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

[Maleketh]

Not so. The vampire template simply lists them as "any evil," and most all mindless undead are neutral evil.

Just sayin'.

 

[KingCrab]

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.

Libris Mortis is one of WotC's better books. I'd recommend it if vampires are going to show up in your game.

 

[Drowbane]

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

Awesome stuff there Dagredhel.

 

[Klaus]

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.

Not at all.

Mummies are usually Lawful Evil (with LN and even LG not that uncommon) and Wights are usually Lawful Evil. Skeletons and Zombies are NE.

 

[Darklone]

Kalamar has variant vampires, the Shar'jani. They come in 4 degrees which are gradually less alive and more undead... and all need blood on a regular basis.