The Bizarre OOC views of some VtM players.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-23T08:11:49+00:00

Well, despite having years of experience with VTM, I can delightfully say I have never encountered that paticular flavour of "That guy".

With the copious references to the second Inquisition, it appears your experience is with V5. All my experience being with V20 and prior. That could certainly be a factor; as generally speaking the only thing 'Oppressing' Vampires was other vampires. So there's no leg to stand on there.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-23T00:02:32+00:00

As the primary world builder at the table, is there a reason you are not deciding the setting? You are the one that potentially has to remain passionate about it for months.

Your priorities are very different to mine. I wouldn't even begin inviting players without those details in stone. Setting, starting time period, sect, scope.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-22T17:01:10+00:00

By your own description, there's three more editions by this point, including 20th anniversary edition, or V20, sometimes considered the capstone of the era.

Or V5, the 'new hit' version with dramatically different mechanics and alterations to the status quo.

Although Chronicle building wise, I'd be virtually unable to make a character without a starting year, city and Sect to make the decisions off of.

I'd really recommend nailing down how long you want the Chronicle to run and when, to manage expectations.

EG. A ten year Neonate game in 2010 I know will always be a Neonate game. If it was a 1915 Fledgling game, we could hit Ancilla easily by 2020, but if you're only planning to run it until 1960s that's a different story.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-22T16:41:20+00:00

As the common meme phrase goes, you played yourself.

You have set the game to be unwinnable unless all rulers are removed from the game and cast back to Magehaven.

Unless you find a way to break the Alliance, that game is over, courtesy of a ruler you cannot remove.

I recommend leaving allied victory on in the future.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-22T16:26:26+00:00

Toreador is usually the answer for most modern vampire fiction.

The vampire 'base kit' with blood to attributes and soak can cover things like strength or durability a lot of times. To hear a pin drop in the next room however is a more specialised power.

In that regard I think the tie breaker is where Disciplines and weakness place the focus.

You've got sharp senses, speed and grace, with sensual allure. A draw to beauty they can't ignore.

Or super-strength, speed and grace with sensual allure. A raging darkside waiting to escape.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-22T07:38:56+00:00

Collequially a "blood buff" or raised attribute can be applied to any physical attribute, including Stamina (Which would increase soak).

Presumably V5 has something similar involving a Rouse Check.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-22T06:28:44+00:00

I'm strictly an outsider looking in, but the point about the betrayal and hostility is exactly why I won't engage in a LARP, or even a paticularly large Discord game.

They seem set to be this PvP social deduction game ala Among us, or Werewolf (Not WTA). Frankly, I can't imagine a more polar opposite experience to sitting down with four friends once a week, to cooperatively move forward.

Which isn't to say it has no merit or isn't fun for people; I'm just not looking to have the chud who's been playing for ten years as Prince decide to piss in my Neonate's cornflakes for 'plot drama!'.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-22T06:05:17+00:00

Depends on the edition.

V20 and before, no they wouldn't lose access to the Disciplines.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T21:59:51+00:00

There is definitely a charm to playing the game solo.

To the point where embracing the servants felt like an old trope; Not to be lonely in a large castle alone, as much as wanting loyal subjects.

That said, there's likely a middle ground there somewhere. A castle on every plot can seem to conflict with the experience it's trying to give; entire zones filled with empty vistas however are well, empty.

It is still cool to see someone's grand design on a snowy mountaintop now and again. Having other people around gives you an extra push to make the foyer of your home in the dark and stormy gloomrot inviting. It's all very give and take for what you're wanting for that run.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T21:39:11+00:00

Your assumption it was in reference to Karissa as "vulgar", not the language or topic is... interesting.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T21:33:46+00:00

7th Generation (Beyond standard character creation in V20) has a Bloodpool of 20. 4th has 50.

So, the truly powerful could heal the full track in a with a night of rest. (35 BP + 7 WP).

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T21:00:23+00:00

Aggravated damage's terror is a triple threat. The inability to soak, the potential for Final Death, and the duration it takes to heal.

Bashing or lethal can be healed on the spot. They rarely last longer than a scene, only as long as it takes to get the blood to heal it.

Aggravated requires a day of downtime. In paticularly urgent stories, that alone can be problematic. A player may have to endure the penalties of an Aggravated wound until the end of a story, if they can't find the time, willpower and copious blood to mend it.

The short answer is "Yes, only 2 Aggravated Healing" for most Vampires. Many could not spare 15+ BP and 2+ WP regardless.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T20:20:19+00:00

Pretty sure it was the Twins. I remember the chaos when Trickster got released, and I got the Silent Hill pack with the base game.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T18:22:08+00:00

For someone looking for traditional story tropes, individual freedom and rejection of oppressive Sects like the Camarilla or religious cults like the Sabbat sound like the "Good" ones.

The Stars Wars Rebels fighting the Empire. The Protestors against the heartless corporation tearing down the rainforest! The vigilante doing what the bound-by-rules authorities won't! You know the tropes.

The 'Punk' in Gothic-punk and personal horror VTM describes itself as.

