Can You Reclaim Your Fangs? The Truth About Vampirism and Cures in Skyrim
Yes, absolutely! In Skyrim, you can become a vampire again after being cured. The game, especially with the Dawnguard DLC, provides mechanisms to allow you to embrace the undead life multiple times, should you choose. This isn’t a one-way street like, say, becoming a werewolf and then attempting to become a Vampire Lord before taking certain precautions. So, cure that vampirism with confidence, knowing the crimson path remains open to you. Let’s delve into the specifics.
Understanding Vampirism and the Cure in Skyrim
Vampirism in Skyrim is a dynamic affliction, not a permanent sentence. You contract it through encounters with vampires, and if left untreated, it progresses through stages, each bringing its own set of challenges and rewards. The process of curing vampirism, typically through the quest “Rising at Dawn,” involves seeking out Falion in Morthal and offering her a filled Black Soul Gem. This ritual purges the vampiric taint from your character.
However, and this is crucial: undergoing this cure does not permanently close the door to future undeath. This system offers a fascinating level of player agency and allows for experimentation with different gameplay styles.
Serana: Your Gateway Back to Darkness
The key to reclaiming your vampiric status after a cure lies with Serana, a powerful and complex vampire found within the Dawnguard DLC. As long as she remains a vampire, and you have completed the Kindred Judgement quest, she can grant you the gift of vampirism again, transforming you back into a Vampire Lord. There is no limit to how many times you can accept this gift, allowing for repeated cycles of affliction and cure.
The Allure of the Vampire Lord
The Vampire Lord form, granted by Serana or Lord Harkon, is significantly more powerful and versatile than standard vampirism. It provides access to unique abilities, spells, and transformations that fundamentally alter your combat style. This makes the ability to repeatedly become a Vampire Lord incredibly appealing for players who enjoy the powerful but risky gameplay it offers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Re-Becoming a Vampire in Skyrim
1. Is there a limit to how many times I can become a Vampire Lord?
No! Provided you meet the conditions (Serana is not cured and you have completed the Kindred Judgment quest), Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord an unlimited number of times. This allows for repeated experimentation with the Vampire Lord skill tree and abilities without the fear of permanent commitment.
2. What happens if Serana cures herself? Can I still become a Vampire Lord?
If you convince Serana to cure herself of vampirism, she will no longer be able to turn you into a Vampire Lord. This is a permanent decision, so consider carefully before persuading her to seek a cure.
3. Can I become a werewolf after being a Vampire Lord, and vice versa?
Yes, but there’s a catch. You can only be one or the other at a time. If you’re a Vampire Lord, you can become a werewolf by joining the Companions and completing their questline. This will cure your vampirism. Conversely, if you’re a werewolf, Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord, which will remove your lycanthropy.
4. Can I contract Sanguinare Vampiris again after being cured?
Yes! If you choose to be cured instead of being turned by Serana or Harkon, you can still contract Sanguinare Vampiris. This means you can be infected by vampires in the wild or through certain quests and events. This is a slower process and you’ll have to progress through each stage before becoming a Vampire.
5. Will the Dawnguard become hostile if I re-embrace vampirism after joining them?
Yes. If you side with the Dawnguard and then become a Vampire Lord, they will become hostile towards you. You will need to cure your vampirism to regain their trust.
6. Can I still access Castle Volkihar after curing my vampirism?
Yes, you can still enter Castle Volkihar after being cured. However, the vampires within will express their disapproval and scorn you for abandoning their ranks.
7. Can I marry Serana if she’s a vampire?
The base game does not allow you to marry Serana regardless of whether she is a vampire or not. To marry her, you would require a mod that enables this feature.
8. How does age affect vampires in Skyrim?
In Skyrim, a vampire’s age doesn’t directly translate to increased power. However, the Vampire Lord form’s power can be enhanced through leveling up and investing perks in the Vampire Lord skill tree. The level of strength in vampire depends on their age and their diet – consuming human blood regularly makes them stronger than those that consume animal blood.
9. What are the disadvantages of being a vampire in Skyrim?
The primary disadvantages of vampirism include a weakness to sunlight (reducing health, stamina, and magicka regeneration) and potential hostility from NPCs as you progress through the stages of vampirism. These effects can be mitigated by feeding regularly.
10. Can I become a Werebear in Skyrim?
No, there is no way for the player to become a werebear in Skyrim. You can encounter them and even summon one using the Beast Stone power on Solstheim, but you cannot transform into one yourself.
11. Who is the strongest vampire in Skyrim?
The strongest vampire you’ll encounter in the game, particularly with the Dawnguard DLC, is often considered to be the Nightmaster Vampire. These vampires are encountered in vampire lairs or while attacking cities. They are skilled mages and necromancers, specializing in Destruction and Necromancy.
12. Is it better to join the Dawnguard or the vampires?
The “better” choice depends entirely on your preferred playstyle and roleplaying preferences. The Dawnguard offers a righteous path of vampire hunting, while the vampires provide access to unique powers and a darker, more sinister storyline. Many find that joining the Dawnguard is the best choice.
13. What’s the rarest disease in vampirism?
The article mentions Porphyria, a real-world blood disorder, as a possible origin of the vampire myth. However, in the game, Sanguinare Vampiris is the disease that leads to vampirism.
14. What happens if I release the vampire spawn?
Releasing the spawn is a good option. They will be safe from sunlight in the Underdark and have plenty of food, so they will not harm and terrorize the citizens of Baldur’s Gate.
15. Is Serana essential after the cure?
Regardless of whether or not you finish the Dawnguard questline, Serana will always be an essential character, and as such, you can’t kill her.
Ultimately, the freedom to embrace and then relinquish vampirism, potentially multiple times, is a testament to the flexibility and player-driven narrative design of Skyrim. Whether you’re drawn to the raw power of the Vampire Lord, the heroism of the Dawnguard, or simply enjoy experimenting with different playstyles, the game provides the tools and the opportunity to craft your own unique story. The immersive qualities and decision-making processes in games like Skyrim highlight their potential as learning tools, an area explored further by organizations like the Games Learning Society. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the intersection of games and education.