At the Castle TriCon event, I got the chance to play Vampire: The Masquerade - Vendetta with two of the team members from Horrible Guild, and I enjoyed the virtual opportunity to experience the upcoming asymmetric card game from the Italian boardgame publisher, known for popular titles like The King’s Dilemma and Dungeon Fighter.

The card game enjoyed a very successful Kickstarter campaign during which over 4000 backers pledged over $200,000 in funding.

What’s thrilling about the game is that every clan in the Camarilla possesses a unique deck with their own powers and tactics.

In my playthrough, I tested out the Gangrel and their blood-centric strategy against the manipulative and ally-focused tactics of the Ventrue and Toreador clans, respectively.

With a thorough explanation of the rules and the finicky control settings on Tabletopia, the game lasted longer than the 30-minute session that is to be expected, but I can easily see how easily and quickly this game can be played. Players take their turns quickly and then an orderly resolution of card reveals and abilities takes place.

So there are seven different vampire clans, tons of cards to experiment with, and an intriguing system of allies and blood that will determine how powerful you become over the course of the game.

Let’s dive into what makes Vendetta one of the most exciting card games I’ve played recently.

GAMEPLAY

As fast as the game plays, there’s a substantial amount of strategic complexity that will excite tabletop fans. Three to five players all fight for control of locations where allies await the victorious vampire clan. Four and five players are going to be the best number for the game, as it will allow more clans and variable powers to clash and collide in a bloody contest for dominance.

Each player commands one of the Camarilla vampire clans and a unique deck of cards will be the key to manipulating and overpowering your opponents. It’s all about managing your hand and finding the right combination of brute strength and subterfuge. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to win all three locations in a round, but, with clever play and the right interconnected card placement, players can gain the advantage of other clans.

Three rounds will see players grow their hand into a small but potent set of cards ranging from a power of 0 to 3. The abilities then occur in different phases—immediately, at the beginning of the reveal and conflict, or at the end.

An unexpected but fascinating mechanic also allows players to withdraw from locations in which they’re overwhelmed. These cards then transition to the final location, making an interesting game of cat and mouse within Vendetta.

Allies are won at each location, and these humans or vampires provide much-needed bonuses over the course of the game.

The best player will be the one who leverages their cards, allies, and gameplay to get the highest amount of victory points by the end of the game.

EXPECTATIONS

I think Vendetta will be a really successful and popular card game. It’s got all of the right ingredients.

The team at Horrible Guild also mentioned that additional content includes locations with special characteristics, artifacts that affect player abilities from the outset, and other tweaks to the gameplay mechanics. Those variables, in addition to the high number of asymmetric clans, sends the replayability of this game through the roof.

A fast-paced card game with a lot of potential for medium-weight strategy is a tantalizing morsel that I’m ready to bite on.

Vendetta is currently scheduled to fulfill its Kickstarter production in December and players eager to try it out will need to stay vigilant into the holiday season to be ready when pre-orders open.

CONCLUSION

I really enjoyed my time at Castle TriCon getting to play this game. It’s fast-paced, with a high-ceiling for cerebral play from tabletop gamers intimately familiar with the seven different clans.

Vendetta is a deluge of vampiric tension and bloody conflict, where players will send forth the warring clans of the Camarilla into a city-wide battle of wits, cunning, and supernatural strength. The best clan will come out on top.

This stylish interpretation of the Vampire: The Masquerade universe is full of attitude. It’s a kick-ass card game that will claw and bite its way onto the table. Bravo, Charlie Cleveland, and Bruno Faidutti. I’m on board.