Baldassare is a creature obsessed with power, he will do and say anything to keep and obtain it. He has betrayed, lied and stolen to achieve his position, and will do so again in a heartbeat, if he had one.

Not an intellectual giant, nor a prime physical specimen, he is charming and attractive enough, but it's the combination of his attributes and the single-minded strive for power that makes him so effective. The sum is greater than his parts.

Abilities honed are those necessary to him, first as a soldier in the War against the Sabbat, surviving that has left him with a lot of combat ability, though his pretense at being a strategist would crumble if people looked at it closely, he is just good enough at seizing the opportunity when he has a great advantage, should he find himself in need of creating an advantage he would be in dire straits.

The Prince has the backgrounds. Any and all of them that he could need. He is the Prince, until that changes, he has the means to quash people like insects.

This is where his true power lies, he's not an extremely powerful kindred by himself, but his connection with others, his alliances, as precarious as some of them are, makes him invaluable. The Inner Council might not completely trust him, but they keep him in place. Likewise, other factions do not trust him, but for now they have no reason to make a move on him (not counting the Jersey Sabbat)

The Prince carries a heavy revolver loaded with silver bullets, should any Werewolf get ideas. He also has ghoul bodyguards armed for that event, and his ghoul-wife/wyrmy assistant has her own means to stop attacks (note: let's not get too deep into details, wyrmy icky stuff)

From past experiences, he knows how to handle a shotgun with dragonsbreath too, and has a broadsword infused with the flamey ritual of the Tremere (I forget the name)

Should the need arise to suit up for war, the Prince has a full set of riot gear armor, and would almost resemble a modern day version of a knight, albeit one with the ability to spray fire and silver around him.

The Prince is well aware of what goes on in the city, a vast network of spies and the loyalty of both the Nosferatu and the Ravnos means he can respond and send out minions to put out fires whenever they appear. The Giovanni also support the Prince, and his associations with everyone and anything that can grant him power is a boon.