Vampires in Vampire: The Masquerade live inside the World of Darkness, a dark world with conspiracies and various secrets. Moreover, Kindred share this TTRPG universe with Werewolves, Mages, Hunters, and other supernatural creatures. Unfortunately, Vampires need to worry about the threats of both these supernatural creatures and their own fractured Kindred society. After all, all Masquerade media (including game adaptations such as Bloodlines 2) separate Vampires within Clans, each with their own history and special gifts called Disciplines.
Interestingly, TTRPG fans planning to play a Masquerade game need to choose their Clan choice carefully. After all, their Clan decides the kind of “upbringing” their Vampire would have as soon as they enter Kindred society. Thankfully, some newcomers might want to stick with some Clans known to acquaint new Kindred easily among their ranks. Likewise, they might want to stay clear from some Clans with rather complex narratives.
The Brujah descended from Vampires known for keen ferocity and discipline – turning them into warrior-kings of ages past. Despite being one of the main Clans of the Camarilla Sect, the Brujah in V5 left them for the Anarch Movement, possibly a reflection of their inner fires to bring back glory to the Clan once more. New Brujah often get grouped with the rebellious Iconoclasts, while Clan leadership often rested on the calmer Idealists.
TTRPG newcomers might appreciate trying the Brujah for their overall balance in powers. Brujah possess the Disciplines of Celerity and Potence, highlighting sheer speed and strength that make them suitable for battle. Meanwhile, they also come gifted with Presence, enabling the Brujah to bolster their power of conversation and attraction, perfect for roleplaying.
9 Skip: Malkavian
Despite eons’ worth of conflict, Vampires across all Sects agree with one thing: the Malkavian are nucking futs. Among all the Cainites, the Malkavian have become the unfortunate receivers of Caine’s curse of derangement. Despite these circumstances, Malkavian come gifted with supreme senses via Auspex, the ability to hide their presence via Obfuscate, and impose their will on others via Dominate.
Interestingly, playing a Malkavian in any setting can become extremely fun. Players and Storytellers can work on revealing unique insights that only the Malkavian can understand. Unfortunately, playing a Malkavian can be overwhelming for new players. After all, they deliberately have to make unique viewpoints towards an already-deep World of Darkness.
8 Try: Gangrel
Instead of roaming streets, Gangrel commonly roam the wilderness. As a result, they remain in touch with a Vampire’s base animalistic instincts, being the Clan capable of the closest thing there is to “controlling” the terrifying Beast. Gangrel who hone their skills can tap into the Discipline of Fortitude, giving them incredible durability. Meanwhile, their connection with nature reflects in their Disciplines of Animalism and Protean, allowing Gangrel to communicate and control animals, as well as literally unleash their animalistic sides.
It’s thanks to their isolated nature that make Gangrel perfect for TTRPG beginners. In Gangrel society, older Vampires don’t immediately “teach” their Gangrel children. Moreover, Gangrel are only deemed “worthy” of training should they survive their first nights alone. In turn, Gangrel players are in a perfect position to be “strangers” to the world they’re living in while remaining deadly thanks to their need to adapt to survive.
7 Skip: Tremere
Unlike other Cainites, the Tremere originiated as House Tremere within the order of Mages. Thanks to a ritual, the Tremere discarded their magical abilities in order to become vampires. However, what magic they have lost they regained in the form of Blood Sorcery, a terrifying Discipline that allows them to manipulate the very nature of Vitae – or blood – itself. Aside from these, Tremere have remarkable senses via Auspex, and impose their will via Dominate.
While it’s extremely alluring to control a Vampire blood mage, the Tremere can be complicated to play courtesy of Blood Sorcery. In V5, Blood Sorcery has a lot of branches, each with their own set of spells and intricate Rituals. In turn, perhaps the more thematic Obfuscate might serve the purposes of a newbie playing a Vampire mage.
