One thing that's missing is the way the art and layout of the original book captured the experience of visiting the Nosferatus' subterranean world. This book seems to have all new artwork and it is definitely top of the line but now the visual theme seems to emphasize more the grotesque horror of the Nos themselves rather than their environment. The humor seems to be mostly gone, too, and efforts to replace it just don't measure up. The new fiction, seems to be the same story as in the original but from the victim's point of view- which softens its impact somewhat.

In place of that, there's a lot of text spent on giving the points of view of different political factions within the clan. Unfortunately, parts of this are so long-winded that I got bored and skipped what turned out to be the important part. Editing problems aside, the new details in this book about Nos society- the work on the autarkis Nos, for example- are generally good. Merits and Flaws are included as in the original version- really helpful, I think, in custom tailoring your Nos character's deformities.

Missing is something that I would really expect in an update of this series: better intergration of material about the Sabbat. But here in the Nos opinions of other clans they are still just lumped together as "Sabbat". Also, all the character templates (all or mostly new) seem to be for characters with Humanity rather than Paths of Enlightenment.

That said, a definite improvement here is the new "Famous Nosferatu" section. This selection of important clan members does a much better job of integrating with existing material- here VAMPIRE: THE DARK AGES and the CLAN NOVEL series- than the old one. Also now included are MINDS EYE THEATER stats.


At last, a deeper look   June 29, 2000
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

The new Nosferatu Clanbook takes a new and novel approach by not presenting Nosferatu as being the be-all and end-all clan of Vampires. Taking a slightly more realistic look at the clan, it better illustrates their strengths and weaknesses then many of the books which have preceded it. While I personally find much of the charm in the book is to be found "between the lines", this may grate on some readers who would prefer outright statements of fact rather then having to deduce information by what is said and what is not. The information on Nosferatu living spaces (sewers throughout the ages) and social structure was much needed, though admittedly dry. On the whole, the clanbook is a valuable commodity to a storyteller or role-players, but is likely to be of little interest to those simply looking for new disciplines and methods to make yet another combat monster.


Well written, great art, and scared the sh*t out of me.   June 20, 1999
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

The Nosferatu, a clan of sewer-dwelling, self loathing vermin, right? I think not. This book was one of, if not THE, best clanbook I've read. This book had all the normal crap, i.e. merits and flaws, new discipline powers, et cetera. But what really makes this book worth buying is not all that crap, but the new and wonderful take on the Nosferatu mind-set. It was presented in a sort of comical manner, but still serious enough to make it worth reading. It had lots of information on "Nosferatu Kingdom" (the sewers) including their artwork contained therein, the different beasts that share their prefered dwellings, and a lot of other stuff you could never imagine. The book ends on a MAJOR plot twist, one that scared the living crap out of me, seriously. I wont spoil it or anything, but that alone made the book worth the price. If you EVER intend to play a Nosferatu, or just run a chronicle with a lot of Sewer Rats in it, you should get this book. I just have to say it again, I LOVE the new take on the Nosferatu-- I couldnt stand that self-loathing, feeling sorry for myself crap that is presented in all the other books; The cynicism cracked me up constantly.


More rich details then any other clanbook.   June 21, 1999
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

What can I say, the Nosferatu clanbook is more detailed then any other book. Most clanbooks leave the reader with questions... not the Nos! Backgrounds, unique flaws, strange stories, all are there. Take that Toreador. I've read Toreador, Brujah, Malkavian, and Gangrel clanbooks, and these SEWER RATS were the most interesting of the bunch. To think one would WANT to live forever as a Nosferatu. After reading this book, who knows...


Welcome to the Sewers of the Ever Vigilant Nosferatu   January 15, 1998
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

The World of the Vampire is not complete without the unsung leaders of the Undead, the Nosferatu. Some say they are the only real Vampires left, other say they are nothing but Sewer Rats. With this book you'll get to know them inside, out, upside, down, and back to front. The Players Book gives you a brief overview of this clan, this book dives right in, and gives you the real scoop on playing a Nos. This book is a must for Table-Top Vampire Players & Mind's Eye Theater Live-Action Role Players. Everything from History of the Clan to new Merits & Flaws and more. Buy it, Read it, Play it.