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Review by: Loki
Rating: 8/10
This book sets out to be a source for Additional "meat", filling in information not provided in the main VRev on a few bloodlines and more details on secondary abilities, weaponry and other mechanics. Very solid.
I first bought my copy of this Companion and screen when I started buying Vampire books a little over a year ago. I was just buying the essentials, and it sounded like a good addition to my VRev setup. I was not disappointed. Some might think I gave this book far too high a rating given that it is less story intensive and doesnt have as much non-mechanical information as many other books. However, that was never the purpose of this book, it was to provide rules for a few bloodlines, their disciplines, the option of secondary abilities and the like, and also expanded selections on weaponry and equipment. It did all these things superbly well, with some good quality mechanics by Clayton Oliver.
The book has a brief introduction which basically states that this book is all the goodies that couldnt quite be crammed into the VRev main book, the extras some STs might want, and others not. It then jumps right into the heart of things, with little waste space. The layout is good, the art is good, and I can find no fault with it mechanically or stylistically. Now lets take a look at the book in a little more depth.
Chapter One: Bloodlines details several bloodlines that were not included in the main Vampire Revised main book, but have been in past 2nd ed. supplements (the Companion, IIRC). Here we see a treatment of the Daughters of Cacophony, the Salubri and the Samedi. They each get the standard 2-page clan/bloodline spread. Several interesting setting updates are revealed herein, such as the recent
"culling" of all male members of the Daughters of Cacophony bloodline, as well as a nice treatment of the Saulot myth in the Salubri write-up (which does a good job of not directly pinning Saulots diablerie on the Tremere, but "magi related to them"). These write-ups see some shifts from 2nd ed. versions, the Samedi no longer have the discipline of Necromancy in-clan, replacing it with Fortitude, for example. Overall the write-ups are very well done.
Chapter Two: Secondary Abilities contains detailed rules and skill descriptions for a variety of more specialized "Secondary Abilities", which are, in effect, sub-abilities of the main ones from the core rulebook. These are in essence cheaper to purchase but more limited in scope than standard abilities, and reflect a specialized knowledge of anything from style and grace to military demolitions. Several interesting and noteworthy abilities may be found here, such as Masquerade, the art of "faking" being a mortal. And of course, this book continues the time-honored tradition in RPGs that meditation cures all ills. <G> Solid section, once more.
Chapter Three: Disciplines details the unique disciplines of the Daughters of Cacophony, Salubri and Samedi (namely Melpominee, Obeah, and Thanatosis). Again, a well written section, with balanced revisions of the disciplines. Those familiar with the 2nd ed. versions will find a few minor changes, such as Melpominee 5 and six being switched in order, and Obeah gets a nice revision bringing its lower level powers more in line with those of V:tDA and with the Salubris role as healers several of the odder powers of the upper levels are now replaced with more commonsense ones. Good changes all. Some changes have also been made to the upper levels of Thanatosis, most of which seem to be good changes. Overall, Id rate this chapter very well.
Chapter Four: Equipment is a chapter where Clayton Olivers attention to detail shines. It gives one of the most realistic and reasonable treatments of weapons and equipment in the WoD I have seen to date, complete with gun calibers for you true realists, or those who just need to know all the nitty gritty on your firearms (such as myself). Full specs on Rate of fire, clip size, etc, as well as a host of accessories. Another nice feature is a concealability rating to rate just how absurdly hard it is for Bob the gangster to hide that over-accessorized SMG in his sports jacket. And I have to salute Clayton for a realistic portrayal of Japanese swords as something other than ginsu implements of ultimate death™. This section is rounded out with a good treatment of armor and explosives, as well as points about the unavailability of military grade firepower. Finally, the book closes with a (now standard) four-page character sheet.
Also included with the STs companion is a fairly nice little STs screen with just about all the main charts for Vampire built right into it, from wound penalties to weapon ranges to Aura Sight colors to the six traditions. A nice enough screen.
So, my final analysis: As a book that set out to be full of all manner of optional rules for three bloodlines, their Disciplines, new secondary Abilities, and a whole boatload of details on equipment and weapons, this book is superb. However, if youre looking for Storytellers hints and tips, Id direct you to the Camarilla and Sabbat Guides and the Storytellers Handbook.
