How would a Vampire Fight?

Mark S · Post by **Mark S** » 2003-03-18 10:27pm

I think if a vampire was fighting another vampire they would fight in the same way they did when they were alive while incorporating their powers at the same time. If the vampire were fighting a person, they would probably not do anything. Just take the hits, grab the guys neck and snap.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-03-19 03:53am

I recall reading in a really old Warhammer supplement - I think it was the 5th edition Vampire Counts army book - that when vampires become enraged, they change shape a little and become more bestial, with their fangs growing, and their nails transmutating into long, razor-sharp claws.

However, some vampires prefer using weapons - particularly those which were knights in life and continue to be in Undeath.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2003-03-19 11:29am

The smart vampires don't fight, instead using their charm, influence, and money to get to a position of untouchablitily. If they have to fight, they use hypnosis or trickery, getting the attackers to fight themselves or to send minions (beast or human) against the attackers.

Majin Gojira · Post by **Majin Gojira** » 2003-03-19 07:31pm

Dawn: "But, he's new. He doesn't know his strength. He, he might not know all those fancy martial-arts skills they inevitably seem to pick up."

It's the one thing that annoys me about Buffy vamps--they all seem to know Karate.

Kelly Antilles · Post by **Kelly Antilles** » 2003-03-19 07:38pm

A vampire low on blood or severely pissed go into Frenzy. It's much like a bezerker. All styles go out the window. They just beat the everloving shit out of whatever is in the way.

Jason von Evil · Post by **Jason von Evil** » 2003-03-19 07:48pm

You mean the over angsty bastards can fight?:p

I figure they just fight normally.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-03-20 09:40am

Majin Gojira wrote:Dawn: "But, he's new. He doesn't know his strength. He, he might not know all those fancy martial-arts skills they inevitably seem to pick up."

It's the one thing that annoys me about Buffy vamps--they all seem to know Karate.

And those which don't..... know QUACK-FU!!!

Majin Gojira · Post by **Majin Gojira** » 2003-03-20 10:52am

Kelly Antilles wrote:A vampire low on blood or severely pissed go into Frenzy. It's much like a bezerker. All styles go out the window. They just beat the everloving shit out of whatever is in the way.

Or those that are Srin-po So full of blood that their skin changes color...except they'd be more sluggish

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-03-20 01:59pm

LadyTevar wrote:The smart vampires don't fight, instead using their charm, influence, and money to get to a position of untouchablitily. If they have to fight, they use hypnosis or trickery, getting the attackers to fight themselves or to send minions (beast or human) against the attackers.

But what if vampires were to fight each other?

InnerBrat · Post by **InnerBrat** » 2003-03-20 04:16pm

I think theat the most vampire-like fighter in Buffy has to be Drusilla when she killed Kendra: - just blocked the punches with superstrength, hypnotised her then just slit her throat.

As for vampires fighting each other: - first of all why? second of all, the most senior would have Thrall over the lesser.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2003-03-20 04:25pm

Simon H.Johansen wrote:
LadyTevar wrote:The smart vampires don't fight, instead using their charm, influence, and money to get to a position of untouchablitily. If they have to fight, they use hypnosis or trickery, getting the attackers to fight themselves or to send minions (beast or human) against the attackers.
But what if vampires were to fight each other?

The best way to fight another Vampire is to manipulate outside forces against the foe.
"Oh dear, this new vampire moved into my territory.. whatever shall I do. Pity if this one young woman vanishes, why who would have wanted to hurt her? Say, what about that new arrival, isn't he suspicious? She vanished shortly after he arrived. What? They found her body Where? Oh dear.. isn't that near where the new arrival lives?"

Why fight, when you can have other people fight for you.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2003-03-20 04:28pm

Simon H.Johansen wrote:
LadyTevar wrote:The smart vampires don't fight, instead using their charm, influence, and money to get to a position of untouchablitily. If they have to fight, they use hypnosis or trickery, getting the attackers to fight themselves or to send minions (beast or human) against the attackers.
But what if vampires were to fight each other?

The best way to fight another Vampire is to manipulate outside forces against the foe.
"Oh dear, this new vampire moved into my territory.. whatever shall I do. Pity if this one young woman vanishes, why who would have wanted to hurt her? Say, what about that new arrival, isn't he suspicious? She vanished shortly after he arrived. What? They found her body Where? Oh dear.. isn't that near where the new arrival lives?"

Why fight, when you can have other people fight for you.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-03-21 08:41am

LadyTevar wrote: The best way to fight another Vampire is to manipulate outside forces against the foe.
"Oh dear, this new vampire moved into my territory.. whatever shall I do. Pity if this one young woman vanishes, why who would have wanted to hurt her? Say, what about that new arrival, isn't he suspicious? She vanished shortly after he arrived. What? They found her body Where? Oh dear.. isn't that near where the new arrival lives?"

Why fight, when you can have other people fight for you.

