The first decision you need to make before starting a playthrough is choose your desired “moral compass”, so to speak. Are you going to max out your Humanity, your Nihilism, or (if you want more of a challenge) both?

Humanity: Pick nice/caring conversation options (except maybe with Hussar, as he dislikes that), do not kill humans, and only steal when there are no people around. Don’t pickpocket pedestrians. Don’t do Kirill’s quest. Be nice to Faina to get her gift. When you meet Dragomir, tell him he’s mad and trick him.

Nihilism: Pick selfish/sarcastic conversation options. Pickpocket pedestrians, feed on rabbits and humans. When your Nihilism reaches 20, start Kirill’s quest. At the end of the quest, enchant him to ask for a safe combination. When you meet Dragomir, do what he asks you to do.

Note: The quickest way to up your Nihilism to 40+ is to suck a human dry (thanks to GrandMajora for the tip). The easiest person to do it to is Nikolina - as long as she is your first victim, you can drain her without even affecting your reputation with the Doctor!

Dual-Max: Decide which characters are “expendable” for your playthrough and who you want to please. Pick conversation options accordingly. Pickpoket pedestrians, feed on rabbits and humans. When your Nihilism reaches 20, start Kirill’s quest. At the end of the quest, enchant him to change his ways. Be nice to Faina to get her gift. When you meet Dragomir, trick him.

Note: You will get enough experience points to level up to the maximum vampire rank of 10 with some to spare! So don't worry if you miss some skill unlock conversation options - 70% of them have no effect on gameplay.

Throughout the game, you will encounter a few quick-time events (QTEs), which come in three different kinds.

The first kind - such as faking a shot or feeding on rabbits - tasks you with pressing a certain key on your keyboard within the few seconds of allotted time. Sometimes it’s a sequence of several keys, but never more than 4.

The observant people amongst you would notice that only 3 keys are ever used for the QTEs - E, F and R. So watch your left hand!

Despite this simplicity, it is very easy to fail them if you start to panic - so don’t! Thankfully, failing these is never fatal for Liza, and only one of them has any consequences for the plot.

The second kind is where you use invisibility and/or bat form to get from A to B very quickly. These kinds of QTEs are part of the main plot and have serious consequences. However, there’s always an Auto-save point shortly before them. Make sure your blood meter is at least half-full before attempting these, use the Shift key to move faster, and try your best not to panic! This type of QTE doesn’t appear until the last part of Chapter 3.

Anastasia’s music lessons are the final kind of QTE. You need to left-click each piano key as the notes above are highlighted. These can be quite challenging. However, the number of tries is unlimited while you are within the interface, and the lessons themselves are completely optional.

In addition to the main questline, there are also side quests - one for each named character. With the exception of the music lessons mentioned earlier and Kirill’s Nihilism unlock, it is recommended that you do every single one of them in every playthrough - they all affect your moral compass, increase your stats, or both. You can do side quests at the start of Chapters 3, 4 and 6, when the main quest doesn’t progress. Check your quest log and your calendar often, as some of the quest steps have a “deadline”.

Remember that time only passes when you spend an action point or sleep. So do as many quests as you can, and spend all 3 of your action points each “day”. Doctor Volkov’s quest step is usually a good one to end the night on, as his study is very close to the coffin, meaning the risk of burning up at dawn is a lot less.

The differences are highlighted.



To make things easier to remember: You pick your stats 3 times during the initial “funeral speech”. Pick Literature and Science the first 2 times, so that you have 5 points in each; the third time, pick “artist” or “friend”, depending on the playthrough goal.

The bookcase in the Countess’ manor is only there as a tutorial, to familiarize you with the gameplay mechanic. That’s why it only contains books that give 1 point in their corresponding stat (look for the symbols on the spines) and take 1 Action Point (quarter of the “day”) to finish.

The Academic achievement, which you get if you read every book in the game, is one of the hardest to get. Not least because it requires you to keep questing to the minimum, due to the amount of in-game time reading takes - ideally, just the main questline. So it isn’t recommended for your first or second playthrough.

The bookcase in the doctor’s apartment is the one you will store most of your books in. By default, it contains the same books as the Countess’ Manor and a few 2-point ones. The bookstore sells the full range, including 3-point offerings! A bonus book, given as a reward by a character you are supposed to kill, if you spare his life and limb, is a Science 4-pointer.

