The Chinese Room has recently shed light on a thrilling aspect of Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2—the vampire hunters. These formidable foes belong to the Information Awareness Bureau (IAB), a secretive faction that operates on a shadow budget without government backing. Under the guise of "training exercises" and "counter-terrorism efforts," their agents, known as "Hollow Ones," relentlessly hunt vampires.
Leading the charge in Seattle is Agent Baker, a disciplined and pragmatic leader known as "The Hen" among her followers. Her unwavering dedication to eradicating vampires drives her to meticulously investigate strange occurrences and delve into historical data to uncover the hidden vampire society. Under her command, the hunters are a well-coordinated force, guarding their base with external and internal security measures. Facing them alone is a daunting task, as they operate in teams, use spotlights, and communicate via portable radios.
In combat, these hunters wield thermic batons that bypass defensive maneuvers and phosphorous grenades to flush enemies out of cover. Their sniper crossbows fire explosive bolts that can cause devastating damage if not removed promptly. Despite their prowess, the hunters have vulnerabilities; they are physically weaker than ghouls and vampires, making them susceptible to specific countermeasures. Players can exploit these weaknesses using skills like Fire to catch and return grenades or bolts mid-flight, or utilize the Ventru clan's powers to possess an enemy and turn them against their own team.
Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is set to captivate gamers when it launches in the first half of 2025 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This detailed insight into the IAB hunters promises an intense and strategic gameplay experience.
