Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 features a robust system of character Attributes that define your vampire's core capabilities. These Attributes are crucial for determining your effectiveness in combat, social interactions, and various other gameplay mechanics. Understanding and strategically allocating points to these Attributes is key to creating a powerful and specialized vampire.

While the specific details of how Attributes are presented and utilized in Bloodlines 2 are still being revealed, the core concept remains consistent with the Vampire: The Masquerade universe. Players will likely be able to customize their character's strengths by investing in Attributes that align with their desired playstyle, whether that be a physically imposing bruiser, a cunning manipulator, or a stealthy predator.

Key Attributes to Consider (based on the Vampire: The Masquerade system):

• Physical Attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Stamina – These govern your character's raw power, agility, and resilience.
• Social Attributes: Charisma, Manipulation, Appearance – These influence your ability to interact with others, persuade, deceive, and command presence.
• Mental Attributes: Perception, Intelligence, Wits – These relate to your character's awareness, problem-solving skills, and quick thinking.

As more information becomes available about Bloodlines 2, we will provide in-depth details on each Attribute, including how they are measured, their specific in-game effects, and how they interact with clans and disciplines.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of abilities in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, focusing on return-on-investment (ROI) for skill point allocation. It advises on which abilities to invest in early, which to gain through free sources, and the long-term XP benefits of certain choices.

General Advice:

• Avoid investing more than one dot in Brawl, as you will receive 2-4 points for free from Nines and Skill Books.
• Do not start with points in Computer, Dodge, Firearms, or Stealth, as you can gain 0-2 points for free from Skill Books.
• Prioritize investing in other abilities, as the second dot of each Attribute costs 8XP instead of the usual 4XP. For example, buying 2 dots of Intelligence saves 12XP, while buying 1 dot of Intelligence and 1 dot of Wits saves only 8XP.

The following table details the return-on-investment for specific abilities. This information is useful for planning your character's leveling path.

Example Scenario: If you gain 2 dots of Security from skill books and 2 dots of Dexterity during character creation, then use Bloodbuff, you can achieve a lockpick rating of 5 without spending any experience points on lockpicking. Persuasion 5 is highly recommended due to significant XP returns and the availability of skill points from skill books, especially when combined with Scholarship, which boosts both Persuasion and Research, unlocking more skill books.

This guide details the core abilities in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. Abilities are influenced by character creation choices, skill books found throughout the game, and certain NPC interactions.

The following symbols indicate how an ability can be improved:

• N = NPC (free dot given in dialogue)
• K = Skill Book
• ▓ = Point which can be taken in character creation

Abilities Overview

Here's a breakdown of the primary abilities and their potential improvements:

• Brawl: ▓NKK
• Firearms: KKN--
• Computer: K--K
• Dodge: KK--K
• Melee: -NKKK
• Finance: -NKK-
• Intimidation: ▓▓KK-
• Security: ▓KK-
• Investigation: -NKK-
• Subterfuge: KK---
• Stealth: KK---
• Scholarship: ▓▓N--

Tutorial Walkthrough

After character creation, you'll meet Jack, who offers a tutorial. Choosing "Just give me the basics" skips valuable XP and a lockpick. It's recommended to complete the tutorial for these benefits.

Tutorial Steps:

1. Follow Jack's instructions. Feed on the first person without killing them (stop by pressing any key).
2. Lockpick the door and retrieve the key from the safe. The computer password is on a nearby paper, or you can hack the computer (Ctrl+C) to open the safe. Both lockpick and hacking attempts require a skill level of 1, ensuring success regardless of your stats.
3. Sneak past an enemy by crouching and using shadows. An explosion will distract the enemy, allowing you to proceed through the door. Stealth in this game relies more on distance than light levels. You can jump while crouching to maintain stealth and access tight spaces.
4. Kill an enemy. A stealth kill is possible if you approach from behind with a sufficient radius and a melee weapon equipped (unarmed counts).
5. In subsequent rooms, practice another stealth kill, use disciplines, and a firearm.
6. The final room involves combat against humans. You can feed on them to regain blood lost from using disciplines without humanity loss, as this is a combat area where feed-kills are permitted.
7. Speak to Jack one last time.

Santa Monica Exploration

Upon starting in your apartment, interact with your desk to read the "Regent's Riddle" for XP. Collect the Money Envelope, blood bags from the fridge, and items from the bathroom (Pill Bottle, Normal Watch) which can be sold for money. Selling all guns can maximize income, as you'll receive new guns to sell instead of ammo.

Unarmed combat is strongest in Santa Monica. The shotgun is the only other recommended weapon until Downtown. Your computer contains an email with quests and the password "sunrise" is on a nearby paper.

Outside, you can give a dollar to a beggar if you have the Money Envelope. This interaction introduces the game's moral ambiguity.