I think originally, it wasn’t actually about killing them. I think the heart is still a source of power for them in a metaphysical way, but they were just severely weakened by it or put into a sort of stasis. Because in Dracula, it’s not just a stake through the heart but staking Dracula into the coffin that they then nailed shut before burying. Clearly not expecting the stake to be enough on its own.
I remember reading this in a few different books too. The stake immobilized them and then you killed them with fire or a priest wielding a flamethrower or something.
That was the premise used in Blade 2 for some types of vampires. Also, traditionally, believed vampires were often beheaded (not sure if it was to kill them or after killing them) and buried with their head between their legs, presumably to stop them from healing and becoming active again. It was very effective, mostly because vampires aren’t real.
I think originally, it wasn’t actually about killing them. I think the heart is still a source of power for them in a metaphysical way, but they were just severely weakened by it or put into a sort of stasis. Because in Dracula, it’s not just a stake through the heart but staking Dracula into the coffin that they then nailed shut before burying. Clearly not expecting the stake to be enough on its own.
I remember reading this in a few different books too. The stake immobilized them and then you killed them with fire or a priest wielding a flamethrower or something.
What a freaking process.
That was the premise used in Blade 2 for some types of vampires. Also, traditionally, believed vampires were often beheaded (not sure if it was to kill them or after killing them) and buried with their head between their legs, presumably to stop them from healing and becoming active again. It was very effective, mostly because vampires aren’t real.