Can Serana Make You a Vampire Again in Skyrim? The Definitive Guide
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Yes, Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord again in Skyrim, repeatedly, as long as she hasn’t been cured of her own vampirism and you’ve completed the Kindred Judgment quest. This offers players a unique opportunity to experience the game as a Vampire Lord without permanent commitment. Let’s dive deeper into the intricacies of this feature and answer some frequently asked questions.
Understanding Serana’s Vampire Lord Transformation
Serana, a pure-blooded vampire and the daughter of Lord Harkon, possesses the unique ability to bestow the gift of vampirism onto the Dragonborn. This isn’t a simple case of contracting Sanguinare Vampiris; she turns you into a Vampire Lord, granting access to a powerful skill tree, unique abilities, and the ability to transform into a fearsome creature of the night.
The ability to have Serana turn you repeatedly opens up interesting gameplay possibilities. You can cure yourself of vampirism through the Rising at Dawn quest, essentially becoming mortal again, and then request Serana to turn you back whenever you desire a taste of the Vampire Lord powers. This cycle can be repeated indefinitely, providing flexibility in your character build and roleplaying experience.
However, a crucial caveat exists: curing Serana of her vampirism eliminates her ability to turn you into a Vampire Lord. If you value this flexibility, you should avoid persuading her to seek a cure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Serana and Vampirism
Let’s address some common questions regarding Serana, vampirism, and how they interact within the world of Skyrim.
FAQ 1: How do I get Serana to turn me into a Vampire Lord initially?
To become a Vampire Lord through Serana, you need to progress through the Dawnguard questline. Eventually, you’ll reach a point where you must enter the Soul Cairn. As a mortal, prolonged exposure to the Soul Cairn is harmful. Serana will offer to turn you into a Vampire Lord to allow you to navigate this area safely. You can also choose to have your soul partially trapped in a soul gem, but becoming a Vampire Lord is often the preferred option for many players.
FAQ 2: Can I still become a Vampire Lord if I choose to side with the Dawnguard?
Yes, regardless of whether you side with the Dawnguard or the Volkihar vampires, you will still have the opportunity to become a Vampire Lord through Serana, as long as she remains a vampire herself.
FAQ 3: What happens if I’m already a vampire before starting the Dawnguard questline?
If you’re already a regular vampire (infected with Sanguinare Vampiris), the Dawnguard will insist that you cure yourself before continuing their quests. However, once you reach the point where Serana offers to turn you, this doesn’t apply anymore.
FAQ 4: Is it possible to marry Serana?
Unfortunately, you cannot marry Serana in the base game of Skyrim. Despite her compelling character and the bond you form during the Dawnguard questline, she is not a marriageable NPC. Mods are the only way to achieve this, but be sure to investigate the creator if you are going to use a mod.
FAQ 5: What are the benefits of being a Vampire Lord in Skyrim?
Being a Vampire Lord grants you access to a new skill tree filled with powerful abilities, including:
- Vampire Drain: Drain health from enemies.
- Raise Dead: Reanimate corpses to fight for you.
- Mist Form: Become invulnerable and move quickly.
- Bat Swarm: Teleport short distances while avoiding damage.
Additionally, you gain resistance to diseases and poison, and an increased sneaking ability.
FAQ 6: What are the drawbacks of being a Vampire Lord?
The downsides include:
- Vulnerability to fire: You take increased damage from fire.
- Reduced health, stamina, and magicka in sunlight: These attributes are penalized during the day.
- Aggression from NPCs in Stage 4 vampirism: If you don’t feed regularly and reach Stage 4, NPCs will become hostile unless you possess the Dawnguard DLC and have progressed enough in the Vampire Lord skill tree to acquire the Night Cloak perk.
FAQ 7: How do I cure myself of vampirism after Serana turns me?
To cure your vampirism, you need to complete the quest Rising at Dawn. This involves speaking to Falion in Morthal. He will require you to bring him a filled Black Soul Gem. Once you provide him with the gem, he will perform a ritual to cure you.
FAQ 8: What happens if I tell Serana to cure herself?
If you convince Serana to cure herself, she will seek out Falion and become mortal. This has several consequences:
- She can no longer turn you into a Vampire Lord.
- She will be affected by normal healing spells.
- She will appear with Detect Life instead of Detect Dead.
- She loses her 100% resistance to frost and poison.
- She may still have Vampire Drain even when cured.
- She may retain jaundiced, green eyes.
FAQ 9: Is Serana still essential after she’s cured?
Yes, Serana remains an essential character regardless of whether she’s a vampire or cured. This means she cannot be killed.
FAQ 10: What is the best armor for Serana?
Serana prefers light armor. Enchanted light armor with Muffle and Fortify Sneak will enhance her stealth capabilities. The Vampire Royal Armor she starts with is also a good option.
FAQ 11: What level does Serana cap at?
Serana’s level caps at 50. She’s a powerful necromancer who will raise corpses to assist in battle.
FAQ 12: Can Serana be killed?
No, Serana is an essential character and cannot be killed in the game, regardless of the choices you make during the Dawnguard questline.
FAQ 13: Does Serana like the Dragonborn?
Serana’s dialogue suggests a growing affection for the Dragonborn. She expresses gratitude for being freed from her father’s control and seems to enjoy their companionship. The precise nature of her feelings is open to interpretation, but a strong bond undeniably forms between them.
FAQ 14: Where does Serana go when she gets cured?
After you convince her to get cured, she will leave immediately to seek out Falion. She will remain with Falion for three days before returning to Fort Dawnguard as a normal human.
FAQ 15: Is it worth it to be a vampire in Skyrim?
Whether or not it’s “worth it” depends on your playstyle. Vampirism offers powerful abilities that can significantly enhance certain builds, especially stealth-based characters. However, the weaknesses associated with vampirism can be challenging to manage. The decision ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Conclusion: Mastering the Vampire Lord Transformation with Serana
Serana’s ability to turn you into a Vampire Lord offers a unique and dynamic gameplay experience in Skyrim. By understanding the intricacies of this feature, the consequences of curing Serana, and the benefits and drawbacks of vampirism, you can make informed decisions that align with your desired playstyle. The constant shifting between mortal and vampire provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to adapt to different situations and explore the full spectrum of Skyrim’s possibilities. Understanding the impact of video games and the learning and social connections they provide can be valuable for understanding these decisions. More information on this can be found at the Games Learning Society website.