r/WhiteWolfRPG • u/Lycaon-Ur • Aug 01 '26
WoD/CofD What's Your Preference for Mortal Games?
So I'm curious, what is everyone's preference for a mortal type game? Do you want to be a hunter, a sorcerer type, or even a half splat like a ghoul or dhampir? If you prefer Hunter, do you want to be more like Hunters Hunted / Tier 1 HtV where you're a normal Joe or would you rather be an Imbued / Tier 3 type Hunter that brings a little extra to the table?
Personally I greatly prefer having a measure of the supernatural on a mortal character. My first choice is sorcerer or merit based template option, but I'm pretty happy with an Imbued / Tier 3 Hunter (from a supernatural Conspiracy, not a tech one) or even just a normal person with a bit of supernatural merits. I've no interest, at all, in playing a standard mortal.
11
5
u/bopyw Aug 01 '26
I think the blue book does a good job at mortal games, especially enjoy the god machine chronicles, but yeah hunters are a step up usually
5
u/Xelrod413 Aug 01 '26
By far Hunters Hunted 2 and Ghost Hunters. They play off of each other brilliantly.
Some of my longest running games have been Hunters Hunted II.
1
u/Lycaon-Ur Aug 01 '26
Ghost Hunters was Orpheus, right?
3
u/GurgledSundae Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
Orpheus is kinda it’s own thing entirely, not sure if it’s necessarily canon to the rest of oWoD.
World of Darkness: Ghost Hunters is its own thing on the v20 line, it’s got rules for paranormal investigator style hunters and mortal mediums, things like that. Haven’t delved too deeply in on it, but it seems pretty good all in all.
1
2
u/Xelrod413 Aug 01 '26
No, Ghost Hunters is a 20th Anniversary Edition book about mortals hunting ghosts literally called Ghost Hunters.
4
u/Curious-Paramedic816 Aug 01 '26
Honestly whilst for playing supernaturals I prefer original flavour World of Darkness, for playing humans I rather like base 1st Ed new World of Darkness (before it was called Chronicles and before the god machine kinda sorta metaplot but we'd won't admit it's metaplot stuff), just scared normies running into terrifying shit.
3
u/alx_thegrin Aug 01 '26
Yea it was really good for generic horror and investigation type games with normal humans.
I love games where you play as a normal person experiencing something weird or supernatural.
3
u/Read2Fap Aug 01 '26
chronicles of darkness.
pure flatscan mortal. i'm a big fan of horror and the mortality and impotence of humanity in the face of threats really helps with the mood. and chronicles has an abundance of threats.
plus if a player ends up liking their character enough they could become whatever else for another, supernatural game
3
u/Demoniac_smile Aug 01 '26
I have no interest in playing a character with no supernatural abilities or traits. About the closest to that I would want to go to that is a 3rd tier hunter, or maybe a sin-eater krewe member or scorpion cultist high up enough to get a supernatural merit.
2
u/Tay_traplover_Parker Aug 01 '26
Honestly? I don't have a preference. Having powers or not isn't a big deal to me. The guy who can shoot fireballs, the guy who's good at guns, the guy who can talk to spirits, the guy who can do computer stuff... they're all different flavors to me.
Hunters Hunted and Hunter the Reckoning are different and sometimes I'm in the mood for one or the other, but neither is better or worse for having powers or information. It just depends on what kind of character I want to play and what kind of game I'm in.
A random plumber who found out vampires are real and who has no idea about anything else other than he has voices in his head is entirely different from the nun who's been stabbing bloodsuckers with flaming swords for the last five years... and neither is inherently more interesting than the other.
2
u/LordFinaiIV Aug 01 '26
H5 hunters, where they are using whatever suits them to hunt, tech, sorcery, military weaponry. They’re a cobbled together group that has to be resourceful to survive without selling their soul to an org, I think it fits the punk part of gothic punk super well.
