- See also: Players Guide (disambiguation)
The Players Guide, usually referred to properly as The Vampire Players Guide, is the Players Guide for the first edition of the Vampire: The Masquerade rules. The book introduced a number of new traits and systems that were later reused in other World of Darkness and Storyteller System games, among them Merits and Flaws, Secondary Abilities, sub-splats (in this case, bloodlines), rules for trait ratings above five dots, and an expanded and detailed list of equipment (mostly firearms and melee weapons). Much of the content of the book was later adapted into the Vampire Players Guide Second Edition under the Vampire: The Masquerade Second Edition rules.
Summary[]
From the White Wolf catalog:
- "They drove me down, used me as their pawn. Never again, never more shall I be used by another. They thought they had all the power, that they pulled all the strings, but now their strength is mine. Now, with the new might coursing through my body, I will have vengeance."
- — Juggler, "No Apologies"
- In the Gothic-Punk world of the Vampire, any advantage can mean the difference between survival and final, permanent death. Thus The Players Guide – 128 pages of new clans, archetypes, skills, abilities and equipment, Learn what it means to be one of the most powerful Elders, with Disciplines far surpassing those of the younger Kindred. Add Merits and Flaws to your character, balancing out mighty new powers with fascinating weaknesses. Learn new techniques for roleplaying in Vampire, written by some of the industries leading designers. Prepare yourself for a whole new role in the immortal Jyhad.
Contents[]
Chapter One: The World of the Kindred[]
An essay on the Kindred and their weaknesses, written from one vampire-hunter (likely an Inquisitor) to another.
Chapter Two: Character Creation[]
Character templates, and Merits and Flaws.
- Templates
- Brujah Rebel
- Gangrel Loner
- Malkavian Meddler
- Skulking Nosferatu
- Toreador Dilettante
- Tremere Occultist
- Ventrue Manipulator
- Merits and Flaws
- Psychological
- Code of Honor (1 pt. Merit)
- Higher Purpose (1 pt. Merit)
- Berserker (2 pt. Merit)
- Dual Nature (2 pt. Merit)
- Intolerance (1 pt. Flaw)
- Over-Confident (1 pt. Flaw)
- Mild Phobia (1 pt. Flaw)
- Prey Exclusion (1 pt. Flaw)
- Speech Impediment (1 pt. Flaw)
- Shy (1 pt. Flaw)
- Compulsion (1 pt. Flaw)
- Soft Hearted (1 pt. Flaw)
- Nightmares (1 pt. Flaw)
- Dark Secret (1 pt. Flaw)
- Low Self-Image (2 pt. Flaw)
- Short Fuse (2 pt. Flaw)
- Vengeance (2 pt. Flaw)
- Hatred (3 pt. Flaw)
- Severe Phobia (3 pt. Flaw)
- Driving Goal (3 pt. Flaw)
- Mental
- Common Sense (1 pt. Merit)
- Time Sense (1 pt. Merit)
- Concentration (1 pt. Merit)
- Lightning Calculator (1 pt. Merit)
- Light Sleeper (2 pt. Merit)
- Eidetic Memory (2 pt. Merit)
- Iron Will (3 pt. Merit)
- Calm Heart (3 pt. Merit)
- Self-Confident (5 pt. Merit)
- Deep Sleeper (1 pt. Flaw)
- Confused (2 pt. Flaw)
- Amnesia (2 pt. Flaw)
- Weak Willed (2 pt. Flaw)
- Absent-minded (3 pt. Flaw)
- Awareness
- Acute Hearing (1 pt. Merit)
- Acute Sense of Smell (1 pt. Merit)
- Acute Sense of Taste (1 pt. Merit)
- Acute Vision (1 pt. Merit)
- Color Blindness (1 pt. Flaw)
- Hard of Hearing (1 pt. Flaw)
- Bad Sight (2 pt. Flaw)
- One Eye (2 pt. Flaw)
- Deaf (4 pt. Flaw)
- Blind (6 pt. Flaw)
- Aptitudes
- Crack Driver (1 pt. Merit)
- Mechanical Aptitude (1 pt. Merit)
- Computer Aptitude (1 pt. Merit)
- Pitiable (1 pt. Merit)
- Eat Food (1 pt. Merit)
- Ambidextrous (1 pt. Merit)
- Natural Linguist (2 pt. Merit)
- Daredevil (3 pt. Merit)
- Fast Learner (3 pt. Merit)
- Illiterate (1 pt. Flaw)
- Inept (5 pt. Flaw)
- Unskilled (5 pt. Flaw)
- Uneducated (5 pt. Flaw)
- Supernatural
- Inoffensive to Animals (1 pt. Merit)
- True Love (1 pt. Merit)
- Danger Sense (2 pt. Merit)
- Clairaudience (2 pt. Merit)
- Faerie Affinity (2 pt. Merit)
- Magic Resistance (2 pt. Merit)
- Occult Library (2 pt. Merit)
- Unbondable (3 pt. Merit)
- Werewolf Companion (3 pt. Merit)
- Luck (3 pt. Merit)
- Spirit Mentor (3 pt. Merit)
