Monday, April 05, 2010

Singing a New Tune - Angry Dragon - Post HttB

The Angry Dragon deck is a very simple combat deck designed to exploit the power of the Typhonic Beast. This deck is so simple that it has very little adapting power against any other decks that does not yield to the might of the Beast. However, it is reasonably effective, and extremely friendly for new players to try out, since it pretty much does one thing only.
Primary Path of Ousting It is primarily a bruise bleed deck, utilizing PRE bleeds and the might of the Typhonic Beast to deter or remove blockers. However, the bleeds are not overly exciting, and therefore every bleed enhancement card must count. If able, I always use the enter combat cards to remove prey's ability to block your bleeds, and therefore eliminate any chance of my bleeding not doing what it is supposed to be doing. The Waters of Duat are there to increase the bleeds available to this otherwise minion-lacking deck.
Secondary Path of Ousting Of course, combat, since it is already so prominent, I might as well add in Fame to deal damage. I only put in 2 since the deck actually cycles pretty fast, and with or without Fame on the prey's vampires I'm gonna go pound them up anyway, so I didn't really put much effort into it. Nevertheless, this is what my opponents will be prepared for and will be expecting it, so I might as well let them sit and sweat on it.
Another pretty obscure way for me to oust them is to rely on Bupe's +1 Intercept, which is actually pretty deadly for decks that are not ready for that kind of thing. A block usually results in death if the opponent's deck cannot deal with Immortal Grapple and/or Typhonic Beast. Crypt Bupe is the most important vampire in this crypt, an absolute must for the deck to perform properly. Her +1 Intercept and perfect discipline mix is key to both execute Typhonic Beasts and protecting your resources. Nehemiah doesn't benefit from the Path of Typhon, but has good disciplines and the special abilities to keep your hand in proper mix. Shemti is good to have if I can afford it, but most of the time I have Bupe supported by a mix of weenies to power up bleeds. Combat
Typhonic Beasts and that's it. Immortal Grapple to remove combat end or troublesome strike cards possibility (like Coma) and hit them hard with Typhonic Beast-enhanced strength. The number of Typhonic Beasts to play in each combat will test one's ability to read potential damage from the opposing vampire. If I expect nothing more than a measly hand strike of 1 I usually play Typhonic Beast 1 by 1 to exploit the press that it gives. Preventing damage will keep my vampires healthy and Taste of Vitae them back if necessary.
The Path of Typhon is absolutely crucial to the use of the Beast. Without it the deck will struggle to survive.
Defense
Block with Bupe's +1 Intercept and enhance it with all the Intercept location in the deck. If that doesn't seem enough enter combat with the opponent's vampire and remove them from the equation.
Pool Recovery There are precious few means of getting pool back for this deck, so use the Vessels carefully and protect the Powerbase. Surprise Element Zip. Nothing. The Beast is it.
Known Weaknesses
Burning the Path of Typhon is usually the best way of remove or reduce the threat level of this deck. With many weenies attacking, this deck will struggle to survive, and usually can't cope with that. Fae Contortion and multiple maneuver decks can also deal very well against this deck, as will FOR decks. (a single Superior Mettle makes this deck pointless)
Playing the deck Get Bupe on table, set up the path and defend it like there's no tomorrow, go bleed, go beat, no need to think.
Crypt [12 vampires]
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4x Bupe Kuila
2x Nehemiah
1x Shemti
1x Ankh-sen-Sutekh
1x Clea Auguste d'Hol
1x Sisocharis
1x Ahmose Chambers
1x Reverend Djoser Jo
Library [90 cards]
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Action [17]
2x Ambush
3x Bum's Rush
2x Enchant Kindred
1x Entrancement
3x Harass
2x Public Trust
4x Waters of Duat
Action Modifier [4]
4x Truth of a Thousand Lies
Action Modifier/Combat [7]
3x Form of the Serpent
4x Swallowed by the Night
Combat [32]
6x Immortal Grapple
4x Taste of Vitae
22x Typhonic Beast
Equipment [3]
1x IR Goggle
2x Mokole Blood
Master [19]
2x Fame
1x Giant's Blood
1x KRCG News Radio
1x Monster
5x Path of Typhon, The
1x Powerbase: Montreal
2x Presence
1x Temple Hunting Ground
4x Vessel
1x WMRH Talk Radio
Reaction [8]
5x Forced Awakening
3x On the Qui Vive
(o.o)

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