Abilities (3)

Learn about the different abilities in Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, including how to improve them with skill books and NPC interactions.

This guide details the abilities available in Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines. Abilities can be improved through skill books (K), NPC interactions (N), and character creation choices (▓).

Abilities:

• Brawl
• Firearms
• Computer
• Dodge
• Melee
• Finance
• Intimidation
• Security
• Investigation
• Subterfuge
• Stealth
• Scholarship

Key:

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

Tutorial Walkthrough:

1. Follow Jack's instructions. Feed on the first person without killing them (press any key during feeding to stop).
2. Lockpick the door and retrieve the key from the safe. The password for the computer is on a nearby paper, or you can hack it (Ctrl+C) to open the safe. Both lockpick and hacking require 1 point.
3. Sneak past an enemy by crouching and moving in shadows. An explosion will distract the enemy, allowing you to proceed through the door. Note that distance from enemies is more important for stealth than lighting. You can jump while crouching to maintain stealth and fit into tight spaces.
4. Perform a stealth kill on the next enemy. You must have a melee weapon equipped (including unarmed) for a stealth kill.
5. In the subsequent rooms, you will practice using disciplines and a gun.
6. In the final room, you will fight several enemies. These are humans, so you can feed on them to regain blood used for disciplines. This is a combat area, so feeding to kill will not result in humanity loss.

Santa Monica Area:

You begin in your apartment. Interact with your desk to read the Regent's Riddle (earning experience points). Collect the Money Envelope from your drawer, blood bags from your fridge, and the Pill Bottle from the bathroom cabinet. A Normal Watch can be found next to the toilet. Items like pill bottles, watches, jewelry, and car stereos can be sold for money. It is advisable to sell all guns you find to maximize income, as enemies will drop more sellable guns instead of ammo. Unarmed combat is the strongest in Santa Monica; the shotgun is the only other recommended weapon until Downtown. Your computer will display emails with quests, and a password ('sunrise') is on a paper next to it.

Outside, speak to the beggar. If you have the Money Envelope, you can give him a dollar, which introduces the game's moral ambiguity.