Can I Start Dawnguard Before Level 10?

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You can start the Dawnguard questline before reaching level 10, but the quest will not be triggered until you reach this level, at which point you’ll receive a comment from a guard about the Dawnguard or meet an orc called Durak in the first town you visit. The decision to start Dawnguard early can be influenced by various factors, including your character’s level, playstyle, and the benefits of completing the Dawnguard questline, such as accessing legendary dragons, new locations, weapons, and exclusive Dragon Shouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

1. What happens if you do Dawnguard before the main quest? You can complete Dawnguard before the main quest, but the only significant change will be how you obtain the Dragon Elder Scroll, which is required for both questlines.
2. Should I stay with the Dawnguard or become a vampire? The choice depends on your playstyle and preferences, as joining the Dawnguard provides access to better weapons and a more trustworthy faction, while becoming a vampire allows for permanent access to Castle Volkihar.
3. Can I find Serana without Dawnguard? You must join the Dawnguard to start the questline, but you can choose not to side with them; Serana will still follow you as she is coded to be your game guide and follower.

Starting the Dawnguard Questline

4. What level should I be before starting Dawnguard? It is recommended to start Dawnguard after reaching level 30, as the DLC contains powerful foes that may be challenging for lower-level characters.
5. Can I start Dawnguard as a vampire? Yes, you can start the Dawnguard questline as a vampire, and there will be specific dialogue for this scenario with Serana and Harkon.
6. Should I start Dawnguard or Dragonborn first? The order in which you start the DLCs does not matter, but playing Dawnguard first and then Dragonborn after completing the main quest is a recommended order.

Dawnguard and Vampirism

7. Can I join the Dawnguard after joining the vampires? You can rejoin the Dawnguard if you cure yourself of vampirism shortly after becoming a vampire, but if you wait too long and level up your Vampire perks, Dawnguard members may attack you.
8. What happens if you are a vampire before Dawnguard? If you are already a vampire when starting the Dawnguard questline, you will be told to get cured before proceeding with the quest.
9. How do you become a vampire before Dawnguard? You can become a vampire by contracting Sanguinare Vampiris from a vampire enemy or through the Vampiric Drain spell.

Game Mechanics and Benefits

10. Can I get Auriel’s bow as a Dawnguard? Yes, you can obtain Auriel’s Bow regardless of whether you side with the Dawnguard or the vampires.
11. What are the benefits of choosing Dawnguard? Choosing the Dawnguard provides access to Dawnguard armor and weapons, including the Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow, and the ability to hire trained wolves as traveling companions.
12. Can you finish Dawnguard without being Dragonborn? Yes, you can complete the Dawnguard questline without being the Dragonborn, but this is not possible for the Dragonborn questline.

Leveling and Difficulty

13. What level should I start Dragonborn DLC? It is recommended to start the Dragonborn DLC at level 15 or higher, as the enemies can be quite challenging at lower levels.
14. Can I go to Castle Volkihar before Dawnguard? It is not recommended to visit Castle Volkihar before starting the Dawnguard questline, as this can break the entire questline due to a bug.
15. How many hours is Dawnguard? The Dawnguard questline can take around 7½ hours to complete the main objectives, while achieving 100% completion can take approximately 19 hours.