Do you want to live out your Buffy The Vampire Slayer daydreams but haven't found the right system yet? Monsterhearts 2 has everything you need to live out your coming-of-age high school adventures, filled with terrifying creatures and classroom drama. Become a literal (and metaphorical) monster as you attempt to make sense of your changing body, try dating, manage friendships, and uncover why you are the way you are.

Do you not know where to start? Let us run through the basics to help you build a new character for your next game. Then once you have a character you are happy with, check out open sessions for Monsterhearts 2 games available on StartPlaying right now!

But before we continue: Monsterhearts 2 is a game that can touch on sensitive topics throughout play. Some of the character Skins (classes) reference emotionally and psychologically distressing themes that others at the table may want to explore or ignore entirely. Make sure to talk without your MC (game master) about what safety tools are available during play. 

HIGH SCHOOL IS HELL

Monsterhearts 2 sets players in the heart of adolescence in the 21st century. Most of your classmates are worried about getting good grades, making new friends, and dealing with bullies. But you are dealing with a dark secret: you are changing in ways your Health teachers never told you about. Something monstrous is growing inside you, and you are not sure how long you can keep it hidden. 

Every player character in Monsterhearts is part human, part monster. We will cover what monsters you can choose in a moment, but we should start with the basics of the game. Each character has four basic stats that help inform their character's decision-making and personality. These stats are:

• Hot: You know you are attractive - lean into it. Bend others to your will.
• Cold: Rip people to shreds with your words and pretend you do not care (even when you do).
• Volatile: Let your body take over- destroy or flee.
• Dark: Use magic and communicate with dark forces beyond your world.

When you choose your Skin, you will have two stat spread options that you can choose from. These stat modifiers include a +2, +1, and two -1 bonuses. Place them carefully, or you will be caught on your back foot. 

Since Monsterhearts 2 uses the Powered By The Apocalypse system, every action you take will use one of your Moves. There are six general Moves that all player characters have access to, plus additional Moves that each Skin grants you. Each Move uses one of the four stats above, letting you add your bonus to the check. The six general Moves are: 

• Turn Someone On (Key Stat - Hot): Seduce and/or talk your way through any situation. Why not get business done while still having some fun?
• Shut Someone Down (Key Stat - Cold): Is someone acting like a jerk? Break them down. Do not waste your time with needless drama. 
• Keep Your Cool (Key Stat - Cold): Chill out, calm down- do not overreact in the wrong situation. That could have dire consequences. 
• Lash Out Physically (Key Stat - Volatile): Sometimes the only way is through- punch, kick, and claw your way to victory. 
• Run Away (Key Stat - Volatile): Escape, flee, and outrun. Some monsters are best to avoid entirely. 
• Gaze Into The Abyss (Key Stat - Dark): Magic beyond the veil is incomprehensible as it is chaotic. Stare directly at it in an attempt to control it.

Use these general Moves and your Skin Moves to take action against the world. But if things start to go bad, you can always pull some Strings.

Strings are an important mechanic in Monsterhearts 2. Strings represent social ties that you can manipulate to get what you want. You can use them to convince a character to do something you want, get a bonus to Move checks against them, and even increase the amount of Harm you deal to them during combat. You can gain Strings on others by using the Turn Someone On and Shut Someone Down Moves, or using different Skin abilities. But be warned - if you Lash Out Physically or a character uses their abilities on you, there is a chance you may turn from puppeteer to puppet. 

But sometimes pulling a String is not enough. Sometimes, things just get worse. Each Skin has a trigger that causes them to become their Darkest Self. Your Darkest Self is when your monstrous nature is revealed, both literally and emotionally. Depending on what monster you are, you will have a special goal to return to your original collected self. Get a hold of yourself quickly, or who knows who you might hurt. 

THE SKIN YOU'RE IN

Each character has access to a Skin which dictates the kinds of powers you have access to. Different skins grant you different stat bonuses and powers, so review your options if you have a character in mind. 

The Skins are:

• The Fae: You are as alluring as you are dangerous. Promises are important to you and should never be betrayed. People know not to cross you- otherwise, they may find their fortunes quickly dashed. 
• The Ghost: Odd, invisible, and off-putting, you are a creature that needs constant validation. You observe life from the outside in. You are willing to do anything for someone to see you- even if it might put others in danger. 
• The Ghoul: You died a while back. Then you came back… different. You are emotionally distant and voraciously hungry. Whether it be flesh or emotions, you will eat anything or anyone. 
• The Hollow: You do not technically exist- not in a literal way. You have no parents and no real connection to the world. You just appeared one day from nothing. You have no memories and nowhere to go. Is this a blessing or a curse?
• The Infernal: Once, you were at the bottom of the high school food chain. Then you made a deal with something you should not have. Now you are popular, an A+ student, and the captain of the football team. But there is always a price to a bargain- you should have read the fine print. 
• The Mortal: You are not a monster yourself, but you are in a relationship with one. Let your friends call you co-dependent or obsessive- your love is pure and true. Your partner could never do wrong… could they?
• The Queen: You run this high school. The hierarchy bends to your will- freshmen worship you, seniors fear you. You decide who becomes the freaks and who becomes the popular kids. Just be careful who you welcome into the fold. With power like this, who knows who will stab you in the back?
• The Vampire: No one has figured out what a monster you are deep down. People are blinded by your beauty, your grace. But hidden away, you can bend others' will to your desires. What will you do with that power?
• The Werewolf: You are not one to be held down. You need to lash out, to smash things when the world gets too loud. If things are too overwhelming, why not break some people too? They would not be able to stop you. 
• The Witch: Do you need someone out of your way? Hexes, blessings, curses, you got them all. The darkness beyond will happily take another subject. But be careful if word gets out- who knows who might be interested in the dark matters you toy with. 

As your character advances throughout the story and the seasons of gameplay continue, you will be able to gain new Moves, adjust your stats, and gain new abilities. Follow the instructions on your Skin sheet to choose additional Moves to add some unique gameplay experiences.

None of these Skins match up with your character concept? Do some digging online - homebrew Skins are everywhere, and the Monsterhearts team has made new Skins for players to use on their site. 

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Once you have your Skin chosen, your stats set, and your abilities set, you are ready to go! Check out the available Monsterhearts 2 sessions on StartPlaying now to get started playing!