- Destiny (4 pt. Merit)
- Charmed Existence (6 pt. Merit)
- Guardian Angel (6 pt. Merit)
- True Faith (7 pt. Merit)
- Cursed (1-5 pt. Flaw)
- Taint of Corruption (1 pt. Flaw)
- Repulsed by Garlic (1 pt. Flaw)
- Magic Susceptibility (2 pt. Flaw)
- Repelled by Crosses (3 pt. Flaw)
- Can't Cross Running Water (3 pt. Flaw)
- Haunted (3 pt. Flaw)
- Dark Fate (5 pt. Flaw)
- Light Sensitive (5 pt. Flaw)
- Kindred Tires
- Special Gift (1-3 pt. Merit)
- Boon (1 -3 pt. Merit)
- Prestigious Sire (1 pt. Merit)
- Reputation (2 pt. Merit)
- Pawn (3 pt. Merit)
- Clan Friendship (3 pt. Merit)
- Enemy (1-5 pt. Flaw)
- Sire's Resentment (1 pt. Flaw)
- Twisted Upbringing (1 pt. Flaw)
- Infamous Sire (1 pt. Flaw)
- Insane Sire (1 pt. Flaw)
- Mistaken Identity (1 pt. Flaw)
- Diabolic Sire (2 pt. Flaw)
- Clan Enmity (2 pt. Flaw)
- Notoriety (3 pt. Flaw)
- Mortal Society
- Mansion (2 pt. Merit)
- Nightclub (2 pt. Merit)
- Media Ties (2 pt. Merit)
- Police Ties (3 pt. Merit)
- Political Ties (3 pt. Merit)
- Underworld Ties (3 pt. Merit)
- Corporate Ties (3 pt. Merit)
- Judicial Ties (2 pt. Merit)
- Church Ties (3 pt. Merit)
- Corporation CEO (5 pt. Merit)
- Anachronism (2 pt. Flaw)
- Ward (3 pt. Flaw)
- Hunted (4 pt. Flaw)
- Physical
- Double-jointed (1 pt. Merit)
- "Baby Face" (2 pt. Merit)
- Misplaced Heart (2 pt. Merit)
- Efficient Digestion (3 pt. Merit)
- Huge Size (4 pt. Merit)
- Allergic (1-3 pt. Flaw)
- Short (1 pt. Flaw)
- Disfigured (2 pt. Flaw)
- Monstrous (2 pt. Flaw)
- Selective Digestion (2 pt. Flaw)
- Permanent Wound (3 pt. Flaw)
- Thin Blooded (3 pt. Flaw)
- Child (3 pt. Flaw)
- Lame (3 pt. Flaw)
- Deformity (3 pt. Flaw)
- One Arm (3 pt. Flaw)
- Mute (4 pt. Flaw)
- Paraplegic (6 pt. Flaw)
- Psychological
Chapter Three: The Expanded Character[]
Secondary Abilities; new Archetypes for characters' Natures and Demeanors; new Thaumaturgical paths and rituals; and Discipline powers of six to ten(!) dots.
- Secondary Abilities
- Talents
- Artistic Expression
- Diplomacy
- Intrigue
- Mimicry
- Poetic Expression
- Search
- Seduction
- Sense Deception
- Scan
- Scrounging
- Singing
- Instruction
- Ventriloquism
- Skills
- Acrobatics
- Animal Training
- Archery
- Artillery
- Blacksmith
- Boat Handling
- Brewing/Distilling
- Bribery
- Camouflage
- Carousing
- Carpentry
- Climbing
- Cooking
- Dancing
- Debate
- Demolitions
- Disguise
- Escapology
- Falconry
- Fast-Draw
- Fast-Talk
- First Aid
- Fishing
- Forgery
- Gambling
- Game Playing
- Gunsmithing
- Haggling
- Heavy Weapons
- Herbalism
- Hunting
- Hypnotism
- Interrogation
- Jeweler
- Journalism
- Leatherworking
- Lip Reading
- Lock Picking
- Martial Arts Weapons
- Masquerade (Vampires Only)
- Mechanic
- Meditation
- Orienteering
- Parachuting
- Photography
- Pickpocket
- Pilot
- Police Procedure
- Pottery
- Psychoanalysis
- Public Speaking
- Research
- Ride
- Scuba
- Sign Language
- Skiing
- Sleight of Hand
- Speed Reading
- Style
- Swimming
- Throwing
- Tracking
- Traps
- Melee
- Knowledges
- Accounting
- Alchemy
- Anthropology
- Area Knowledge
- Archeology
- Architecture
- Art History
- Astrology
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Criminology
- Cryptography
- Demolition
- Economics
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Faerie Lore
- Forensics
- Geology
- Heraldry
- History
- Kindred Lore
- City Secrets
- Literature
- Lupine Lore
- Magus Lore
- Mathematics
- Meteorology
- Naturalist
- Physics
- Spirit Lore
- Theology
- Toxicology
- Talents
- Archetypes
- Autocrat
- Autist
- Avant-Garde
- Competitor
- Confidant
- Critic
- Jobsworth
- Honest-Abe
- Masochist
- Mediator
- Perfectionist
- Poltroon
- Optimist
- Pedagogue
- Penitent
- Praise-Seeker
- Simpleton
- Slob
- Sycophant
Chapter Four: The Clans[]
Expanded information on Status; the social structures of the seven clans of the Camarilla, including the Clan Prestige Background; guidelines for using Prestation and boons; and four new independent clans and one clan-turned-bloodline (the Assamites, Followers of Set, Giovanni, Ravnos, and Salubri), each with their own unique Discipline.
