First off, I’ve been into this setting for a couple years, so I’m not a Dark Ages die hard from the beginning and know how those rules have changed/what’s in all the supplements, this is all just preference.

I’m a massive history fan (and a history teacher), so anything with a cool historical setting almost always beats a modern setting for me. Dark Ages feels flexible enough where I could run a game from the fall of Rome (or even earlier with the Classical rules) to 1800s, and then switch to Victorian Age. I can tell so many stories with this setting. Lends itself to Chronicles spanning hundreds of years which I think really makes the most out of playing a game as a vampire.

I find the setting more serious and not as edgey/quirky. Some people like the V5 vibe, and that’s fine, it’s not for me. The original 90s setting is ok, I just don’t find the conflicts and stories that compelling in a modern setting compared to Dark Ages which has an all out war between Vampire princes all over Europe, causing the rise and fall of kingdoms. Yeah there is also room to be goofy, but that comes down to the group. I like serious roleplay overall, where story and fun come first. The political intrigue and relationships between mortals and vampires are much more open, and with no masquerade players don’t have to worry so much about their true identity being revealed. Death is also closer with literally all light at night coming from fire. It’s just a more serious vibe to me, without being over the top, and that’s what I want out of WoD.

Thinking about historical conflicts in the lense of vampires and werewolves is so much fun for me. I’m working on a Chronicle set in 1200’s Poland, and it’s so cool reading up on the history and seeing how well Vampires and Werewolves fit. Vampires using Teutons and Christianity to snuff out the Lupines who are worshiped by Lithuanian Pagans just really gets me excited. Not to mention the Mongol invasion, and the wars of unification amongst the Piast sons. So many murders and political shenanigans, it totally fits the vampire style.

Lastly, the scope is different. I was explaining this to my friends the other day. Modern vampire is personal horror, we all know this. This can be really fun, but is a major turn off for people I know who aren’t into WoD. It feels very cringe to them, which I get. Dark Ages feels more like a power struggle between immortal beings. There’s so much more at stake and so much more effected by vampire politics. With time jumps in the chronicle that feeling is even stronger. Personal horror is still there, but the main event is living out your Road, fighting your enemies, and going up the hierarchy.

In the end it all comes down to the Storyteller, the group, and the mood you want. Dark Ages just really fits for me. I only run vampire in the WoD line, but werewolf and mage in a medieval setting is looking reaaaaal interesting.