by Cain.rpgorg in Oct 01,2011

After twenty years from the first Vampire rulebook, White Wolf surprised us with Vampire: The Masquerade – 20th Anniversary Edition. I'm quite sure, that it will please old fans, as any "new blood" looking for a complete and excellent rulebook to play vampires in the popular World of Darkness setting.

Exploding into hobby games in 1991, it evoked and inspired a generation of fans of which the game industry had never seen before or since.  It all started with one RPG. The cultural significance Vampire left on not just the gaming world but on modern vampire-related pop culture can be seen and felt at virtually every turn and in every medium today. Vampire: The Masquerade – 20th Anniversary Edition brings the entire World of Darkness experience full circle and brings a new life into the original Masquerade.

If you look at the book, the first thing you will recognize is its enormous size. With 529 pages, full rules and background information on every aspect of the game and on the Vampire: The Masquerade the book really delivers what White Wolf promised to us.

So, what's in the book ?

You could find almost every clan, clan variant and bloodline ever appeared in Vampire: The Masquerade, the only exceptions are the Kindred of the East, Kindred of the Ebony Kingdom and the retconned Gaki and Bushi Bloodlines. The book mainly focuses on the original 13 clans, with fewer mentions to things like the True black Hand.  Also, all the disciplines are included with most of the Necromancy and Thaumaturgy paths and blood magic.

In the rules section not much happened. Some minor changes here and there, but overall it's the same old system we know. however if you look at the artworks you will find more change : to the old black&white pictures many new, goo quality full-color artwork were joined. I think it's a great addition.

We have a ton of information, and options to shape our own Vampire: The Masquerade experience, from dead Bloodlines, Dementation and Dominate Malkavians, to the "what if" scenario if Gangrel deflected the Camarilla. Basically the only thing I miss from the book is the iconic red rose from the front cover.

The main clans and the variants are in different chapters, which is the same for the disciplines as well. So if you are looking for some exotic knowledge, forget the Disciplines chapter.

Overall I'm really impressed with Vampire: The Masquerade – 20th Anniversary Edition, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to all vampire fans out there.

For more information you could visit the official site : http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/

I hope you enjoyed our little venture to the world of Darkness !

Good gaming !

Zoltán "Cain" Mészáros

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