How do you play Vampire: The Masquerade?

Vampire is like many other TTRPGs in that it begins with a Game Master, called a Storyteller, setting the scene. The Storyteller comes up with the premise, narrates the action as it unfolds, and acts out any non-player characters. Before they can tell the story, however, the stage needs players. 

Players create their characters from the rich lore of Vampire. The game is currently on its 5th Edition and every previous edition has history that connects to this latest one. Players don’t need to know everything, but they will need to make their characters based on a series of Sects, Clans, and Bloodlines. Some of these options provide details to the story, such as how the character relates to their family and how much power they have in vampire society. Other options give characters their unique abilities. 

All vampires must heed the Masquerade, a sort of internal law that dictates vampires must not reveal their nature to the outside world. Many stories revolve around different vampires’ feelings about the Masquerade and players’ attempts to stay hidden as they pursue their goals. While doing this, the players must also control their hunger and keep their Humanity. Blood fuels the supernatural vampire powers, but being too vampiric can cause one to lose all their Humanity and go feral. Because of this, the game is very roleplay heavy. Players who enjoy digging deep into their character’s motives and acting out their changing emotional state over time tend to gravitate towards Vampire: The Masquerade.

How to Play Vampire: The Masquerade Online

It’s great to play a tabletop RPG at a table with friends, but not everyone has that option. Fortunately, you don’t actually need a table to play TTRPGs! Thanks to video chat programs like Zoom and Discord, you can play TTRPGs with people all over the world. Just grab some dice, find a Storyteller, create a character together, and you can participate in “theater of the mind” games where everything runs on imagination.  

If you need a visual component, you can use a virtual tabletop, also called a VTT. A VTT is an online platform where the Storyteller can show art and play music to set the scene, and players can maintain digital character sheets that help them keep track of the rules. Many popular VTTs like Roll20 and Foundry have convenient built-in tools for Vampire: The Masquerade rules. The right Storyteller can use these tools to make learning and playing Vampire: The Masquerade a fun and easy process. 

How to Find a Vampire: The Masquerade Group

Vampire: The Masquerade can be an emotionally charged game, so you’ll need to find the right people to play with. You can ask your local game store if they have open tables or some kind of “Learn to Play” night. Online RPG communities like Reddit or Discord have “Looking for Group” (LFG) channels where people post open games. There’s also active forums connected to VTTs like Foundry or Roll20. Here at StartPlaying, we have an intuitive, powerful tool for browsing open games that fit your schedule and experience level. Finally, if you have a group of friends willing to learn, you can all play and pick it up as you go. You will need someone to step up and be the Storyteller.

Why Hire A Professional Game Master for Vampire: The Masquerade?

The role of Storyteller in Vampire can be a heavy one. They must prepare a story that takes advantage of the darker elements of the genre, as that’s why a lot of people play. However, they need to do so in a way that respects everyone’s boundaries and doesn’t get edgy for the sake of being edgy. A professional Storyteller is one who has mastered that balance. These Storytellers will establish limits before the game starts so that everyone feels safe. Many also run beginner-friendly games so that you can learn the rules in a welcoming environment. If you want the best, safest experience you can have with Vampire: The Masquerade, go with a professional Game Master.