Contraband
| Name | Contraband |
|---|---|
| Type | Combat |
| Description | Only usable before range is determined. A vampire can play only one Contraband each combat. [obf] Equip this vampire with a non-unique equipment from your hand (requirements and cost apply as normal). [OBF] As above, and this vampire can pay up to haSee more |
| Artist | María Lorén |
| Set | New Blood III #102352 |
| Wallpaper |  Download wallpaper |
| Image |  Download image |
| Clans | Ravnos |
| Artists | María Lorén |
| Krcg Id | 102352 |
| Disciplines | obf |
| Legal Since | 2025-05-31 |
| Source Hash | 6e6079f213729738bd5f727b5014870a0bfd35a9 |
| Printed Name | Contraband |
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About Contraband
Contraband, Combat, designed by María Lorén first released in May 2025 in the set New Blood III.
Contraband is best in a combat-focused Ravnos deck that expects its vampires to enter combat and wants to turn those combats into chances to equip—especially if it uses useful non-unique weapons or defensive equipment and can spare the card slot. Its main drawback is timing: it must be played before range is determined, so you need it in hand at the right combat, and the equipment’s normal requirements and cost still apply. If you want a more reliable way to equip, **Concealed Weapon** is generally better: it can equip a weapon during combat without requiring this specific pre-range window, though it is limited to weapons and has its own timing and cost constraints. Contraband’s superior-mode blood payment can help with expensive equipment, but it is not enough on its own to make the card an automatic include. Play it when your deck is built around combat-based equipment access; otherwise, use more dependable equipment tutors or direct equipping actions instead.
Rules
10/08/2026
Cost reductions that are not referring to an action apply . [ANK 20230824] [RTR 20070707]
10/08/2026
Requirements apply but do not count as requirements for the action (eg. you cannot use CrimethInc. if the card requires an Anarch). [LSJ 20100725] [LSJ 20100303] [ANK 20180817]
10/08/2026
The card is not "played" by the minion (e.g. {Louhi}'s ability cannot cancel it). [ANK 20201229]
10/08/2026
This does not count as performing the action to employ/recruit/equip this retainer/ally/equipment in respect to section 3 of the rules. The same vampire can play the respective card in a normal fashion during their turn, if unlocked. [LSJ 20080815]
10/08/2026
This is not an action, so cost reductions referring to an action do not apply. (e.g. {Charisma}, {Erichtho}) [LSJ 20090115-1] [ANK 20170309]
10/08/2026
Cannot select cards that are "playable as if in hand" (e.g. from {The Erciyes Fragments}) [LSJ 20050913]
10/08/2026
The equipment or retainer must be announced by name, and in hand, when the card or effect is declared (before the card, if any, is replaced), but need not to be shown until the effect resolves. [LSJ 20100130] [ANK 20180925-2] [LSJ 19991207]
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Frequently asked questions about Contraband
What type of card is Contraband?
Contraband is a Combat card in Vampire: The Eternal Struggle vtes.
What is the effect of Contraband?
Only usable before range is determined. A vampire can play only one Contraband each combat. [obf] Equip this vampire with a non-unique equipment from your hand (requirements and cost apply as normal). [OBF] As above, and this vampire can pay up to half the cost rounded down of that equipment with their blood.
What is the original set of Contraband?
Contraband was first released in the set New Blood III, illustrated by María Lorén.
What is the legality of Contraband?
Legality depends on the tournament format -- Contraband can be legal in some formats and banned or restricted in others. See the full breakdown per format in the Legality section above.