Note: Skill points obtained from reading books are assigned automatically. Which means they can still apply themselves even After you reach the level cap!

Fun Fact: There is a book-related puzzle in the Mayor’s office. It’s Very easy if you take into account 2 things. Firstly, a double-underline means the start of a new word. Secondly, just like in the rest of the game, all the books in the puzzle exist in real life - if in doubt, google them!

Having obscenely large amounts of money may seem like a cheat. However, there are 3 achievements that are impossible without this, and several characters who can only have their “best” ending if you help them financially. Here’s the most efficient way to get it:

Step 1: In the Prologue, take money out of the cabinet in the basement. Total at end of step: 5 coins, or 4 if you tip Trofim.

Step 2: In chapter 2, you will be given 20 coins to complete your task for the countess. In addition to that, steal 50 coins from the house. Total at end of step: 74-75 coins.

Step 3: After completing the task, save the game. Then go to the vodka bar and talk with Jurgis the barman. This unlocks the option to play “21” with him. Make sure the stakes are “all in”. If you win, go home, save again, repeat. If you lose, reload, repeat. After 1 win, your total will be about 150 coins; after 2 - 300; after 3 - 600 coins, after 4 - 1,200.

This will be enough to enable you to pay money where needed throughout the game, buy all the items in the grocery store and bookshop and get every cash-related achievement. Especially as you earn some coins from your work as the doctor’s assistant too.

Note: Play with the barman Specifically - many players have noticed that Iskra, and especially Kirill, both cheat at cards.

The “glass of blood” indicator has a maximum capacity, but it is possible to go over that amount. If you do, All your stats will temporarily increase by 15 points! This will allow you to easily pass any skill check, especially when combined with stat boosts from wearing an appropriate dress.

Just like the previous trick I’ve described, this one looks like a cheat but isn’t. Because without it, the game would have required the players to obsess over the “optimal” stat distribution, and would have been a lot less fun.

The glass looks like there is blood spilling out of it, there is a slight reddish haze and the numbers on your character sheet turn purple. Feed on rabbits, humans or use the (infinite) Cabernet bottle quest reward.

The game calls this state “intoxication”. It lasts for three quarters of the “day”, even if you sleep in-between.

Fun fact: In English, the word “intoxicated” can mean either “emotionally and mentally exhilarated” or “under the influence of a substance”. The Latin word “intoxicare”, that it derives from, means “to poison”. So it’s triply accurate!

From a lore standpoint, you are not supposed to over-indulge - the more you do it, the more your need for blood will increase, until you go feral. However, right now, the only negative effect seems to be the glass being 2/3 empty the next day - so for players who have enough money to buy extra from the Salon, or the Cabernet bottle quest reward, it wouldn’t even be an issue. The other characters (even the doctor) don’t seem to notice anything different, and the stat boost can be super-helpful.

Note: Drinking from a vial or glass does Not intoxicate you!

Politics is needed to start Marusia’s quest, as well as to take full advantage of the meeting with the revolutionaries. if yours is at zero, getting intoxicated and putting on the purple dress will do the trick.

Science is required for many things. Most notably, the doctor (your employer), and mushrooms. It is also one of the easiest stats to increase, as some of his medical tasks increase it when completed.

There’s one quest step, in “Matters of the Heart”, that needs high Science. However, by the time you get it, your science will probably be at 20 already, boostable to 25 via a dress you buy in the Store. This quest rewards you with the (infinite) Cabernet bottle.

Literature is important for Evgeny’s and Roman’s quests. Some of the doctor’s quest steps too - that’s the reason his dress gives you the bonus.

Fun fact: In Russian, the word “roman” has 3 meanings. It can be a man’s name; it also means “a long novel”; or it can mean “a romantic relationship/love affair”. So a character named Roman, who sells novels and can be romanced, is a triple pun!

Art is vital for Anastasia if you wish to unlock the best conversation options. If you decide to attend her music lessons, you’ll need a progressively higher Art check.

There is a save point on the desk in the Mayor’s office. It’s there for a reason!

One of the characters you’ve met before will attempt to make a deal with you. Accepting Any of these deals will unlock what I like to call “a Nightmare Ending”. These are different for each deal, but they have one thing in common: They make every choice you’ve made in the game entirely irrelevant, as you will not interact with any of the characters again - the game will end almost immediately! Still, these endings are worth getting for the achievements they give. The save point will allow you to replay the relevant part of the game and choose to reject the deal.

