September 17, 2025
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 Reverses DLC Decision After Fan Backlash Paradox confirms the Lasombra and Toreador clans will now be included in the base game at launch
Paradox Interactive has officially rolled back one of its most controversial decisions regarding Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. The publisher confirmed that the Lasombra and Toreador clans, originally planned as part of a $22 DLC pack, will now be included in the base game when it launches this October.
📅 A Long-Awaited Release
Fans have been waiting more than 20 years for a sequel to the 2004 cult-classic Bloodlines. Development has been turbulent, with delays, a change in developers, and the release window shifting from 2020 to its new launch date of October 21, 2025.
When Paradox initially announced that two of the game’s most beloved clans would be locked behind paid DLC, frustration quickly spread across the community. The Lasombra and Toreador are among the most popular clans in the Vampire: The Masquerade universe, and many argued they were essential to the base experience.
🎉 Clans Back in the Base Game
In a statement on the game’s official website, executive producer Marco Behrmann thanked fans for their passionate feedback and confirmed the decision to restore both clans to the core game:
“Lasombra and Toreador belong in the base game.”
Alongside this announcement, Paradox released a new overview trailer and shared details about upcoming story expansions:
- Loose Cannon – follows Brujah Sheriff Benny’s story
- The Flower & The Flame – focuses on Toreador Primogen Ysabella
Both expansions will be part of the Premium Edition Expansion Pass, scheduled to arrive in 2026.
🛠️ Responding to Player Concerns
Earlier in September, Paradox even began offering refunds for the Premium Edition on PS5, citing growing frustration from players about locking clans behind DLC. This reversal shows a willingness to address concerns directly, restoring faith among fans who have long been waiting for the sequel.
🔮 What’s Next for The Chinese Room
The Chinese Room, which took over development in 2023, has been praised for its narrative direction and character work in early previews of Bloodlines 2. While the studio is also developing other original projects, the focus remains on delivering a strong experience for this highly anticipated RPG.
🔚 Final Thoughts
The decision to keep Lasombra and Toreador in the base game is a major win for fans who have been waiting patiently for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. With release just weeks away, excitement continues to build for a sequel that could finally live up to its legendary predecessor.