Potence
- "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men."
- - John F. Kennedy
- Introduction to Potence
Every Cainite has the instinctual ability to increase her strength by burning blood, giving herself the capacity for feats that mortals can only dream of. The Discipline of Potence compounds the benefits of vampiric strength, tapping otherworldly reserves of power to allow for truly astounding displays of might.
A vampire with high levels of Potence can easily lift a horse or cow, break forged chains or crush a mortal's bones to powder with a few blows. Dark whispers also suggest that the unholy might granted by this Discipline gives its bearer an advantage in the struggle for a vampire's soul that comes at the end of diablerie.
There is not doubt that Potence is one of the most effective combat Disciplines. The clans that favor it (the Brujah, Nosferatu and Lasombra) certainly make the most of its benefits in that arena, but great strength also provides an advantage when performing hard labor or when physically trapped. It is also useful for impressing mortals, and it is generally the first Discipline a ghoul learns. Potence is a reflection of God's curse on Caine and his ilk because it removes a Cainite's ability to be gentle. The entire world becomes fragile and easily broken in the hands of a particularly potent Cainite.
- Main Sequence
Potence grants one automatic success per point on all tests of Strength. This includes feats of strength and lifting tests as well as damage rolls in melee and brawling combat. The player still rolls the character's full Strength dice pool for these tests, then adds her Potence rating in successes after the dice have been tallied. Potence successes do count in diablerie.
Errata: Potence does not add "mystical" or "spiritual" strength, and despite the rumors, does not count toward successes in Diablerie.
- Alternate Powers (1-5)
As a physical discipline, Potence has no alternate powers at levels 1-5. Each dot adds one point of supernatural strength.
- Advanced Potence
As with any discipline, an elder character may buy as many advanced Potence powers of any rank he or she has access to. However, only one of these at each level may be the standard "automatic success on any Strength test." Thus, in order to gain 7 automatic successes on strength rolls, a vampire must buy level 6 (automatic strength), and level 7 (automatic strength).
- Level 6
- The Fist of Caine (DAC 88)
- The Gentle Rebuke (CB3 67)
- Imprint (GC 93)
- Master of the Forge (PGHC pg 159)
- Relentless Pursuit (CB3 68)
- Level 7
- Earthshock (GC 93-94)
- Fist of the Titans (PGHC pg 159)
- The Forger's Hammer (DAC 88-89)
- Level 8
- Flick (GC 94)
- Lend the Supernatural Vigor (PGHC 159)
- Touch of Pain (DAC 89)
- Level 9
- Might of the Heroes (PGHC 159-160)
- Proposed Potence Powers
