Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 - Controls

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 combines fast first person combat with supernatural movement, feeding, telekinesis and vampire abilities, so learning the controller layout makes a noticeable difference once fights become crowded.

The default PlayStation controls keep movement actions on the face buttons and sticks while R1, L1, L2 and R2 handle most combat actions. Several inputs also change depending on whether you are attacking, targeting an ability or interacting with the environment.

This guide covers the default PlayStation controller bindings shown in the in game Controls menu, including movement, feeding, Telekinesis, elixirs, Heightened Senses and ability shortcuts.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 Controls

Elixirs occupy separate D Pad shortcuts in the default configuration. Check the Controls screen if you have changed your bindings or want to confirm the direction assigned to a particular elixir.

Movement, Jumping and Gliding

Use the left stick to move and press L3 to run. Cross controls both jumping and gliding, allowing the same button to handle basic traversal and supernatural aerial movement when gliding is available.

Use Height before Gliding

Gliding becomes much more useful when you begin from an elevated position. Look for rooftops, balconies and other vertical routes before committing to a long street level approach.

Do Not Sprint Everywhere

Running is useful for quickly crossing open ground, but slower movement gives you more time to inspect an unfamiliar area and identify potential threats before entering it.

How to Crouch

Press Circle to crouch.

Crouching is useful when you want a lower profile, need to move beneath an obstruction or are approaching a situation where charging directly forward would attract unnecessary attention.

Light and Heavy Attacks

R1 handles the standard melee attack input, with light and heavy attack behaviour depending on how the attack is performed and the current combat situation.

Do Not Commit to Long Attacks without Space

Watch what the enemy is doing before committing to a slower attack. Quick pressure works well against vulnerable opponents, while stronger attacks are more useful once an opening has been created.

Move between Attacks

Combat feels much better when movement remains part of your attack rhythm. Use the left stick and Dash to change angles rather than standing directly in front of an opponent and trading hits.

Dash and Vampiric Sprint

Press L1 to use Dash or Vampiric Sprint when the current situation allows it.

This is one of the most important combat inputs because it lets you rapidly reposition, close distance and avoid remaining trapped in a dangerous part of the battlefield.

Dash Sideways rather than Only Backward

Moving to an enemy's side often creates a better follow up angle than simply retreating. It can also move you closer to another target that is easier to feed on or attack.

How to Feed

Press L2 and R2 together to Feed when a valid target is available.

Feeding is a core part of the combat loop, so learn to recognize when an opponent is vulnerable enough to become a safe target.

Do Not Begin a Feed in the Middle of Every Enemy

Feeding leaves you committed to the action for a moment. Look at the surrounding enemies first and choose a target that gives you enough breathing room.

Use Movement to Set Up a Feed

Dash away from the largest cluster, isolate a weaker enemy and then feed rather than forcing the action in the most dangerous position.

Using Telekinesis

R2 controls Telekinesis when the ability is available and appropriate to the object or target you are looking at.

Telekinesis is useful for manipulating the battlefield rather than relying exclusively on direct punches. Look for objects that can be moved, thrown or otherwise used to create an advantage.

Scan the Room before Fighting

A useful object near an enemy can turn a difficult opening into an easy one. Check the environment before immediately entering melee range.

Use Telekinesis to Control Distance

The ability is particularly valuable when an enemy is inconveniently positioned. Manipulating a target or nearby object can create the opening you need for a melee attack, ability or feed.

Ability Targeting

Hold L2 to enter ability targeting. While targeting, the four face buttons activate the ability categories assigned to them.

Memorize the Four Face Buttons

The easiest way to become comfortable with supernatural abilities is to think of L2 as the ability modifier. Once it is held, Square, Cross, Triangle and Circle become your four ability categories.

Aim before Activating

Take a fraction of a second to confirm the intended target. Accidentally spending an ability on the wrong enemy can leave you without the effect when a more dangerous opponent approaches.

Strike Ability

Hold L2 and press Square to activate the ability assigned to Strike.

