I'm not entirely sure this is Character Optimization, but I do have an idea for a character and would like to know how best to support it via the game mechanics. I'm being brought into a Vampire: The Masquerade game. I've never played this system (WoD) and am working to get acclimated.

The character concept is a Gangrel who treats himself and his Beast under the mindset of a wolf-pack. You don't defeat or be defeated by the Beast; you establish dominance. The GM thought this was a good starting point, and even pointed me to the Path of the Feral Heart. (Something I'd have to find a mentor for)

The character before his Embrace was a member of the Animal Liberation Front. He really cares for the well being of animals, with a focus on dogs and cats. This being the case, he is proficient at working with a small group of individuals with a common goal, though he found himself at odds with society on a whole. His team included someone versed in bypassing security and another who specialized in the tech-end of things. The character himself sought out information (Investigation) and familiarized himself with enough knowledge for cases of extreme abuse. (Medicine)

SO... What I have so far.

Nature: Survivor
Demeanor: Fanatic (ALF)

Attributes: Primary - Physical, Secondary - Mental, Tertiary - Social

Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4 (specialized: Tough as Nails)
Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 1
Perception 4 (specialization: Attentive), Intelligence 1, Wits 3

Abilities: Primary - Talents, Secondary - Skills, Tertiary - Knowledge

Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 3, Dodge 2, Intimidation 2
Animal Ken 3, Stealth 3, Survival 3
Investigation 2, Medicine 2, Politics 1

Advantages:

Disciplines:

Animalism: 1
Fortitude: 1 (freebie points)
Protean: 2
Potence: 1 (freebie points)

Backgrounds: (Here I had the most difficulty finding things other than Generation)

Mentor: 1
Generation: 4

Virtues:

Conscience/Conviction: 2
Self-Control/Instinct: 4 (raised by 1 with freebie points)
Courage: 5

Merits: [4] Acute Sense (Auditory), Calm Heart
Flaws: [-7] Disease Carrier (Rabies), Repulsed by Garlic, Vengeful (Animal Cruelty)

Humanity/Path: 5
Willpower: 7 (raised by 2 with freebie points)

Any suggestions as to better fit my concept? Something I'm doing very wrong? Thanks!

In actuality? No, you're doing fairly well on what you have. Not bad at all.

Well, that's some effective minmaxing to be sure. But shouldn't you have contacts to represent the other ALS folks you're working with?

Contacts, duh! Thanks. I was hoping to get the Generation background below 4. I'm not entirely certain how much of a boon it is, but the threshold from 10th to 9th generation seemed like a big step.

As far as minmaxing, that really wasn't my aim. I did find a page detailing Path of the Feral Heart and tried steering the character towards that, combined with aspects of the philosophy I originally imagined for him. Is there anything that stands out? The Appearance and Intelligence of 1, perhaps? The Social attributes were a little fuzzy to me.

Well, Int1... isn't terribly crippling in WoD... long as you play it up properly.

Appearance 1 can be much worse, at least for gangrel. Your social stats all at least to a degree rely upon appearance. But, well, you're gangrel- no one expects them to be much better than animals. Most of vampire society basically think of them as an especially stupid breed of nosferatu, regardless.

But *unlike* nosferatu, you don't have cloaking powers to protect humans from reacting to you. So, in essense, you're only a handful of frenzies away from being incapable of interacting with ordinary humans. Except in dark allies- and even THAT is limitted, because the animal features do include fun things like scent and vocal warping.

In short: you'll be a walking violation of the masquerade in no time, if your Storyteller's any good at his job.

Aha. Well then, I'm going to take another look at Appearance and the social attributes in general. Thank you ever so much for taking the time to explain things. It's been a considerable help!