The hype train continues for Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines 2. This time we're learning about the Malkavian Clan, a twitchy lot who possess powerful telepathic abilities. Using the Dementation skill, they can invade the minds of their enemies and fill them with fear or uncontrollable rage. Their Auspex powers let Malkavians sense the auras of others, or astrally project their mind to explore out-of-body. These powers come at a cost, however; Malkavians often suffer from mental illnesses like psychosis and obsessive compulsive disorders, and the other vampire clans distrust and ostracize them.
You can learn more about the Malkavians in the trailer below, and stay tuned for the full gameplay reveal on June 10th. I'm cautiously optimistic about Bloodlines 2, but there are a few things that make me suspicious. This game has an incredibly aggressive release schedule, and I'm worried that it won't fill the very big shoes established by the original game many years ago.
Paradox Interactive has revealed the fifth and final full-blood Vampire clan in Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2: Malkavian! Also known as the Clan of the Moon, nothing stays hidden from those who can see everything the world wants to hide. Bloodlines 2 will have 5 playable full-blood clans at launch, with more are to be added post-launch free of charge.
To learn more about the Malkavian, their motives, and see one of their abilities in action check out a new video at: https://youtu.be/_s7O0OWohvE
Malkavians possess knowledge of things no other clan can comprehend, but this knowledge comes at a price. The mind of a Malkavian can be afflicted by psychosis, compulsive disorders, or other uncounted illnesses. Uneasy in their presence and distrustful of their motives, the Seattle Kindred community has traditionally ostracized Malkavians. Some, however, recognize Malkavians’ unique abilities and regard them as Oracles and skilled advisers.
Head over to the Paradox Interactive Twitch channel now (9 a.m. Pacific / 12 p.m. Eastern) where the Bloodlines 2 team has just gone live with more details and a Q&A on the Malkavian clan: https://www.twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive.
Malkavians invade the minds of their victims, using Dementation to impart an imperfect version of their psychoses on them. Auspex allows Malkavians to slip deeper into their condition, expanding their senses beyond the boundaries of their bodies.
Dementation
Haunt - Imparts an unseen spectre in the minds of victims. Unable to control themselves, they’ll try to flee in a panic.
Berserk - Fills the vampire’s targets with an uncontrollable rage, causing them to lash out at anything nearby - even the air itself, if no better target is available.
Use of Dementation, while thoroughly unsettling, is not a Masquerade Violation.
Auspex
Aura Sense - Allows the vampire to spot NPCs through walls, read crowds at a glance, and mark individuals, staying aware of them even over long distances. It also reveals the weaknesses of a marked NPC.
Psychic Projection - Forces the vampire’s mind from their body, allowing it to explore the area in astral form and use Aura Sight to mark any character they spot. The vampire’s senses have developed to such an extent that they may end up telepathically overwhelming the senses of others for a short while.
Use of Auspex is not a Masquerade Violation.
Like the first Bloodlines, playing as a Malkavian will change the way the city reacts to your presence and reveal unique dialogue options not available to other clans.
Finally, while this is our last clan reveal we have much more of Bloodlines 2 to show you soon. Stay tuned, because on Monday, June 10 we will reveal gameplay for the very first time.