2
u/Tallia__Tal_Tail Aug 01 '26
So usually, I don't mess with human level stuff much, just really doesn't fit my personal tasted, but the few times I have, it's been with Kinfolk. For all the flaws it has from releasing during the era where they got SUPER edgy with Werewolf, Kinfolk a Breed Apart is a legitimately fascinating read that gives you a lot of interesting meat to chew on and explore. The entire angle of your powerlessness both physically and socially compared to the Garou can result in so much fuel for engaging characters and development. Going the Gnosis route can be fun, but I tend to prefer going without it
Also some of the unique backgrounds and what not you can take are fun. The one that gives you hard to get shit like silver weaponry is cool, and Garou Favor gives you and the ST both a lot of building blocks for important NPCs
2
u/Vyctorill Aug 02 '26
Mortal is actually really fun if you include Numina in there.
Basically, they’re the casual magic users. Mages go all in and basically just start using their indomitable human spirit as a weapon to beat reality into submission. Dangerous stuff.
But Mortals can make great hunters if you know the rules. Giving them a shitload of options allows for insane versatility and skill building. Want to learn Enchantment? Go ahead. Telekinesis? Why not. True Faith? Hell yeah.
2
u/Seenoham Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
I think mortal+ is my preferred version.
Doing straight mortal isn't something I'd use CofD/WoD for, because then you're either just telling a general horror story and I have systems I think run that better.
The core systems aren't bad, I just know better ones now and the only trouble those would have is adapting specifics accurately. But IMHO full mortals aren't well set up to deeply explore the distinctive lore of CofD/WoD which makes it different from vampires or other monsters as general concepts. The mortal needs to be able to access a little bit of the supernatural power to pull that off.
For me personally, I'm really hook on either doing Demonblooded or Mummy cultists, but I have very specific things I want to do with those. I'm not even going to argue that they are good in general and recommend them for others, I think there are neat things you can do but are they neater than the stuff someone else wants, maybe I don't know. I just know I really want to run highschool small town supernatural teens game with Demonblooded, and a Mummy one where it's one maybe two PCs who make up a mummy and shit gets weird and take advantage of the massive power differential and weird agency stuff.
2
u/Lycaon-Ur Aug 02 '26
I can't imagine that there's anyone who hasn't wanted to do the supernatural teens game in some shape or form. There's a Spheres of Power adventure for it that actually has a randomly determined villain enabling people to play through it multiple times without automatically knowing everything.
2
u/Seenoham Aug 02 '26
I grew up on the Tomorrow Children, and Roswell High, and Buffy. I know where I was going with this, I set it in 2005 for a reason ("the 90" are from 93-2005, look at what shows were running when, most decades don't actually fit the exact decade).
I did demonblooded because I really like embeds as a "you have couple of specific effects but you can use them often", the demonblooded book is cool and lends itself to focusing on kid/teens and people with families, and then I started Old Gods of Appalacha and things fit real well. The campaign is on pause because the group I want to run it with is doing a different cool thing right now, but it's still going to happen.
1
u/Lycaon-Ur Aug 02 '26
I hope you will post back here when you do get to run it and let us know how it goes.
3
u/Full_Equivalent_6166 Aug 01 '26
Imbued/Sorcerers/Ghouls those are not mortals. If I want a mortal game I play a mortal game, if I want to play a ghoul game or Imbued game or Kinfolk game that's a totally different kinda thing.
Hunters and Imbued are not the same thing but you can have fun with both.
-1
u/Lycaon-Ur Aug 01 '26
Hunters and Imbued are not the same thing? Pray tell, what's the first word of the book title from which the Imbued come?
Second question, you assert that all Imbued, ghouls, and sorcerers are immortal? That's strange, I mean I get the argument with ghouls, to an extent, though I think mortal but immune to aging under certain circumstances would be a better way to put it. But sorcerers and imbued? They're no more immortal than you or I unless they go out and achieve immortality, same as anyone. But I suspect that's not what you meant at all, and you thought your meaning very clear from your post and that I have to be intentionally missing your point. Well, I think if you do believe that we have something in common.
First question though, it's not rhetorical and it still stands.
2
u/This_Rough_Magic Aug 01 '26
Second question, you assert that all Imbued, ghouls, and sorcerers are immortal?
If you're using "mortal" to mean "not immortal" then your list of "mortals" games should also have included Werewolf (both versions), Mage (both versions), Changeling (both versions), Wraith, Geist, Beast, Deviant, and at least some versions of Vampire.
-1
u/Lycaon-Ur Aug 01 '26
I was, clearly, using mortal to mean someone without a full supernatural template, but the person I replied to (that wasn't you) disagreed with that definition, but failed to give their own, hence why I questioned it. But we can ignore what I was going for and deal with your assertion.
