Tabletop RPG · since 1991 · #9 most discussed

Vampire: The Masquerade

Players are vampires hiding among mortals, balancing hunger and humanity while maneuvering through rival clans and secret politics.

StorytellerUrban gothicdice poolfaction playstress or sanitybeliefs and drivespush your luckCampaignsNeeds a GM
5.4
Geek rating

From 13 firsthand play reports in 3 r/rpg threads. The threads alone average 5.2.

Player rating— / 10

No visitor ratings yet.

Discussion7.8 / 10

595 r/rpg posts named it, October 2023 to October 2026.

Rules weight

Medium. Hype 4.2 for its age.

Have you played it?

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Didn't work for usOne of our best

What players say

At the table

The notes draw on three r/rpg threads, each with only a few firsthand reports, mostly about V20. Tables praise the setting and social play, and they split on the mechanics. Some say the rules barely come up, while others say they can't stand them.

What works

What tables struggle with

Who it suits

In players' words

The threads behind it

Each thread is rated for the play it describes, from the firsthand reports in it. Load one here or read it on Reddit.

5.5

Vampire the Masquerade: Love the setting but not the system

The OP's group ran V20 and liked the setting, but the combat felt flat, hard to size up and uneven in pacing for a tactical-minded table. Longtime oWoD storytellers say it works well when run for politics, drama and improvised ambushes, so the mismatch is about playstyle. Most of the thread is advice to switch systems (GURPS, Pathfinder, Monte Cook's WoD, Draw Steel) and is ignored here. 5 firsthand · 60 comments

Open on Reddit
6.0

Which one for my group? Vampire: The masquerade V5, (or V20) or Vampire: Requiem?

The thread is mostly an edition and system comparison (V5, V20, Requiem) with few real play reports. The firsthand voices describe Masquerade as great for lore and long-running chronicles but with mechanics that are clunky, need houserules and are often deadly in combat. 5 firsthand · 39 comments

Open on Reddit
3.5

Why the fuck does VTM have the absolute worst players I've ever met in TTRPGs?

The thread is mostly a venting post about toxic players, plus side arguments about Mage, Werewolf and White Wolf lore. The firsthand VtM reports are the OP, who tried a couple dozen games in eight months, was kicked from them and quit, and two commenters who say VtM works only with carefully chosen players and a Storyteller who aligns everyone's expectations. 3 firsthand · 458 comments

Open on Reddit