{% extends "archetypes/_layout.html" %} {% import "archetypes/_layout-erratum.html" as erratum with context %} {% import "archetypes/neonate/the-capuchin.json" as deck_json %} {% block meta %} {% endblock %} {% block archetype_name %}

{{ harbinger_of_skulls }} The Capuchin

{% endblock %} {% block archetype %} {% trans trimmed anarch_convert=card("Anarch Convert"), anarch_revolt=card("Anarch Revolt"), angelique=card("Angelique"), apportation=card("Apportation"), archon_investigation=card("Archon Investigation"), blood_rage=card("Blood Rage"), bonding=card("Bonding"), carlton_van_wyk=card("Carlton Van Wyk"), conditioning=card("Conditioning"), depravity=card("Depravity"), direct_intervention=card("Direct Intervention"), dreams_of_the_sphinx=card("Dreams of the Sphinx"), eagles_sight=card("Eagle's Sight"), emerald_legionnaire=card("Emerald Legionnaire"), enkil_cog=card("Enkil Cog"), erebus_mask=card("Erebus Mask"), gerald_windham=card("Gerald Windham"), govern_the_unaligned=card("Govern the Unaligned"), guardian_vigil=card("Guardian Vigil"), heart_of_nizchetus=card("Heart of Nizchetus"), karl_schrekt=card("Karl Schrekt"), magic_of_the_smith=card("Magic of the Smith"), metro_underground=card("Metro Underground"), mirror_walk=card("Mirror Walk"), murmur_of_the_false_will=card("Murmur of the False Will"), my_enemys_enemy=card("My Enemy's Enemy"), mylan_horseed=card("Mylan Horseed"), ponticulus=card("Ponticulus"), saulot=card("Saulot, The Wanderer", "Saulot"), saulot_the_wanderer=card("Saulot, The Wanderer"), seduction=card("Seduction"), sniper_rifle=card("Sniper Rifle"), soul_burn=card("Soul Burn"), the_anarch_free_press=card("The Anarch Free Press"), the_capuchin=card("The Capuchin"), the_rack=card("The Rack"), theft_of_vitae=card("Theft of Vitae"), vengeful_spirit=card("Vengeful Spirit"), anthology=external("https://www.blackchantry.com/products/legacy/bundles/product-anthology-1/", _("Anthology 1")), anti_ventrue_grinder=link("/archetypes/anti-ventrue-grinder", _("!Ventrue Grinder")), danilo_torrisi_s_deck=link("/deck-search", _("Danilo Torrisi's deck"), id="2017ecday2bg"), den_of_fiends=external("https://www.blackchantry.com/products/product-den-of-fiends/", _("Den of Fiends")), fb_nosferatu=external("https://www.blackchantry.com/products/current-products/first-blood-nosferatu/", _("First Blood: Nosferatu")), fb_ventrue=external("https://www.blackchantry.com/products/current-products/first-blood-ventrue/", _("First Blood: Ventrue")), keepers_of_tradition_2=external("https://www.blackchantry.com/product-keepers-of-tradition-reprint-bundle-2/", _("Keepers of Tradition 2")), lunge=link("/strategy/fundamentals", _("lunge"), _anchor="lunge"), promo_pack_1=external("https://www.drivethrucards.com/product/303420/Promo-Pack-1", _("Promo Pack 1")), v5_banu_haqim=external("https://www.blackchantry.com/products/legacy/vampire-the-eternal-struggle-fifth-edition/fifth-edition-banu-haqim/", _("V5 Banu Haqim")), v5_tremere=external("https://www.blackchantry.com/products/legacy/vampire-the-eternal-struggle-fifth-edition/fifth-edition-tremere/", _("V5 Tremere")), v5_ventrue=external("https://www.blackchantry.com/products/legacy/vampire-the-eternal-struggle-fifth-edition/fifth-edition-ventrue/", _("V5 Ventrue")), meta=link("/strategy/articles/advanced/the-game-of-the-game", _("meta")), anniversary=external("https://www.blackchantry.com/products/legacy/preconstructed-decks/product-25th-anniversary/", _("25th Anniversary")) %}

Highlights

This is a toolbox deck using {{ the_capuchin }} as star vampire and {{ gerald_windham }} as a sidekick.

