This is a Gangrel {{ gangrel }} Anarch barons {{ wall }} deck, with Protean {{ PRO }} as the main discipline. A baron must land early to really switch the wall on, but {{ thing }} is the engine: it pulls the crypt into play fast and builds a swarm. Depending on the starting hand, the first influence is either a small capacity vampire to play a {{ thing }}, or a baron directly. The plan is to get 5 or more vampires out, using {{ villein }} to {{ leech }} the swarm.
Being a wall, the defensive part is deep: {{ organized_resistance }}, {{ deep_ecology }}, and {{ earth_meld }} to unlock, {{ raven_spy }}, {{ deep_ecology }}, and {{ form_of_the_bat }} for intercept, plus {{ bait_and_switch }} to {{ bounce }}.
Base pressure is plain bleeds from the swarm: a board of ones is a real clock and makes bounces a miserable option. If {{ club_illusion }} lands, the power doubles. But the deck has another payload: {{ revolutionary_council }} to kill in a single move, which is the reason behind the "Death Star" nickname.
Stealth is tight but effective: {{ form_of_mist }} and {{ earth_control }}, plus the versatile {{ form_of_the_bat }}.
Typical of a wall, the deck brings in many permanents that stack up and continuously support all the important axes of the strategy: stealth, intercept, plus blood and pool regeneration. Also, a solid range of cycling options with {{ heart_of_nizchetus }}, {{ dreams_of_the_sphinx }}, and {{ powerbase_los_angeles }}.
{{ garibaldi_meucci_museum }} is incredibly strong here: not only can it fetch back {{ bait_and_switch }} continuously when facing a strong bleed deck as predator, it can also retrieve {{ revolutionary_council }} again and again to swipe a whole table. As a bonus, it provides protection against anarch combat decks.
Versatility is a strong point: many cards fill multiple purposes, and using the right option depending on the table is key. {{ form_of_mist }} is stealth or defense, {{ form_of_the_bat }} stealth or intercept, {{ organized_resistance }} can be stacked if multiple barons are around, {{ thing }} can be used to bloat in a pinch, and {{ revolutionary_council }} can dispose of a cumbersome location.
This version packs up a few one-copy surprises: {{ monkey_wrench }}, {{ daring_the_dawn }}, and {{ fee_stake_seattle }} for example. Each of them can open a lunge opportunity. {{ life_boon }} is a similar wildcard: well timed, it can swing a loss to a win, especially during finals. {{ direct_intervention }} is aimed at {{ block_denials }}, but can also swing the game when used at the right inflexion point. Those cards' efficiency depends on the player's ability.
{{ eyes_of_the_wild }}, {{ protection_racket }} and {{ rewilding }} are common inclusions this deck forgoes, as are {{ smiling_jack }} and {{ constant_revolution }}.
The Grinder variant punishes blockers with a more offensive combat — {{ donnybrook }}, {{ claws_of_the_dead }}, a {{ gangrel_revel }} strength boost — as in {{ édouard_menneson_s_deck }} at the 2024 Iberia GP, or {{ otso_saariluomas_deck }} at Ropecon.
The Council Propaganda variant pushes the votes: {{ propaganda_of_the_deed }} for extra votes, and {{ consanguineous_boon }} to bloat, as in {{ jakub_rypar_s_deck }} at the 2024 Slovak NC.
The Renegade variant adds rush with {{ renegade_garou }}, backed by more {{ villein }} and {{ thing }} to pay for it, like {{ josé_roberio_barbosa_da_silva_s_deck }} at SAC 2024.
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