Skyrim Character Building » Discussions


Character Build: The Vampire Count

Tags: #Character Build Necromancer  #Character Build Illusionist  #Character Build Vampire  #Rank:Legendary  #Race:Altmer 
  • Member
    May 11, 2014

    I'm referring to the glory days of the early 90s vampire tabletop RPG Vampire: the Masquerade.  If you really enjoy well-written and deep vampire lore, this is for you.  I also recommend the PC game VtM:Bloodlines.  It is probably the best RPG videogame ever made other than the first 2 Gothics.  Anyway, I am working on a different project for this site at the moment or I would start a build based around the rich, rich lore of that universe. 

    Tbh I'm surprised there isn't already a build on here inspired by VtM since it was such an iconic game (there may be but I must have missed it). 

  • Member
    May 11, 2014
    Oh, I played Redemption. But I've seen everql RPs of Bloodlines, I've been thinking of SkyrimiIbg the clans. I have a build being made for the Kuei-Jin. I've been thinking of going Nord for a Brujah, as, like the Brujah, the Nords are warrior-poets, maybe Altmer for the Ventrue or Tremere. For Nosferatu, maybe Dunmer.etc.
  • Member
    May 11, 2014
    I was planning a Grangel but couldn't bring it together... But The Keerilth (By Matt Feeney) reminds me of then for his animalistic nature.
  • Member
    May 11, 2014

    He didn't really even give a start in RP though dude.  He just described a generic vampire and then the playstyle. 

    Oh, and it just seemed really odd to me that he would throw in, "Oh and you can daywalk if you want, it's not like the game punishes you THAT much."   It just struck me the wrong way.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no "restrictions" section at all.  Of course my vamp isn't going to daywalk, but the thought of hordes of folks playing vamps walking around in the day time just doesn't sit well with me.

    IF you're going to make a daywalking vampire build that's fine, but don't just tack it on.

  • Member
    May 11, 2014
    It doesn't sit well with me too (my guide in RP section mention that) but even if he had a restriction section is not as if everyone would obey, we all know that vampires are harmed and killed by sunlight, adding that extreme weakness to your character it's an personal choice... Althought I want the Sun damage back (It was really helpful for my RP on oblivion)
  • Member
    May 11, 2014

    Actually, there is a SOLID, BOLD LINE between roleplay and gameplay.  99% of this article is about gameplay.  I know this isn't the RP group and I wouldn't have even commented in the first place if he didn't specifically state that this build was full of "juicy" roleplay. 

    I realize you refer to daywalking in particular, but he didn't even give any examples of how to "properly" daywalk. Enchanting fortify magicka regen does not count as roleplaying in my book.

    I'm starting to feel bad about over critiquing you, but for future builds Zach, don't tease me with false promises of juicy roleplay.  I still gave you a +1 btw as the build itself is solid.

  • May 11, 2014

    Whether or not the thought of other people daywalking with vamp characters sits well with you is largely irrelevant. I happen to like your idea of a vampire, but some won't, and they won't be wrong in thinking so.

  • Member
    May 12, 2014

    You are not reading the build. The issue, buddy, is that you want specifics, written to you in bold, underlined, with italics, and maybe a larger font with bright colors. I lace the entire build with roleplay. I do not say "do this. do not do that", but I put you in the mindset of the Vampire Count so you can see what type of character he is so that you can make your own decisions, judgments, and opinions. You need to read between the lines rather than look for a giant flashing neon sign. For example, I let you know that the count is very mindful of keeping his power and always looking out for opposition, and he can be downright paranoid, by his levels of trust in his various followers. 

    Whether certain parts of the build sit right with you or not is 100% irrelevant. No one is forcing you to play it exactly as it is written. I played it on expert/master, and I had an absolute blast. The roleplay, the gameplay, it all flowed together perfectly for me.

    You complained about balance and limits, well for me it was exactly what I wanted. I was so powerful and controlling, but at the same time at any moment in combat I could easily be kill-cammed from full health by a bandit with a warhammer or one shotted by a dawnguard crossbowman due to a lack of any effective armor. The point of a character build is to make it your own, you can add any restrictions or weaknesses that you want. You can use, or not use, whatever you want. I will not tell you how you must play the game. 

  • Member
    May 12, 2014

    I read the build, and it's a great one.  I don't question the combat or the perks or any of that, it's fine and good and synergizes and all that jazz.  I'm just telling you that if you want other people to have the same mindset as you while playing this build, you need to go further into detail about roleplaying. 

    Does the count walk everywhere (literally everywhere) unless he is in combat?  Is it because he's immortal and doesn't consider time a valuable commodity, therefore he is never in a rush? 

    Does he avoid towns unless looking for food?  Or does he blend in well with the non-vampire crowd?  How do you show this in-game?

    Why is he paranoid about his followers?  Just because he's afraid they will wander off and escape?

    I read through the comments that you didn't use vampire lord form because it's an "oh shit" button, but why do you avoid it for roleplay reasons?  Maybe it is slowly driving you insane for one reason or the other so you avoid transforming to retain your logic and reason?

    No where in this build have I found roleplaying reasoning behind any of your actions.  I don't need you to put big neon signs next to the roleplay section, trust me, I read the whole build twice to make sure I didn't miss something.  You say you "laced" the build with roleplay, but I'm calling bullshit on that one.  You built the vampire count based 95% on gameplay tactics and roleplay was an afterthought, which is not a big deal unless you tease people in the opening paragraph about all the roleplay this build offers.  It just isn't fleshed out enough.

    I realize i can add restrictions and weaknesses on my own, but I love discussing such things with like minded folk.  Anyway though, sorry to hurt your feelings.

  • Member
    May 12, 2014

    That is the type of thing that I do not want to put into the build. That is very specific to how each person wants their individual character to be. I give the outline of a character, and it is up to the reader to make a person out of it. If I was to tell all of those intimate details in the build, it would be a large turn off to many people. They do not want to see who exactly my character was, they want to make their own decisions. 99% of people who read this build and consider playing it do not care if my character likes cheese or not, or what his opinion of walking is, or if lord form drives him insane. You are part of the 1% who wants those exact details laid out for you, but man, you need to make your own mind on those things and adapt the build to how you want it to work.