{% extends "archetypes/_layout.html" %} {% import "archetypes/_layout-erratum.html" as erratum with context %} {% import "archetypes/runner-ups/tupdogs-nephandus.json" as deck_json %} {% block meta %} {% endblock %} {% block archetype_name %}

{{ tremere_antitribu }} Tupdogs & Nephandus

{% endblock %} {% block archetype %} {% trans trimmed anarchist_uprising=card("Anarchist Uprising"), ancilla_empowerment=card("Ancilla Empowerment"), antonio_d_erlette=card("Antonio d'Erlette"), ashur_tablets=card("Ashur Tablets"), brick_by_brick=card("Brick By Brick"), deflection=card("Deflection"), poison_pill=card("Poison Pill"), direct_intervention=card("Direct Intervention"), dreams_of_the_sphinx=card("Dreams of the Sphinx"), emerald_legionnaire=card("Emerald Legionnaire"), entrancement=card("Entrancement"), gran_madre_di_dio=card("Gran Madre di Dio, Italy", "Gran Madre di Dio"), haven_uncovered=card("Haven Uncovered"), immortal_grapple=card("Immortal Grapple"), information_highway=card("Information Highway"), nephandus=card("Nephandus"), powerbase_montreal=card("Powerbase: Montreal"), raking_talons=card("Raking Talons"), reins_of_power=card("Reins of Power"), secure_haven = card("Secure Haven"), target_vitals=card("Target Vitals"), the_parthenon=card("The Parthenon"), torn_signpost=card("Torn Signpost"), tupdog=card("Tupdog"), tupdogs=card("Tupdog", "Tupdogs"), yawp_court=card("Yawp Court"), tommis_article=link("/strategy/articles/advanced/playing-tupdogs-nephandus", _("Tommi Hakomaa's article")), laurent_ribeyres_deck=link("/deck-search", _("Laurent Ribeyre's deck"), id="11024") %}

Highlights

This is an rush deck using {{ tupdogs }} to take down opposing vampires and {{ nephandus }} to bleed and defend. {{ antonio_d_erlette }} is the star in a sense, since his ability provides sure {{ nephandus }} recruitments with no risk of block.

The combat is dominated by the {{ tupdogs }} and their {{ VIC }} and {{ POT }} cards combination, using {{ brick_by_brick }} to set the range if needed, {{ immortal_grapple }} to prevent Dodge and Combat Ends, and {{ raking_talons }} for aggravated damage. {{ torn_signpost }} and {{ target_vitals }} can provide additional damage if needed.

The {{ nephandus }} themselves are not too shabby in combat, especially since they can use {{ haven_uncovered }} to rush and {{ target_vitals }} to inflict more damage.

The critical part of the deck is to get a Tremere antitribu {{ tremere_antitribu }} out, so that the {{ tupdogs }} can rush, {{ nephandus }} can be recruited and {{ deflection }} played. {{ antonio_d_erlette }} is best, he can even allow two {{ nephandus }} to hit the table in a single turn.

The core issue of the deck is the high pool cost. {{ tupdogs }} only last a single turn and the deck should get one out every turn at least for safety and control. Plus the {{ nephandus }} are 2 pool a piece, and the deck aims to recruit 4 to 6.

Tips & Tricks

To make use of {{ antonio_d_erlette }}'s ability and influence a {{ tupdog }} in the same turn, more than 4 transfers are necessary. Master cards provide one more transfer, with {{ dreams_of_the_sphinx }}, {{ information_highway }} or {{ powerbase_montreal }}.

Vote decks can be an issue here, as pool is scarce and quite a few minions can be out at the same time: {{ anarchist_uprising }} and {{ ancilla_empowerment }} might oust the deck swiftly. To cover this, the deck uses {{ poison_pill }} and {{ yawp_court }}.

{{ direct_intervention }} should be kept in hand to counter anti-ally actions like {{ entrancement }}, or problematic "one shot" votes like {{ reins_of_power }}.

{{ secure_haven }} and {{ gran_madre_di_dio }} are only included to be able to contest those cards if an opponent play them, as they are strong counters against this deck.

You might want to read {{ tommis_article }} about this specific archetype, it goes a bit more in details on how to build and play it.

Variants

The MMPA variant uses {{ ashur_tablets }} to control the card flow and bring some pool back. It can be stronger but can also jam the hand a bit, especially if the opponents also play {{ ashur_tablets }}, in which case the module is just an additional burden with no benefit. See {{ tommis_article }} for more details on this variant.

Although this is a different archetype, {{ nephandus }} can also be used without the {{ tupdogs }}, like in {{ laurent_ribeyres_deck }} from 2023. This is more of a toolbox but it has fallen a bit out of fashion, and is even more difficult to put together now after the {{ ashur_tablets }} nerf in 2024.

{% endtrans %} {% endblock %}