The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Being a fan of the White Wolf game systems, the World of Darkness genre, and the vampiric clan Malkavian, I was looking forward to the re-release of this book. The first edition of this supplement was very well done and captured the true madness of this cursed group of vampires. Pages in the original were often skewed with such extremes as white-on-black, reversed or even upside down texts. The demented artwork was carelessly strewn about the pages in a matter-of-fact way, which added to the chaos and insanity of the Malkavians. All in all, the original was a great storytelling resource that helped add even more personality to a clan which already oozed it from their pores. Despite this the original book lacked gaming content and was practically devoid of source material or in-game specifics for the Clan of the Moon.

The revised edition changes all that. It adds content both in storytelling and game mechanics. It has detailed stories and sections describing from a first person view the life and thoughts of these deranged madmen. It does not, however include the fun off-the-wall layout or format as the original.

Players and storytellers can look forward to a great deal of gaming content including new perks and flaws, new clan disciplines, and the all-important ability Malkavian Time. Most new additions are presented for use in both Vampire: The Masquerade and Mind's Eye Theater. Clan attitudes and stereotypes are explained in a story-like manner and even the new powers and added perks and flaws are given a story-like description.

For storytelling resources, the book provides an easy-to-follow story designed to help players and storytellers get a better idea how the typical Malkavian thinks and acts. The history and timeline sections detail the rich and deranged background of the clan, as well as adding story material presented in Vampire: The Masquerade Revised.

Overall the Revised Clanbook: Malkavian gives players and storytellers everything they need to flesh out the insane Malkavians. There is plenty of new gaming material as well as detailed clan backgrounds, motivations, derangements and history. A detailed template section provides numerous pre-generated character types both for VtM and MET. The book is very well put together and, along with the artwork, is a wonder to read through. However, the book is sterile and bland, having none of the character and personality of the original work. If the chaos of the first book were placed in this one, it would be a truly marvelous creation.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Clanbook: Malkavian (Revised)
Author: Ethan Kemp, Ethan Skemp, John Van Fleet (Illustrator) Category: game Company/Publisher: White Wolf Line: Vampire: The Masquerade Cost: $14.95 Page count: 104 ISBN: 1-5650426-8-9 Capsule Review by Matthew Hope on 08/24/00. Genre tags: Modern day Horror Vampire Gothic	Being a fan of the White Wolf game systems, the World of Darkness genre, and the vampiric clan Malkavian, I was looking forward to the re-release of this book. The first edition of this supplement was very well done and captured the true madness of this cursed group of vampires. Pages in the original were often skewed with such extremes as white-on-black, reversed or even upside down texts. The demented artwork was carelessly strewn about the pages in a matter-of-fact way, which added to the chaos and insanity of the Malkavians. All in all, the original was a great storytelling resource that helped add even more personality to a clan which already oozed it from their pores. Despite this the original book lacked gaming content and was practically devoid of source material or in-game specifics for the Clan of the Moon. The revised edition changes all that. It adds content both in storytelling and game mechanics. It has detailed stories and sections describing from a first person view the life and thoughts of these deranged madmen. It does not, however include the fun off-the-wall layout or format as the original. Players and storytellers can look forward to a great deal of gaming content including new perks and flaws, new clan disciplines, and the all-important ability Malkavian Time. Most new additions are presented for use in both Vampire: The Masquerade and Mind's Eye Theater. Clan attitudes and stereotypes are explained in a story-like manner and even the new powers and added perks and flaws are given a story-like description. For storytelling resources, the book provides an easy-to-follow story designed to help players and storytellers get a better idea how the typical Malkavian thinks and acts. The history and timeline sections detail the rich and deranged background of the clan, as well as adding story material presented in Vampire: The Masquerade Revised. Overall the Revised Clanbook: Malkavian gives players and storytellers everything they need to flesh out the insane Malkavians. There is plenty of new gaming material as well as detailed clan backgrounds, motivations, derangements and history. A detailed template section provides numerous pre-generated character types both for VtM and MET. The book is very well put together and, along with the artwork, is a wonder to read through. However, the book is sterile and bland, having none of the character and personality of the original work. If the chaos of the first book were placed in this one, it would be a truly marvelous creation. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Clanbook: Malkavian (Revised)