Serana’s Eternal Gift: How Many Times Can She Make You a Vampire Lord in Skyrim?
The short answer is: as many times as you want! If you have the Dawnguard DLC installed, Serana will transform you into a Vampire Lord repeatedly. You can become a regular vampire through other means, get cured, and then have Serana bestow the Vampire Lord status upon you again. This offers unparalleled flexibility for players wishing to experience the benefits (and drawbacks) of vampirism at will.
Understanding Skyrim Vampirism: A Deep Dive
Skyrim’s vampirism system is multifaceted, offering players distinct paths and consequences. Understanding these nuances is key to maximizing your experience with Serana’s unique gift. The base game offers the Sanguinare Vampiris disease, which can transform you into a regular vampire if left untreated for three in-game days. However, the Vampire Lord transformation is exclusive to the Dawnguard DLC and Serana’s bloodline.
The Significance of Serana and the Dawnguard DLC
Serana, a pure-blooded Vampire Lord and daughter of Lord Harkon, is central to the Dawnguard DLC storyline. Her ancient lineage grants her the unique ability to bestow the Vampire Lord power upon the Dragonborn. This ability is distinct from simply contracting Sanguinare Vampiris; Serana’s transformation grants you access to the Vampire Lord skill tree, new powers, and a unique transformation ability.
The Dawnguard DLC introduces two opposing factions: the Dawnguard, a group dedicated to hunting vampires, and the Volkihar Clan, a powerful clan of vampires led by Lord Harkon. Your choice between these factions impacts the quests you undertake and the NPCs you interact with, but regardless of your choice, Serana can become a follower and offer you vampirism indefinitely.
How the Repeated Transformation Works
The process is straightforward. If you are cured of vampirism (either through a priest of Arkay or Falion in Morthal), you can simply speak to Serana, and she will offer to turn you into a Vampire Lord once more. There are no limits or cooldowns on this ability. It’s a unique mechanic that allows players to constantly toggle between being a mortal and a Vampire Lord.
The Regular Vampire vs. Vampire Lord Distinction
It’s crucial to distinguish between being a regular vampire and being a Vampire Lord. Contracting Sanguinare Vampiris leads to the standard vampire status, which has four stages, each with increasing strengths and weaknesses (such as sunlight vulnerability and increased magical abilities). However, only Serana can bestow the Vampire Lord status, which unlocks a dedicated skill tree, new powers, and the ability to transform into a gargoyle-like creature. Remember, simply becoming a regular vampire and then asking Serana to turn you won’t “upgrade” you; you need to be cured completely first.
Choosing the Right Path: Dawnguard or Volkihar?
The choice between the Dawnguard and Volkihar factions largely boils down to personal preference and role-playing considerations. Siding with the Volkihar grants access to the Vampire Lord powers and quests immediately, while siding with the Dawnguard requires completing a portion of the questline before Serana can turn you. Both paths eventually lead to Serana becoming a follower, granting you the repeated transformation ability.
Maximizing Your Vampire Lord Experience
Once you’ve embraced your Vampire Lord form, there are several ways to enhance your experience:
- Skill Tree Progression: Focus on unlocking the Vampire Lord skill tree, which offers powerful abilities like Bats, Mist Form, and Drain Life.
- Equipment Choices: Equip yourself with armor and weapons that complement your Vampire Lord powers. Consider items that enhance Magicka, Stamina, and health.
- Role-Playing: Embrace the vampire lifestyle! Explore dark caves, feed on unsuspecting villagers (with caution, of course), and revel in your newfound power.
Vampire vs. Werewolf: The Eternal Debate
Skyrim offers another transformative path: becoming a werewolf. Unlike vampirism, lycanthropy immediately cures vampirism. While werewolves offer powerful melee abilities and immunity to disease, they lack the magical prowess and versatility of Vampire Lords. Furthermore, becoming a werewolf is a one-time deal, unlike Serana’s repeatable Vampire Lord transformation.
FAQs: Unveiling the Mysteries of Serana’s Vampirism
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Serana’s vampirism and its implications:
1. Can you still become a Vampire Lord if you cure Serana?
No, you cannot. Serana is the only NPC who can transform you into a Vampire Lord repeatedly. Once cured, she loses this ability.
2. Can Serana turn me into a vampire multiple times?
Yes, Serana can transform you into a Vampire Lord as many times as you want, provided you have the Dawnguard DLC installed.
3. How many times can you be a vampire in Skyrim?
You can become a vampire as many times as you can contract it and subsequently get cured, provided you are not already a werewolf. The Vampire Lord transformations via Serana are unlimited.
4. Will Serana turn you into a vampire if you ask her?
Serana will offer to turn you into a Vampire Lord if you ask her, especially after completing key quests within the Dawnguard DLC.
5. Can you marry Serana if you cure her vampirism?
No, you cannot marry Serana in the base game, even if she’s cured. Mods are available to allow this, but it’s not a feature of the standard game.
6. Is it worth it to be a vampire in Skyrim?
It depends on your playstyle. Vampirism offers strong abilities, but also has drawbacks like sunlight vulnerability. For stealth-based characters, the Nightstalker’s Footsteps perk is invaluable.
7. Is it better to join the vampires or Dawnguard?
It depends on your preference. The vampires offer immediate access to the Vampire Lord powers, while the Dawnguard provides access to unique weapons and a more “heroic” storyline.
8. How do you become a full-blooded vampire in Skyrim?
You become a full-blooded vampire by contracting the disease Sanguinare Vampiris, which can be transmitted by vampires’ Vampiric Drain spell.
9. What is the hardest vampire in Skyrim?
Harkon, Serana’s father, is generally considered the hardest vampire in Skyrim.
10. Can you marry Serana after killing Harkon?
No, you cannot marry Serana in the base game, even after killing Harkon.
11. Can Serana be a follower after a cure?
Yes, Serana can be a follower after the cure after you complete the entire Dawnguard questline.
12. Can you cure Serana after messing up questline?
If you side with the Dawnguard, you can convince Serana to cure her vampirism after completing the main questline and leaving Volkihar Cathedral, dependent on your earlier conversations with her.
13. What happens if you tell Serana to cure herself?
Serana will undergo a quest to cure her vampirism, becoming mortal and no longer undead. This affects her combat abilities and interactions.
14. What is the best armor for Serana?
Serana prefers light armor. Enchantments like Muffle and Fortify Sneak are particularly effective for making her a stealthy companion.
15. Does becoming a werewolf cure vampirism Skyrim?
Yes, becoming a werewolf will immediately cure your vampirism. However, it also prevents you from contracting vampirism again.
The Enduring Allure of Vampirism
Vampirism in Skyrim offers a compelling alternative to the Dragonborn’s destiny, a chance to embrace the darkness and wield forbidden powers. Serana’s repeatable transformation makes this path endlessly accessible, allowing players to experiment with vampiric abilities and role-play as a creature of the night whenever they desire. Whether you choose to align with the Volkihar Clan or fight alongside the Dawnguard, Serana’s gift remains a unique and powerful tool for shaping your Skyrim experience.
Ultimately, the choice of how many times to embrace the vampire’s curse rests with you, the Dragonborn. Use this knowledge to your advantage and craft a Skyrim story that is truly your own. The complexities and opportunities present in video games provide valuable insight into learning. Further research into this topic can be found at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.