Serana: Your Undead Companion – A Comprehensive Guide to Keeping Her by Your Side
Serana, the enigmatic vampire from Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC, is arguably one of the most compelling and popular followers in the entire Elder Scrolls series. Her complex backstory, witty banter, and powerful abilities make her an invaluable asset and a captivating companion. But how exactly do you ensure she sticks around for the long haul? This guide will provide the definitive answers and address all your burning questions about keeping Serana as a follower.
The short answer is this: to keep Serana as a follower, you must avoid curing her of her vampirism. This is the single most crucial decision. Once the Dawnguard questline is complete, Serana will offer to cure herself if you suggest it. Declining this offer ensures she remains a vampire and a permanent follower. In addition, avoid repeatedly attacking her or committing actions that would typically cause any follower to leave your service.
A Deeper Dive: Maintaining Your Bond with Serana
While simply avoiding the cure is paramount, maintaining a positive relationship with Serana requires understanding her character and preferences. Here’s a more nuanced look at keeping her loyal and engaged:
- Respect Her Agency: Serana is a strong and independent character. While you’re the Dragonborn, remember she has her own motivations and opinions. Listen to her comments during quests and dialogue options; they offer valuable insights into her personality and potential conflicts.
- Consider Her Alignment: While not explicitly good or evil, Serana leans toward a more pragmatic and less overtly malicious approach than many vampires. Avoid needlessly cruel or selfish actions that might clash with her sensibilities. This isn’t a morality system, but being considerate of her character will enhance your roleplaying experience.
- Complete the Dawnguard Questline: This is obvious, but it’s worth reiterating. The questline is central to her story and provides the context for your relationship.
- Utilize Her Skills: Serana is a powerful mage specializing in necromancy and conjuration. Her ability to reanimate corpses is incredibly useful in combat, and her knowledge of ancient lore can be invaluable during quests. Don’t hesitate to rely on her skills and expertise.
- Be Patient: Serana has a complex past and is still grappling with her identity. Be patient with her as she opens up and shares her story. Your understanding and support will strengthen your bond.
Serana: A Tactical Asset
Serana isn’t just a compelling character; she’s also a formidable combatant.
- Combat Specialization: As mentioned, Serana excels in necromancy and conjuration. She can raise the dead to fight alongside you and cast powerful spells like Chain Lightning and Vampiric Drain.
- Essential Status: Serana is an essential character, meaning she cannot be killed. While she can be knocked unconscious in battle, she will always recover. This makes her an incredibly reliable companion in even the most dangerous situations.
- Vampiric Abilities: As a vampire, Serana is immune to disease and poison. She also has access to unique vampiric abilities, such as Vampiric Drain, which allows her to restore her health by draining the life force of enemies.
- Equipping Gear: While Serana’s default attire is her signature vampire armor, you can equip her with different weapons and armor to customize her combat style. Experiment to find the gear that best complements her abilities and your own playstyle. However, note that she might revert to her default outfit after certain events or cell changes.
- Marriage: Sadly, Serana is not a marriage option in Skyrim. Many fans have requested this feature, but as of now, it remains unavailable. Mods are your only way to get around this limitation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Serana
Here are 15 common questions about Serana, along with detailed answers to help you make the most of your time with this fascinating companion.
- Can I cure Serana after keeping her as a follower for a while? No. Once you decline to suggest that she cures herself at the end of the Dawnguard questline, that decision is final within the vanilla game. There’s no option to change your mind later.
- What happens if I accidentally tell her to cure her vampirism? If you accidentally suggest she cure herself, load a previous save. There’s no way to undo this decision once the dialogue is completed.
- Does Serana judge my actions in the game? While there’s no formal approval system, Serana will occasionally comment on your actions, particularly if they’re exceptionally cruel or unjust. These comments provide insight into her character and her view of the world.
- Can I give Serana different weapons and armor? Yes, you can equip Serana with different weapons and armor. However, she may sometimes revert to her default outfit. Experiment to find the gear that suits her best.
- Is Serana essential, meaning she can’t die? Yes, Serana is an essential character. She can be knocked unconscious in battle but will always recover.
- Can I marry Serana? No, Serana is not a marriage option in the base game or with the official DLC. However, mods are available that allow you to marry her.
- Does Serana have a level cap? Serana’s level scales with yours up to a certain point, making her a consistently useful companion throughout the game.
- Where does Serana go if I dismiss her? If you dismiss Serana, she will return to Fort Dawnguard if you sided with the Dawnguard, or to Castle Volkihar if you sided with the vampires.
- Can Serana carry items for me? Yes, Serana can carry items for you, just like any other follower.
- Does Serana’s vampirism affect my character in any way? No, simply having Serana as a follower will not affect your character’s stats or abilities. However, be mindful of her needs if you are doing quests in areas where she will be greatly penalized by sunlight exposure.
- What are some of Serana’s best spells and abilities? Serana excels in necromancy and conjuration, casting spells like Chain Lightning, Vampiric Drain, and reanimating corpses to fight alongside you.
- How do I start the Dawnguard questline to meet Serana? The Dawnguard questline starts when you overhear rumors about the Dawnguard, or when you are approached by a Dawnguard member in a major city. Alternatively, you can simply travel to Fort Dawnguard, located in a mountain pass east of Riften.
- What are the pros and cons of siding with the Dawnguard versus the vampires in the DLC? Siding with the Dawnguard grants you access to crossbows and armored trolls, while siding with the vampires allows you to become a Vampire Lord and learn powerful vampire abilities. The story remains largely the same regardless of your choice.
- Are there any glitches associated with Serana? Yes, like many characters in Skyrim, Serana can be subject to glitches. These can include issues with dialogue, pathfinding, or her equipment. Saving frequently and reloading can often resolve these issues.
- Does Serana’s presence affect the game’s ending? No, Serana’s presence as a follower does not affect the game’s main ending. Your choices during the main questline and the Dawnguard questline determine the outcome.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Undead Friendship
Serana is more than just a follower; she’s a companion with a rich backstory and a unique perspective on the world. By understanding her character, respecting her agency, and utilizing her skills, you can forge a strong and rewarding bond that will enhance your Skyrim experience. While you’re diving deep into the world of Skyrim and gaming, consider the educational impact of games. The Games Learning Society explores exactly that – how games can foster learning and development. Visit their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more about their research and initiatives. Embrace the undead friendship and enjoy your adventures with Serana by your side!