Q: What kind of products will be published for VTES?
A: There will be several different kinds of products, mainly preconstructed decks and bundles with fixed content in various sizes. These will be available both in stores and on print-on-demand. On print-on-demand you will also be able to print individual cards, or create your own card with the Card Creator. In 2020 there will also be a VTES Fifth Edition box set with five preconstructed decks, a rulebook and counters.
Q: What?! Will there never be booster packs again? Will VTES become a LCG?
A: No, we do not anticipate creating randomized-content products, but we’re considering developing products suitable for a limited tournament format.
Q: So VTES are sold in game stores?
A: Yes. Our business model includes both print-on-demand and traditional distribution. If your local game store or favourite online store don’t have VTES, please ask them to contact their distributor, who in turn will contact us. Our main distributors so far are all listed at “Buy and sell our products” at Blackchantry.com
Q: Why don’t you do a real Kickstarter for VTES?
A: We may use Kickstarter to fund later sets, but so far we have chosen not to do so for two main reasons: other forms of distribution and marketing are working well, and we want to support local game stores as much as we can.
Q: How does DriveThruCards work? How do I buy cards?
A: You make an order. You pay. The cards are printed in the USA and then shipped to you. You receive cards and you become happy!
Q: Why is the DriveThruCards shipping more expensive for non-US countries?
A: It is a normal cost. DriveThruCards use tracked packages and charge a small handling fee, but the majority of the cost is calculated based on mass of the package.
Q: VTES sounds awesome! But I am a beginner, what do I need to play?
A: Try our First Blood introductory decks, or buy the 2020 Vampire: The Eternal Struggle Fifth Edition box set. Both are straight forward, beginner friendly decks. Another great way is to contact your closest VTES community, and ask active players to give you what you need to get started – many are willing to do so to promote the game.
Q: Will there be a totally customizable print-on-demand, so that one can buy 120 VTES cards in any combination?
A: We are currently testing this with older Assamite cards (see “VTES Legacy Singles” at DriveThruCards). In time, more cards will be added to that pool.
Q: Is there a “print my own card” function for VTES cards?
A: Yes! Check out Card Creator at DriveThruCards.com. Currently we have crypt cards, but library cards will be available soon.
Q: What do VTES cards cost?
A: We want no card to cost more than $0.2 – regardless of previous rarity. Some products will have a lower cost, like the First Blood introductory decks, and some will cost a bit more, for example the 25th Anniversary which had a more exclusive box in the first printing. But our aim is that VTES never will be a “pay to win” game.
Q: What happens to card rarity? Will there be rare, uncommon and common cards?
A: No. Card rarity in the traditional sense is no more, although some cards will appear more or less in each bundle based on perceived utility.
Q: What are the card backs on Black Chantry VTES cards?
A: It is the normal VTES card backs, but without the lower logo.
Q: Will you ever change the front side layout?
A: We have no such plans currently, but possibly later. This would be a large project, so we are really careful with making that move.
Q: The card base is HUGE, over 3600 unique cards. Will you create new tournament formats?
A: No, not at this point. But note that the player organization Vampire: Elder Kindred Network now has opened up the Limited tournament format to include any tournaments with a restricted card pool.
Q: Will there be more rules changes?
A: Yes, but not drastic ones, at least not now. Cards will be vetted, some errata will occur and general templating will make cards easier to understand.
Q: Will there be a new, improved rulebook?
A: Yes, there will be a clearer, improved rulebook. It will first appear in the VTES Fifth Edition box set.
Q: Will ALL old cards be reprinted?
A: No, not all cards will be reprinted or made available on print-on-demand. Some cards will be removed for clarity, some have artwork that cannot be reprinted, and others will not be reprinted as they have little game value (Tortured Confession, still looking at you kid!), but in general most cards that are used will be made available at some point.
Q: Why isn´t card X reprinted immediately?
A: The main reasons are a) the card sucks, b) we cannot reprint everything at once, c) the card is withheld because of rules problems or game balance issues, possibly needing errata, or d) it may require new artwork.
Q: How do you work with Paradox Interactive?
A: Paradox Interactive own the World of Darkness and all related properties, and we are the licensees. This means they review everything we do. Everything we do must be in line with their vision for the World of Darkness, and all future products of ours will, in great extent, follow their guidelines for the updated setting, visually and otherwise. The exception to this are some “legacy” cards that deviate from current World of Darkness lore, that might appear in the VTES Legacy Singles print-on-demand pool.
Q: So what happens with the cards from the VEKN-created expansions?
A: They were printed in the 2021 crowdfunded Unleashed campaign, but your homeprinted proxies will remain legal for VEKN tournament play until further notice.
Q: Will VTES be published in my language?
A: Currently we and our partners produce VTES products in English, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and French. Several more languages are in the pipeline, so stay tuned for more information – we will of course tell as soon as we know more!
Q: Do Black Chantry Productions pay for art?
A: Yes, absolutely. Any art that is used in print are paid for. If you want to contribute with art, mail our art director gines.quinonero@blackchantry.com.
Q: What is to become of VEKN?
A: Vampire: Elder Kindred Network (VEKN) will continue to be the VTES player organisation, but now the Inner Circle are appointed by Black Chantry. National Coordinators, Princes and other volunteers are still much needed to run tournaments and promote the game.
Q: Currently printed proxies are allowed in some tournaments – will that end?
A: Yes, that will end at some point in the future, but not in the immediate future. No new cards will be published as printable PDFs.
Q: Will Black Chantry Productions provide tournaments with prize support, like promo cards?
A: Yes, though we will need some funds to pay for artwork, etc.
Q: How will playtesting of new cards work?
A: We will reach out through the player community to find playgroups for testing, who will sign non-disclosure agreements. But of course ideas for new cards and mechanics are always welcome – just post a submission on the VEKN.net forum.
Q: Will there be Storyline tournaments?
A: We will continue to develop and work with the community to produce story driven content.
Do you have more questions? Please contact us by e-mail, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.