Can Serana Change You Into a Vampire in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is a resounding yes! Serana can indeed turn you into a Vampire Lord in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, provided you meet certain conditions within the Dawnguard DLC. She can do this repeatedly, making her a valuable, albeit complex, ally for those who embrace the night.
The Allure of the Undead: Serana and Vampirism
Serana, daughter of Lord Harkon and Valerica, is a powerful and compelling character within Skyrim’s Dawnguard expansion. Her unique position as a pure-blood vampire and her complex history make her a fascinating companion. One of the most significant aspects of her character is her ability to bestow the gift of vampirism upon the Dragonborn, allowing the player to experience the game from a drastically different perspective.
Embracing the Vampire Lord Transformation
To have Serana turn you into a Vampire Lord, you must first ensure that you’ve completed the Kindred Judgment quest within the Dawnguard questline. This is a crucial prerequisite. Furthermore, Serana must not be cured of her vampirism. If she has sought a cure, she loses the ability to transform you.
Once these conditions are met, simply speak with Serana, and she will offer to turn you into a Vampire Lord. The transformation is a cinematic experience, immersing you in the gruesome but powerful process. This allows you to experience the advantages of being a Vampire Lord, including unique powers and abilities, or it might be a stepping stone to complete quest lines available for Vampires.
Repeated Transformations and the Cycle of Cure
One of the more interesting aspects of Serana’s ability is the possibility of repeated transformations. You can, in fact, repeatedly switch between curing yourself of vampirism through the Rising at Dawn quest and asking Serana to turn you back into a Vampire Lord. There appear to be no limits to how many times you can undergo this cycle, providing players with ample opportunities to explore both sides of the conflict between the Dawnguard and the Volkihar vampires. This provides considerable flexibility for gameplay and for experiencing different role-playing scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Serana and Vampirism
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Serana’s ability to change you into a vampire, shedding light on various aspects of this intriguing feature:
1. What happens if you have Serana turn you into a vampire?
If you have Serana turn you into a vampire, you immediately become a Vampire Lord. This grants you access to new skill trees, powers, and weaknesses associated with vampirism. You also become vulnerable to sunlight and must feed regularly to manage your vampiric state.
2. Can Serana turn you into a vampire after being cured?
No, Serana can only turn you into a Vampire Lord if she remains a vampire herself. If she seeks a cure for her vampirism, she loses this ability.
3. Can Serana turn you into a vampire more than once?
Yes, Serana can transform you into a vampire as many times as you want, provided she is not cured and you have completed the Kindred Judgment quest. This allows you to experiment with vampirism and then revert to a normal state as needed.
4. Can you marry Serana if you cure her vampirism?
Without mods, it’s impossible to marry Serana, regardless of whether she’s cured of vampirism or not. The game doesn’t allow for marriage to Serana through regular in-game actions. However, there are mods available that allow you to marry her.
5. Will Serana cure her vampirism?
You can convince Serana to cure her vampirism after completing the main questline and leaving Volkihar Cathedral if you side with the Dawnguard. Whether or not you are successful depends on your conversations with her during the questline.
6. Will Serana still follow you if you become a werewolf?
Serana will follow you regardless of whether you are a werewolf or a vampire. She is a versatile companion and remains loyal to the Dragonborn regardless of their transformations.
7. How many times can Serana turn you into a vampire?
As previously mentioned, Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord an unlimited number of times, as long as she isn’t cured and you’ve completed the Kindred Judgment quest.
8. What happens when Serana soul traps you?
Serana doesn’t directly soul trap you in a way that permanently affects your character. During a specific quest, she may partially soul trap you to enter the Soul Cairn. Your stats will be temporarily weakened, but you can reclaim your soul gem to restore your stats before leaving the Soul Cairn.
9. What happens if you accept Harkon’s blood?
If you accept Harkon’s blood, you will transform into a Vampire Lord. This aligns you with the Volkihar vampires and opens up a different questline and set of experiences within the Dawnguard DLC.
10. What happens if you don’t accept Harkon’s gift?
If you refuse Harkon’s gift, you will be banished from Castle Volkihar and unable to re-enter. This forces you to side with the Dawnguard, initiating their questline.
11. Which is better, Dawnguard or vampire?
The choice between Dawnguard and vampires depends on your play style and preferences. The Dawnguard offers better weapons and a more righteous path, while the vampires offer unique powers, access to Castle Volkihar, and the Vampire Lord transformation.
12. Does Serana want to be cured?
Initially, Serana doesn’t want to be cured and views her vampirism as a gift. However, you can influence her to reconsider her position through dialogue and persuasion during the Dawnguard questline.
13. Should I turn Serana human?
Whether you should turn Serana human is a matter of personal preference. If Serana becomes human, she can no longer provide you with bloodcursed arrows or turn you into a vampire. However, some players prefer her human form for role-playing reasons or for a more conventional companion experience.
14. What did Molag Bal do to Serana?
It is important to note that Serana and her mother, Valerica, willingly gave themselves to Molag Bal as part of a ritual, but these are not considered non-consensual acts. This ritual involved a sacrifice and transformed them into pure-blood vampires.
15. Can you be a hybrid in Skyrim?
Becoming a hybrid, being both a Werewolf and a Vampire Lord, does require specific steps and careful timing. The simplest method is to transform to a vamp lord and perform the blood ritual for werewolf at the same time.
Beyond Transformation: The Impact of Vampirism on Gameplay
The decision to embrace vampirism, especially through Serana’s gift, significantly impacts gameplay. As a Vampire Lord, you gain access to powerful abilities, such as summoning gargoyles, draining life from enemies, and transforming into a bat swarm. However, you also become vulnerable to sunlight, which can significantly hinder your progress during the day. The vampire stages affect your powers, so feeding regularly is essential to remain a powerful vampire. This adds a layer of complexity to your adventures, requiring careful planning and resource management.
Serana: More Than Just a Vampire
Ultimately, Serana is one of the most well-loved characters in Skyrim, and a fan favorite. Her ability to transform you into a Vampire Lord is just one facet of her intriguing character. Her complex backstory, unique dialogue, and compelling personality make her a memorable and valuable companion. Whether you choose to embrace the darkness with her or guide her towards a cure, Serana’s presence enriches the Skyrim experience.
The Enduring Appeal of Skyrim
Skyrim continues to captivate players with its vast world, compelling stories, and diverse gameplay options. The Dawnguard DLC, with its exploration of vampirism and the complex character of Serana, adds another layer of depth to this already rich gaming experience. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the world of Tamriel, Skyrim offers endless possibilities for exploration and discovery.
For more information on games and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. These organizations explore the educational and social impact of video games.
The impact of video games on society is an ongoing conversation, and there is constant exploration of the societal advantages and risks of spending time on this form of entertainment.