The upcoming release of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 on October 21, 2025, is receiving mixed reactions as players will need to pay for access to two out of the six clans in the game. The Lasombra and Toreador clans require purchasing the Shadows and Silk add-on pack, priced at £18.69/€21.99/$21.99, while the base game allows access to only four default clans: Brujah, Tremere, Banu Haqim, and Ventrue. Each clan influences gameplay by affecting the difficulty and character abilities, making these additional clans impactful for players. Concerns over the game’s focus on action over intricate role-playing have also been raised, suggesting players might want to hold off until release day to evaluate the full experience.

Why are players upset about the payment for clans in Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2?

Players are upset because they feel paying for the Lasombra and Toreador clans locks them out of meaningful gameplay options that influence character roles and difficulty, which traditionally would have been included in the base game.

Vampire: The Masquerade has a rich history as a tabletop role-playing game, first launched in 1991. Bloodlines 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed Bloodlines released in 2004, which is known for its deep narrative and immersive world. This sequel aims to expand upon that legacy but has faced numerous delays influencing the community's anticipation and skepticism regarding its development choices.