Vampires are among the best-known creatures of fantasy and folklore, with variations of blood-sucking or life-draining undead appearing in different cultures around the world for millennia. They've been a popular topic in literature, film, and even gaming, but every canon has slightly different rules and origin stories for these creatures, meaning that there are thousands of different vampire iterations throughout the world of fiction.
Considering how prominent vampires are in fantasy, it's no surprise that they found their way into the world of Dungeons & Dragons. And, with how complex the franchise's lore is, it's also unsurprising that vampires have their own story in the Forgotten Realms. Many of their traits align with the traditional concept of the vampire in fiction, but for those planning to run a campaign featuring these creatures of the night, here's some important information to know.
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From dark fantasy adventures to modern horror icons, these iconic vampires make up the best vampiric villains in gaming.
Vampire Spawn Vs. True Vampires
Key Distinctions In Abilities
Those who played Baldur's Gate 3 and completed Astarion's companion questline will be well aware of this distinction, which depicts it between Astarion and his master, Cazador Szaar. Vampire spawn are turned undead who are under the control of their master, a true vampire. They must sustain themselves on blood and they have all the strengths and weaknesses associated with vampirism; however, they cannot spread it to others.
As Astarion states, a spawn can become a true vampire by drinking their master's blood. However, most are loath to allow this, preferring to keep their spawn enslaved and subservient. The death of a master will free their spawn from their control, but they will not become true vampires.
How Vampires Are Created
A Few Different Methods
In classical lore, vampirism is, of course, transferred via bite. However, different canons differ slightly on the details. In D&D lore, the drained victim must be buried before they can rise again as a vampire spawn. Almost any sentient creature can become a vampire: humanoids, monstrous races, even illithids and dragons. Most vampires encountered in campaigns are humanoid (humans, elves, dwarves, etc.), but a centaur or yeti vampire is within the realm of possibility.
There are a few other ways that vampires can arise in D&D. Certain spells can create them, such as Create Undead Minion and Undeath After Death. Neither of these spells exist in the gameplay beyond 3e, but DMs and even players might use them in a vampire character's backstory. Rare cursed items have also been known to cause vampirism through evil magic.
Vampiric Weaknesses
Pulling From Classic Vampire Lore
Vampires in D&D are subject to most of the weaknesses and peculiarities ascribed to most vampires in fiction. They cast no shadows and have no reflections. They cannot enter homes without invitation, and have a strong aversion to garlic. Standing in running water will harm them, and, of course, they cannot withstand sunlight. Direct exposure will instantly start burning their skin, and if they stand in the sunlight too long, they will turn to ash.
Vampires are also bound to their coffins, and must rest there to heal themselves from harm. This will heal almost any injury over time; however, they are vulnerable in this state. If a vampire is resting in their coffin, being staked through the heart will destroy them instantly.
Vampiric Powers
Bloodsucking Fiends Are Creatures To Fear
Of course, the long list of vampiric weaknesses is accompanied by some powerful abilities to balance things out. Vampires in the world of D&D have shapeshifting powers, allowing them to take on the form of a rat, a bat, or a wolf. They can also summon a swarm of these animals in combat to aid them against foes. If their physical body takes too much damage, a vampire will turn into a puff of mist, escaping to restore themselves in their coffin. They can only be truly killed with a stake, or with Radiant damage.
Vampires also possess incredible strength and speed, making them formidable opponents in battle. They can crawl on walls or ceilings as easily as a spider. And, of course, they have their most deadly weapon: their fangs. These undead creatures can drain their victims of blood to severely weaken or even kill them.
Associations With Powerful Beings
Vampires Don't Always Work Alone
Most vampires are solitary individuals, preferring to lord over their spawn and servants within their grandiose lairs. However, some worked in service to others, whether out of compulsion or to further their own ambitions. The lich known as Szass Tam, one of the Zulkirs who ruled Thay, employed vampires as generals in his army of undead.
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It's rare for vampires to worship gods, but there are some who serve the drow goddess Kiaransalee in her realm in Abyss. The goddess of revenge and undeath, she employed vampires to do her bidding in her quest for vengeance against the other drow gods.
Variations On Vampirism
There's More Than One Version Of This Affliction
Most of the information in this article applies to the most common type of vampirism in D&D, but there are a few other variations that players might encounter in their adventures. The Nosferatu are a particuarly fearsome strain of vampires found in the Domain of Dread in the Shadowfell. Vampyres, vampires with fire-related powers, are known to wander Faerûn. Velya, from the game's second edition, are a type of water-dwelling vampiric creature.
On rare occasions, it is possible for a living creature to become tainted with the blood of a vampire. Such creatures are known as dhampirs, or sometimes daywalkers due to their lack of sun sensitivity. They were either the offspring of a mortal and a vampire, or children born to a mother who had been bitten while pregnant. Though they might be raised by mortals or by vampires, dhampirs are often outcasts no matter which world they walk in.
Notable Vampire Characters
Iconic D&D Villains
One of the best-known vampires in D&D is Strahd von Zarovich, the main antagonist of the 5e module Curse of Strahd. Imprisoned in the Demiplane of Dread in the realm of the Shadowfell, he is an evil and obsessive figure who found himself trapped there after the death of a woman who spurned him. Many have fought him, but most managed to defeat him only temporarily.
Jander Sunstar, a Gold Elf vampire, is another noteworthy character, in part due to his animosity with Strahd. Having been turned undead by a friend who betrayed him, Jander maintained his humanity, dedicating himself to ridding the world of vampires and other evils. After failing to kill Strahd, he hunted his own kind, and later rode with the Hellriders against devils in Avernus.
These are just a few of the fascinating vampire characters in the world of D&D. There's Erliza Daressin, who ruled the island of Snowdown and was known as "Bloody Erliza." There's Kierkan Rufo, a former priest who was turned into a vampire after drinking a cursed potion. There's Nyressa Flass, the Vampire Zulkir of Thay. DMs have plenty of vampire characters to explore in their campaigns — and plenty of freedom to create their own as well.
- Franchise
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Original Release Date
- 1974
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast
- Designer
- E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson