The first “clan” we get to play in Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 is here as we will be starting as a Thinblood in Bloodlines 2
Here we go with the first clan introduction for Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 and this one… is not truly a clan. Fans of the tabletop version of the game can see where I am going with this but for the rest out there, we are looking at the Thinbloods in the game. A more modern style vampire that is missing all of the fun and ancient parts of all of the other clans but still a vampire. It is something new to look at from Hardsuit Labs for Bloodlines 2 though, so we will at least take that. More so as it looks like this will be the clan we start with in the game and will be able to progress with. Calm down before you get too upset by getting forced into this you hardcore fans.
While we will be starting out as a Thinblood in Bloodlines 2, we will be able to progress into any of the other clans in the game. There will be five at launch with plans to get at least the thirteen major ones in there. My guess is that we will be forced to do a “bad thing” in the story and that will force us to join in on one of these other clans as it is alluded to in the books, but we will have to wait and see. At the very least, we get to see just how this Thinblood in Bloodlines 2 will be holding the traditional weird powers that they are known to have. They actually have three distinct powers that fans of the franchise will see as lesser versions of the more powerful disciplines.
As a Thinblood in Bloodlines 2, we will have the powers of Chiropteran, Mentalism, and Nebulation. Rather, the ability to control bats and use their abilities, move things with our minds, and control clouds of fog respectively. Something along the line of Animalism, Movement Of The Mind, and one specific power of Protean for those up on their lore. I get what they are going for here, but it almost feels like they should have just gone with a full clan based on this. We are still early on, so maybe it will make sense. For now, I will just be a bit puzzled and take the very, very small bit we have here as well as the gameplay hidden deep.
Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 — Clan Introduction — Thinbloods
Paradox Interactive today revealed additional details about the background and disciplines for Thinbloods found in Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2. Players begin the game as a newly embraced Thinblood, a second-class group of vampires with abilities weaker than those from one of the great clans. As the story progresses, players will eventually join one of the five full-blooded Kindred clans, each of which will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Thinbloods are a recent, weaker strain of vampire who faces a constant struggle to survive in the World of Darkness. While they are often treated as second-class citizens by full-blood Kindred, Seattle’s leadership has been uncharacteristically tolerant of Thinbloods. As Seattle has only relatively recently come under Camarilla control, it remains a city of opportunity where Thinbloods can navigate their way into the higher circles of vampire society; however, they are rarely shown the same respect or legal standing that full-blood clan members enjoy.
At the beginning of Bloodlines 2 players choose one of three Thinblood disciplines, Chiropteran, Mentalism, or Nebulation. These Thinblood disciplines were adapted for Bloodlines 2 from the pen and paper tabletop RPG and grant unique combat and traversal abilities that can be upgraded throughout the game to enhance effectiveness or add special effects.
Each of the Thinblood disciplines and their progression are detailed below:
Chiropteran — Strong affinity for bats, allowing vampires to move through the air and summon swarms.
- Glide — first active power. Glide greatly lowers the weight of the vampire’s skeleton and muscle mass to allow them to briefly float, reaching otherwise inaccessible areas, swoop down on NPCs to knock them down, or rain down other Disciplines from afar.
- Bat Swarm — second active power. The vampire can summon a small swarm of bats to attack a target NPC, temporarily disabling them and dealing low damage. This power can be upgraded until a true Maelstrom of leathery wings surrounds the vampire, harrying and damaging those who come too close.
Mentalism — Use telekinesis to manipulate objects and even pull weapons from enemy hands.
- Pull — first active power. Manipulate inanimate objects using telekinesis, even weapons held by NPCs.
- Levitate — second active power. Suspends a living NPC in the air. Its strength can be enhanced until the vampire can levitate everyone and everything in an area, and throw suspended enemies around like ragdolls.
Nebulation — Allows the vampire to summon and command mist.
- Mist Shroud — first active power. Summon a shroud of mist that surrounds the player for a short period. The shroud muffles the sound of footsteps and reduces the range at which the player can be seen. In addition, the player may partially transform into a cloud of mist to perform a choking attack on an NPC or travel through a tight space, like a ventilation fan or duct.
- Envelop — second active power. Create a stationary, swirling cloud of mist on a target that surrounds, blinds and forcefully enters the lungs of NPCs that it touches.
Like Thinbloods, each of the five full-blood clans has their own unique abilities, upgrades, and more, giving players new ways to experience the darkness that lurks in Seattle.
Are you kind of surprised that they went with a Thinblood for Bloodlines 2 or were you hoping for the robust creation currently in Bloodlines? Are you curious to see why these were the powers given out at first and not the other core basics in the books? Do you think we will become a true member of a clan through the vilest of crimes or will it be some other convoluted mystical thing that drives it? Let us all know down in the comments and then feel free to discuss. For more on Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2, be sure to keep checking in here. We will keep our coverage rolling as best we can.