6 Try: Hecata
Unlike the “familial” Clan, Hecata is made up of various Clans with their own agenda and interests, save for a unified fascination with necromancy. In turn, they shine with the Discipline of Oblivion that allows them to control shadows and otherworldly magic. Moreover, Hecata have access to supernatural senses with Auspex and durability with Fortitude.
Interestingly, new players who want to play a Vampire without any strict ties to a large group might appreciate being in Hecata. After all, they will most likely explore the dynamics of society outside the conventions of Kindred organizations, which can provide a fresh look into the World of Darkness. In turn, Hecata works well with players who love roleplaying but don’t want to deep-dive into Masquerade lore.
5 Skip: Tzimisce
Whereas the Tremere specialize in blood magic, the Tzimisce specialize in flesh-shaping. Among the Sabbat, the Tzimisce spark fear due to their obsession of “transcending” both humanity and Vampirism. They primarily do this via Protean and Animalism, Disciplines they have mastered that they can tap into forms never-been-imagined. Likewise, their Discipline of Domination make them terrifying opponents.
Unfortunately, Tzimisce might overwhelm new players due to the sheer demand on creativity. Unlike other Clans, Tzimisce have unique relationships with other Clans, especially coming from the Sabbat, the Sect that highly-opposes the traditional Camarilla.
4 Try: Ventrue
As one of the founders of the Camarilla Sect, the Ventrue have continuously proven their royal bloodline. In fact, a Ventrue has inherited Caine’s pride that they suffer arrogance and the compulsion to only gain satisfaction from drinking the blood of a particular type of person. Outside these, the Ventrue has a commanding charm via Presence, the willpower to command via Dominate, and the body of power via Fortitude.
Players who want to immediately immerse in Masquerade‘s inter-Clan politicks will appreciate the Ventrue’s status of royalty. Moreover, unlike other powerful Vampire Clans, Storytellers can easily shuffle in an excuse to go lightly on new Ventrue players, courtesy of their membership within the highest parts of the Camarilla echelon.
3 Skip: Lasombra
The Lasombra originally served as the Sabbat counterpart of the Ventrue, ruling the Sect with an iron fist. In V5, some Lasombra have joined the ranks of the Camarilla, forming a unique relationship between the two factions. Lasombra specialize in manipulating the shadows via Oblivion. However, they showcase both remarkable strength with Potence, and sheer willpower via Dominate.
Unfortunately, players might want to try out Ventrue first before getting into Lasombra. Despite being highly-conversational (and even political) Clans, the Lasombra’s brutal and rigid upbringing can be hard to roleplay for newcomers who naturally need new information a Lasombra should “already know.”
2 Try: Toreador
The Toreador make seduction and sensation into art. As a result, Toreador often come in the form of artists or people of extreme passions, with their vampirism taking them to greater heights. These socialites use their unique take on Presence to allure NPCs into doing their bidding. Likewise, they possess the uncanny ability of peering into the veil of the supernatural via Auspex, and uncanny nimbleness with Celerity.
TTRPG newcomers with a knack for talking would love the Toreador. Whereas others might expect Brujah to punch someone, the Toreador almost never fails to defuse a tricky situation. Like the Brujah, a Toreador’s abilities remain extremely balanced. In turn, their Celerity can get them out of trouble, while Auspex and Presence improves their performance in roleplaying.
1 Skip: Nosferatu
Unfortunately, Nosferatu suffer from having hideous physical appearances after their Kiss. In fact, this “hideousness” grows into a deep complex, making Nosferatu have unique takes on anything about appearances. They come gifted with Obfuscate, allowing them to hide their presence. Moreover, they have extreme ferocity with Potence, and can tap into their animalistic side with Animalism.
Sadly, playing a Nosferatu can be tricky in most World of Darkness settings, as Nosferatu might have a harder time socializing with others. For newcomers, they may need to get acquainted with the tricky puzzle of socializing with various Kindred in power. Once they do, they can probably play an excellent Nosferatu who can navigate the same webs from their own hidden networks.
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