Becoming a Vampire in ESO: Do You Need DLC?

No, you do not need any DLC to become a vampire in The Elder Scrolls Online. The base game provides all the necessary elements to contract vampirism, either through Bloodfiend NPCs found in specific zones or through a bite from another player who already possesses the vampirism skill line. While the Crown Store offers an immediate purchase of vampirism, this is purely optional and not required to experience this aspect of the game.

Understanding Vampirism in ESO

Vampirism in ESO is a powerful, albeit double-edged, skill line that can dramatically alter your gameplay experience. It comes with unique abilities, passives, and visual effects that can be tailored to various character builds. However, it also introduces weaknesses, most notably an increased vulnerability to fire damage.

The allure of playing a creature of the night draws many players to this path. But before you dive into the darkness, let’s explore the common questions surrounding becoming a vampire in ESO.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vampirism in ESO

Here are 15 FAQs to give you a complete picture of the requirements, process, and implications of embracing vampirism in The Elder Scrolls Online:

1. Can I become a vampire without spending real money?

Absolutely! As mentioned, you can become a vampire for free by being bitten by a Bloodfiend NPC or another player. Purchasing vampirism from the Crown Store is simply a convenience option.

2. At what level can I become a vampire?

You can start the quest to become a vampire at any level. However, leveling the skill line can be challenging at lower levels due to the experience requirements. Many players find it easier to pursue vampirism after reaching a higher level, around level 30 or higher, to better handle the quest’s challenges.

3. Where can I find Bloodfiends that can infect me with vampirism?

Bloodfiends that can transmit vampirism spawn in specific zones: Bangkorai (Daggerfall Covenant), The Rift (Ebonheart Pact), and Reaper’s March (Aldmeri Dominion). These spawns are relatively rare, and they only appear at night, so you may have to search for a while.

4. How do I get bitten by another player to become a vampire?

First, you need to find a player who is already a vampire and possesses the “Blood Ritual” skill within the vampirism skill line. This skill allows them to infect another player with vampirism at a specific shrine location. These shrines can be found in Bangkorai, The Rift, and Reaper’s March. It’s common for players to offer “free bites” in zone chat, especially near these shrine locations.

5. What quest do I need to complete after being infected with vampirism?

Once you are infected with “Noxiphilic Sanguivoria” (the vampirism debuff), you can start the quest “Scion of the Blood Matron.” To begin the quest, go to the nearest Wayshrine and find a Vampire NPC named Vorundil. The quest involves traveling to a specific location to complete a ritual and officially become a vampire.

6. What are the main benefits of being a vampire?

Vampirism offers several benefits, including:

• Increased Magicka and Stamina regeneration at lower health levels.
• Damage reduction at low health.
• Improved stealth abilities.
• Access to powerful vampire-specific skills like “Mist Form,” “Drain,” and “Blood Frenzy.”

7. What are the main drawbacks of being a vampire?

The most significant drawbacks include:

• Increased vulnerability to fire damage. This can be particularly crippling in certain areas or against specific enemies.
• Reduced health regeneration. This can make sustain more difficult in combat.
• Stage-based penalties. As a vampire feeds less, they progress through stages, gaining increased benefits but also increased penalties, such as vulnerability to fire.

8. What races are best suited for vampirism?

While any race can become a vampire, some racial passives synergize better with the skill line:

• Breton: Reduced Magicka cost of skills helps mitigate the increased cost of non-vampire abilities while using vampire skills.
• High Elf: Increased Magicka and Spell Damage boost the effectiveness of vampire abilities.
• Argonian: Increased Health and healing received provide better survivability, especially given the reduced health regeneration.
• Dark Elf: Fire Resistance can help reduce the negative effects of fire vulnerability.

9. Can I be both a vampire and a werewolf?

Yes, you can become both a vampire and a werewolf on the same character. However, you cannot have both active at the same time. You would need to cure one affliction before contracting the other. You can freely switch between using the Vampire and Werewolf skill lines, but you can only have one active skill line at a time.

10. How do I cure vampirism?

You can cure vampirism by completing a quest given by a priest located in major cities. The priest will usually have an icon above their head indicating the quest. Keep in mind that you have to go to the priest to start the quest, simply completing the required task without accepting the quest will not cure you.

11. Is it worth being a vampire in ESO?

Whether vampirism is “worth it” depends entirely on your playstyle and build. It can be incredibly powerful in PvP, especially for stealthy builds that utilize the “Mist Form” skill. In PvE, vampirism can also be effective, but the fire vulnerability requires careful management. Many players enjoy the roleplaying aspect of being a vampire, regardless of its effectiveness.

12. What class is best for a vampire build?

There is no single “best” class for a vampire, as the skill line can be adapted to various classes. However, some classes tend to synergize better:

• Nightblade: The Nightblade’s stealth and siphoning abilities complement the vampire’s stealth and sustain.
• Necromancer: The Necromancer’s sustain and damage amplify with the vampire’s passive skills.
• Sorcerer: The Sorcerer’s Magicka sustain combined with increased Magicka regeneration from being a vampire and it’s high single target and AOE.
• Dragonknight: This class makes good use of the damage mitigation while at low health in addition to some powerful fire abilities.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and how you build your character.

13. How does the vampire skill line scale?

The vampire skill line scales primarily with Magicka and Spell Damage. Many of the abilities have a Magicka cost, and the damage inflicted by those skills is increased by Spell Damage. Some passives also provide bonuses to both Magicka and Stamina regeneration.

14. Does vampirism affect my character’s appearance?

Yes, vampirism changes your character’s appearance. As you progress through the vampire stages, your character’s skin becomes paler, and their eyes become more bloodshot. These visual changes are more pronounced at higher stages of vampirism.

15. Where can I find more information and resources about ESO?

There are countless online resources dedicated to The Elder Scrolls Online. Look at fan-created guides, official forums, and YouTube tutorials. Understanding the game mechanics and community discussions is key to mastering the game! You can also research how games are being used for education and learning by looking at sites like Games Learning Society. Check out their website GamesLearningSociety.org for innovative approaches to education and the positive impact that games can have on learning.

Embrace the Darkness, Wisely

Becoming a vampire in ESO can be a transformative experience. Whether you choose to embrace the shadows for power, roleplaying, or simply to try something new, remember that knowledge is your greatest weapon. Understanding the benefits, drawbacks, and mechanics of vampirism will allow you to make informed decisions and carve your own path in the ever-evolving world of Tamriel.