Deck of the Month: October 2008: Children of the Damned

This month's most interesting deck is not Matt Morgan's and Ben Peal's "Death Star" deck. Not since it is not a good deck, heck, it won two of the major tournaments (during the North American Championship 2008) this year, but since a very similar deck was already Deck of the Month in August 2008. The deck of the month for October 2008 is a very interesting fusion between a Nephandus and an Assamite deck built and played by Greg Williams. But see the decklist and Greg's elaborate notes for yourself.

Deck Name: Children of the Damned
Description/Notes: The idea here is simple. Pull out 2 or 3 Assamites and Antonio d'Erlette. Use the Assamites for Haquims Law along with Ascendance (Yes! Ascendance) to bloat. Play Powerbase: Tshwane to reduce the cost of Nephandus Mage's (this work's with Antonio's ability!!!!!!). Then pull out Nephandus mages every turn and bleed, bleed, bleed. Right now the only defense from stealing the Nephandus is intercept, so, adding in some Direct Interventions, etc. may be necessary if your Metagame calls for it. The Boston metagame has only minimal Ally stealing. If you are lucky to get the Heart of Nizchetus, cycle all the Nephadus to the bottom of the deck.

I was lucky to win the Sherbrooke Mini Qualifier Montreal Canada Oct. 22, 2008. The finals had another Antonio/Nephandus deck. I actually chose to be his prey because his predator was a heavy blled deck. I gambled that I could bloat and survive long enough to build up some defense. My gamble paid off and was able to take the table.

Crypt (12 Cards) Avg Cap: 5.00; Min Draw Capacity: 15; Max Draw Capacity: 25
------------------------------------------------------------
5x Antonio d'Erlette 5 !Tremere Sabbat dom for pot THA
2x Olugbenga 7 Assamite Laibon ani cel OBF QUI Magaji
1x Hafsa, The Watcher 6 Assamite Camarilla aus cel OBF QUI
1x Layla bint-Nadr 5 Assamite Independent qui CEL OBF
2x Kamau Jafari 4 Assamite Laibon obf QUI
1x Alu 2 Assamite Independent obf

Library (90 Cards)
------------------------------------------------------------
Actions (10)
2x Web of Knives Recruit
8x Haqim's Law: Leadership

Action Modifier (18)
7x Cloak the Gathering
4x Veil the Legions
4x Into Thin Air
1x Elder Impersonation
2x Forgotten Labyrinth

Ally (14)
12x Nephandus (Mage)
1x Vagabond Mystic
1x Carlton Van Wyk (Hunter)

Combat (11)
8x Dodge
3x Target Vitals

Equipment (1)
1x Heart of Nizchetus

Events (1)
1x Unmasking

Master (18)
1x WMRH Talk Radio
1x KRCG News Radio
7x Ascendance
2x Vessel
2x Secure Haven
2x Powerbase: Tshwane
3x Dreams of the Sphinx

Reaction (17)
3x On the Qui Vive
2x Black Sunrise
1x Wake
5x Nest of Eagles
4x Deflection
1x Confusion of the Eye
1x Poison Pill