Who you will interact with depends on how you played the game up to this point:


When you first meet the Countess in Chapter 1, apologise for interrupting and remember her name correctly. Don’t read the document when running her errand in Chapter 2 - or successfully pretend you haven't. Deliver her letter to the doctor. Don’t take the necklace from her safe in Chapter 6. You will see her reading in the Mayor’s office. During the conversation, tell her things she would approve of and make a deal with her.


Later in the chapter, after pickpocketing a key from the prison guard, you will be able to unlock a room, with the Mayor sitting at the desk.
If your Nihilism is 50+ you will have the options to agree with everything he says and make a deal with him.
If it’s lower, the deal is still possible, provided you have the Dead Souls document from the Countess’ safe.

Note: Depending on whether you handed the document to Hussar in Chapter 2, you will get different achievements for this ending.


Even later in the chapter, after Liza gets thrown in jail, she can have Dragomir come and free her. For this to happen, she needs to have caused at least one death on or after Kupala Night, and also have her Nihilism be higher than her Humanity.

The ending sequence is longer than that of the other Nightmare endings, and can be thought of as the “true ending” for Nihilism playthroughs.


This ending gives you the “Make yourself comfortable” achievement - one of the hardest to get. If, after Lisa gets thrown in jail, she Doesn’t have the things required to influence the guard to free her, she will die in prison.

In order to influence the guard, you need Any Two of the following:

• Literature 20
  
• Art 20
  
• 100 coins.
  
• Humanity and/or Nihilism at 70

Note: At the time of writing, this ending is a bit broken - the Only way to get the achievement is to Pass the Nihilism check, choose the corresponding conversation option and then Fail the quick-time event that follows.

There are many characters whose fate you can influence by making certain choices, provided you get to Chapter 8 a.k.a the Epilogue. These choices can be divided into 3 main categories:

Bad - Brings misery or death to the character or misery to Liza herself. Choose for achievements only.
Good - The character either disappears or ends up content with his or her life. A good choice if you don’t have the desire, or the pre-requisites, for the best outcome.
Best - The character has the happiest possible outcome. Some characters have multiple best endings, or several bad endings.

Note: Alisa, Roman, and either Anastasia or Evgeny (depending on who you choose) can be romanced, if you choose the conversation options with a heart next to them. So the number of romantic relationships you can have at the same time can range from 0 to 3 (there’s an achievement for starting multiple ones).

The following sections detail the choices you need to make that affect each individual character. Arban, Rusalka, Oleg and Demyan are not included in the Relationship guide below, because the consequences of their options are very obvious.

Bad: During his quest, fail to break his contract.
Best: Use your high Science, and Alisa's assistance, to help him break his contract.

Note: In the Epilogue, he is the hardest character to find. He will be on his usual roof.

Bad: Don’t tell her to be careful and don’t come to her sunrise ritual. This will kill her.
Good Tell her to be careful and do come to her sunrise ritual, but don't romance her.
Best: Romance her. Tell her to be careful and come to her sunrise ritual.

Note: Interestingly, there are no particularly bad consequences for letting Alisa die. There is even one advantage - as the place where Alisa normally resides is one of the most remote in the game, her death actually saves you 2 or 3 action-point-costing trips, giving you more time for other quests.

Bad: Don’t help Alisa on Kupala Night.
Best: Help Alisa on Kupala Night.

Note: If you Don’t take Matilda home in Chapter 1, the Kupala Night sequence will change slightly, but the quest will proceed as normal.

Bad: Avoid all romantic options with him.
Bad: Romance him. When he tells you about his plans for the future, don’t tell him you are a vampire.
Good: Romance both Alisa and Roman. When Roman tells you about his plans for the future, promise to tell about yourself later.
Best: Romance Roman but not Alisa. When he tells you about his plans for the future, promise to tell about yourself later.

Note: As a Literature skill unlock option, Roman will gift you a 2-point book, from a choice of 4, and ask you to read it. It will go directly to the Doctor’s bookcase, to the bottom of the list. So it’s best to make sure you don’t purchase any books you don’t need for quests before this happens. The Horror pick will increase your Art, the Philosophy one will improve Literature, the others will up your History.

