Video games are no strangers to giving players unique abilities and powers that defy the laws of nature. Among these supernatural skills, lays a particularly interesting and grisly one: blood magic. Hemokinesis, the power to control and manipulate the life force through one's veins, has captivated gamers for years. From blood mages to vampires and other bloodsucking monsters, countless video game series have delved into the realm of blood magic.
These characters tap into the power of blood to unleash attacks, create rituals, or even sustain their own health. TV and movies have seen this trope explored before, but only within the world of gaming are players able to explore it themselves. These are some of the best characters that use blood magic in video games.
10 Legacy Of Kain
Kain, the anti-hero, is the main protagonist and playable character in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Blood Omen 2, and Legacy of Kain: Defiance, while being an antagonist in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and its sequel. Born a human and eventually cursed with vampirism, he is relentless and cunning during his quests.
Using basic telekinesis, he can drain the blood of enemies through his throat. He consumes the red blood of living creatures to replenish his health, and consumes blue blood from ghostly enemies to replenish his magic energy. Kain, in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, could drink from each of the Blood Fountains once to obtain new magical abilities, such as increased strength and immunity. The series is available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and more.
9 Dragon Age
Blood magic in the world of Dragon Age explores the power of blood to fuel spells such as demon summoning and mind control. Blood Mage is one of the specializations in Dragon Age: Origins, and Dragon Age II. Some notable Blood Mages include Corypheus, Jowan, and Merrill.
One of blood magic's most dangerous abilities, is to influence or control other beings. Blood Control/Blood Slave can enslave a victim by taking control of their own blood. Blood magic can additionally be used to see the dreams of those who sleep. While not all Blood Mages are inherently evil, it is mostly used as a tool for violence and corruption. This series is available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
8 The Elder Scrolls
Within the world of The Elder Scrolls, blood magic is ancient and dark. It is used by vampires from powerful bloodlines, but non-vampires can use it to a lesser extent. It is often used to paralyze others, drain life, reanimate the dead, and summon gargoyles.
Vampire Lords are only able to perform this magic while levitating, but can slay mortals to enhance their blood magic powers. Additionally, blood magic rituals can be performed to complete great leaps of power and aid in the creations of blood-forges and artifacts. This series is available on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and more.
7 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
The Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines series is an action RPG set in White Wolf's World of Darkness. Blood magic, in this world, is performed by vampires for religious and occult practices., as well as for the power of Cainite Vitae. Cainite is a term used to refer to vampires of the race of Caine. Vitae, in vampire terminology, means blood.
The player can increase power over the course of the game through earned experience points on attributes, skills, and even vampire abilities called "Disciplines". Through the practices of blood magic, Cainites can summon fire, control weather, and do other things that are unnatural even by vampiric standards. This game is available on PC.
6 Diablo
Diablo is an action RPG game series with multiple forms of sorcery, blood magic being one of them. In the world of Diablo, the Priests of Rathma can use this type of magic by utilizing their own blood to power spells. In Diablo 3, this use of magic can result in Blood Golems - a type of enemy.
Necromancers are Sorcerers whose spells can raise the dead and summon or control creatures. Players have figured out the best builds for Blood Necromancers in Diablo 4 with skills such as Hemorrhage, Blood Lance, Blood Surge, and Blood Mist. This series is available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and more.
5 Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat is an action-adventure fighting game series that has always been known for its blood and gore. Throughout the series, a single blood mage stands out with her iconic red outfit - Skarlet. A user of "Blood Magik", Skarlet has mastered the dark arts.
She debuted in Mortal Kombat 2011 as a playable character after being the subject of speculation in Mortal Kombat 2. Returning to Mortal Kombat 11, Skarlet has multiple signature moves utilizing Blood Magik. This includes Blood Ball, Red Dash, and Cell Siphon. She can turn herself into blood to teleport using Bloodport. This series is available on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and more.
4 Guild Wars
Guild Wars is a multiplayer RPG series set in a fantasy world called Tyria. In the games, Necromancers call on the spirits of the dead to fight enemies and help allies. They can even temporarily curse themselves by sacrificing health to deal better damage on enemies.
In this game, blood magic is a Necromancer attribute. Many skills such as life stealing and health regeneration are a part of this. Supportive skills include Blood is Power, Blood Bond, and Well of Blood. Overall, there are a long list of blood related sorcery to explore in Guild Wars. This series is available on PC.
3 The Secret World
The Secret World is an MMORPG that takes place in modern cities such as New York, London, and Seoul. The freedom of the game's character creator allows players to build characters with unique abilities. Within these abilities lies the blood magic abilities, which are available upon starting a new game.
There are two tiers of blood magic abilities, the second being accessed only after the player unlocks every ability in the first tier. There are a vast number of abilities such as Blood Shield, Infection, Linked Veins, My Bloody Valentine, and more. This series is available on PC.
2 Dota
Dota is a strategy video game series centered around competitive online multiplayer gameplay. In the main installments, the player become a hero and must coordinate with teammates to destroy enemies' structures. One of the many heroes to choose from are Bloodseekers.
In Dota 2, Bloodseekers are driven by the need to search for blood. Strygwyr, a notable Bloodseeker, is a vicious hunter with powerful blood magic abilities. All Bloodseekers alike have several magical abilities, such as Bloodrage, Thirst, and Blood Mist. This series is available on PC and Mobile.
1 Blood & Magic
Blood & Magic is real-time strategy experience where players become wizards. As the games' title suggests, blood magic is a major mechanic within the gameplay. The games' world revolves around the powerful magic of Blood Forges, which are ancient magical items. Players, additionally, can use blood magic to create monsters.
Using the magic to forge Basal Golems, players can transform them into powerful units for fighting and exploring land. After the Basal Golems are created at the Blood Forge, they provide mana for the creation of more units that can be used for monsters or buildings. This is available on PC.