Vampire Template - Relatively Finished

[Nifft]

These days it's getting pretty easy

Where do you live? I could train you if you're near NYC.

-- Nifft

 

[Storminator]

7: Hmmm, most of the Vampire's feats are given because it grows stronger and faster. Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Dodge, Run and Combat Reflexes are all part of the Vampires greater movement and speed. Toughness are part of the Vampires increased stamina. Iron Will is a part of the Vampires enhanced mental provess. The Flyby is a manifestation of the Vampires growing familiarity with being airborne, whereas both Claw Focus and Improved Critical manifest the growing power of the Vampires natural weapons.
The skills are similar in that way too. They are meant to signify the animalistic nature of the Vampire, it's hunter instincts that keeps it aware of it's surroundings.

Thanks for the feedback, glad you liked it.

I wasn't thinking of changing the skills you've listed, but maybe adding on some selectable skills. It seems that if you live for a 1000 years you might pick up something new, that's all.

PS

 

[Clay_More]

I live in Denmark.. hmm, what bus would I have to take to get to NYC?

Anyways, yes, you would pick up some additional skills. The thing is, the Vampire already gains intelligence as it grow older, so it thereby gains additional skills. A vampire of vampiric level 10 gets +12 intelligence, thats 6 extra skillpoints / level already. My test player, that playerd as a 9 Th. Vampiric Level Vampire was fighter and had 8 skills maxed out (not bad for a fighter). You might want to make all Knowledge skills Class Skills for vampires over 100 years old though.

 

[Clay_More]

Nifft: "Nice! Seems to be inspired by White Wolf's version, no?"

Actually, I havent seen White Wolf's version. I got alot of inspiration from Anne Rice, and a little bit from VtM too. Mostly Anne Rice though

 

[Clay_More]

I was contemplating on making some Vampire PrC's, but Im at lack of inspiration. Perhaps any of those out there that's tried Vampire the Masquerade or Whitewolf might have some ideas?

One PrC I was contemplating, for my campaign, was a Bloodhowler, a vampiric worshipper of Nazthuul, God Of Madness. A kind of crazed, bloodthirsty vampire with stealthy abilities and such. Might even have some kind of Blood Rage. Would probably need the Vampiric Rage as prerequisite, not sure about what else.

Anyone had any comments on the Gifts? I have been wondering if they are well-balanced, since when I playtested the Vampire, the player didn't have any Gifts (I hadn't completed the gifts at that point)

 

[Storminator]

I hadn't looked over the gifts yet. They seem fairly powerful. The lesser gifts seem quite strong for anything termed "Lesser." In particular Unholy Speed seems like it's a greater gift for sure. A level 7 vampire has +10 DEX, so the prereq doesn't seem very stiff.

[tangent] I just had this idea, so don't judge it too harshly.

What if some lesser gifts were more like Psionic feats, where you need a certain number of VP in reserve to get a benefit? For example, if using the Mind Gift, the vampire must have more VP in reserve than the victim has HD. [/tangent]

Also, what is the duration on Ability Absorbtion?

And finally, I found a typo. Skills paragraph of the level 14 vamp "Skills: All vampires of level 13 receive..." should be level 14.

PS

 

[Clay_More]

Well, the reason I made Unholy Speed a lesser gift, is that I want all vampires (pretty much) to have it. Not that it's a requirement or anything, but is really (in my opinion) a defining factor of vampires. When you see the definition of the Anne Rice's Vampires, it seems as if though un-human speed is a basic ability.

I know, making a choose-able ability so powerful that it's almost "mandatory" isn't always the right way to go, but Fire Gift and Mind Gift might be better for some few (even Greater Alternate Form might be better for Rogues). The reason I made Unholy Speed a Lesser gift, was that I wanted it to be rather quickly available. And yes, the vampires are pretty powerful

Ability Absorption has Permanent duration. That means, once an ability is absorbed, it remains there untill another one is chosen. Must have been a glitch that I forgot to mention it.

It sounds as a Good idea, the thing with having a prerequisite amount of VP before an ability can be invoked. Think Mind Gift, Greater Alternate Form and Unholy Speed might benefit from this alot, as they don't require alot of VP.

 

[Storminator]

Perhaps split Unholy Speed into 2 gifts, one that's essentially haste, and a second that grants the extra full round action. An extra full round action every turn is pretty insane (tho it is very Anne Rice-y).

PS

 

[Clay_More]

Hmm, dividing it into two separate Gifts isn't a bad Idea, I think ill go with that. Lesser Unholy Speed (which gives an extra partial action each turns) and Greater Unholy Speed (which allows the character to buy extra actions for VP). Good stuff Storminator.

I really still hope that anyone that actually use the vampires in a Game are gonna respond back to me, cant wait to hear if anyone else comes up with some good pointers / advice.

And once again, thanks for the good Criticism Storminator.

 

[Storminator]

And once again, thanks for the good Criticism Storminator.

You're welcome. I always feel I'm overdoing it, especially when I really like something. Are you going to post a final final version here so I can nab it?

PS