What is Vampire: The Masquerade?

Vampire: The Masquerade (VtM) is a tabletop RPG of gothic-punk personal horror, first published by White Wolf in 1991. Players take on the roles of vampires — called “Kindred” — struggling to maintain their humanity while feeding on mortals and navigating the treacherous politics of vampire society.

Set in the World of Darkness — a darker mirror of our own world — VtM blends political intrigue, personal horror, and urban gothic atmosphere. The 5th Edition (2018) modernized the rules while doubling down on the themes of power, hunger, and moral decay.

The Hunger

At the heart of VtM is the Beast — the primal, predatory urge that lives inside every vampire. Mechanically, this is represented by the Hunger system. Instead of tracking blood points, 5e uses Hunger dice that replace regular dice in your pool. The higher your Hunger, the more likely something will go horribly wrong.

When a vampire feeds, they temporarily sate the Beast. When they’re hungry, the Beast takes over — triggering Frenzy checks whenever something provokes them. Will you attack that mortal who cut you off in traffic? Roll to find out.

Why Play Vampire?

• Deep roleplaying: VtM is one of the most character-driven RPGs ever made. Your clan, your convictions, your relationships — they all matter more than your stats.
• Political intrigue: Vampire society is a web of alliances, betrayals, and ancient grudges. The Camarilla, the Anarchs, the Sabbat — each faction has its own agenda.
• Moral complexity: You’re a monster. How much of your humanity will you cling to? The Humanity system tracks your moral decay as you commit increasingly horrific acts.
• Urban gothic atmosphere: Rain-slicked streets, neon lights, abandoned warehouses, and centuries-old vampires in tailored suits. The aesthetic is unmatched.

Core Mechanics

VtM 5e uses a dice pool system: you roll a number of d10s equal to an Attribute + a Skill. Every die that shows 8, 9, or 10 is a success. The more successes, the better the outcome. Hunger dice in your pool can lead to messy criticals — spectacular successes with horrific side effects.

Combat exists but isn’t the focus. Most conflicts in VtM are social, political, or internal. The real battles are fought with words, manipulation, and the occasional display of supernatural power.

The Clans

There are 13 core clans in VtM, each with unique Disciplines (vampire powers), strengths, and flaws. Ventrue are blue-blooded leaders. Brujah are passionate rebels. Toreador are art-obsessed aesthetes. Nosferatu are hideous information brokers. Malkavian are insane oracles. Your clan defines who you are — and who you can never escape being.

What You Need to Play

• Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition Core Rulebook ($40-50)
• d10s — About 10-15 ten-sided dice per player
• Character sheet — Included in the book, also free online
• A Storyteller — The GM in World of Darkness games
• Ancotment: “Fall of London” or “New York by Night” are excellent 5e starting points