Bloodlines 2 Character Creation: Customizable Options
In Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, character creation lets you customize your vampire’s clan, gender, face, and background—but you cannot change your character’s name, voice, or backstory, which are fixed as the Elder Phyre. The system is a deliberate departure from the first game, offering a more defined protagonist while still giving you meaningful mechanical and cosmetic choices. Here’s exactly what you can and can’t adjust, how the choices affect gameplay, and what to consider before you lock in your build.
What You Can Customize
Bloodlines 2’s character creator is split into two main areas: the physical appearance editor and the mechanical build (clan, background, and stats). On the cosmetic side, you can adjust:
- Body type and proportions – Height, build, and several body shape sliders.
- Face – A full range of facial features, including jawline, cheekbones, eyes, nose, mouth, and brow.
- Skin tone and complexion – Including undertones and aging effects.
- Hair – Style, length, and color, plus facial hair for male-presenting characters.
- Makeup and scars – Tattoos, scars, and makeup options to give your vampire a distinct look.
On the mechanical side, you choose your clan (Brujah, Tremere, Ventrue, or Thin-Blood), your background (which grants starting skills and disciplines), and your starting stat spread (Physical, Social, or Mental). These choices determine your starting disciplines, skill bonuses, and some dialogue options.
What You Cannot Customize
The protagonist, Phyre, is a fixed character in the story. You cannot change:
- Name – The character is always called Phyre.
- Voice – Voice acting is fixed; you cannot select a voice type or pitch.
- Backstory – Phyre’s history as a 200-year-old vampire who was imprisoned is set.
- Gender identity – The game uses a binary male/female selection, though you can adjust body and face to be androgynous.
- Clan-specific dialogue – Some dialogue options are locked to your clan, but you can’t change the core personality of Phyre.
This is a notable shift from the original Bloodlines, where you could choose your name and had a silent protagonist. The developers chose a voiced, named protagonist to give a more cinematic story, but that means less freedom in role-playing your own identity.
Background and Clan Choices
Your clan is the most impactful choice. Each of the four clans offers a different playstyle and narrative flavor:
- Brujah – Brawlers and rebels, with disciplines like Potence (super strength) and Celerity (super speed).
- Tremere – Blood mages, with disciplines like Blood Sorcery and Auspex (heightened senses).
- Ventrue – Aristocratic rulers, with disciplines like Dominate (mind control) and Fortitude (resilience).
- Thin-Blood – A weaker clan with access to unique disciplines like Thin-Blood Alchemy, which lets you create temporary powers.
Your background also shapes your starting skills. For example, a “Scholar� background gives you Academics and Occult, while a “Criminal� background gives you Stealth and Streetwise. These backgrounds are tied to the story—they explain how Phyre survived for two centuries and influence some dialogue options.
How Character Creation Works
The character creator is presented as a series of screens. First, you pick your gender (male or female), then you move to the appearance editor. After that, you select your clan, background, and starting stats. You can preview your character in a 3D viewport, and you can go back to previous steps before confirming.
One important detail: the appearance editor is quite deep, with sliders for nearly every facial feature. However, there are no preset faces to start from—you adjust everything manually. This might be overwhelming for some, but it also gives you total control.
Once you confirm, you cannot change your appearance or clan in-game. There is no respec system, so choose carefully. However, you can create multiple save files to try different builds.
Tips for Choosing Your Build
If you’re unsure what to pick, consider your preferred playstyle:
- If you like direct combat, go Brujah with a Physical background.
- If you prefer stealth and manipulation, go Ventrue with a Social background.
- If you want to use magic and ranged attacks, go Tremere with a Mental background.
- If you want a challenge and unique dialogue, try Thin-Blood.
Also, note that your clan affects how NPCs react to you. For instance, Ventrue get respect from other Kindred, while Thin-Bloods face prejudice. This can open or close dialogue options, so think about the story you want to experience.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that you can change your name or that the game lets you play as any of the 13 clans from the tabletop. In reality, only four clans are available at launch, and the protagonist is fixed. Another misconception is that appearance affects gameplay—it doesn’t. Your face and body are purely cosmetic, except for a few dialogue options that reference your gender or clan.
Another frequent question is whether you can change your character later. The answer is no—once you start the game, you’re locked in. If you want to try a different clan, you must start a new game.
Comparison to the Original Bloodlines
The original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines (2004) had a silent protagonist and let you choose your name, clan, and attributes, but had no appearance editor. Bloodlines 2 adds a full appearance editor but removes the name choice and adds a voiced protagonist. This is a trade-off: more visual customization, less role-playing freedom. Fans of the original may miss the ability to name your character, but the new system allows for a more cinematic experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my character’s appearance after the game starts?
No. Once you confirm your character, you cannot change appearance, clan, or background. You would need to start a new game to try a different build.
Is the character creator the same on all platforms?
Yes, the options are the same on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The only difference is that PC players can use mouse and keyboard for more precise slider adjustments, while console players use analog sticks.
Can I play as a female vampire?
Yes, you can choose a female body and face. However, the voice acting is fixed per gender, so you can’t mix a male voice with a female body.
Does my clan affect the story significantly?
Yes, clan choice affects dialogue options, NPC reactions, and some quest solutions. For example, a Tremere can use Blood Sorcery to bypass certain obstacles, while a Ventrue can Dominate humans.
Can I unlock more clans later?
No, the four clans are the only ones available at launch. There are no plans for additional clans in the base game, though future DLC might add more.
Is there a way to respec my character?
No, there is no respec system. You can, however, allocate skill points as you level up, so you can still adjust your build slightly as you progress.
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