Saturday, September 12, 2009

Kiasyd combat part 2 - combat on Dominate

There are only few combat cards that require dominate.

Absorb the Mind exploits Mytherceria as its main discipline so I'm not going to write about it again.
Denial of Aphrodite's Favor requires also fortitude and can be used as combat card only by vampires with DOM & FOR so without additional help it isn't available for any kiasyd (at least until new expansion, but I don't think it will change in HttB.

Autonomic Mastery
Only usable at close range.
[dom] Strike: burn the opposing non-wraith ally or a non-wraith retainer on the opposing minion.
[DOM] Strike: hand strike. Damage from this strike is reduced to zero. Combat ends immediately after this strike resolves, unless it is dodged. Only usable in combat with a non-wraith ally or a younger vampire.
About dom version: There is one thing better than dead ally/retainer in your oponent ash heap. The same ally/retainer in your ready region/on your minion.
About DOM version: It' nice when you don't have to take more than one strike per fight but its better if you don't have to suffer any strike.
At dom its better to use Far Mastery to take control over a(n) ally/retainer. At DOM its better to use combat ends based on Obtenebration. Still there is no other card that gives you either possibility to kill opposing ally/retainer or end combat. Yet this combat end isn't even worth considering (one strike is enough to loose lot of blood or go to torpor) and in most situations its safer to use other ways that enables killing allies than this (either by regular damage from Earth Swords or by effect from Entombment of Basilisk's Touch). You can say that its the cheapest way of killing ally. Yes Its the most sure and cheapest way to do it but other cards that makes the same have also other good effects and this card's other effect weak.
1/5

Still the Mortal Flesh
Only usable in combat with an ally or younger vampire. Not usable against a mummy, wraith, or zombie.
[dom] Maneuver or press.
[DOM] Strike: burn the opposing ally.
Cost: 1 blood
Lot of requirements blood cost and effects worse than other available cards that do the same. Of course someone may want to consider this card for this combination of effects but I doubt it would be wise to use this card.
1/5

Thoughts Betrayed
Only usable before range is determined on the first round.
[dom] Opposing minion takes 1 additional damage in the first round of combat during normal strike resolution.
[DOM] Opposing minion cannot play any strike cards for the duration of this combat.
Cost: 2 blood
Its the only available for kiasyd card that prevents opponent from using strike: combat ends, and the best combat card based on dominate (actually the only one I have ever seen in play). It isn't the cheapest card with this effect but the only one that can be used regardless of range and it forbids using s:ce and isn't prolonging fight after combat ends (like Psyche! and Telepathic Tracking). The best combo I have ever seen this card in was with addition of entombment and amaranth (opposing minion don't loose blood, you gain it all at the end of combat, and opposing vampire is no more, the deck in which I've seen this combination was based on Lasombra with votes so it was quite safe during bloodhunt referendum). Kiasyd don't have enough combat power to hunt for other vampires in the same way as dedicated combat clans so I don't consider this card worth of using in decks based on this bloodline.
3/5

Tranquility
Only usable by a ready vampire not involved in combat.
[dom] Cancel a frenzy card as it is played (no cost is paid).
[DOM] As above, and the target of the frenzy card gets an optional press, only usable to end combat.
There isn't much to say about this card. If your meta isn't crazy about frenzy cards it isn't worth worsening card flow with this card. It have narrow utility so if you aren't sure that you will have problem with frenzy cards don't take it.
1/5

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Starter for kiasyd

It is said. Kiasyd will have their own starter. They will be mixed with Lasombra.
Its not exactly what I was hoping for but I cannot say it was unexpected. Bloodlines was made as support beings not stand alone clans. :(

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Heirs to the Blood

New expansion will contain 170 new cards.
Most important matter that remains is if there will be reprints in this expansion. Last few expansion was made either of some reprints and some new cards or only new cards. New card only expansions had 60 or 150 new cards so I hope that HttB will be similar to KoT and 3rd edition rather expanded 150 card version.

Edit: It was only rumours that there will be any cards available only in starters.