The Zero-Day Build: Alpha and Omega

Based on the Hierarchy of Assets and the Optimal Strategy, we can derive the two polar extremes of character creation. One build maximizes survival and information dominance; the other maximizes exposure and inevitable destruction.

These are not “roleplaying suggestions.” They are the mathematical results of V20’s game-theoretic structure.

I. The #1 “Perfect” Build: The Sovereign Ghost

Archetype: The Deep-Cover Intelligence Broker Clan: Nosferatu (Structural Invisibility + Information Monopoly)

The goal of this build is asymmetric agency. You see everything, you are seen by nothing, and you possess the liquid capital to solve problems before they reach the supernatural layer.

1. Attributes (Mental 7 / Social 5 / Physical 3)

• Mental (Primary): Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 3. You are a high-resolution sensor.
• Social (Secondary): Manipulation 3, Charisma 3, Appearance 0. You bypass the “first impression” trap. Manipulation is your scalpel.
• Physical (Tertiary): Dexterity 2, Stamina 2, Strength 2. Baseline survivability.

2. Abilities (Talents 13 / Skills 9 / Knowledges 5)

• Talents (Primary): Subterfuge 3, Empathy 3, Alertness 3, Streetwise 3, Awareness 1. You read motives and lies at a master level.
• Skills (Secondary): Stealth 3, Etiquette 3, Larceny 3. You move through any environment, social or physical, without friction.
• Knowledges (Tertiary): Investigation 3, Finance 2. You find the data and you own the money.

3. Backgrounds (5 Dots)

• Resources 3: Total financial sovereignty.
• Generation 2: 11th Gen. Higher blood pool and better expenditure ceiling than neonates.

4. Disciplines (3 Dots)

• Obfuscate 2: The core of the “Be Boring” strategy. If you aren’t there, you can’t be destroyed.
• Animalism 1: Your first-tier intelligence network.

5. Merits & Flaws (The Strategic Optimization)

• Unbondable (5pt Merit): Mandatory. You are the only person who controls your utility function.
• Iron Will (3pt Merit): Mandatory. You cannot be Dominanted or Dementated into defecting against your own interests.
• Sanctity (2pt Merit): You appear innocent. This provides social cover for your S-Tier Subterfuge.
• Deep Sleeper (1pt Flaw): A manageable risk for a vampire who is always hidden.
• Prey Exclusion (1pt Flaw): A minor behavioral constraint.

Freebie Allocation (15 + 2 = 17):

• Auspex 1 (7pt): Completes the Tier-S information suite.
• Willpower 8 (2pt): High baseline for resistance.
• Manipulation 4 (4pt): Reaches master-level social engineering.
• Perception 5 (4pt): Maximum sensory resolution.

II. The Absolute Worst Build: The Burning Martyr

Archetype: The Glass Cannon Celebrity Clan: Brujah (High Frenzy + Pure Physical Trap)

This build is designed to fail. It maximizes exposure, guarantees Masquerade breaches, and possesses zero defensive or informational capabilities. It is a suicide note in character-sheet form.

1. Attributes (Physical 7 / Social 5 / Mental 3)

• Physical (Primary): Strength 4, Stamina 3, Dexterity 3. You are a heavy hammer in a world of scalpels.
• Social (Secondary): Appearance 5, Charisma 1, Manipulation 1. You are incredibly memorable and famous, but you have no ability to persuade or manipulate.
• Mental (Tertiary): Perception 1, Intelligence 1, Wits 1. You are a low-resolution sensor with no ability to process data or react.

2. Abilities (Talents 13 / Skills 9 / Knowledges 5)

• Talents (Primary): Brawl 5, Intimidation 5, Expression 3. You are violent and loud.
• Skills (Secondary): Athletics 3, Drive 3, Firearms 3. High-visibility physical actions.
• Knowledges (Tertiary): Academics 3, Occult 2. Theoretical knowledge with no practical application.

3. Backgrounds (5 Dots)

• Fame 5: You are a household name. Every hunter in the world has your photo. You cannot hide.
• Herd 0: No reliable feeding. You must hunt manually in a city where everyone knows your face.

4. Disciplines (3 Dots)

• Potence 2, Celerity 1. Pure combat power. No information, no concealment, no control.

5. Merits & Flaws (The Final Nails)

• Blood Hunted (6pt Flaw): You start the game as a target for every vampire in the sect.
• Addiction (3pt Flaw): You are physically dependent on a substance, creating a leash for any elder to pull.
• Monstrous (3pt Flaw): You have Appearance 0 (despite the Attribute points), ensuring zero social flexibility.
• Short Fuse (2pt Flaw): You frenzy at the slightest provocation, maximizing Masquerade breaches.

Freebie Allocation (15 + 14 = 29):

• Brawl 5 / Intimidation 5: Sinking points into the physical failure state.
• Strength 5: Maximizing the hammer.
• Humanity 1: You are a hair’s breadth from becoming a mindless beast.

The Comparison

The Sovereign Ghost enters the city, gathers every secret, owns the mayor’s debt, and is never officially registered as existing. They survive centuries.

The Burning Martyr walks into a bar, frenzies because someone looked at their famous face, kills three mortals in front of cameras, and is executed by the Sheriff before the first sunrise.

Choose carefully.