Learn how to best allocate your skill points in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. Discover optimal ability investments for maximum XP return and unlockable content.
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.
| Ability | Return on Investment (XP) | Cost (XP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockpick 2 | - 5XP | 0XP | |
| Lockpick 3 | - 4XP | 0XP | |
| Lockpick 5 | - 4XP | 0XP | Can be achieved with Bloodbuff. |
| Persuasion 3 | - 5XP | 6XP | |
| Persuasion 4 | - 7XP | 4XP | From Persuasion 3. |
| Persuasion 5 | - 3XP | 6XP | From Persuasion 4. |
| Persuasion 9 | - 2XP | 41XP | From Persuasion 5. |
| Hacking 4 | - 3XP | 10XP | |
| Hacking 6 | - 2XP | 14XP | From Hacking 4. |
| Hacking 8 | - 2XP | 21XP | From Hacking 6. |
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.
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