Combat in Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition

Combat rules matter most when they keep scenes moving. This page focuses on decision points and the system’s core resolution loop.

Copyable facts

7 Camarilla clans: Brujah, Gangrel, Malkavian, Nosferatu, Toreador, Tremere, Ventrue
10 Predator Types: Alleycat, Bagger, Blood Leech, Cleaver, Consensualist, Farmer, Osiris, Sandman, Scene Queen, Siren
Discipline system: In-clan Disciplines cost less XP than out-of-clan
Hunger dice system: Replaces health, can cause messy criticals or bestial failures
Humanity tracking: Starts at 7, decreases with immoral actions
Blood Potency: Increases with age, affects feeding and Discipline power

Roll loop reminder

VTM V5 uses d10 dice pools: roll Attribute + Skill, count successes on 6+, and watch for criticals on 10s. Hunger dice add personal-horror volatility (messy criticals and bestial failures).

Build your pool (Attribute + Skill).
Roll d10s and count successes (6+).
Interpret 10s (critical) and Hunger outcomes (messy critical/bestial failure) as story-forward complications.

Example: If Hunger dice contribute to a critical, the success is messy: you win, but the Beast shows.

Examples

Example: Declare intent, not just an action

Instead of “I attack,” state the goal: “I push them back from the door” or “I buy time for the escape.” This makes outcomes clearer.

Example: End scenes early

Once the winner is clear, wrap it. Don’t grind out the last 10% if it doesn’t change the story.

Common mistakes (smallest fix)

Mistake: Unclear turns and slow decisions. Fix: State intent, pick one action, resolve fast, and move on.
Mistake: Grinding after the outcome is obvious. Fix: End scenes early and narrate the final advantage.

Character creation

Step-by-step checklist.

Cheat sheets

Quick lookup while you play.

Combat in Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition

Key points

Vampire FAQ

Use RPG Stack while you play