Vampire Powers Explained

Traversal is the real power

The combat differences matter, but the movement differences change the shape of the map. If a location can only be reached by climbing, then it is a night location regardless of what the quest log says — and any route that includes it is constrained to night units.

• Wall traversal — vertical routes that do not exist by day.
• Shadowstep — short repositioning, useful in fights and in getting past things.
• Wolf form — described as the way to cross the countryside at night.

Blood is sustain and a decision

Feeding heals. That makes the night loop more forgiving in combat and considerably less forgiving narratively, because every heal is a question about who you are drinking from. See hunger and feeding.