It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)Question for Vampire the Masquerade / cWoD fans(10 posts)solved(10 posts)solved
(10 posts)solved
Pages:
1
This is my favourite topic
Posted July 07, 2012
(this is going to be the last RPG thread I post, really! Well, for now at least)

I'm thinking of starting my entry into VtM by getting the Vampire the Masquerade 20th Anniversary core rulebook - other than Bloodlines, I know next to nothing about VtM, or cWoD for that matter. Just wondering if that's actually sufficient to get a good game going, or should I pick up the clan sourcebooks and other supplements as well? Any suggestions for a budding Storyteller?

Also, will gaming aids help to make the entry easier for newbie friends, or are pencil and paper alone fine?

-edit- Someone in Singapore's selling the Revised edition for SGD20 (~USD15). Good buy, or should I just splurge $100 on the hardcover, coloured print of the V20?
Post edited July 07, 2012 by lowyhong
This question / problem has been solved by Lhugimage
Posted July 07, 2012
Hi mate looking at the PDF here it seems to add all you would need to make a game

it is quite a large book covering all the basic rules and plenty of character options not to mention setting detail and advice on storytelling telling

info on none vampires as is not huge but looks to workable
myself i have never been impressed with the clan books apart from the fact they are very pretty

from memory of owning the older editions if you are going for a cheaper price point the used manual will have all you need, but I think less clans and disciplines

so my advice it depends how keen you are to get into the game but I would start with just a core book

the anniversary edition does seem a lot more comprehensive you could also look at getting the pdf

Well hope you have fun with the game and if you do you can always add new books to your collection
Posted July 07, 2012
avatar
meowstef:
Cool thanks. I think I will pick up the Revised edition first. Any other good reading from the Masquerade series that you'll recommend?

Looking through the free quickstart guide on DrivethruRPG, I really, really like the ruleset and setting. A lot. It is very compact and streamlined, but it puts a lot of emphasis on the storytelling aspect. Seems to be more dorky in comparison to, say, the Savage Worlds system, meaning it's going to be harder for me to get like-minded people to play (locally, at least), but there's a lot of effort put into the lore, and I think it's going to be quite fun when the politics start to roll.

That said, I'm wondering if people who play VtM actually use any gaming aids, like miniatures and architecture? Or is it just character sheet and pencil in front of you? Though I've never GMed before, I don't mind just sitting there and relating the story, but most people I know won't have the patience for this.
Posted July 07, 2012
You will be able to get pretty far with just the core rulebook. One thing worth picking up might be the players guide, it is quite nice & well done, but not mandatory. Most of the "basic" oWoD (old world of darkness) stuff, like clan books & setting books are well written and interesting to read, but they don't force anything upon you by selling you an incomplete core rulebook. Guide to the Camarilla is probably a more useful book than any individual clan book.
avatar
lowyhong: That said, I'm wondering if people who play VtM actually use any gaming aids, like miniatures and architecture? Or is it just character sheet and pencil in front of you? Though I've never GMed before, I don't mind just sitting there and relating the story, but most people I know won't have the patience for this.
Vampire is a very conversation focused game (or at least that is how i "feel" that it is meant to be played, in the end it is all up to the GM), so miniatures and such are not really needed. I'm to be frank not a fan of it for most other pen & paper RPGs either, as I find miniatures & such to often distract people from actual roleplaying, and instead people start treating the game more like a regular board game.
Post edited July 07, 2012 by AFnord
Posted July 08, 2012
Thanks. Besides Guide to the Camarilla, is there anything else you recommend? What about the Storyteller Companion or Storytellers Handbook?
Post edited July 08, 2012 by lowyhong
Posted July 08, 2012
As a Storyteller on VtM, VDA, KotE and sometimes WtA, I always recommend the following for a set:

Core Rulebook (obviously...)
Both Companions (Player and ST, simply for diversity and the fact that your players can get at least SOME checks on you)

Concerning rulebooks, that's it. Unless you want to contradict, ignore, whatever, the "golden rule", stating "make up your own stuff".

For a good storytelling experience, prepare! Use maps to know where what is, if you cannot remember political connections, make flowcharts, and for gods sake, make sure you have a plan of a battle scene, even if it is just in your mind.

Duels or Gang-on-One are quite easy to manage, but try group-on-group action without positioning. So, I actually prefer miniatures - mostly I use those I already own, like the soldiers from Risk, oder zombies! or whatever comes to mind - it's just important that everyone knows which marker he has.

Everything else is paraphernalia. MEaning atmosphere - candles, skull mugs, you get the idea.

But, if you really want more rulebooks, I can just give you hints on what NEVER to show (or allow) any player.
Posted July 08, 2012
avatar
lowyhong: Thanks. Besides Guide to the Camarilla, is there anything else you recommend? What about the Storyteller Companion or Storytellers Handbook?
Not used any GM-aid books myself for oWoD, but they are supposed to be pretty good. Also, as the oWoD setting has more than just vampires, you might want to look into Werewolf, Hunter & Mage at some point, just to get their side of the story. Wraith, Changeling, Demon & Mummy never felt all that interesting though (in my opinion, Changeling has a bit of a fan following).
Posted July 08, 2012
avatar
Lhug: Core Rulebook (obviously...)
Both Companions (Player and ST, simply for diversity and the fact that your players can get at least SOME checks on you)
I just read that the companions are meant to supplement the revised edition. If I get V20, do I still need the companions?
Posted July 09, 2012
Technically, you don't need any supplements when using V20.
There may even be contradictions from V20 to the old books, but seeing as I never actually read V20 myself, I cannot say for sure.

Best would be, if you already have V20 that is, to just compare with the old companion books and see if there's anything new.

Personally, I'd still use both companions - simply for the fact of being able to quickly look up things in the storytellers and to give the players something they can read without getting to know too much background info ;)
Posted July 09, 2012
Thanks a lot for the info, buddy!
Pages:
1
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)Question for Vampire the Masquerade / cWoD fans(10 posts)solved(10 posts)solved
(10 posts)solved