Occult (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)
Definition
Occult is knowledge of the supernatural: vampires, werewolves, ghosts, Kindred history and scripture, ritual traditions, and the enormous mass of human occult writing that is mostly wrong. Sorting the useful tenth from the rest is the skill. Every vampire needs some of it, because a newly Embraced character knows nothing about what they now are. Occult is what tells you why your clan bane works, what the Beckoning means for the elders leaving your city, and whether the thing in the woods is a Gangrel or something that will kill a coterie without noticing. For Tremere and other Blood Sorcery users it is not optional at all.
How it works
Tips
Frequently asked questions
Does Occult let me cast Blood Sorcery?
No. Casting requires the Discipline. Occult is what identifies rituals, judges whether a source is genuine, and tells you what a working is likely to demand.
How much do Kindred know about themselves?
Less than you would expect. Clan histories contradict each other, scripture is disputed, and a high Occult rating mostly buys you better-informed uncertainty.
Will Occult tell me about werewolves?
Yes, with a specialty, and it may save your unlife. Knowing when to leave a territory is the most valuable thing the skill provides in most chronicles.