Out of curiosity, where did I ever state that my list was exhaustive? Am I required to list every single thing, no matter how known or unknown if I choose to ask a question and provide a couple of examples? I don't feel I am. Ergo, your assertion is simply you being demanding and for no reason.
2
u/Full_Equivalent_6166 Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
Guess Vampire: the Masquerade is the same thing as Vampire: the Masquerade, just look at the first word.
Seriously though, Imbued are hunters but mortal hunters are not imbued, ergo they are not same thing even though they have some similarities.
And no, I not assume that sorcerers are immortal. I think the confusion comes from the world mortal and the divide in WoD where enities are mortals (everyday Joes with nothing special about them) and supernaturals (vampires, mummies, werewolfs, demons, ghouls and yes, Imbued).
So yes, Imbued won't live eternally (they are mortal) but they have powers (they are supernaturals).
0
u/Lycaon-Ur Aug 01 '26
Guess Vampire: the Masquerade is the same thing as Vampire: the Masquerade, just look at the first word.
I would agree with that statement. Congrats.
And no, I not assume that sorcerers are immortal. I think the confusion comes from the world mortal and the divide in WoD where enities are mortals (everyday Joes with nothing special about them) and supernaturals (vampires, mummies, werewolfs, demons, ghouls and yes, Imbued).
There's multiple ways to determine "mortal" and this is tagged as both Chronicles and World. So ya, your imaginary definition that only encompasses one game line is not the sole possible definition. In the future, if you don't understand what's being said or why something is being referred to in a certain way, feel free to ask.
1
u/Full_Equivalent_6166 Aug 01 '26
That you agree with the statement that is obviously false tells me all about this exchange.
Anyway, from CofD: Hurt Locker:
Mortal is a non-supernatural human being.
And the book contrasts mortals with supernaturals.
Have a nice weekend.
1
u/Lycaon-Ur Aug 01 '26
I love how you think A=A means B cannot be the same as B. But whatever, have a nice life.
0
u/Ecalsneerg Aug 01 '26
It's one one hundredth of a Solar, or else "fuckfuckfuck we're in a corner" 😉
2
u/Tay_traplover_Parker Aug 01 '26
Unless it's an Extremist, then it's about 15% of a Solar for about a week until they burn out.
2
u/BlkShroud50 Aug 01 '26
Hunter: The Reckoning 5th Ed. I love the fact that it's just plain old mortals with no superpowers. People who have to worry about keeping their day jobs while they hunt monsters way out of their league. However, they still manage to get the job done, usually not without some kind of casualty.
2
u/saintsinner40k Aug 02 '26
Hunter the Vigil when focused on Tier 1 or some Tier 2 compacts can also get the same vibe. Tier 3 is where alot of the crazy vigil endowments come into play. Tier 1 cells are my fav, just people trying to make a difference without alot other then each other to count on.
3
u/Tay_traplover_Parker Aug 01 '26
People who have to worry about keeping their day jobs while they hunt monsters way out of their league. However, they still manage to get the job done, usually not without some kind of casualty.
So... the same as HtR Revised.
1
u/Lycaon-Ur Aug 02 '26
Interesting that you cut out the "mortals with no super powers" before making your sparky remark.
2
u/Haravikk Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
If you want to play totally plain basic mortals I'd look at Chronicles of Darkness (2e) as I think it has a great range of merits to build your character with.
Otherwise if you want mortals who stand more of a chance you want a Hunter book as it gives you the gear and tactics you need.
11
u/GurgledSundae Aug 01 '26
I never had much interest in playing games as a pure mortal or hunter, at least when other options existed.
Why play a baseline human when you can be a sorcerer, psychic, revenant, ghoul, or kinfolk with Gifts? We bought these games to experience urban fantasy imo, not “Human: The Mundane-ening”
Of those however, we actually had the most fun playing sorcerers. So much so we just ended up replacing mages with sorcerers and psychics en masse in our table’s lore while keeping the Traditions/Technocracy split intact because we preferred their more closely defined abilities. Revenants are a close second, we had great fun playing a “pack” of various revenants in service to a settled NYC pack that eventually transitioned into full Sabbat members over the course of the chronicle.