Can You Start Dawnguard with the Vampires? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! You can absolutely start the Dawnguard questline as a vampire in Skyrim. In fact, the game even acknowledges and accommodates this situation with unique dialogue and interactions. However, your vampiric status will eventually influence your choices and potential outcomes within the Dawnguard DLC. Let’s delve deeper into how this works and explore some common questions surrounding this interesting gameplay possibility.
Joining the Dawnguard as a Vampire: What to Expect
The initial stages of the Dawnguard questline are open to vampires. You can freely explore Fort Dawnguard, interact with Isran and other members, and even begin some of the early quests. The game recognizes your vampiric condition, and characters like Serana and Harkon will have special dialogue options related to it. This adds a layer of depth and immersion to the experience.
The Turning Point: Curing Your Vampirism
However, there comes a point where your vampirism will become a significant obstacle. As you progress further into the Dawnguard questline, particularly if you side with them against the Volkihar Clan, you’ll eventually face pressure to cure your vampirism. This is primarily due to Isran and the Dawnguard’s inherent distrust and animosity towards vampires. They are, after all, vampire hunters. To fully integrate and complete certain quests, you’ll likely need to undergo the cure. Fortunately, curing vampirism in Skyrim is relatively straightforward, involving a specific quest and interaction with Falion in Morthal.
Embracing the Vampire Lord: The Volkihar Option
Of course, the alternative is to fully embrace your vampiric nature and join the Volkihar Clan led by Lord Harkon. This path offers a completely different storyline, focusing on the power and allure of vampirism. Choosing this side means becoming an enemy of the Dawnguard and delving into the dark secrets of Castle Volkihar. You’ll gain access to powerful Vampire Lord abilities and unique quests centered around expanding the influence of the Volkihar Clan.
Becoming a Vampire Lord While Siding with the Dawnguard
Even if you initially side with the Dawnguard, you are not locked out of becoming a Vampire Lord. Serana, a central figure in the Dawnguard DLC, can offer you the gift of vampirism at various points, even after siding with the Dawnguard. This allows you to experience the power of the Vampire Lord form without fully committing to the Volkihar Clan. You can even complete the Dawnguard questline and then become a Vampire Lord with Serana’s help.
Playing Both Sides (Sort Of)
While you cannot simultaneously be a full member of both the Dawnguard and the Volkihar Clan, you can strategically navigate the questline to experience elements of both. For example, you can initially join the Dawnguard, accept Serana’s gift of vampirism, use the Vampire Lord powers, and still complete the Dawnguard questline before ultimately deciding to cure yourself or remain a vampire. This flexibility allows for a more personalized and nuanced playthrough.
FAQs: Dawnguard and Vampires – All You Need to Know
Here are some frequently asked questions about starting and playing the Dawnguard questline as a vampire:
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Can I start the Dawnguard questline if I’m already a vampire? Yes, you can absolutely start the Dawnguard questline as a vampire. Characters will acknowledge your condition with unique dialogue.
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Can I join the Dawnguard and then become a Vampire Lord? Yes, Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord even after you’ve joined the Dawnguard.
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Will the Dawnguard kick me out if I become a Vampire Lord? If you side with the Dawnguard and then become a Vampire Lord, you may face some initial disapproval, but they won’t necessarily kick you out immediately. However, to progress further in their questline, you will likely be asked to cure yourself of vampirism at some point.
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Is it worth joining the Volkihar Clan? It depends on your playstyle and preferences. If you enjoy playing as a vampire and utilizing the Vampire Lord powers, then joining the Volkihar Clan is definitely worth it. They offer unique quests, abilities, and a darker, more sinister storyline.
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Can I cure my vampirism after joining the Volkihar Clan? Yes, even after fully embracing the Volkihar Clan, you can still choose to cure your vampirism by seeking out Falion in Morthal.
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What are the disadvantages of being a vampire in Skyrim? The major disadvantages include weakness to sunlight (reduced health, stamina, and magicka regeneration), and potentially hostile reactions from NPCs, especially at higher stages of vampirism.
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Should I join Volkihar or Dawnguard? Consider your character’s alignment and playstyle. The Dawnguard is geared towards those who prefer fighting vampires and using ranged weapons. The Volkihar Clan is for those who embrace vampirism and its dark powers.
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Can I join Dawnguard as a werewolf? Yes, you can side with the Dawnguard as a werewolf without any issues. Your werewolf form is completely separate from the Dawnguard and Volkihar storylines.
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Can you still become a vampire if you refuse Harkon’s offer? Yes, Serana will offer to turn you into a Vampire Lord later on in the questline, even if you initially refuse Harkon’s offer.
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Should I let Serana make me a vampire? It depends. Becoming a vampire offers unique powers and abilities, but also comes with drawbacks like weakness to sunlight. Consider your character’s build and playstyle before making a decision.
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Is Vampire Lord or Werewolf better? It’s subjective and depends on your playstyle. Vampire Lords are generally considered more powerful at later levels due to their potent abilities and spellcasting capabilities. Werewolves excel at raw physical damage and crowd control.
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Can you cure Serana? Yes, it’s possible to cure Serana of her vampirism after finishing the Dawnguard DLC by bringing her to Falion in Morthal.
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Can you join the Dawnguard after killing Harkon? Yes, after Harkon is defeated, Isran will offer you membership in the Dawnguard, provided you are not a vampire.
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Can you marry Serana? Not in the base game. You need to use a mod like “Marriable Serana” to marry her.
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What level should you be for Dawnguard? The Dawnguard questline starts automatically when you reach level 10.
Making the Right Choice for Your Character
Ultimately, the decision of whether to start the Dawnguard questline as a vampire, cure your vampirism, or embrace the Volkihar Clan depends on your personal preferences and the roleplaying experience you seek. Skyrim offers a remarkable level of freedom in shaping your character’s destiny, and the Dawnguard DLC is no exception. Experiment with different choices, explore the various storylines, and discover what truly resonates with you. Whether you choose to fight alongside the Dawnguard, embrace the darkness of the Volkihar Clan, or walk a path somewhere in between, the Dawnguard DLC offers a rich and rewarding experience for all Skyrim players.
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