Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 introduces the Malkavian Clan

The final clan in Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has been announced today, and it is one of the fan favorites, the Malkavian. This week's update finishes off the clan reveals for the five base options in the game: Along with the Malkavian, players will also be able to choose Brujah, Tremere, Toreador, and Ventrue. From the seven playable clans found in the original game, this leaves out Nosferatu and Gangrel as options to choose from -- there's always a chance that they show up as DLC down the line though.

The last of the animated Clan Introduction videos is linked below, introducing the Malkavian and their Disciplines. This specific clan is an interesting option as a final reveal due to the unique dialogue events that were present only to Malkavians in the original game. For instance, Malkavian players would hear random whispers periodically, as well unique events such as being able to talk to a TV reporter or argue with a stop sign. This is because Malkavian's have a power referred to as Insight, which has been presented in a few different ways across the tabletop game editions and Bloodlines. Effectively, it's a network of voices that a Malkavian can hear and is aware of, making them know information that might not have otherwise been perceived through normal means.

This Rock Paper Shotgun article has a few lines from writer Brian Mitsoda about the approach to Malkavian's and Insight in Bloodlines 2. It seems that Malkavian Insight in this newest representation will manifest as a sort of paranoia, but the writers are being careful not to correlate too strongly with portrayals of human mental illness. 

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is set to release in early 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. In case you missed it, you can check out the announcement trailer.

About Malkavian

Malkavians have been traditionally ostracized by the Seattle Kindred. While a few managed to claim territory in less desirable districts, very few have ever managed to rise to the levels of the other clans. Because of this, there is a persistent bias against the Malkavian clan that still exists into modern nights.

None of the many nicknames for Clan Malkav - "Lunatics", "Jesters", "Visionaries", "Madmen", and so on - is as fitting as "Oracles". To be of the Clan is to understand things nobody else does; and to be affected by that understanding. Among the clan, this shows itself in psychosis, depression, compulsive disorders, or uncounted other mental illnesses. This hasn't kept the Clan of the Moon from finding a place in Kindred society. Advisers, strategists, preachers, hunters and yes, rulers; all Malkavians walk their very own path.

NEVER-ENDING, NEVER ALONE

Unease, curiosity, distrust, pity; the Clan of the Moon elicits many reactions. Still, no vampire sees more than a Malkavian. Players who choose to join their ranks gain access to the secrets of two new Disciplines on top of the individual powers from their Thinblooded past.

DEMENTATION - All Malkavians see further than a mortal could. No Malkavian is left untouched by what they see. Their signature Discipline allows the clan’s members to impart an imperfect version of their psychosis on others, with often drastic results.

• • Haunt (Blood Cost: 2), the first active Dementation power, imparts an unseen spectre in the victims’ minds. Unable to control themselves, they’ll try to flee in a panic. The • • and • • • • • slots upgrade Haunt.
• • • • Berserk (Blood Cost: 4), the second active power, fills the vampire’s targets with an uncontrollable rage, causing them to lash out at anything nearby - even the air itself, if no better target is available. The • • • • and • • • • • slots enhance Berserk.

Use of Dementation, while thoroughly unsettling, is not a Masquerade Violation.

AUSPEX - Nothing stays hidden to those who gain the Discipline of Auspex. Their senses expanding beyond the boundaries of their bodies, these Kindred slip ever deeper into their condition.

• • Aura Sense (Blood Cost: 2), Auspex’ first active, makes the vampire spot NPCs even through walls, read crowds at a glance, and mark individuals, staying aware of them even over long distances. It also reveals the weaknesses in the marked NPC’s attack and defense. The • • and • • • • • slots enhance Aura Sense.
• • • • Psychic Projection (Blood Cost: 2), the second active, forces the vampire’s mind from their body. Untethered, they will explore the area in astral form, remaining free to use Aura Sight to mark any character they spot. Even more: The vampire’s own senses have developed to such an extent that they may end up telepathically overwhelming the senses of others for a short while. The • • • • slot enhances Psychic Projection.

Use of Auspex is not a Masquerade Violation.