Siding with the Light: Can You Be a Vampire in the Dawnguard?
The eternal struggle between light and darkness is a defining feature of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and the Dawnguard DLC throws players right into the heart of this conflict. One of the most intriguing questions stemming from this expansion is: Can you still side with the Dawnguard as a vampire? The answer is a bit nuanced, but yes, you absolutely can! However, there are conditions and consequences you need to be aware of. Initially, being a vampire will get you kicked out of the Dawnguard. They aren’t exactly thrilled with the undead. But, and this is a big but, you can rejoin them after curing your vampirism. You can also become a Vampire Lord later on even after having allied with the Dawnguard!
The Dawnguard and Vampirism: A Complicated Relationship
The Dawnguard, as their name suggests, are dedicated to eradicating the vampire threat in Skyrim. So, unsurprisingly, they don’t take kindly to those who embrace the night. When you first encounter the Dawnguard, Isran, their leader, will be less than pleased if you are sporting fangs. This will typically result in immediate rejection from their ranks. However, the game mechanics allow you to continue the Dawnguard questline even after becoming a Vampire Lord.
The Serana Loophole
The key to this lies with Serana, the ancient Vampire Lord you encounter during the “Awakening” quest. She requires your assistance navigating the Soul Cairn, and there are two ways to access it:
- Partial Soul Trap: Serana can partially soul trap you to traverse the Soul Cairn.
- Becoming a Vampire Lord: Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord.
If you choose the latter and are already a member of the Dawnguard, you’ll be promptly shown the door. To be welcomed back, you must undergo a cure for your vampirism. Once cured, speak with Isran again, and you can rejoin their ranks. After that, Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord again if you so desire. You can effectively switch back and forth between human and vampire (with the help of Serana), allowing you to tailor your experience to suit your playstyle.
Maintaining Dawnguard Allegiance
To maintain your alliance with the Dawnguard, it’s generally best to avoid becoming a vampire until necessary for the main questline. Progress through the early stages of the Dawnguard questline as a “normal” Dragonborn. Once you reach the point where you need to enter the Soul Cairn, then you can consider accepting Serana’s offer.
FAQs: Navigating the Vampire-Dawnguard Dilemma
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on this complex topic:
1. Can I complete the Dawnguard questline as a Vampire Lord?
Yes, you can. Once you have completed the Soul Cairn portion of the quest you will be able to cure your vampirism and return to the Dawnguard.
2. What are the benefits of siding with the Dawnguard?
Siding with the Dawnguard provides access to specialized anti-vampire weaponry like crossbows and enhanced bolts. You also gain access to unique armor, followers, and a sense of moral righteousness in cleansing Skyrim of the undead. The Dawnguard offer a more structured and (arguably) less morally ambiguous storyline than the Volkihar vampires.
3. What are the drawbacks of siding with the Dawnguard?
You miss out on the benefits of being a Vampire Lord which can be particularly powerful, and access to the unique quests and characters associated with the Volkihar clan. Some players find the Dawnguard’s rigid structure and anti-vampire bias less appealing than the Volkihar’s more open-minded (albeit evil) approach.
4. Can I cure my vampirism after completing the Dawnguard questline?
Yes, you can cure your vampirism at any time by seeking out Falion in Morthal. He requires a filled Black Soul Gem, which can be obtained by trapping human souls. After providing Falion with a filled Black Soul Gem, he can perform a ritual that cures you.
5. How many times can Serana turn me into a Vampire Lord?
As many times as you want, unless you convince her to seek a cure herself. She remains a reliable source of vampiric power throughout the game.
6. Does Serana disapprove of me joining the Dawnguard?
Serana is fairly ambivalent about your choices. Her primary concern is typically completing the questline and dealing with her father, Lord Harkon. She will generally support your decisions regardless of which side you choose.
7. What are the stages of vampirism and how do they affect gameplay?
There are four stages of vampirism in Skyrim. As you progress through the stages (by not feeding), you gain increased vampiric powers but also face more severe penalties, such as increased weakness to sunlight and greater hostility from NPCs. Feeding on sleeping victims resets you to stage one.
8. Is there a best race for playing as a Vampire Lord?
While any race can become a Vampire Lord, some races have advantages. Dark Elves (Dunmer) have innate fire resistance which helps offset the vampire’s weakness to fire. Nords possess innate frost resistance, which is also beneficial to withstand magic attacks.
9. Can I become a werewolf after being a Vampire Lord?
No, you cannot be both a vampire and a werewolf simultaneously. You must cure your vampirism before becoming a werewolf, and vice-versa. This can be accomplished by speaking with Aela if you are a werewolf.
10. Can I still access Castle Volkihar if I side with the Dawnguard?
No, you cannot freely enter Castle Volkihar if you side with the Dawnguard. The castle becomes hostile to you, and the vampires will attack on sight.
11. What happens if I attack the Dawnguard after siding with them?
Attacking the Dawnguard members will make them hostile. Persistently attacking them can lead to you being kicked out of the faction, even if you are not a vampire.
12. How does sunlight affect vampires in Skyrim?
Sunlight prevents vampires from regenerating health, stamina, and magicka. It also reduces your maximum health, stamina, and magicka. These penalties increase as you progress through the stages of vampirism.
13. What are the powers and abilities of a Vampire Lord?
The Vampire Lord form grants access to powerful abilities such as Blood Magic, Vampiric Drain, Bats, and Gargoyle summoning. You also gain enhanced strength and speed. The Vampire Lord skill tree allows you to customize your powers and abilities.
14. Is it possible to marry Serana?
No, Serana cannot be married in the base game of Skyrim. However, numerous mods exist that allow you to marry her.
15. Can I join the Dawnguard after killing Harkon?
Yes, you can. After Harkon is defeated, Isran will offer you membership in the Dawnguard if you are not a vampire.
Understanding these intricacies allows you to navigate the complex relationship between the Dawnguard and vampirism effectively. Whether you choose to embrace the night or fight against it, Skyrim offers ample opportunities to shape your own destiny. Consider exploring the world of games and learning at the Games Learning Society website. GamesLearningSociety.org features a community dedicated to exploring games and learning. Good luck, Dragonborn, in whatever path you choose!