The idea is similar to a {{ anti_ventrue_grinder }}: use {{ AUS }}{{ FOR }} for a solid grinder defence, with {{ DOM }} for bleed and additional bounces. In this deck, vampires are more expensive but they got {{ THA }} for additional useful tricks: {{ magic_of_the_smith }} to fetch useful equipments quickly, a bit of additional stealth with {{ mirror_walk }} and one of the best strikes of the game with {{ theft_of_vitae }}.

The deck has a slow start but grinds the rest of the table strong enough to secure a win in the late game. Key actions should be blocked and bleed actions from the predator bounced once they get enough stealth on them. Thanks to {{ theft_of_vitae }} that can not be prevented and brings back a bit of blood on the vampires, the blood balance on the table should tip in favor of the deck as the game advances.

The strategy is all about using the pressure of the slow grind and the good defence to survive and build up to a great {{ lunge }}. Taking the time to craft the perfect hand to oust the prey in a single swift move is particularily important here. Luckily, {{ the_capuchin }}'s ability gives you a good hand size so you can seat on good cards you want to keep.

Tweaks and variants

A number of tweaks can be done depending on the {{ meta }}: {{ seduction }} and {{ bonding }} can provide more stealth, {{ soul_burn }} or {{ blood_rage }} are great against weapons and {{ for }} prevention, and {{ apportation }} can help with mobility. Allies like {{ mylan_horseed }}, {{ carlton_van_wyk }} and {{ ponticulus }} are also worth considering. {{ enkil_cog }} might be worth doubling and one or two {{ direct_intervention }} can't hurt. More permanent intercept is not desirable: you still want bleeds to get through so you can bounce them. {{ the_rack }} and {{ heart_of_nizchetus }} are worthy additions, but not really necessary. Finally, you might want to dial down on the {{ conditioning }} in favor of more {{ murmur_of_the_false_will }} if you are in a bleed intensive environment rich in {{ archon_investigation }}.

{{ saulot_the_wanderer }} is another possible partner for {{ the_capuchin }}, as in {{ danilo_torrisi_s_deck }} from the 2017 EC. {{ DOM }} becomes less relevant, but is not required, since {{ saulot }} cannot be brought out by {{ govern_the_unaligned }} anyway. {{ saulot }}'s ability might well be worth the loss, especially when combined with {{ the_rack }}.

A few legacy cards are great additions: {{ erebus_mask }} and {{ eagles_sight }} should be added if available. {{ depravity }}, {{ metro_underground }}, {{ sniper_rifle }} and {{ my_enemys_enemy }} are worth considering. {{ karl_schrekt }} might also fit here.

Making more use of Anarch tech is possible: bumping up the number of {{ anarch_convert }} might open the possibility of {{ anarch_revolt }} for offense, combined with a number of {{ guardian_vigil }} for defence. Anarchs also have access to {{ the_anarch_free_press }}. All in all, this leads up to a whole different deck, closer to a wall. In this case, using {{ angelique }} instead of {{ gerald_windham }}, coupled with some {{ vengeful_spirit }} and {{ emerald_legionnaire }}, might be a better bet than using {{ DOM }}. {{ NEC }} can also provide additional stealth and combat options.

What to buy

A {{ promo_pack_1 }} for {{ the_capuchin }}, {{ keepers_of_tradition_2 }} and {{ anthology }} to complete the crypt, two {{ anniversary}} plus {{ v5_tremere }}, {{ v5_ventrue }} and {{ fb_ventrue }} for the library. An optional {{ v5_banu_haqim }} if you want to use {{ blood_rage }} or {{ soul_burn }}, and a few cards from {{ fb_nosferatu }} and {{ den_of_fiends }} that can be traded instead. A tricky point will be to get enough {{ dreams_of_the_sphinx }}, but you can adjust the decklist with less of them.

{% endtrans %} {% endblock %}