Singing a New Tune : Along Came a Spider

Deck Name : Along Came a Spider

Crypt [12 vampires]

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3x Uchenna

2x Ugadja

2x Nkule Galadima

1x Kikiyaon, The

1x Hasani

1x Dolie

1x Meno Ngari

1x Tupdog

Library [90 cards]

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Action [15]

1x Army of Rats

5x Belonging Grants Protection

2x Deep Song

6x No Secrets From the Magaji

1x Wise Spider

Action Modifier [11]

1x Dawn Operation

1x Devil-Channel: Throat

4x Freak Drive

1x Kiss of Ra, The

3x Predator's Mastery

1x Strange Day

Action Modifier/Combat [5]

5x Predator's Transformation

Action Modifier/Reaction [1]

1x Akunanse Kholo

Combat [15]

1x Canine Horde

4x Concealed Weapon

1x Flesh Bond

2x Rolling with the Punches

2x Superior Mettle

2x Terror Frenzy

3x Unflinching Persistence

Equipment [13]

2x .44 Magnum

2x IR Goggles

1x Kduva's Mask

1x Kevlar Vest

1x Laptop Computer

1x Reliquary: Akunanse Remains

4x Sniper Rifle

1x Sport Bike

Master [18]

1x Ancestor Spirit

1x Creepshow Casino

1x Direct Intervention

2x Dreams of the Sphinx

1x Erciyes Fragments, The

1x KRCG News Radio

1x Mapatano Utando

1x Powerbase: Montreal

1x Powerbase: Tshwane

5x Vessel

1x WMRH Talk Radio

2x Wider View

Political Action [3]

2x Kine Resources Contested

1x Secret Must Be Kept, The

Reaction [1]

1x Terra Incognita

Retainer [8]

1x Mr. Winthrop

1x Murder of Crows

1x Owl Companion

4x Raven Spy

Ally [1]

1x Mylan Horseed

This is the other deck that I wanted to use in the Asian Continental Championship, but decided against it at the final moment since I felt that it is not ready enough to face intense challenge and that it is a little too passive. After I came back to Singapore, I added more offensive cards and re-tune the deck based on what I've learnt in Philippines about my own style and preference. This is the final version at the moment, pending testing during one of the Tuesday nights.

Primary Path of Ousting

This is a little weird. In theory, bruise bleeding is what it mostly do. On the other hand, the whole deck concept is wall with No Secrets and endure to the end time with 3 players, then oust both prey and be the last man standing. To accomplish this much of the deck is dedicated to permanent resources - No Secrets, Sniper Rifles, Kevlar, retainers and equipment; so that by the time the deck is set up, it will be ready to fight with very little cards in hand.

The vampires in this deck may look quite tame in bleeding, with only Deep Song and Predator's Mastery for bleed enhancement. But take into account Kduva's Mask, Ancestor's Spirit, Akunanse Remains and Laptop; these vampires can bleed for 2 or 3 pretty consistently. Moreover, with No Secrets (and usually a gun in hand), the Magajis are going to bleed away every turn, with enough combat threat to discourage blocking. It is quite deadly after a while.

Now the problem is "a while". Using the cheapest Magaji, this deck requires at least 3 turns to be even ready for anything, and this is a problem. Speed ousting is not what this deck is good for.

Secondary Path of Ousting

Combat is a good answer to preys who cannot handle guns. Once a .44 is in hand, the Akunanse can go in with Deep Song (though it is usually reserved for predator) and eliminate troublesome minions. That said, a fully set up Magaji deck has good votes to sometimes push through referendums when no powerful vote decks are on table (2 Magaji, and maybe a Kholo gives a total of 6 votes already, and that's usually the case with this deck when it runs smoothly) - Ancestor Spirit and Kduva's Mask all give extra votes to the deck, making a vote kill sometimes viable. Erciyes's Fragment, when in play, allows recycling of KRCs for those 3 points of damage.

Crypt

Uchenna is the best early Magaji to call out, seconded by Nkule or Ugadja (though she is not Akunanse and might not be a good choice if many Akunanse-only cards are in hand). After that any of the weenies will be good if you have Vessels in hand (that's one of their primary function).

Magajis are absolutely necessary in this deck, so never bring out someone else as the first vampire unless there is a very compelling reason.

Combat

FOR plus gun. Period. Blocking makes lots of sense due to No Secrets, and once blocked, unless the opponent has set range ability (Gargoyles come to mind), the blocking Magaji should have a Sniper Rifle to set range to long and shoot away. This deck's combat is not about killing off vampires but more on damaging them and deterring them from attacking. Offensive combat will have to be dealt with Unflinching Persistence or the .44; which should be alright once the deck is ready.

There are some cards that will support forward movement - Dawn Ops for example, or Kiss of Ra, but mostly the deck just bleeds and waits to block, and truly just shines when the table reaches the final 3.

Defense

This is where the deck truly excels. Many decks simply cannot handle a No Secrets deck. Simple 1-stealth weenie Dom-bleed deck, for example, will just have to wait for the Seduction in order to punch through even a single Magaji with No Secrets; and simply cannot do much against a Magaji deck with 2 No Secrets. Granted, it takes a while for the Magaji to set up to that stage, but even with a single Magaji with No Secrets, the DOM-bleed will be significantly slowed down.

The key with No Secrets is not to be afraid. If you're afraid of losing your No Secrets and therefore decline to block even small bleeds then the deck has lost it's teeth. If you lose a No Secret and simply reattach it - there are 6 in the deck and a Ericyes to pick them back - you CANNOT be afraid of declaring blocks. On the other hand, if you Owl has told you that they fella has Elder Impersonation, and the vampire he's using is the only one with superior OBF then perhaps you can wait if your pool can take it.

Remember, No Secrets shall know no fear.

Pool Recovery

Vessel, and perhaps some Belonging Grants Protection. That's about it. Ugadja can throw some of her blood back if you really need. Protecting your pool like there's no tomorrow is key.

Surprise Elements

KRC votes sometimes do take the opponent by surprise. Kiss of Ra, Dawn Op can keep your prey guessing (and deter predator walls, since this deck often will have the vote power to threaten diablerie)

Known Weaknesses

Slow. This deck do take quite a bit of time, and much pool to make it truly ready. And many speed oust deck will never give this deck the chance to do that. The other problem is the stealth to get the No Secrets through. A maximum of 3 stealth is as far as this deck can go, and it's not easy to achieve. Drawing all the components is also a problem - A Magaji with No Secrets but no guns need to fight with cards, he with guns and no No Secrets can't block much due to lack of wake cards, and he who has everything but no on board Intercepts can't block very much.

Not to mention dedicated stealth decks can always push through your No Secrets, forcing reattachment and down time.

And er, there are the allies...and Imbued...

Playing this deck

Pretty simple actually, slap on No Secrets and gun, get permanent Intercept, sit and wait it out, bleed prey all the time since tapped or not you can block. Adapt to the table as Methuselahs are eliminated, and attempt to get stronger all the time. If this deck can kill off 1 prey early then it will be in an excellent position.

In a word, block like hell and out-last everyone, that's what this deck is built to do~

(o.o)