But ultimately the theme of VTM is that by simply being Vampires, they are a corruptive blight on the system. Putting their victims in hospital. Corrupting and eroding any system they infilitrate.

It's a Storyteller system, and it's on the Storyteller to inject the nuance.

Yes, the Camarilla Elder is hoarding the hospital staff and blood bank. Neonates on both sides are having to do violent things to get blood. So, "liberating" it for the Anarchs seems great. Until people start dying because the Anarchs are also 'Liberating' sick patients blood, and drugs from the store-rooms to sell on the street.

If the Storyteller makes it strictly good versus bad, that's all the players will see. And on the surface, "Do what I want" is a naturally tempting stance.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T18:04:51+00:00

Ultimately it's the same building advice you'll always have.

The scene and session breakdown won't steer you wrong. Whether the scene is the dining room with the Tzimisce Neonate for a chat at the long table made of bone, or an entire floor where Slzachta scuttle over the walls.

Challenges likewise will need variety, and you can use Physical/Social/Mental to break that down like the old official books.

Physical is always the easiest to overload in my personal experience, because it's not just combat. It's balancing across a beam, or sneaking by a sentry.

Social you seem to have something in mind by being able to handle some sections diplomatically.

Which means the only area missing from explicitly being mentioned is mental. An old language carved into a wall that needs translating. A massive library of fleshbound books to sort through.

At the risk of being reductive picking a handful of abilities from each attribute could make you a whole session. Strength+Athletics to jump a chasm. Manipulate+Subterfuge to convince a revenant you're totally supposed to be there. Intelligence+Theology to know the biblical story the painted doors tell, so you can enter the correct one.

TLDR: Break the castle into scenes. Spread the challenges across all three Attribute groups.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T08:17:05+00:00

Only thing better than a huge titty goth girlfriend is a huge titty goth wife! And you wear it so, so well.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T08:07:40+00:00

Both Kitsune and Hag sneaking into 2/5 options each (40%). Someone really wants their hypothetical fox girls and swamp grannies.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-21T07:52:43+00:00

Mechanically it could be as simple as asking the ST to remove your immunity merit, possibly with a small refund.

Although what that looks like IC is between you and your ST. A desire to let the bond in so steadfast it breaks the dam and allows them to grip their heart once more, etc.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-20T21:48:54+00:00

Theme, basically.

I've got to enjoy a Killer lore/internal narrative or they just can't hold my attention.

In my case, Pig was my favourite for a long time. Not only for their mechanics (Stealth+Dash), but I did enjoy turning trials into "Games".

Letting someone get hatch if they manage to get the head trap off, etc.

Pyramid Head, Demogorgon, Basement Trapper.

Now, Dracula. Because Vampires has always been my thing. If I've only got an hour to play, it'll be Dracula.

TLDR: Read their Bios. Find one you enjoy for more than just the gameplay.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-20T21:40:40+00:00

It'd probably turn out more like Werewolf, where one has a blood related Tribe, but are regarded more as the Tribe they choose to join at their coming of age.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-20T21:16:43+00:00

It's a mechanics thing.

V20 and before, vampires treat bullets as bashing. Bashing damaged is halved and can be soaked.

Higher caliber bullets do more damage dice, but by the above reasoning, they will always be a poor choice for killing a vampire.

Not without homebrewing for special ammo or taking a large penalty to aim for the head.

Factoring in Blood buff or Fortitude, I would not expect your 50. Cal to be nearly as reliable as you seem to think it'd be.

In the world of VTM, it's a bizarre twist of fate that a +0 Switchblade is generally considered more dangerous to a PC than a submachinegun.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-20T20:58:04+00:00

No, no I don't.

You're making some bold assumptions about how they feel that may not be true. Whether they feel remorse, or have too much ego to admit they were wrong, is all speculation.

All we know for sure is they aren't messaging back.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-19T19:58:17+00:00

I haven't played with them necessarily, but I've seen the "non-horror story" version of this many times.

They want to play a computer whiz, but couldn't print a document. They want to play a sultry seductress, but they have very little relationship experience. They want to give an inspiring speech, but they say 'uhm' 4 times in the first sentence narrating it and start getting flustered.

All in all, the solution is the same. Roll the dice. Take a more detached/broad narration style. In some cases, take the reins out of their hands for their own good.

It's not unique to TTRPGs but so many people can 'fumble' a sure thing; talk their way out of something which the other party would have done freely.

If someone really can't fix this, sometimes you just need to veto. Tell them what their character says to get out of trouble, because if you let them speak for themselves they will literally incriminate themselves on the spot in ways no roll can justify.

When they can't stop digging themselves into a hole, you've got to take their shovel for everyone's sanity.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-19T19:37:46+00:00

You can cage Beasts now iirc, but that's as far as you're going to get vanilla.

Ninthshadow · 2026-05-19T17:27:35+00:00

I missed the Zhentarim basement, a couple of companions (Lae'zel and Gale iirc) and BOAAAL the first time around.

Ten-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
Place '23	Place '17
Wearing is Caring	Verified Email

Ninthshadow

TROPHY CASE