Chapter Five: Roleplaying[]
A collection of essays by Graeme Davis, Stewart Wieck, Josh Timbrook, Daniel Greenberg, Andrew Greenberg, Sam Chupp, and Mark Rein•Hagen.
- Life's Not That Simple by Graeme Davis
- Exploring a Heart of Darkness by Stewart Wieck
- You Played Yourself, Kid by Josh Timbrook
- Backstage at the Theatre of the Mind by Daniel Greenberg
- Tin Wrath by Andrew Greenberg
- The Ancient Art of Roleplaying by Sam Chupp
- A Once Forgotten Dream by Mark Rein•Hagen
Chapter Six: Equipment[]
Expanded rules for firearms, melee weapons, artillery, grenades, high explosives, vehicles, poisons and drugs, computers, haven security, animal ghouls, and other miscellaneous equipment.
- Firearms Chart
- Pet Ghouls
- Dog, Small - Stats
- Dog, Medium - Stats
- Dog, Large - Stats
- House Cat - Stats
- Bobcat - Stats
- Lion - Stats
- Tiger - Stats
- Parrot - Stats
- Hawk - Stats
- Horses - Stats
- Camels - Stats
- Chimpanzee - Stats
- Snakes - Stats
- Spider - Stats
- Ants - Stats
Chapter Seven: Survival of the Fittest[]
A monologue delivered from an older vampire to a younger one, advising the neonate on how to avoid the pitfalls of Kindred existence.
Background Information[]
- The book's dedication is made towards Anne Rice.
Memorable Quotes[]
(...)
Characters[]
- Juggler
- Vladmicov - Ventrue Archon
- Father Alfonso Rialto - Society of Leopold, Vampire Hunter
- Osric - Vampire Character Example
- Galen - Ventrue elder
- Malachaius - Tzimisce Elder
- Nefer-meri-Isis - Ventrue, Inconnu
- Augustus Giovanni - Giovanni
- Sovereign - Ventrue
- Bishop Mark - Sabbat
- Rebekah - Monitor of Chicago, Inconnu
- Wallace - Prince of Birmingham
- Karina - Sabbat Assassin
- Elijah - Gangrel, Inconnu
- Saulot
- Andark - Tremere Chantry Leader
- Clifton - Probationary Sabbat Pack Member
- Khalid
- Hook - Sabbat Scout
- Absolom - Assamite Example
- Mahatma - Monitor of Istanbul, Inconnu
- Set
- Osiris
- Heru-Behutet - Exiled Set
- Lailen - Gangrel
- Mr. Clark Ionesco & Mrs. Ionesco - Ventrue
- Nathan - Brujah
- Gabrial - Nosferatu
- Gordon - Vampire Character example
- Terry - Vampire
- Val - Character example
- Sharon - Character example
- Don - Character example
- Tim - Character example
- Djinn Killer of Ibn Rubiat - Vampire Character Sheet
Terminology[]
Alamut, Ancestors, Animalism, Apprentice of the First Circle, Arcadia, Artistes, Assamite, Auspex, Ball, Beltane, Board, Boon, Broods, Carnivale, Chantry, Children of Osiris, Chimerstry, Circle of Seven Miseries, Clan Prestige, Conclave, Convocations, Council of Seven, Directorate Assemblies, Dominate, Faerie, Fetishes, Followers of Set, Genetive Disorder, Ghost, Ghoul, Giovanni, Grand Ball, Grand Temple of Set, Harpies, Haven, Hosting, Iconoclasts, Idealists, Individualists, Lupine, Magi/Magus, Mystic Tradition, Necromancy, Obeah, Obfuscate, Ordeals, Order of Hermes, Order of Lords, Order of Odin (Mages), Order of Pontifices, Order of Regents, Packs, Phyramid of Power, Poseurs, Presence, Prestige, Protean, Quietus, Rants, Ravnos, Realm, Rite of Prestation, Salubri, Serpentis, Seelie, Society of Leopold, Spirit, Thaumaturgy: Path of Conjuring, Neptune's Might, Spirit Thaumaturgy, Elemental Mastery, Corruption, Thaumaturgy Rituals; Totems, Tribes, True Faith, Unseelie, Werewolf, Witch-Hunter,
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