Deck Archetypes: Tariq eats the World

This decktype known as "Tariq eats the World" is based on the special ability of certain vampires, in this case "Tariq", to diablerize vampires without having to fear a bloodhunt. So the deck is able to quickly to dispose of oppossing vampires without having to consider that a vampire is rescued from torpor.

How to win with them
This deck is straight beatdown deck using rush and/or intercept combat. Remove the vampires from your prey, in order to oust. If necessary, remove the vampires of your predator to survive ...
In order to succeed, the deck needs a way to do the following in a consistent way.

• attack vampires
• sent vampires to torpor
• diablerizie vampires

The typical cycle, when it's "Tariq's" turn to act, looks like this:

• "Tariq" attacks a vampire using his built-in rush
• "Tariq" equips with a concealed weapon, preferably the "Rowan Ring", if not already done.
• "Tariq" hits the opposing vampires with the "Rowan Ring", and gives the "Rowan Ring" to the opposing vampire if successful.
• When the opposing minion goes to torpor, "Tariq" plays "Amaranth" and diablerize the vampire, thereby taking the "Rowan Ring" back.
• "Tariq" plays "Draught of the Soul" to gain a blood and more importantly get +1 bleed against the controlling player, enabling "Tariq" to reduce its preys pool more quickly after all (or most) of his minions are gone.
• After the first successful diablerie, Tariq will get the "Celerity" skill card, to allow him to use "Psyche" at the superior level.
  

Also the deck has some deal potential, since it can almost guarantee the dismissal of any vampire on the table. So the "I will dunk/eat your worst nightmare, if you agree to put 2 damage from your KRC on my prey" works quite well.

How to win against them
The deck's nemesis are both "Carlton van Wyk" and allies in general, since he can simply dodge most of "Tariq's" strike (unless he plays a "Pursuit", and can burn "Tariq" after he commited diablerie since the last turn. "Imbued" and other allies are a problem since most combat cards "Tariq" uses are of little or no effect against them.

As with other vampire star decks, a lone "Pentex Subversion" played on "Tariq" can kill this deck, especially if the deck does not pack any stealth or none of the supporting minions are equipped with weapons already.

Also consistent dodges or, better, "Strike: Combat Ends" beats Tariq, since the deck usually features only a limited number of "Psyche". A "Secure Haven" only protects one of your vampires, and even this one is vulnerable since "Tariq's" superior "Auspex" allows him to block somewhat well.

Key Cards

• "Rowan Ring" -- to send the opposing vampire to torpor. "Ivory Bow" or "Flamethrower" are quite useful substitutes.
• "Amaranth" -- to diablerize vampires going to torpor.
• "Disguised Weapon" -- to get a weapon quick and reliable (without having to fear that prey or predator are blocking an equip action).
• "Psyche" -- to foil frequent dodges and/or S:CE.
• "Draught of the Soul" -- to give "Tariq" more ousting power, after he has diablerized a vampire.

Notable Examples & Variations
Variations of the deck include other vampires on whom also blood hunts cannot be called, i.e. "Muaziz, Archon of Ulugh Beg" or "Samat Ramal-Ra, Archon". Only that "Tariq" has the best combination of combat disciplines to perform the combo described above.

Other, more distant variations of the type are decks with a strong political backing, e.g. Nosferatu Royalty which attacks minions, uses "Burning Wrath", "Amaranth" to burn the vampire, and finally uses "Ritual of the Bitter Rose" to fill up the diablerist and his companions. The blood hunt is then voted down by the assembly of Nosferatu princes and justicar.

Decklist

La Grande Vaulderie
Paris, France
June 28th, 2003
55 players

And here is the winner's deck :

Deck Name: Draught of Betrayal
Created By: Stone (Pierre Tran-Van)

Crypt: (12 cards, Min: 12, Max: 30, Avg: 5.33)
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4 "Tariq" AUS cel FOR OBF QUI 7, Assamite
2 Fatima al-Faqadi aus CEL for OBF QUI 8, Assamite
1 Anwar cel obf qui 4, Assamite
1 Max Lowell cel obf 3, Gangrel Antitribu
1 Tansu Bekir cel OBF 4, Assamite
1 Juan Cali aus for 3, Ventrue Antitribu
1 Regilio aus obf 3, Nosferatu
1 Zoe AUS cel obf 3, Malkavian

Library: (90 cards)
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Master (12 cards)
5 Blood Doll
1 Celerity
1 Dreams of the Sphinx
1 Fame
1 KRCG News Radio
1 London Evening Star, Tabloid Newspaper
1 Market Square
1 Underworld Hunting Ground

Reaction (16 cards)
4 Eagle's Sight
9 Forced Awakening
2 Telepathic Misdirection
1 Wake with Evening's Freshness

Combat (49 cards)
10 Amaranth
9 Disguised Weapon
7 Flash
6 Psyche!
7 Pursuit
5 Rolling with the Punches
5 Unflinching Persistence

Equipment (8 cards)
2 Flamethrower
2 Ivory Bow
2 Rowan Ring
2 Sengir Dagger

Combo (5 cards)
5 Draught of the Soul