Can You Marry Serana After She’s Cured in Skyrim? A Definitive Guide
The short answer is no, you cannot marry Serana after she’s cured in the base game of Skyrim. Whether she remains a vampire or undergoes the cure, Serana is not a marriage option without the use of mods. The game’s developers did not program her with marriage dialogue or the necessary scripts to engage in the marriage process. So, if your Dragonborn has their heart set on Serana, you’ll need to venture into the world of Skyrim mods.
But the story doesn’t end there. Let’s delve deeper into the complexities of Serana, her questline, and the nuances of marrying her with the help of the modding community.
Understanding Serana’s Significance
Serana is arguably one of the most compelling and popular characters in the Dawnguard DLC. Her complex backstory, sharp wit, and essential role in the questline make her a memorable companion. She’s a pure-blooded vampire, daughter of Lord Harkon, and possesses powerful vampiric abilities. However, she also grapples with her identity and her fraught relationship with her father, making her a character with depth and nuance.
Whether you side with the Dawnguard or the Volkihar Clan, Serana remains a key figure. She’s your guide, your ally, and often, a reluctant participant in the events unfolding around her. This close collaboration naturally leads many players to wonder if a deeper relationship, like marriage, is possible.
Why No Vanilla Marriage?
The decision to make Serana unmarriageable in the base game likely stems from several factors:
- Her Essential Status: Serana is considered an essential character throughout the Dawnguard questline. Allowing her to be married could potentially break quests if her routines were disrupted.
- Lore Considerations: Her vampiric nature and complex family history present certain lore-based challenges. A simple marriage might not fit well with the intricacies of her character.
- Development Time: Adding full marriage dialogue and scripting for Serana would have required significant development time and resources.
Whatever the reason, the absence of a vanilla marriage option has fueled the creation of numerous mods that aim to rectify this perceived omission.
The Modding Solution: “Marriable Serana”
The most common way to marry Serana is through the use of mods. One of the most popular options is the “Marriable Serana” mod. It typically adds the necessary dialogue options and scripting to allow the marriage process to proceed as with other marriageable NPCs in Skyrim.
Keep in mind that when using mods, always:
- Read the mod description carefully: Understand the mod’s features, requirements, and potential conflicts with other mods.
- Follow the installation instructions: Install the mod correctly using a mod manager like Nexus Mod Manager or Mod Organizer 2.
- Back up your save files: Modding can sometimes cause unexpected issues, so backing up your saves is always a good idea.
Considering Serana’s Cure
The option to cure Serana of her vampirism presents a moral quandary for many players. While curing her might seem like a benevolent act, it comes with its own set of consequences.
If Serana is cured, she loses her:
- Vampiric abilities: This includes the ability to turn you into a Vampire Lord.
- 100% resistance to frost and poison: This reduces her combat effectiveness.
- Unique vampire dialogue: Her character subtly changes.
While she remains a follower after being cured, her vampiric powers are significantly diminished. This transformation is irreversible without using console commands or specific mods that restore her vampiric status.
The Role of Mods Post-Cure
Some Marriable Serana mods work independently of her vampiric state. This means you can still marry her even after she’s been cured. However, some mods may have specific requirements, such as requiring her to remain a vampire.
Read the mod description carefully to determine if it’s compatible with your preferred playthrough.
Games and Learning
While Skyrim presents a fantastical world of dragons, magic, and adventure, it also offers opportunities for learning and critical thinking. The act of modding, for example, encourages players to understand game mechanics, explore scripting, and engage with a vibrant community. Learning takes place within the game! To learn more about this and similar topics, be sure to explore the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, which delves into the educational aspects of gaming.
FAQs: Marrying Serana in Skyrim
1. Can you marry Serana in vanilla Skyrim (without mods)?
No, Serana cannot be married in the base game of Skyrim without the use of mods.
2. Does curing Serana affect your ability to marry her with mods?
It depends on the specific Marriable Serana mod. Some mods allow you to marry her regardless of her vampiric state, while others may require her to remain a vampire.
3. What are the benefits of using a “Marriable Serana” mod?
The primary benefit is the ability to marry Serana and have her as your spouse, unlocking new dialogue options and potentially altering her role in your playthrough.
4. Are there any risks associated with using mods to marry Serana?
Yes, using mods can potentially cause conflicts with other mods, game instability, or unexpected behavior. Always read the mod description carefully and back up your save files.
5. Can Serana still be a follower after you marry her?
Yes, Serana will typically remain a follower after you marry her, allowing you to continue adventuring together.
6. Can you turn Serana into a vampire if she’s cured and you’ve married her?
Not in the base game. Some mods might offer this functionality, but it’s not a standard feature.
7. What happens to Serana after you marry her using a mod?
Her behavior will generally resemble that of other married NPCs in Skyrim. She may move into your house, offer you a daily home-cooked meal, and provide other spouse-related benefits.
8. Can you have children with Serana after marrying her with a mod?
It depends on the mod. Some Marriable Serana mods are compatible with adoption mods like Hearthfire Multiple Adoptions, allowing you to adopt children with her.
9. Does marrying Serana affect the Dawnguard questline?
Typically, marrying Serana with a mod won’t significantly alter the Dawnguard questline, but ensure you choose mods carefully to avoid any game-breaking glitches.
10. Can you divorce Serana after marrying her with a mod?
Some mods may add divorce functionality, but it’s not a standard feature in the base game.
11. Is it possible to marry Serana on consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)?
Unfortunately, mods are generally not supported on consoles, making it impossible to marry Serana on those platforms without using external PC editing tools, which will render a console game unplayable.
12. What’s the best “Marriable Serana” mod?
The “best” mod is subjective and depends on your preferences. Read reviews, compare features, and choose a mod that aligns with your desired gameplay experience.
13. Will marrying Serana with a mod affect my ability to get achievements?
It depends on your platform. Some platforms disable achievements when mods are enabled. PC users can use mod that re-enable achievements.
14. Does Serana have unique dialogue or interactions after marriage with a mod?
Most Marriable Serana mods add new dialogue options to reflect the married status, but the extent of these additions varies.
15. Can you still ask Serana to turn you into a Vampire Lord after marrying her?
If she is still a vampire, then yes. If she is not, then she will not have the option to turn you.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to marry Serana, and whether to cure her, is a personal one. If you’re willing to explore the world of modding, you can create a unique and fulfilling relationship with this complex and compelling character. Just remember to do your research, choose your mods carefully, and always back up your save files!