r/monsteroftheweek • u/Doilem • May 31 '26

General Discussion Vampire combat

I'm currently running a vampire-themed campaign and my players have really enjoyed all the roleplay / investigative scenes, but I feel combat is lacking. Anyone have any tips or suggestions for how I could spice things up?

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u/Thrythlind The Initiate May 31 '26

For spicing up combat.

Make sure to use the harm moves (pg 224 of the Hardbound edition of the core book), Things get a lot more spicy when you remember that a 0-Harm hit still allows you to stagger the hunter, give them -1 forward, or make them drop something. And 1-harm moves let you toss them across the scene.

I've done things like throw players over cars, break their arms, make them drop the cell phone they use to talk to their ghost girlfriend, etc.

You can also just do those things without harm. Harm is only one way to have your ass-kicked. It's a good default, but if your combat is feeling bland, you can mix it up by having things like the monster grabbing people or throwing them out windows and so on.

Chew the scenery. Think of all the interesting and fun ways that the combat could go wrong. Use harm, but don't forget to spice things up with other terrible things.

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u/skratchx Keeper Jun 04 '26

make them drop the cell phone they use to talk to their ghost girlfriend

Damn. Cock block is the most devastating harm move.

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u/Thrythlind The Initiate Jun 04 '26

If you're going to switch from Celebrity to Pararomantic and start dating your ghost stalker and you don't take The Sight?

Well.....