Vampire Visage

[white avenger]

Do vampires become more powerful when they change to the ridged forehead and fangs, or is it strictly a cosmetic thing? I don't think that was ever addressed on the show, so what's your opinion?

 

[Blondie Bear]

My hubby calls it their "stakin' face"; as soon as they put that face on, they're gonna get their butts kicked.

But, no, I think it's just an outward expression of their ferocious loss of control when they get ready to fight.

 

[Tranquillity]

I always thought the bumpy forehead was just to facilitate the biting rather than to give them more strength. I can see what you are getting at though, Angel and Spike do tend to 'pull out' the vampire face in the thick of the fight and they do seem to get stronger, maybe it's the blood-lust.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

I've always believed that it was more a visual tactic to unnerve the the opponent rather than the strength - as well as make it possible for the Vamps to bite.

Having said that, the Pylea arc does throw a few questions that way, given that the Vampire in his true form is far stronger and more vicious than the Vamp in human form.

This to me suggested that when a Vamp is looking human he has increased strength and such, but when he changes, he is tapping deeper into the demon within.

 

[Kana]

It seems to be an instinctual defense mechanism. When vampires are in danger or fighting they vamp out. Seen as their demon physiology is the source of their strength it makes sense. Also in Pylea when Angel vamps out he becomes a 'pure vampire' and stronger as a result (judging from his fight with Groo) however he cannot find the balance he would in LA (well that dimension). So I'd say it taps into the strength within, the source of their power.

 

[Hello Cutie]

Judging by the way both Spike and Angel used it, I'd explain the bumpy fangy face as a combination of factors. As BotD said, I could definitely see it's usefulness as a visual tactic, to unnerve and scare (and it definitely has the desired effect) as well as in order to bite. The whole scaring idea makes sense as well, because Angelus refers to the blood tasting 'sweeter' when the victim is scared.

I also think it does have an effect on the strength, but not in the sense of making them stronger per se, more blood-lust driven, sort of like a burst of adrenaline. It's the game face I guess... when you put it on it puts you more into the headspace for a good ol' ass kicking session.

 

[RogueHunter]

I assumed they were more powerful since they're demons and Doyle verified to Angel he was more powerful in Demon form than human.

Kind of like how women are much more dangerous during PMS. 🙂

 

[The Ferg]

I think they are stronger. Or maybe they just kinda go crazy because they want blood. Because when Spike drinks his daily blood in Hush he vamps out. Of course he couldn't really go crazy though because... he has a chip in his head.

 

[Jenny]

I always thought the vamp visage represented the true unleashing of the feral being that is a vampire...sort of a 'point of no return' if you will. At that point they are just running on animalistic instincts, but I figured they were always strong, vamp face or not.