Can Serana Be a Blade in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide

No, Serana cannot be recruited into the Blades in Skyrim. This is because she is explicitly excluded from the list of followers eligible for recruitment. The game’s dialogue and mechanics prevent you from offering her to Delphine for induction into the order. This restriction is likely due to her unique character, vampire status, and significant role in the Dawnguard DLC storyline.

Understanding the Blades and Follower Recruitment

The Blades are a faction dedicated to serving the Dragonborn and hunting dragons. After the events of the main quest, Delphine seeks to rebuild the Blades by recruiting new members. However, not all followers are suitable candidates. Let’s delve deeper into the criteria and limitations surrounding Blades recruitment.

Blades Recruitment Process

To recruit followers into the Blades, you must first complete the quest “Alduin’s Wall” and discover Sky Haven Temple. After this, Delphine will inform you that you can bring her potential recruits. The process is straightforward:

1. Take an eligible follower to Sky Haven Temple.
2. Speak to Delphine.
3. Delphine will administer the oath, inducting the follower into the Blades.

Once a follower is inducted, they will reside at Sky Haven Temple, patrolling the area and training. They are considered a member of the Blades and will no longer actively follow you as a traditional companion.

Limitations on Who Can Join

While many followers are eligible, there are specific restrictions:

• Serana: As mentioned, she is explicitly excluded.
• Dark Brotherhood Members: Followers associated with the Dark Brotherhood are ineligible.
• Essential NPCs: While most essential NPCs are still eligible for recruitment (before they become no longer essential), their role and importance in other quests could make it undesirable to recruit them.
• Quest-Specific Followers: Some followers tied to specific quests might not be eligible.
• Creature Followers: Animal companions or non-humanoid followers cannot join.

Why Serana Can’t Join

Serana’s exclusion stems from several factors:

• Her Vampire Status: The Blades, historically dragon hunters, might not be keen on recruiting a powerful vampire.
• Her Role in the Dawnguard DLC: Her storyline is deeply interwoven with the Dawnguard DLC, and making her a Blade could create narrative conflicts.
• Unique Companion Mechanics: Serana is a unique companion with her own questline and abilities. Allowing her to become a Blade would remove her unique dialogue and abilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Blades Recruitment

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of recruiting followers into the Blades in Skyrim.

1. How many followers can I recruit into the Blades?

You can recruit a maximum of three followers into the Blades.

2. What happens to a follower after they join the Blades?

After joining, they become permanent residents of Sky Haven Temple, patrolling the area and training. They will no longer follow you as a traditional companion.

3. Can I get the recruited followers back after they become Blades?

They can be re-recruited as followers after they become Blades, but they will retain their Blades armor and weapon. You can only have one follower at a time though, and they will return to Sky Haven Temple when dismissed.

4. Are there any benefits to recruiting followers into the Blades?

The Blades offer a dragon-slaying bonus, providing you with quests to hunt dragons. Recruiting followers strengthens the Blades and gives those followers a static location.

5. Can I recruit essential NPCs into the Blades?

Yes, you can recruit certain essential NPCs before their essential status is removed.

6. Does joining the Blades affect my relationship with other factions?

No, joining the Blades does not negatively impact your relationship with other factions, except potentially the Greybeards if you disagree with their views.

7. What happens if a Blade dies?

If a recruited Blade dies, they are permanently dead. You cannot replace them with another recruit.

8. Can I equip the Blades with different weapons and armor?

Yes, you can equip the Blades with different weapons and armor after they join.

9. Can I recruit followers from the College of Winterhold into the Blades?

Yes, you can recruit most eligible followers from the College of Winterhold.

10. Can I reverse the process and remove a follower from the Blades?

No, once a follower is inducted into the Blades, the process is irreversible.

11. What are the best followers to recruit into the Blades?

Good candidates are those who are tanky and you may not want to use as a follower. Kharjo, Golldir, and Benor are some options. They can be recruited later if desired, and this gives them a specific location to be found at.

12. Does recruiting followers into the Blades affect their personal quests?

No, recruiting followers into the Blades does not affect their personal quests.

13. If I side with the Greybeards, can I still recruit followers into the Blades?

Yes, you can still recruit followers into the Blades, but Esbern’s blessing will be lost if you side with the Greybeards.

14. Can I recruit housecarls (like Lydia) into the Blades?

Yes, you can recruit housecarls like Lydia into the Blades.

15. Is there a mod that allows Serana to join the Blades?

Yes, there are mods available that alter the game’s mechanics to allow Serana to join the Blades. However, using mods can introduce bugs or instability to your game, and it may negatively affect your experience with the Games Learning Society!

Alternatives to Blades Recruitment for Serana

Since you cannot recruit Serana into the Blades, here are some alternative ways to engage with her:

• Continue Her Personal Questline: Focus on completing her Dawnguard DLC questline to fully explore her character and story.
• Maximize Her Companion Abilities: Utilize her powerful vampire abilities and unique dialogue to enhance your gameplay experience.
• Install Mods: As a last resort, consider using mods that enhance her abilities or provide alternative interactions, but do so with caution.
• Create a Unique Narrative: Though she won’t become a Blade, craft your own story where she works alongside the Blades in a way that makes sense for your game.
• Play the Game in a New Way: Explore alternative options offered within the game. For example, you can check the GamesLearningSociety.org website and discover how to integrate the use of video games in education!

Conclusion

While the game mechanics prevent Serana from joining the Blades, her unique qualities and the availability of mods offer alternative ways to integrate her into your Dragonborn’s journey. Understanding the restrictions and exploring these options will help you make the most of your Skyrim experience.

Remember to consider the narrative implications and potential issues when using mods, and always back up your save files before making significant changes to your game. Embrace the richness of Skyrim’s world and create a unique adventure that suits your preferences.