Can You Be a Vampire and Fight for the Dawnguard in Skyrim?
The world of Skyrim offers players a plethora of choices, and one of the most compelling is the Dawnguard DLC. This expansion introduces a war between the ancient Volkihar vampires and the vampire hunters of the Dawnguard. But can you walk the line between these two factions? The answer is a nuanced one, depending on timing and choices you make during the questline.
Yes, you can initially join the Dawnguard as a vampire, but only up to a point. The game will allow you to start the Dawnguard questline even if you are already afflicted with vampirism. Characters like Serana and Harkon will even have specific dialogue for this situation. However, your unholy status will eventually become a problem. Isran, the gruff leader of the Dawnguard, will eventually insist that you cure your vampirism before you can continue the main questline. The true point of no return comes after the quest “Bloodline.” When Harkon offers to turn you into a Vampire Lord, accepting the offer locks you into the vampire path, becoming an enemy to the Dawnguard.
Therefore, you can’t be a dedicated, permanently vampiric member and continue fighting for the Dawnguard throughout the entire DLC. The game forces a choice. You must either embrace your vampiric nature and side with Volkihar, or cure yourself and remain with the Dawnguard.
Dawnguard and Vampirism: Navigating the Factions
The intrigue of Skyrim lies in its flexibility and the complex interactions it allows. Let’s dive deeper into how you can navigate the tricky landscape of being a vampire within the Dawnguard questline.
Starting the Dawnguard Quest as a Vampire
You absolutely can start the Dawnguard quest as a vampire. Meeting Durak, the Orc who seeks you out to join, or heading to Fort Dawnguard yourself, is possible regardless of your vampiric status. Isran will acknowledge your condition but allow you to proceed – initially. He sees you as a tool, someone who can help combat the greater vampire threat, even if you are one yourself. This opens up interesting roleplaying possibilities.
Becoming a Vampire Lord and the Dawnguard
The critical juncture is Harkon’s offer. If you accept his gift and become a Vampire Lord, you are effectively siding with the Volkihar clan. From this point forward, the Dawnguard will consider you an enemy. However, if you refuse his offer, you can continue the Dawnguard questline. Importantly, even if you do choose to side with the Dawnguard, you can still become a Vampire Lord later in the game. Serana, after the quest “Kindred Judgment,” can offer you her blood and the transformation, even if you destroyed the Volkihar. Doing this while allied with the Dawnguard has consequences, though. Dawnguard members will become hostile and demand you cure yourself.
The Cure: A Necessary Evil (or Good?)
To stay in the Dawnguard’s good graces, you eventually have to seek a cure. This involves a quest to find Falion in Morthal, a mage who specializes in curing vampirism. The process requires a filled black soul gem, so be prepared to trap a soul. Getting cured allows you to continue the Dawnguard questline without further issue.
The Best of Both Worlds?
Many players aim for the “best of both worlds”: completing the Dawnguard questline and then becoming a Vampire Lord. This is entirely possible. Finish the quest, defeat Harkon, and then ask Serana to turn you. This way, you experience the Dawnguard’s story without being locked out, and still gain the powerful Vampire Lord form. Keep in mind the Dawnguard members will shun you and ask you to get cured.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I complete the entire Dawnguard questline as a Vampire Lord?
No. As stated above, you can start as a vampire, but once you fully embrace the Vampire Lord transformation (by accepting Harkon’s gift), you become an enemy of the Dawnguard and cannot proceed further with their questline.
2. What happens if I refuse Harkon’s offer?
Refusing Harkon’s offer allows you to continue the Dawnguard questline. You will not become a Vampire Lord at that point, but Serana can later grant you the transformation.
3. Can Serana turn me into a Vampire Lord even if I sided with the Dawnguard?
Yes! After completing the “Kindred Judgment” quest, Serana will offer to turn you into a Vampire Lord at any time, regardless of which side you chose.
4. What are the advantages of joining the Dawnguard?
The Dawnguard offers unique crossbows, enhanced bolts, and access to heavily armored troll companions. Also, many players prefer the moral high ground of hunting vampires rather than becoming one.
5. What are the advantages of joining the Volkihar vampires?
Joining the Volkihar vampires grants you access to the Vampire Lord skill tree, powerful vampire-specific abilities, and a unique storyline within Castle Volkihar.
6. Is it possible to switch sides during the Dawnguard questline?
No. The choice is essentially made when you either accept or refuse Harkon’s offer to become a Vampire Lord. There’s no formal mechanic to switch sides after that decision.
7. How do I cure my vampirism in Skyrim?
Speak to Falion in Morthal. You’ll need a filled black soul gem. Follow her instructions, and she will cure you.
8. Does curing my vampirism affect Serana?
No. Curing your vampirism does not affect Serana. You can, however, convince her to seek a cure for herself after completing the main Dawnguard questline.
9. At what level should I start the Dawnguard DLC?
The Dawnguard questline starts automatically when you reach level 10.
10. Can I be a werewolf and side with the Dawnguard?
Yes, you can be a werewolf and side with the Dawnguard. Being a werewolf doesn’t conflict with the Dawnguard’s goals.
11. Which faction is better: Dawnguard or Volkihar?
“Better” is subjective and depends on your playstyle and preferences. The Dawnguard offers a more traditional “good guy” experience, while the Volkihar clan embraces the dark side. Both offer unique rewards and storylines. Many consider the Dawnguard the better choice initially, as you can still gain the vampire lord powers later on.
12. What happens if I give Harkon Auriel’s Bow?
Whether you give Harkon Auriel’s Bow or not, he will attack you regardless. So, it is better not to give it to him, as it can be very useful in the battle.
13. Can I marry Serana in Skyrim?
Not without mods. The base game does not allow you to marry Serana. However, several mods, like the “Marriable Serana” mod, enable this option.
14. Can I still become a Vampire Lord if I refuse Harkon’s offer?
Yes! Serana will offer to turn you into a Vampire Lord numerous times throughout the DLC.
15. What happens to Serana if I side with the Dawnguard?
If you side with the Dawnguard, Serana will accompany you on your quests to defeat Harkon and the Volkihar clan. She will also reveal more about her past and her mother, Valerica.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Skyrim’s beauty lies in its ability to accommodate diverse playstyles and moral choices. Whether you choose to embrace the night as a Vampire Lord or stand against the darkness with the Dawnguard, your journey will be a unique and memorable one. Understanding how vampirism interacts with the Dawnguard questline allows you to make informed decisions and craft the story you want to tell in the world of Skyrim. Consider researching the theories behind game-based learning through resources such as the Games Learning Society or by visiting GamesLearningSociety.org.