In the shadows of the World of Darkness knowledge is power. Knowing more about your friends and enemies than they know about you gives you a better chance to survive the night. The latest release for Vampire: The Masquerade puts vital infomation at the Storyteller’s fingertips.
Renegade Game Studios took over releasing World of Darkness tabletop games for Paradox Interactive a little over two years ago. Vampire Players Guide collects new information about the current state of the Kindred, new options for players and Storytellers and the other clans of vampires into one book. The company sent along an advance PDF for review.
What Is Vampire The Masquerade?
Vampire: The Masquerade is a modern horror role playing game where players are the Kindred; vampires who spend their nights jostling for position with each other while staying out of the affairs of mortals. They balance the horrific things they must do to stay in power with not losing the last pieces of humanity that would turn them into mindless monsters. It’s a game of intrigue and politics that blends modern day mob movies with classic monster powers.
The most recent edition shook things up from the games’ long standing status quo. Goverment agencies flush with resources from the War on Terror discovered the vampires and struck a blow against many long standing sects. Elder vampires also disappeared leaving power vacuums in the cities they once controlled for centuries.
Vampire The Masquerade Clans
The current core book discussed several of the classic vampire clans for players to choose from. The essence of each clan hasn’t changed even if specific powers or political leanings may have. The remaining clans have been rolled out in later supplements to explore where the World of Darkness is today.
Vampire Players Guide features seven clans:
- Banu Haquim, the former blood assassins once known as the Assamites, now serving as judge, jury and executioner in cities around the world.
- Hecata, a loose collection of Clan Giovanni, Samedi, Harbinger of Skulls and other such bloodlines that now serve one master: death itself.
- Lasombra, masters of shadow and manipulation seeking a new home after being driven out of the Sabbat after centuries of leadership.
- The Ministry, tempters and seductresses looking to show a new generation that they are not just puppets of the ancient vampire Set.
- Ravnos, survivors of a millenial purge looking to see what life as a trickster is like without a powerful vampire to protect them.
- Salubri, vampires once thought exitinct but now hunted for their powerful blood and healing abilities.
- Tzimisce, monstrous lords who are looking to transform themselves once again into something more than human.
The book also included new clan banes for each bloodline. This allows Storytellers to fine tune play to their stories and themes. It also allows tables to avoid character weaknesses that may push back on what they consider to be acceptable content.
Vampire the Masquerade Characters
Players looking for new powers aand abilities will find them in this book. New Disicipline levels, Merits, Flaws and coterie examples are included. There are still ones out there in other books, but Vampire Players Guide mixes in both new and exisiting elements.
The book also includes every elements that make putting together a character much easier. Handouts and worksheets make looking things up far more quickly and and far less confusing. There’s even a quick build system using the major arcana of the tarot that’s perfect for one off characters or guest stars.
The book also takes a deeper look at cast off characters such as the clanless Caitiff and the half-vampire Thin Bloods. The book also digs into regular mortals and the blood drinking ghouls that often serve vampires. These characters can be more challenging to play in a Vampire chronicle but they also offer unique experiences in the game.
Vampire The Masquerade Chronicles
The Storyteller also gets access to advice on several different styles of play, such as one on one play or the revlving characters of troupe play. There’s even a discussion of online play and the differences between playing with friends and putting together an actual play show.
More advice is given on some of the trickier aspects of play such as Conviction and Touchstones. The advice also extends to some of the more adult aspects of the game ranging from sex, power dynamics and content. The Malkavians even get a specific discussion about how to represent members of their clan while making sure players are okay with portrayals of mental health issues at the table.
Vampire Players Guide is available for pre-orders right now. Ordering directly from Renegade Games Studios grants fans access to the full PDF. Physical books are expected in June.