trying to understand why certain cards keep showing up and what roles they play across different decks.
Community Connections
Soon after joining the VTES Discord, Antonio reached out and helped connect me with players in my area, something I was genuinely thankful for. He also showed me the blog he was writing, Damian's Quest, which became another enjoyable stop on my journey through community content.
Not long after that, I stumbled upon Kraus' The Garou Rim Gazette. I really enjoy the articles there ( they're thoughtful and well-written) and my only complaint is that I wish they appeared more often. Still, quality over quantity is a very respectable philosophy.
And then there's VDB. I've reached the stage where I can no longer pretend this is a casual relationship, I am fully addicted. I browse the tournament-winning deck archive the way others browse social media, look up individual cards "just for a second", and run increasingly specific searches while deckbuilding like I'm interrogating the database. I've even leaned on VDB as a research tool when writing articles about clan and card statistics. At this point, it's less a website and more a trusted companion. Whoever is maintaining this resource has my undying gratitude, my eternal loyalty, and a heartfelt thank you for enabling this obsession so efficiently.
YouTube: Seeing the Game in Motion
Thanks to the community content channel on Discord, I also discovered several YouTube channels focused on VTES. Watching games and discussions helped bridge the gap between theory and practice in a big way. A few favorites, in no particular order:
HeySteev: A fantastic archive of online games that really helped me understand pacing, table dynamics, and how decisions actually play out.
Waterdog’s: I love the vibe here. It's very clear these folks genuinely love the game and love talking about it, and that enthusiasm is contagious.
SuakuOZ: Insightful, thoughtful content. I'll admit they sometimes reference cards or combos I've never even heard of, but that just gives me more things to look up. Always interesting, always friendly.
Garagem do Nerd TV: A Spanish-speaking channel. My Spanish is… aspirational at best, so I rely on auto-dubs, which can get hilariously creative. If you speak Spanish, though, this one is definitely worth checking out.
This list is far from exhaustive, but it represents a big part of my own journey into the wider VTES community. If you're a fellow neonate looking for content to devour, I hope this helps. And if you know of blogs, channels, or resources I've missed, please let me know! The night is long, the library is vast, and there's always another forbidden tome waiting to be opened.
The game never ends, only pauses. I'll see you at the next move.
Custodian Hargrave
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