Vampire (Nocturne)

Vampire Strategy Guide

Introduction: Vampire is a fascinating $5-cost Night-Attack-Doom card from the Nocturne expansion that offers a unique combination of attack potential and self-transformation capabilities. Understanding how to leverage its abilities effectively requires careful consideration of both its immediate impact and long-term strategic implications.

Core Mechanics:

1. Attack Component:
2. Distributes Hexes to all other players
3. Hexes are randomly drawn from the Hex deck

4. Each opponent receives the next Hex in sequence

5. Gain Component:

6. Allows gaining any non-Vampire card costing up to $5

7. This happens after the attack portion

8. Transformation:

9. Exchanges itself for a Bat card
10. Creates a cycling pattern between Vampire and Bat forms

Key Strategic Elements:

1. The Hex Distribution

The Hex-giving aspect of Vampire is a significant attack element that shouldn't be underestimated. Hexes can include: - Bad Omens (deck ordering) - Delusion (-2 Cards next turn) - Envy (copy others' cards) - Famine (can't buy actions) - Fear (discard to 3) - Greed (copper gains) - Misery (reduced hand size) - Plague (gain Curse) - Poverty (reduced buying power) - War (trash from deck)

The random nature of Hexes means you can't count on specific effects, but they consistently burden your opponents with negative effects.

1. The Gaining Aspect

The ability to gain $5-cost cards provides significant flexibility: - Can grab key kingdom cards - Useful for deck-building acceleration - Helps establish engine components - Can gain silver for treasure-focused strategies

Notable $5 gains include: - Market - Laboratory - Council Room - Mine - Library - Festival - Duke (in appropriate strategies) - Other key $5 kingdom cards

1. The Vampire-Bat Cycle

Understanding the transformation cycle is crucial: - Vampire becomes Bat - Bat can later transform back to Vampire - This creates a rhythmic pattern in your deck - Timing these transformations becomes a key skill

Optimal Usage Strategies:

1. Early Game (Turns 1-5)

Early Vampire acquisition can be powerful: - Provides immediate attack pressure - Helps establish economy through $5 gains - Creates early transformation options

Early priorities: - Consider buying Vampire on $5 opening - Plan for the first transformation - Target key $5 cards for your strategy - Use Hexes to slow opponent development

1. Mid Game (Turns 6-12)

Mid-game considerations: - Balance Vampire/Bat transformations - Use gains to build engine components - Maintain attack pressure through Hexes - Consider multiple Vampire acquisitions

1. Late Game (Turns 13+)

Late-game strategy shifts: - Focus on victory point acquisition - Use transformations tactically - Consider keeping form that best serves endgame - Continue Hex pressure if beneficial

Synergies and Combinations:

1. Throne Room Effects
2. Can't directly Throne Room a Night card
3. But can use Vampire gains strategically

4. Consider gaining multiple engine components

5. Duration Cards

6. Vampire pairs well with duration effects
7. Can time transformations with duration triggers

8. Helps maintain consistent pressure

9. Tracking Mechanisms

10. Cards that care about transformations
11. Ways to manipulate the Hex deck

12. Cards that benefit from Night phase

13. Card Draw

14. Helps find Vampires consistently
15. Enables more frequent use of Night cards

16. Supports engine building through gains

17. Treasury Effects

18. Can help afford multiple Vampires
19. Supports consistent $5 gaining
20. Enables flexible strategic options

Counter-Strategies:

1. Defending Against Vampire

Opponents should consider: - Watchtower for curse prevention - Moat-like effects when available - Acceleration to outpace Hex effects - Multiple victory card paths

1. Racing Strategies
2. Build faster than Hex effects can harm
3. Focus on province acquisition

4. Minimize vulnerability to specific Hexes

5. Mirror Matches

6. Timing Vampire purchases
7. Managing transformation cycles
8. Maximizing gain benefits

Specific Kingdom Considerations:

1. Strong Kingdoms for Vampire

Vampire excels with: - Strong $5 support cards - Multiple valuable transformation targets - Limited other attacks - Engine-building potential

1. Weak Kingdoms for Vampire

Avoid heavy Vampire investment when: - Better attacks available - Few valuable $5 targets - Strong curse-giving present - Racing strategies dominant

Advanced Techniques:

1. Transformation Timing
2. Track shuffle timing
3. Plan gain sequences
4. Coordinate with other Night cards

5. Maximize transformation benefits

6. Hex Management

7. Track Hex deck composition
8. Time attacks strategically
9. Consider opponent vulnerability

10. Maintain consistent pressure

11. Gain Optimization

12. Plan gain sequences
13. Balance engine vs. money
14. Consider opponent strategies

15. Support long-term plans

16. Multiple Vampire Control

17. Managing multiple transformations
18. Coordinating attack timing
19. Balancing form distribution
20. Maximizing gain benefits

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Transformation Errors
2. Transforming without clear purpose
3. Poor timing relative to shuffle
4. Ignoring opponent's state

5. Neglecting gain opportunities

6. Gain Mistakes

7. Gaining suboptimal cards
8. Ignoring strategic needs
9. Poor timing of acquisitions

10. Missing key opportunities

11. Strategic Errors

12. Over-investing in Vampires
13. Neglecting victory conditions
14. Poor Hex timing
15. Ignoring opponent counterplay

Sample Game Plans:

1. Engine-Building Vampire

Early Game: - Acquire Vampire - Target engine components - Establish draw capability - Begin transformation cycle

Mid Game: - Build engine consistency - Maintain Hex pressure - Coordinate gains with engine - Time transformations effectively

Late Game: - Convert to victory points - Use remaining Hexes tactically - Optimize final transformations - Close out efficiently

1. Big Money Vampire

Early Game: - Get early Vampire - Focus on treasure gains - Establish economy - Begin Hex pressure

Mid Game: - Maintain money density - Use gains for silver/gold - Keep transformation pressure - Time attacks effectively

Late Game: - Convert to provinces - Maintain economic advantage - Use Hexes to secure lead - Close efficiently

Kingdom-Specific Considerations:

1. Strong Support Cards

Look for: - Card draw - Action density - Economy boosters - Night synergies

1. Problematic Cards

Watch for: - Cursing attacks - Deck inspection - Reaction cards - Racing enablers

Multiplayer Considerations:

1. 3+ Player Games
2. Hex effects multiply
3. Transformation timing changes
4. Gain priority shifts

5. Attack impact increases

6. Team Games

7. Coordinate attacks
8. Share transformation benefits
9. Align gain strategies
10. Maximize team synergy

Conclusion:

Vampire is a complex card that rewards skillful play and strategic thinking. Success requires: - Understanding transformation timing - Maximizing gain benefits - Managing Hex pressure - Adapting to kingdom context - Avoiding common mistakes - Planning long-term strategy

Key takeaways: 1. Value both attack and gain aspects 2. Master transformation timing 3. Plan gains strategically 4. Maintain consistent pressure 5. Adapt to kingdom context 6. Consider opponent counterplay

With practice and understanding, Vampire can be a powerful tool in many strategies, providing both offensive pressure and strategic flexibility through its unique combination of effects.