Embrace the Night: Becoming a Vampire in Skyrim (Pre-Dawnguard)
So, you yearn for the power and mystique of a vampire in Skyrim, but you’re not quite ready to dive into the Dawnguard DLC? Fear not, mortal! You absolutely can become a regular vampire in the base game, though it’s a very different experience from the Vampire Lord form introduced with Dawnguard. The process revolves around contracting the disease Sanguinare Vampiris from a vampire enemy. The infection is a three-day timer counting down to your transformation. Once you contract this disease, if not cured, you will become a vampire.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to turn into a vampire:
- Seek Out Vampires: This is the most obvious step. Vampire lairs and dungeons are scattered throughout Skyrim. Some prominent locations include Movarth’s Lair (west of Morthal), Haemar’s Shame (southeast of Windhelm), and Shriekwind Bastion (southeast of Falkreath).
- Get Infected: Engage vampires in combat. The Vampiric Drain spell, which sucks life force from you, is a common method of transmission. Melee attacks can also spread the disease. You must be hit by a vampire in order to have a chance of getting infected.
- Receive the Notification: Keep an eye out for a notification on your screen stating that you have contracted Sanguinare Vampiris. It’s easy to miss if you’re in the heat of battle, so pay close attention.
- Resist the Cure: You have a three-day window to cure yourself of Sanguinare Vampiris before the transformation is complete. If you want to become a vampire, you must avoid curing yourself during this period. Do not use a Potion of Cure Disease, visit a shrine, or be affected by the Vigilant of Stendarr’s magical healing.
- Embrace the Change: After three in-game days, you will transform into a vampire. Your appearance will change, and you will begin to experience both the benefits and drawbacks of vampirism.
Understanding Pre-Dawnguard Vampirism
The vampirism you acquire before installing the Dawnguard DLC is considerably different than the Vampire Lord transformation offered by the DLC. Here’s what to expect:
- Stages of Vampirism: You will progress through four stages of vampirism, each with its own effects. These stages are determined by how long you have gone without feeding.
- Feeding: To progress through the stages less rapidly, you must feed on sleeping NPCs. This will reset you back to stage one. Feeding is necessary to mitigate the negative effects of vampirism, such as increased weakness to sunlight and increased aggression from NPCs.
- Sunlight Weakness: As a vampire, you will suffer penalties in sunlight. Your health, stamina, and magicka regeneration will be severely reduced, making outdoor activities during the day very challenging, especially at later stages.
- Increased Power: As a vampire, you’ll also gain certain benefits, including resist disease, resist poison, and increased Illusion skill, and sneak. You will also have access to special vampiric spells, which can be useful in combat and for stealth.
- NPC Reactions: As you advance through the stages of vampirism without feeding, NPCs will become increasingly hostile toward you. At stage four, they will attack on sight.
FAQs: Mastering the Art of Vampirism
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you further navigate the world of Skyrim vampirism. You can learn a lot about video games and other areas at Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.
How do I feed as a vampire in Skyrim?
You can only feed on sleeping NPCs. Approach a sleeping NPC and interact with them to initiate the feeding sequence. Be cautious, as you might be detected if other NPCs are nearby.
What happens if I get caught feeding?
If you are caught feeding, NPCs will react with hostility. You may incur a bounty, and your relationship with that NPC and their community will be negatively affected.
How do I cure vampirism in Skyrim (pre-Dawnguard)?
To cure vampirism before installing the Dawnguard DLC, you need to complete the Rising at Dawn quest. This involves speaking with Falion in Morthal. Falion requires you to bring her a filled Black Soul Gem to perform the cure. You’ll need to trap a human soul in a Black Soul Gem, which is considered an evil act. This quest can only be initiated after you have become a vampire.
What are the best skills for a pre-Dawnguard vampire build?
Illusion, Sneak, and Destruction are excellent choices. Illusion magic allows you to manipulate enemies, Sneak enables you to avoid detection and feed unnoticed, and Destruction provides powerful offensive capabilities. Restoration to reduce the effects of sunlight and Alteration for magic resistance should also be prioritized.
Can I become a werewolf before becoming a vampire?
Yes, you can become a werewolf before contracting Sanguinare Vampiris. However, becoming a vampire will cure your lycanthropy. You can only be one or the other, unless you exploit certain glitches.
Will guards attack me if I’m a vampire?
Guards will generally not attack you immediately if you are in the early stages of vampirism. However, as you progress through the stages without feeding, they will become suspicious and eventually hostile. They will attack you on sight in stage four.
Can I still do quests as a vampire?
Yes, you can still complete most quests as a vampire, but be aware that your vampiric status might affect NPC interactions and quest outcomes. Some NPCs may refuse to interact with you, while others might react negatively.
How does vampirism affect my character’s appearance?
As a vampire, your character’s appearance will change. Your skin will become paler, your eyes might glow with an unnatural light, and you may develop sharper features. These changes become more pronounced as you progress through the stages of vampirism.
Are there any unique items or spells only available to vampires?
Yes, there are unique spells such as Vampiric Drain, which absorbs health from your enemies, and abilities that enhance your stealth and combat prowess. The exact spells and abilities available depend on your stage of vampirism.
Can I get married as a vampire?
Yes, you can get married as a vampire. However, your spouse might react negatively to your vampiric condition, especially if you are in the later stages and haven’t fed recently.
Does being a vampire affect my standing with the different factions?
Being a vampire can affect your standing with certain factions. For example, members of the Vigilants of Stendarr will be hostile towards you. The Companions might be wary of your condition, depending on your choices.
Is it worth becoming a vampire in Skyrim?
Whether or not it’s worth it depends on your playstyle and preferences. Vampirism offers unique powers and abilities, but it also comes with significant drawbacks, such as sunlight weakness and negative NPC reactions. It can be a challenging but rewarding experience for players who enjoy a stealthy or mage-oriented playstyle.
Can I reverse the process and become human again after Dawnguard?
Yes, even with the Dawnguard DLC installed, you can revert to being human after being a vampire. You’ll still need to complete the Rising at Dawn quest. This is because Dawnguard vampire lords are still affected by regular vampirism.
Can I use mods to enhance my vampire experience?
Absolutely! There are numerous mods available that can enhance the vampire experience in Skyrim. Some mods add new vampire powers, while others overhaul the vampire skill tree or improve the feeding mechanics. However, always be cautious when installing mods and ensure they are compatible with your game version.
Can I be both a Vampire Lord (from Dawnguard) and a regular vampire?
No. Once you embrace the Vampire Lord form, you become a Vampire Lord and no longer have the regular vampire progression. Becoming a Vampire Lord cures you of normal vampirism, and curing your Vampire Lord status will turn you back to human.
Embrace the shadows, feed your hunger, and master the night! Becoming a vampire in Skyrim (before Dawnguard) is a unique and challenging experience that can add a thrilling new dimension to your gameplay. Good luck, and may your thirst never be quenched!