Yes, but what if the two vampires want each other destroyed??? I suppose they could invoke demons more powerful themselves, although that would be rare occasions.

Darth Gojira · Post by **Darth Gojira** » 2003-03-21 11:35am

Christopher Lee could get Saruman and Dooku for backup

Kelly Antilles · Post by **Kelly Antilles** » 2003-03-21 11:47am

Simon H.Johansen wrote: Yes, but what if the two vampires want each other destroyed??? I suppose they could invoke demons more powerful themselves, although that would be rare occasions.

You really think an ancient vampire is going to do it him/herself? That, my friend, is what ghouls are for. Muwhahahahahaha.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2003-03-21 10:10pm

Kelly Antilles wrote:
Simon H.Johansen wrote: Yes, but what if the two vampires want each other destroyed??? I suppose they could invoke demons more powerful themselves, although that would be rare occasions.
You really think an ancient vampire is going to do it him/herself? That, my friend, is what ghouls are for. Muwhahahahahaha.

Ghouls, rival vampires already living in the area (especially when the fight might kill both of them), the local slayer, the local werewolf pack... I could go on.

Post by **Gandalf** » 2003-03-23 02:49am

Majin Gojira wrote:Dawn: "But, he's new. He doesn't know his strength. He, he might not know all those fancy martial-arts skills they inevitably seem to pick up."

It's the one thing that annoys me about Buffy vamps--they all seem to know Karate.

Could it be the demon inside them that knows the moves?

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-03-23 03:25am

Kelly Antilles wrote:
Simon H.Johansen wrote: Yes, but what if the two vampires want each other destroyed??? I suppose they could invoke demons more powerful themselves, although that would be rare occasions.

You really think an ancient vampire is going to do it him/herself? That, my friend, is what ghouls are for. Muwhahahahahaha.[/quote¨]

Does a ghoul even have a chance of hurting a vampire?

Eleas · Post by **Eleas** » 2003-03-23 10:37am

Simon H.Johansen wrote:
Kelly Antilles wrote: You really think an ancient vampire is going to do it him/herself? That, my friend, is what ghouls are for. Muwhahahahahaha.
Does a ghoul even have a chance of hurting a vampire?

IIRC, there are so many different rules on how to handle ghouls, that it all comes down to the GM. And as a GM, I personally think there's nothing cooler than an arrogant poser fledgling getting his ass handed to him by an experienced ghoul.

One of my character concepts for a LARP (which I sadly never got to actually play, go figure) was that of Jan, a masterless 800 year old assassin ghoul. He wasn't a player character per se, but rather a plot wrench for the game masters. Whenever someone needed removing, a contract would be put on his unlife, and very soon after, Jan would pay a little visit.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-03-24 09:02am

Eleas wrote:
Simon H.Johansen wrote:
Kelly Antilles wrote: You really think an ancient vampire is going to do it him/herself? That, my friend, is what ghouls are for. Muwhahahahahaha.
Does a ghoul even have a chance of hurting a vampire?
IIRC, there are so many different rules on how to handle ghouls, that it all comes down to the GM. And as a GM, I personally think there's nothing cooler than an arrogant poser fledgling getting his ass handed to him by an experienced ghoul.

It also depends on the fantasy universe. In Warhammer Fantasy Battle, ghouls are much weaker than vampires. I suppose there are fantasy milieux where they are more evenly matched.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2003-03-24 11:47pm

If the Vampire's are shapeshifters you'd think they would use human form except on weak/wounded victims. Instead they'd probably transform into a wolf or bat (for a stealth attack).

Now if they were just trying to KILL rather than feed, sure, I guess simply striking with superhuman force might be their perferred method, or strangulation (Dracula seems to favor this, the old "one handed throat pickup").

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2003-03-24 11:47pm

Er, they'd use human form for people who were weak or already wounded. The animals forms would be for regular attacks...

Smiling Bandit · Post by **Smiling Bandit** » 2003-03-25 11:15am

Well, while different vamps get different powers, and hence different combat modes (varying from Barbarian rushes to using blood magic from a distance of ten miles) one good tactic for most any Vampire is hit and run sneak attacks.

Rationale:
1) Nearly all Vampires are described as having heitened strength and dexterity.

2) Most vampires are described as having some sort of exceptional stealth ability, from magical disguises and illusions to a very quiet walking step. Many can also use a wall-climbing ability due to their innate magic or strength (and the fact that they never get tired). High strengty and speed is a bonus.

Therefore, a good knife to the throat followed by a retreat back to darkness. reapeat as needed. Vampires, with their patience and the other abilites of unlike, would make by far the world's best snipers.

Baron Mordo · Post by **Baron Mordo** » 2003-03-25 11:24am

Kurgan wrote:If the Vampire's are shapeshifters you'd think they would use human form except on weak/wounded victims. Instead they'd probably transform into a wolf or bat (for a stealth attack).

Don't forget mist.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2003-03-25 01:01pm

Good point.