Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition clan
Gangrel
Gangrel is a clan in Vampire V5: The wild loners and survivors, now aligned with the Anarchs.
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Key facts
- Disciplines
- animalism, fortitude, protean
Overview
Gangrel are the feral survivors who, in V5, walked out of the Camarilla and mostly run with the Anarchs, known for their independence, animalistic nature, and connection to the wild. They are often loners who prefer the wilderness to cities, though many adapt to urban environments. Gangrel value survival above all else and are distrustful of authority and politics. Gangrel characters excel at survival, tracking, and combat. Their Disciplines (Animalism, Fortitude, and Protean) make them incredibly resilient and adaptable. They can communicate with animals, transform their bodies, and withstand incredible damage. However, their clan bane (the Beast) makes them more animalistic, causing them to gain animal features over time.
How it works
Clan Disciplines: Animalism, Fortitude, Protean Clan Bane - The Beast: After frenzy, you gain an animal feature (claws, fangs, fur, etc.) that persists for one night per Bane Severity before fading. These features make you more bestial and can affect Social rolls negatively, but may provide physical benefits. Features fade but recur with each frenzy. Compulsion: When your Compulsion triggers, you must act on animal instinct: fleeing danger, hunting prey, or defending territory. You cannot use complex strategies or social manipulation. Starting Disciplines: Choose 3 dots among Animalism, Fortitude, and Protean (max 2 dots in any single Discipline at creation).
Tips and playstyle
Character Concepts: Survivalist, park ranger, biker, animal trainer, wilderness guide, urban explorer, shapeshifter, loner. Playstyle: Gangrel are excellent for players who want independent, survival-focused characters. They're versatile fighters who can adapt to any environment. Consider pairing with Predator Types like Farmer (animal feeding) or Sandman (stealth hunting). Synergies: Protean's transformation abilities pair well with Fortitude for tank-like durability. Animalism allows you to gather information and allies through animals. Invest in Survival, Stealth, and Animal Ken.
Frequently asked questions
What happens when Gangrel gain animal features?
Each time you frenzy, you gain an animal feature (claws, fangs, fur, glowing eyes, etc.) that persists for nights equal to your Bane Severity before fading. These features can give you dice bonuses to relevant Physical rolls, but may impose penalties to Social rolls as you become less human-looking. The features fade but recur with each new frenzy.
Can Gangrel live in cities?
Yes! Many Gangrel adapt to urban environments, treating cities as concrete jungles. They may bond with urban animals (pigeons, rats, stray cats) and use their survival skills in the streets rather than wilderness.
What makes Gangrel different from other physical clans?
Gangrel combine physical resilience (Fortitude) with transformation (Protean) and animal communication (Animalism). They're the ultimate survivors: adaptable, resilient, and independent. Unlike Brujah, they avoid social entanglements.
How do I roleplay the Beast bane?
Show your character becoming more animalistic over time. Describe animalistic behaviors, reactions, and physical changes. The Beast isn't just a mechanical penalty. It's a roleplay opportunity to explore what it means to lose humanity.