Vampires... do they ever need to feed on blood?

[Arravis]

So I'm writing up a vampiric NPC and looking at the rules for it, I come to an interesting realization... nothing in their rules for vampires or undead implies they need to feed on blood, or anything else for that matter. So, just another "myth" or an oversite? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

-Arravis

 

[Fredrik Svanberg]

Rules in Libris Mortis explains what happens when vampires and other draining undead can't feed for a while. Basically they become increasingly feral, stupid and reckless the hungrier they get. They never die from hunger, of course. It seems to be a psychological dependency and not a physical one.

 

[s-dub]

The mechanics involve the vampire taking wisdom damage that cannot be healed until they feed. (IIRC)

 

[Tonguez]

The DnD vampires sux and the no-need-to -eed oversight is just one of many instances

 

[Arravis]

Thanks for the info guys... good to know!

And Tonguez, I'd be curious to hear how you think they "sux"?

 

[Klaus]

So I'm writing up a vampiric NPC and looking at the rules for it, I come to an interesting realization... nothing in their rules for vampires or undead implies they need to feed on blood, or anything else for that matter. So, just another "myth" or an oversite? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

-Arravis

By Core D&D, no, they don't need to feed.

If you add in the expanded rules in Libris Mortis, then yes, several undead -- vampires included -- need to feed.

 

[Tonguez]

Of the top of my head they suck because they do not emulate the Vampires of Fiction

The no-need-to-feed thing is one, the slam attack is another and the level drain yet another

So instead of the Count sneaking into your bed chamber to seduce Lady Priscilla and drain her of lifegiving ichor you get Al Vampyro leaping from the Balcony to Slam Sir Goodley the Paladin for a 2-Level drain

 

[Shin Okada]

Of the top of my head they suck because they do not emulate the Vampires of Fiction

The no-need-to-feed thing is one, the slam attack is another and the level drain yet another

So instead of the Count sneaking into your bed chamber to seduce Lady Priscilla and drain her of lifegiving ichor you get Al Vampyro leaping from the Balcony to Slam Sir Goodley the Paladin for a 2-Level drain

Totally agree with you. I never liked DnD vampire even since when playing chromatic boxed DnD.

 

[Dagredhel]

If you're interested in something more "traditional", you can check out the thread linked below.

 

[UltimaGabe]

I agree- the Vampires of D&D leave a little something to be desired, in various fields. The thing that bugs me is that all undead, regardless of type, as per the Monster Manual (except maybe Liches? I can't recall offhand) are Chaotic Evil. No ifs, ands, or buts. The Vampire, according to any folk lore, myths, or stories you can find, are as lawful as could possibly be, and yet the MM simply follows the "Always Chaotic Evil" trait of Undead.