NergalFinalReportNergal Final Report7 February 2006 (Also posted to the local VtES mailing list) The players and a few spectators gathered at Mike's place around 19:00. Jonathan unfortunately couldn't make it but Eric (placed sixth in the preliminary rounds) was present and the judges (Dmitri and Philip) decided he would take Jonathan's place. Hendrik (seeded first) opted to play the Nergal deck as he had declared earlier. After giving him time to browse the goods (and gaze at the shiny card backs), Dmitri went through the virtual predator/prey relationships with everyone and the choosing of seating began. Eric (Toreador Weapon Deck) and Adrianna (Malkavian Sneak Bleed) as lowest ranked chose places first. Andrew (Ishtarri Presence Bleed) placed himself as Adrianna's predator and Dan (Tzimisce Intercept) then elected to be Andrew's. Hendrik (Nergal) opted to be Adrianna's prey. The early game was relatively quiet. Andrew put together some solid 3 and 4 bleeds to whittle down Adrianna's pool, Eric started equiping his Toreadors with the usual accessories (Snipe Rifles, Aching Beautys) and Dan and Nergal engaged in some inconclusive combats. Adrianna used her time to give Ozmo superior Obfuscate, Dominate and a Pulse of the Canaille (making him a four bleeder). Things took a nasty turn when one of Dan's Tzimisce put Nergal into torpor (using Rotschreck), leaving Hendrik temporarily with no blockers. Eric and Dan then both bled Hendrik for substantial amounts, leaving things looking dire for the Nergal deck - low pool, no blockers and two bleed decks to go before his turn. Andrew's Ishtarri opted to bleed Adrianna, leaving her clinging to unlife with 2 pool. With little choice but to go for the 6 pool gain, Ozmo bled Nergal out. Andrew intially seemed to be in a strong position with a weak prey and more than 20 pool. However, his attempts to oust Adrianna were frustrate by Dan (using Eagle's Sights) and then by a combination of Telephatic Counters and Deflections from the Malkavians. These, however, were but minor irritations compared to the 20-something points of Ozmo bleed which were redirected his way. After that, Dan quickly ousted Andrew, leaving himself, Adrianna (still on only 1 pool) and Eric in the game. Some solid bleeds from the Toreadors, the occasional deflection of Ozmo and yet more determined hanging on by the Malkavians, saw Dan's pool dwindle rapidly. Forced to block pretty much everything coming his way, Dan's minions soon found themselves low on blood and then a little later in torpor, leaving Eric to oust Dan and Adrianna and take home the Nergal deck. All-in-all it was an interesting game and well worthy of a final. Congratulations to Eric and the others and thanks to everyone for a fun tournament. |