Is it better to be soul trapped or become a vampire?

The answer to whether it’s better to be soul trapped or become a vampire largely depends on the player’s personal preferences and gameplay style, as both options offer unique benefits and drawbacks in the world of Skyrim. Ultimately, being soul trapped can provide certain advantages, such as ease of access to the Soul Cairn, while becoming a vampire offers powerful abilities and active effects, including Nightstalker’s Footsteps, which makes the Dragonborn 25 percent harder to detect when sneaking.

Understanding Soul Trapping and Vampirism

Introduction to Soul Trapping

Soul trapping in Skyrim refers to the process of capturing the soul of a defeated enemy using a soul gem, which can then be used for various purposes, including enchanting and spellcasting. This mechanic is particularly useful for players who focus on magic and enchanting, as it allows them to harness the power of their defeated foes.

Introduction to Vampirism

On the other hand, vampirism is a condition that can be contracted by the Dragonborn, granting them access to a range of unique abilities and powers, such as superhuman strength, speed, and agility, as well as the ability to transform into a Vampire Lord. However, vampirism also comes with certain drawbacks, including weakness to sunlight and hostility from NPCs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it a good idea to become a vampire in Skyrim? Becoming a vampire in Skyrim can be a good idea, as it grants the player access to powerful abilities and active effects, including Nightstalker’s Footsteps, which makes the Dragonborn 25 percent harder to detect when sneaking. However, it’s essential to consider the drawbacks, such as weakness to sunlight and hostility from NPCs.

2. Should I refuse to become a vampire in Skyrim? Refusing to become a vampire in Skyrim means the player will remain with the Dawnguard side, which offers its own set of benefits, including access to crossbows and magic bolts. Ultimately, the decision to refuse vampirism depends on the player’s personal preferences and gameplay style.

3. Can you soul trap vampires? Yes, a vampire soul can be trapped, and if it is released and the body is in range, it will return as a vampire. If not, the soul will be released, and the vampire will remain dead.

4. What happens if you refuse becoming a vampire? If the player refuses to become a vampire, they will be banished from Castle Volkihar and won’t be able to enter back inside. From there, they will need to return to Isran and finish the quest.

5. Can you still become a Vampire Lord if you side with the Dawnguard? Yes, the player can still become a Vampire Lord as part of the quest called Bloodline, even if they side with the Dawnguard. This can be done with the help of Serana before she is cured.

6. What happens if I become a vampire to enter the Soul Cairn? If the player chooses to become a vampire while already allied with the Dawnguard, they will basically get kicked out of the Dawnguard until they cure themselves.

7. Why do dragons resist soul trap? Dragons are automatically soul trapped, and if it’s resisting, it is immune. It wouldn’t make sense to be able to soul trap a dragon, as their soul would be too big for any soul gem, except maybe Azura’s Star.

8. Can you raise dead a vampire? Raise Dead cannot be used on anything but dead corpses, and using it on undead will not work. Nor would Animate Dead work to turn a full health vampire into a zombie for easy killing.

9. Is Dawnguard or Vampire Lord better? Joining the Dawnguard is by far the best choice players can make while playing the Dawnguard DLC, as it offers access to crossbows and magic bolts, among other benefits.

10. Is it better to side with Harkon or Dawnguard? In general, siding with the Dawnguard is considered the better choice, as it allows the player to acquire the vampire lord transformation and access to crossbows and magic bolts.

11. Should I stay with the Dawnguard or become a vampire? Both options have their upsides, and the decision ultimately depends on the player’s personal preferences and gameplay style. While the Dawnguard offers more weapons and armor, playing as a vampire lord can be exceptionally fun.

12. Is it better to be a werewolf or a vampire in Skyrim? Being a werewolf is less taxing on the necks of Nords and other races, and it doesn’t require anything to maintain, although the benefits are not as present as a vampire’s. For those who feel vampirism can be a chore, being a carefree werewolf is better.

13. Can I cure vampirism in Skyrim? Yes, the player can cure vampirism by speaking with Falion and undergoing a ritual at the Summoning Stones. This can be done more than once, in case the Dragonborn ever gets the urge to go back to their vampiric ways.

14. Is being a vampire better than werewolf Skyrim? In terms of power, vampirism is much more powerful when Dawnguard is added, as it gives the player more powerful abilities than lycanthropy and allows them to transform back and forth multiple times a day at will.

15. What are the disadvantages of being a vampire in Skyrim? The cons of becoming a vampire include weakness to sunlight, which prevents health, stamina, and magicka regeneration, as well as hostility from NPCs, especially if they are in the fourth stage of vampirism.