How to Cure Vampirism in Skyrim on Console: A Comprehensive Guide

The most direct way to cure vampirism in Skyrim on console (PlayStation and Xbox) is to complete the quest “Rising at Dawn.” This quest involves speaking to Falion in Morthal after contracting vampirism, filling a Black Soul Gem, and then undergoing a ritual he performs.

Understanding Vampirism in Skyrim

Vampirism in Skyrim is a disease contracted from vampires through combat. It progresses through stages, each with different effects on your character’s abilities and appearance. Understanding these stages is crucial for timely intervention.

Stages of Vampirism

• Sanguinare Vampiris: The initial disease. You have three in-game days to cure it before it turns you into a full vampire. Easily curable with a potion of cure disease or by praying at a shrine.
• Vampire (Stage 1): You’ve fully transformed. You gain new abilities and weaknesses, including increased weakness to fire and strength in darkness. Your appearance also begins to change.
• Vampire (Stages 2-4): These stages progress based on how long you go without feeding. As you progress, you gain more powerful vampiric abilities but also face increased aggression from NPCs and heightened weakness to sunlight.

The “Rising at Dawn” Quest: Your Cure

This quest is the key to permanent vampirism removal.

Initiating the Quest

1. Contract Vampirism: Allow a vampire to attack you until you contract Sanguinare Vampiris.
2. Become a Vampire: Do not cure Sanguinare Vampiris within the three-day period. Let it develop into full vampirism.
3. Speak to Innkeepers: Once you are a vampire, talk to any innkeeper. They will tell you about Falion in Morthal, a mage who studies the undead.
4. Travel to Morthal: Find Falion in Morthal. He is usually found near his home or wandering around the town.
5. Talk to Falion: Explain your situation to Falion. He will tell you that he can cure your vampirism but needs a filled Black Soul Gem.

Filling a Black Soul Gem

1. Obtain a Black Soul Gem: These are rarer than regular Soul Gems. You can often find them in locations frequented by necromancers or purchase one from Falion himself.
2. Find a Humanoid Soul: You need to trap a human, elf, or other humanoid soul.
3. Use Soul Trap: Cast the Soul Trap spell on a humanoid opponent (bandits, for example) and kill them while the spell is active. Ensure you have the Black Soul Gem in your inventory. The soul will be trapped inside the gem. A Soul Trap enchantment on a weapon also works.
4. Verify the Gem is Filled: Check your inventory to confirm that the Black Soul Gem is filled with a soul.

Completing the Ritual

1. Return to Falion: Go back to Falion with the filled Black Soul Gem.
2. Meet at the Ritual Site: Falion will ask you to meet him at a specific ritual site in Morthal, usually located near the standing stones outside the town.
3. Attend the Ritual: Meet Falion at the designated time (usually dawn). He will perform a ritual to cure you of your vampirism, consuming the soul in the Black Soul Gem.
4. You are Cured! Congratulations, you are now cured of vampirism.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Curing Vampirism

Here are some frequently asked questions about curing vampirism in Skyrim, providing extra tips and details.

1. Can I cure vampirism at any stage?

Yes, but the method depends on the stage. Sanguinare Vampiris can be cured with a Potion of Cure Disease or by praying at a shrine before you fully transform. Once you become a vampire, you’ll need to complete the “Rising at Dawn” quest.

2. Where can I find a Potion of Cure Disease?

You can purchase Potions of Cure Disease from alchemists, general goods stores, or find them in dungeons and containers. Creating one yourself with alchemy is also possible, using ingredients like Mudcrab Chitin, Vampire Dust, or Charred Skeever Hide.

3. What happens if I ignore Sanguinare Vampiris?

If you ignore the initial disease, Sanguinare Vampiris, for three in-game days, you will fully transform into a vampire.

4. What are the benefits of being a vampire?

Vampires gain several benefits, including increased resistance to disease, increased strength and magicka in the dark, and access to powerful vampiric abilities.

5. What are the drawbacks of being a vampire?

Vampires suffer drawbacks, including increased weakness to fire and hostility from NPCs if you don’t feed regularly. Sunlight also significantly reduces your health, magicka, and stamina.

6. Can I reverse the cure if I want to become a vampire again?

Yes. Simply allow a vampire to attack you until you contract Sanguinare Vampiris and let it progress. Alternatively, you can become a Vampire Lord by joining the Volkihar Clan in the Dawnguard DLC.

7. Does the Dawnguard DLC change the curing process?

The Dawnguard DLC adds new vampiric abilities and transformations, notably the Vampire Lord form. However, the basic process of curing vampirism via the “Rising at Dawn” quest remains the same.

8. What if Falion isn’t in Morthal?

Falion generally stays in Morthal, either near his home or wandering the town. Try waiting for him during the day, as he sleeps at night. If he’s truly missing, try fast traveling to a different location and then back to Morthal.

9. Can I use a regular Soul Gem instead of a Black Soul Gem?

No. Falion specifically requires a Black Soul Gem. Regular Soul Gems only trap the souls of animals and creatures, not humanoids.

10. How do I know if I’m a vampire?

Early signs include increased aggression from NPCs, weakness to sunlight, and new abilities related to blood and shadows. You can also check your active effects under the Magic menu; it will list Vampirism or the current stage of your vampiric condition.

11. What happens if I can’t find a Black Soul Gem?

If you can’t find one, Falion usually sells Black Soul Gems. Check his inventory when you speak to him in Morthal. You can also find them in locations frequented by necromancers.

12. Does my follower get affected by my vampirism?

No, your follower will not be affected by your vampirism, either positively or negatively. They will react to your appearance and actions, but they won’t contract the disease themselves.

13. Will curing my vampirism affect my skills or stats?

No, curing your vampirism will not negatively affect your skills or stats. You will lose the vampiric abilities and weaknesses, but your base character stats will remain the same.

14. Can I cure vampirism more than once?

Yes, you can cure and contract vampirism multiple times throughout the game. You can repeat the “Rising at Dawn” quest as needed.

15. What should I do if the “Rising at Dawn” quest glitches?

Sometimes, glitches can occur. Try these solutions: * Reload a previous save: This is often the most effective solution. * Wait in-game time: Sometimes waiting a day or two can reset the quest. * Leave Morthal and return: Fast traveling away and back can sometimes fix location-based glitches. * Look for online forums: Check Skyrim forums and communities for similar issues and potential solutions specific to your platform. * Use console commands (PC only): If you’re playing on PC, you can use console commands to advance the quest stages, but this is not possible on consoles.