Where is the Dawnguard in Skyrim Special Edition?

The Dawnguard in Skyrim Special Edition is located slightly southeast of Riften, in a canyon that can be accessed via a small cave entrance, and it serves as the home base of the vampire hunting sect, known as the Dawnguard. To find the Dawnguard, travel to Riften and speak to the guard by the front gate, who will place a marker on your map, guiding you to Fort Dawnguard.

FAQs About Dawnguard in Skyrim Special Edition

General Information

1. Does Skyrim Special Edition have Dawnguard?: Yes, Skyrim Special Edition includes all official add-ons, such as Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn, with remastered art and effects.
2. How do I start the Dawnguard DLC?: You can start the Dawnguard DLC by reaching level 10, after which you will begin hearing rumors of the Dawnguard, or by traveling to Riften and speaking to the guard by the front gate.
3. What level do you have to be to start Dawnguard?: You can start Dawnguard when you reach level 10, at which point you might be approached by an orc named Durak who will ask for your help with the vampire threat.

Location and Access

4. Where do I find the Dawnguard in Skyrim?: The Dawnguard is located in a canyon southeast of Riften, accessible via a small cave entrance, which is close to one of the borders of Skyrim’s map.
5. What cave leads to Dawnguard?: The cave entrance to Dayspring Canyon, where Fort Dawnguard is located, is southeast of Riften, just north-northeast of Stendarr’s Beacon.

Gameplay and Choices

6. Should I join Dawnguard or vampires?: Joining the Dawnguard is considered the best choice, as it provides more benefits and opportunities for character development.
7. Can I become a vampire lord if I side with Dawnguard?: Yes, even if you side with the Dawnguard, you can still become a Vampire Lord later, with the help of Serana before she is cured.
8. What happens if you let Serana turn you into a vampire?: If you become a vampire, you will need to be cured in order to continue working with the Dawnguard, and you will get the quest to get cured from members of the Dawnguard.

Installation and Compatibility

9. How do I know if Dawnguard DLC is installed?: You can check if the Dawnguard DLC is installed by looking for the dawnguard.esm file in your Skyrim folder, and activating it via the data files menu in the launcher.
10. How to install Dawnguard DLC?: To install the Skyrim add-ons, including Dawnguard, insert the disc and return to the XMB, where you will find options for Skyrim and the Skyrim DLC under the game category.

Character Interactions and Development

11. Can I marry Serana if I join the Dawnguard?: Unfortunately, it is not possible to marry Serana without using mods, even after finishing the Dawnguard DLC.
12. Can a Werewolf join Dawnguard?: Yes, you can side with the Dawnguard as a Werewolf, and being a Werewolf will make killing most enemies in the game easier.
13. What if you’re already a vampire before Dawnguard?: If you’re already a vampire, you can join the Dawnguard but only up to a certain point, after which you will have to be cured to continue.

Additional Tips and Information

14. Can you start Dawnguard early?: Yes, you can start Dawnguard at any level if you know how to get to Dayspring Canyon, and there is no reason to wait.
15. Can you do Dawnguard without joining Dawnguard?: Unfortunately, it is not possible to complete the Dawnguard questline without joining the Dawnguard first, as it is a required step in the storyline.