Good: Don’t turn the cat into a vampire.
Best: Do turn the cat into a vampire after maxing out your relationship. In the Epilogue, interact with him Before turning on the TV for an achievement.

Bad: When enchanting him in Chapter 1, tell him to start stealing. This will land him in big trouble later on.
Good: When enchanting him in Chapter 1, choose either of the drink-related options. Thereafter, pick the options he would like. At the end of his quest, at the lake, choose the high-relationship unlock option (purple).
Best: When enchanting him in Chapter 1, choose either of the drink-related options. At the end of his quest, at the lake, give him money. Alternatively, if your Nihilism is 50+, turn him into a vampire.

Note Trofim is the only character who lives near the Countess' manor. So if you have anything to do in the manor area, make sure you do it at the time you visit him - your final visit to the manor is instanced!

You have a conversation with him once you complete all 3 sets of his medical tasks.

Bad: Tell him to finish his work, or say you cannot advise him.
Good: Tell him to stop working.
Best: Give him money for research.

Note: Some of his quest steps require you to have his medical bag in your inventory, so pick it up from the couch as soon as you can!

Bad: Fail to enchant Evgeny or fail to interact with Kirill during the duel itself.
Best: When talking to Evgeny about the duel, enchant him, choosing the duel-related option. During the duel itself, interact with Kirill.

Note 1: If you get your History/Politics to 15 (get intoxicated and put on the purple dress), you will be able to buy Evgeny’s journal from Kirill for 50 coins. However, probably due to a bug, the journal will Not be added to your inventory. This means that the only thing you’ll be skipping is the two men playing cards for the journal, with the rest of the questline remaining unchanged. So this option is for achievements only, until the (probable) bug is fixed.

Note 2: Talking to Evgeny about the duel is impossible if you also have an invitation to dinner from his wife. So you will need to decide whose quest you wish to progress first, until the bug (and it's definitely a bug) is fixed.

Bad: Let Anastasia, Evgeny, or both, die at any point in the game.
Bad: Romance either Anastasia or Evgeny. When alone either with Anastasia or with Evgeny in their house or garden at any point in the game, enchant them and tell them their marriage is over. Come when your chosen one summons you by letter.
Best: When alone either with Anastasia or with Evgeny in their house or garden at any point in the game, enchant them and tell them to finish what they are working on. During the conversation that unlocks after you hear Anastasia play, choose the “work together” option.

Fun fact: Anastasia’s quest, “Songbird’s Lament”, can be failed in 3 different ways, two of which involve offending her. So save your game before every conversation with her, just in case!

Nihilism 20 is required to even unlock his quest, becoming a thief. It gives quite a bit of money and increases Nihilism.

Good: When enchanting him at the end of his quest, ask him to tell the safe combination.
Best: When enchanting him at the end of his quest, tell him to change his ways. Humanity 50 required.

Note: Some players have found that Kirill’s questline (“Dubious Dealings”), conflicts with Evgeny’s (“Writer’s Draught”), and Rusalka’s (“Washed Away”). So make sure you do Kirill’s After Evgeny’s but Before Rusalka’s, if at all.

Her fate is decided in the field

Bad: Tell her she is needed at home.
Good: Give her the two gifts at any time before the conversation happens. In the field, choose the high-relationship unlock option (purple)
Best: Give her money for her studies.

Bad: Either don’t give them Kolya’s package at all, or hand it over without opening it.
Good: Open the package, then use your high relationship with Gosia to convince her not to use it. Same outcome as the best option, but not as reliable.
Best: Use your Science skill to deduce what the package contains, then use your high relationship with Gosia to convince her not to use it.

The brother who ends up in jail

Bad: Don’t tell him you are a vampire.
Bad: Don't pay the bribe.
Best: Take good care of him at the Doctor’s house. Pay the bribe. Do tell him you are a vampire. Turn him into one and help him escape.

Bad: During the confrontation in the basement, Fail to either run away from her or convince her to let you go.
Good: Run away from her, Don’t ask to release her later. Choose this if you want to punish her.
Best: Run away from her, ask to release her later.
Best: Use your high Literature, followed by either high Art or high Nihilism, to convince her to let you go.
Best: In Chapter 1, tell Alisa that you prefer vampire life to human. You will get an achievement for this later in the game!

That’s all folks! Have fun, and try not to suck too much!