Archetypes - worth playing?

14 archetype-masters have been published for VTES:
Bravo (Gehenna:C)
Capitalist (BH:C, HttB:PKia2)
Cavalier (HttB:R)
Conniver (Gehenna:C)
Creep Show (BH:C/PN)
Curmudgeon (Gehenna:C)
Dabbler (HttB)
Guru (BH:C/PM)
Loner (Gehenna:C)
Monster (LotN:R)
Perfectionist (Gehenna:C, KoT:C)
Rebel (Gehenna:C)
Sociopath (BH:C/PTr2)
Traditionalist (Gehenna:C)

Some of these are wallpaper, some playable, none really strong. Or? We ask a panel of experienced Stockholm players what archetypes they have played.


1. What archetypes have you played? Any odd ones?

Randyman: I´ve played Capitalist, Cavalier, Conniver, Creep Show, Curmudgeon, Dabbler, Guru, Monster, Perfectionist and Sociopath. But Conniver and Guru only when I tried playing starters.

Myrdin: I have tried Cavalier, Monster, Perfectionist and Creep Show. Creep Show being the only odd one.

Tomas: Cavalier, Dabbler, Guru, Monster, Perfectionist and Sociopath.

Ashur: I´ve tried Capitalist (in !Malk and Las sb), Creep Show (in Ahrimanes), Loner (in some weird bad Raptor-deck), Monster (various combat decks) and Perfectionist (many decks). I´ve also immediately traded for like 5 each of Cavalier and Dabbler when they came out, but haven´t had time to try them yet. I have big plans for Cavalier though :)


2. What is your favourite archetype?

Randyman: Dabbler right now. You can make an entire deck around that card. I like the fact
that you can react and act and use the card both for untap or blood gain.

Myrdin: At the moment it's either Cavalier or Monster. Perfectionist is nice, but I usually only use it as a measuring stick for new archetypes.

Tomas: Dabbler. I would say that I think Cavalier is the most versatile and powerful with perhaps Monster on the same powerlevel but way less powerful, but I like janky and Dabbler is both a bit janky but also versatile.

Ashur: Sadly it has to be Perfectionist, although it´s kind of boring. It´s the one I´ve played the most anyway.


3. What would you like a future archetype to do?

Randyman:
Juggernaut
Type: Master: archetype.
Put this card on a ready vampire you control. Once each turn when combat involving this acting vampire ends and the opposing minion is not ready, this vampire may burn a blood to continue the current action . A vampire may have only one archetype.

Myrdin: The main problem with the archetypes released prior to Monster and Cavalier only had one ability, which was to gain 1 blood. So in comparison to Perfectionist they had to either be trifle or gain more than 1 blood per action by being useful during blocking. The new effect of being able to untap is a strong addition although mostly if used in conjunction with blocking or acting out of turn. So I would like to see more archetypes effects other than these two, possibly gaining a handsize while acting or a once-per-action superior Infernal pursuit ability etc.

Tomas: To see  play it must be something more powerful than give one blood or be trifle. The archetypes that have seen print have been Natures/Demeanors from the Vampire the Masquerade books. Two suggestions I have right now are:

Conformist
Master. Archetype
Put this on a vampire you control. When this vampire votes in agreement with a referendum called by another minion that passes, this vampire gains one blood. A vampire may only have one archetype.

Sycophant
Master. Archetype
Put this on a vampire you control. Once per turn when a bleed is successful, this vampire may burn one blood to make the methuselah being bled burn one pool. A vampire may only have one archetype.

Ashur: I think it´s kind that most of the ones that was printed is wallpaper, and that someone decided that many should be restricted to the Sabbat. Also it´s sad that they are masters – maybe future archetypes could be actions with untap, kind of like Abbot?

When you look at the names of the archetypes from VtM it´s no problem coming up with funny ideas. Unless I´ve missed someone, this is a complete list, with a short description on each. Knock yourself out, and post your ideas in the comments or in the VEKN forum!

Architect - Creation is your passion.
Autocrat - Control-freak.
Autist - One who buries their secrets.
Avant-Garde - A fascination with the trendy and new.
Barbarian - Civilization is the crutch of the weak.
Bon Vivant - Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
Caregiver - Actively caring or helping others.
Child - Working through immaturity and innocence.
Celebrant - Pursue excitement in all things.
Competitor - You must win everything to be happy.
Confidant - A good listener and keeper of secrets.
Conformist - You would rather follow a powerful figure than lead.
Critic - You find imperfections in everything.
Defender - You stand guard over that for which you care .
Deviant - The status quo is for suckers.
Director - Order is the name of the game.
Fanatic - One cause, full support for it.
Gallant - A rogue to themselves, a jerk to most.
Honest-Abe - The simple things in life are best.
Jester - In the school of life, you are the class clown.
Judge - Brutal honesty results in improvements.
Manipulator - It's fun to tweak the actions of others.
Martyr - The sacrifice of one is beneficial to others.
Mediator - Balance is the best way.
Optimist - Life is good. Live it.
Pedagogue - Learning is what life is all about.
Penitent - There is no right to exist. It must be earned.
Plotter - Nothing can be done right without a plan.
Poltroon - Someone cannot shoot at a target they do not have.
Praise-Seeker - The opinions of others drive existence.
Rebel - The establishment is a joke.
Survivor - Perserverence is the only way to get ahead in life.
Sycophant - Let others do the hard work and live on praise for it.
Thrill-Seeker - Take a chance on everything.
Trickster - finds the absurd in everything.
Visionary - There is something more to life and this existence.