Strike abilities are naturally suited to offensive moments. Use them to punish an exposed target or to create momentum when ordinary melee attacks are not enough.

Relocate Ability

Hold L2 and press Cross to activate Relocate.

Think of this category as a positioning tool. Mobility is extremely valuable in Bloodlines 2 because distance and angle determine whether you can attack safely, feed or escape pressure.

Affect Ability

Hold L2 and press Triangle to use your current Affect ability.

Affect abilities provide another way to influence a situation instead of solving every encounter through direct damage. Read the current ability description and use it where its effect provides the most value.

Mastery Ability

Hold L2 and press Circle to activate your Mastery ability.

Mastery should be treated as an important part of your broader ability setup rather than an input you save forever. Learn what your equipped version does and build it into your regular combat plan.

Using Blood, Mending, Potence and Fortitude Elixirs

The controller layout provides dedicated D Pad shortcuts for several elixirs, including Blood Elixir, Mending Elixir, Potence Elixir and Fortitude Elixir.

Blood Elixir

Keep track of this shortcut before entering a difficult encounter so you do not have to search for the correct input under pressure.

Mending Elixir

Treat healing resources as something to use when they meaningfully improve your chance of surviving the next exchange rather than automatically consuming one after minor damage.

Potence Elixir

Use offensive enhancements when you are actually ready to attack. Activating one and then spending its useful period searching the area wastes part of its value.

Fortitude Elixir

Defensive preparation makes the most sense before a dangerous engagement or when you know the next part of a fight will be difficult to avoid.

Heightened Senses

Press R3 to activate Heightened Senses.

This is one of the most useful exploration controls to remember. Use it whenever an environment becomes difficult to read or you want additional information about nearby people, threats or points of interest.

Use It before Entering an Unknown Area

Information gained before a fight is more valuable than discovering a threat after combat has already started.

Use It after Reaching a New Location

Instead of immediately running toward the next objective, inspect your surroundings and understand what is nearby first.

Interacting

Press Square to interact with valid objects and contextual targets.

Because Square is also used alongside L2 for the Strike ability, remember that holding the ability targeting input changes what the face buttons do.

Raise or Lower Your Weapon

Press Triangle to raise or lower the currently held weapon where the command is available.

Pay attention to context because Triangle also activates the Affect ability while L2 is being held.

Why the Same Button Can Do Different Things

Bloodlines 2 uses contextual and modifier based controls. R2 can be associated with Telekinesis but also participates in the Feed combination. Square interacts normally but becomes Strike while L2 is held.

When an input seems to perform the wrong action, check whether you are holding L2 or another modifier.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you attack in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2?

Use R1 for the standard light and heavy attack input.

How do you feed?

Press L2 and R2 together when a valid feeding opportunity is available.

How do you use Telekinesis?

Use R2 while targeting an appropriate object or target.

How do you use vampire abilities?

Hold L2 to target abilities, then press Square for Strike, Cross for Relocate, Triangle for Affect or Circle for Mastery.

How do you activate Heightened Senses?

Press R3.

How do you dash?

Press L1 to Dash or use Vampiric Sprint when available.

How do you glide?

Cross controls Jump and Glide. The action changes according to your current movement state.

How do you crouch?

Press Circle.

How do you run?

Press L3 while moving.

How do you interact with objects?

Press Square when an interaction is available.

How do you use elixirs?

Blood, Mending, Potence and Fortitude Elixirs have dedicated D Pad shortcuts in the standard controller layout.

Learn the Modifier Controls First

The most useful thing to memorize is the relationship between L2 and the four face buttons. Once Strike, Relocate, Affect and Mastery become automatic, switching from ordinary movement and melee combat into vampire abilities becomes much faster.

After that, practice combining Dash, Telekinesis and Feed. Those three actions give you control over positioning, the environment and vulnerable enemies, which is far more useful than relying on basic attacks alone.

See our Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 Tips and Tricks Guide for combat, feeding, abilities, exploration and survival advice.