{% extends "best-cards/_layout.html" %}
{% import "best-cards/_layout_card_column.html" as layout with context %}

{% block content %}
<h1>{{ _("Master cards") }}</h1>

{% call layout.card_column("Villein", decks=832, copies="2-6") %}
{% trans trimmed
minion_tap=card("Minion Tap"),
vessel=card("Vessel"),
blood_doll=card("Blood Doll")
%}
Its <em>Trifle</em> trait made it one of the best leech option overall,
besting {{ minion_tap }} and often slower tools like {{ vessel }} or {{ blood_doll }}.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Dreams of the Sphinx", decks=727, copies="1-3") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
Loved for its ubiquitousness, the <em>Dreams</em> provides either two pool
(and can even accelerate the setup if played early) or help the deck rotation in
critical moments by drawing two cards.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Giant's Blood", decks=521, copies="1") %}
{% trans trimmed golconda_inner_peace=card("Golconda: Inner Peace") %}
Even if it is only once per game, it brings more blood on the table than any other card,
with the notable exception of {{ golconda_inner_peace }}. It is often played in a single
copy: with a bit of luck it brings a definitive advantage, otherwise it prevents an
opponent to play it himself.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Wider View", decks=512, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
A cheap <em>Trifle</em> that provides rotation to the crypt. For a lot of crypts, this
is a useful asset in the mid game to help fetch a third or fourth vampire. It is even guaranteed
to generate one pool at some point.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Direct Intervention", decks=487, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed
wall_decks=link("/strategy/archetype-categories", _("wall decks"), _anchor="wall"),
block_denial=link("/strategy/fundamentals", _("block denial"), _anchor="stealth-and-intercept")
%}
The ability to cancel any minion card is extremely valuable. It has reliable role in
{{ wall_decks }} to deal with {{ block_denial }}, otherwise its value varies depending
on how good a player is at assessing the importance of cards.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Vessel", decks=473, copies="1-4") %}
{% trans trimmed
leeching=link("/strategy/bloat", _("leeching"), _anchor="leeching"),
blood_doll=card("Blood Doll"),
villein=card("Villein"),
a_b=link("/strategy/fundamentals", _("A&B"), _anchor="AB")
%}
The most played {{ leeching }} card after the ubiquitous {{ villein }},
it enables a 1 point leech per turn and allows to give some blood back to a vampire,
which can avoid hunt actions and keep {{ a_b }} high. {{ blood_doll }} is cheaper
and faster, but it can be destroyed and it is not a <em>Trifle</em>.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Powerbase: Montreal", decks=387, copies="1") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
A good bloat device that generates one pool per turn at no cost. It is a no-brainer in
decks able to defend it. It can also be a useful bargaining chip when dealing with
other Methuselahs, as it can easily be borrowed as part of a deal.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Information Highway", decks=367, copies="1-3") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
An excellent crypt accelerator at no cost, it is played both with big capacity crypts,
but also with weenie crypts at 1-2 capacity to make it possible to draw and get out a
vampire in a single turn. Even if it is <em>Unique</em>, some decks include it in
multiple copies to improve their chances to draw it early on.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Pentex™ Subversion", decks=351, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
Before its <em>errata</em> in September 2020, <em>Pentex</em> was the most played Master
card in all decks. It is still powerful though: disabling a specific minion of the
prey can be key to victory in many decks.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Fame", decks=240, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
A key card for combat heavy decks, usually used on the prey's minions, it provides
excellent pool damage. The fact that it is <em>Unique</em> means it can not easily be
abused, though.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("The Coven", decks=236, copies="1") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
A good way to bring some blood back on the table, is it a useful tool against rush and
grinder decks. Even if it does not come along so often, the fact that it helps the whole
table can really slow down these particular archetypes.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Ashur Tablets", decks=232, copies="6-12") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
It is a decent bloating device but its key ability is to allow some recursion in the
deck. Since its nerf in 2024, it is played in less copies overall,
since only one can be played per turn. It stayed powerful enough to see play regularly.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("The Rack", decks=231, copies="1") %}
{% trans trimmed
blood_doll=card("Blood Doll"),
vessel=card("Vessel")
%}
One of the best tool available to bring some blood back on a vampire, it works
beautifully with {{ blood_doll }} or {{ vessel }}. It needs to be defended to be kept in
play, but such a good blood generator at no cost is a bargain.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Club Illusion", decks=229, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
A permanent bleed boost for Anarch decks: any Anarch can spend a blood to add one to a bleed.
Cheap to set up and always relevant when the plan is to bleed the prey down.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Archon Investigation", decks=224, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
A dreadful deterrent against too powerful bleeders. A must have for decks who do not
have access to bounces, it can be included in virtually any deck just to discourage the
6-7 bleed scores {{ dom }} or {{ pre }} can achieve.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Monastery of Shadows", decks=221, copies="1") %}
{% trans trimmed parity_shift=card("Parity Shift") %}
A costly but efficient location. The stealth can make the difference between life or
death for the prey, and the bonus hand size is nothing to frown upon. It is a little bit
better in decks using {{ parity_shift }} as it can get the pool down just enough to be
able to play the vote against one's prey.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("The Parthenon", decks=213, copies="1-5") %}
{% trans trimmed
anson=card("Anson"),
nana_buruku=card("Nana Buruku"),
cybele=card("Cybele"),
huitzilopochtli=card("Huitzilopochtli"),
isanwayen=card("Isanwayen")
%}
A useful tool as it enables the play of more Master cards at no cost, it can be combined
with vampires providing yet another Master action: {{ anson }}, {{ nana_buruku }},
{{ cybele }}, {{ huitzilopochtli }} or {{ isanwayen }}.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Jake Washington", decks=198, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed
war_ghoul=card("War Ghoul")
%}
A good way to bring back some blood on a vampire, it can also provide protection by
blocking an action and is a key combination with {{ war_ghoul }}.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Smiling Jack, The Anarch", decks=175, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
A slow-building source of table-wide attrition: each turn one feeds it a counter,
and every other Methuselah then pays for each counter it holds. It shines in decks
with enough block potential to protect it while the counters pile up.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Papillon", decks=173, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed hunting_ground=card("Academic Hunting Ground", "Hunting Ground") %}
Basically a better {{ hunting_ground }} for those relying heavily on Princes, Barons
or Archbishops. Definitely worth including when the crypt fits.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Secure Haven", decks=164, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
Although <em>Unique</em>, it is a solid counter against rush decks. Other options are
required to really defend against them as this can only protect one vampire, but
this is still a vampire one would not take down easily.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Anarch Troublemaker", decks=162, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
It locks up to two of the prey's vampires each turn, a cheap and repeatable way to
strip their defense before a bleed or a rush. The downside is that it then passes to
the prey to use in turn.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Wash", decks=150, copies="1-2") %}
{% trans trimmed villein=card("Villein") %}
Countering Master cards is often useful: the best move is to counter a bloat card like
{{ villein }}, which is equivalent to a serious bleed. Other powerful Master cards can
be countered this way too.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}

{% call layout.card_column("Perfectionist", decks=142, copies="1-3") %}
{% trans trimmed %}
An easy way to get some blood back on a vampire at no cost. Many actions go through
unblocked and unreacted to, so it tends to bring blood back on the vampire at least
every other turn.
{% endtrans %}
{% endcall %}
{% endblock %}