Abilities (3)

Learn about the core abilities in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, including Brawl, Firearms, Melee, and more. Understand how skills and disciplines work.

This guide details the core abilities in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. Abilities are influenced by character creation choices, skill books found throughout the game, and certain NPC interactions.

The following symbols indicate how an ability can be improved:

• N = NPC (free dot given in dialogue)
• K = Skill Book
• ▓ = Point which can be taken in character creation

Abilities Overview

Here's a breakdown of the primary abilities and their potential improvements:

• Brawl: ▓NKK
• Firearms: KKN--
• Computer: K--K
• Dodge: KK--K
• Melee: -NKKK
• Finance: -NKK-
• Intimidation: ▓▓KK-
• Security: ▓KK-
• Investigation: -NKK-
• Subterfuge: KK---
• Stealth: KK---
• Scholarship: ▓▓N--

Tutorial Walkthrough

After character creation, you'll meet Jack, who offers a tutorial. Choosing "Just give me the basics" skips valuable XP and a lockpick. It's recommended to complete the tutorial for these benefits.

Tutorial Steps:

1. Follow Jack's instructions. Feed on the first person without killing them (stop by pressing any key).
2. Lockpick the door and retrieve the key from the safe. The computer password is on a nearby paper, or you can hack the computer (Ctrl+C) to open the safe. Both lockpick and hacking attempts require a skill level of 1, ensuring success regardless of your stats.
3. Sneak past an enemy by crouching and using shadows. An explosion will distract the enemy, allowing you to proceed through the door. Stealth in this game relies more on distance than light levels. You can jump while crouching to maintain stealth and access tight spaces.
4. Kill an enemy. A stealth kill is possible if you approach from behind with a sufficient radius and a melee weapon equipped (unarmed counts).
5. In subsequent rooms, practice another stealth kill, use disciplines, and a firearm.
6. The final room involves combat against humans. You can feed on them to regain blood lost from using disciplines without humanity loss, as this is a combat area where feed-kills are permitted.
7. Speak to Jack one last time.

Santa Monica Exploration

Upon starting in your apartment, interact with your desk to read the "Regent's Riddle" for XP. Collect the Money Envelope, blood bags from the fridge, and items from the bathroom (Pill Bottle, Normal Watch) which can be sold for money. Selling all guns can maximize income, as you'll receive new guns to sell instead of ammo.

Unarmed combat is strongest in Santa Monica. The shotgun is the only other recommended weapon until Downtown. Your computer contains an email with quests and the password "sunrise" is on a nearby paper.

Outside, you can give a dollar to a beggar if you have the Money Envelope. This interaction introduces the game's moral ambiguity.