Dawnguard vs. Vampires: Which Skyrim Faction is Right for You?
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So, you’re standing at a crossroads in Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC, the frigid air biting at your face, the fate of the sun hanging in the balance. Should you pledge allegiance to the stalwart Dawnguard, slayers of the undead, or embrace the seductive darkness of Lord Harkon’s Volkihar vampires? The answer, like most things in Skyrim, isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on your play style, your moral compass, and what you hope to gain from this epic conflict.
In short: If you crave power, enjoy playing as a Vampire Lord, and don’t mind embracing the darker side of Skyrim, the Volkihar vampires are the way to go. If you prefer a more traditional heroic role, value crossbows and armored huskies, and want to hunt monsters in the sunlight, the Dawnguard is your best bet.
Let’s break down the factors to help you make the right choice:
- Play Style: Do you prefer melee combat, archery, or magic? Are you a stealthy assassin or a tank-like warrior? Vampire Lords excel in ranged combat and possess unique magical abilities, while the Dawnguard is more focused on traditional weapons and tactics.
- Moral Alignment: Are you playing a heroic character who always strives to do good? The Dawnguard’s mission to protect the innocent aligns perfectly with this. Or, do you revel in playing a morally ambiguous or outright evil character? The Volkihar clan offers ample opportunities for dark deeds.
- Vampire Lord Form: This is the biggest deciding factor. If you plan on utilizing the Vampire Lord form frequently, the Volkihar side offers a wealth of perks and abilities that enhance it. If you find the Vampire Lord form clunky or unappealing, the Dawnguard is the clear choice.
- Rewards and Gear: The Dawnguard provides access to powerful crossbows (including the enhanced crossbow and exploding bolts), specialized armor, and armored huskies. The Volkihar vampires offer unique rings and amulets that enhance the Vampire Lord form, as well as access to powerful vampire-themed spells and abilities.
- Story and Atmosphere: The Dawnguard storyline focuses on defending Skyrim from a powerful ancient evil. The Volkihar storyline delves into the politics and intrigues of a powerful vampire clan, offering a glimpse into their dark and decadent world.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Weigh the pros and cons of each faction, consider your character’s personality and goals, and choose the side that best suits your Skyrim adventure. Remember, there is no “wrong” answer. Both factions offer unique and rewarding experiences.
Dawnguard vs. Vampires: A Deeper Dive
Choosing between the Dawnguard and the Volkihar vampires in Skyrim is a significant decision, impacting gameplay, story, and character development. Let’s analyze the key differences more thoroughly.
The Dawnguard: Protectors of the Light
- Faction Focus: The Dawnguard is dedicated to eradicating vampires and protecting the innocent. Their missions often involve hunting down vampire nests, rescuing victims, and preventing Harkon’s plans from coming to fruition.
- Key Benefits:
- Access to powerful crossbows, including the enhanced crossbow and various bolt types (exploding, fire, etc.).
- Dwarven armored huskies as companions.
- Fort Dawnguard as a safe haven, complete with crafting stations and vendors.
- Generally aligned with a “good” moral compass.
- No weakness to sunlight.
- Drawbacks:
- Less focus on magic and stealth.
- Fewer unique abilities compared to the Vampire Lord form.
- Can’t easily become a powerful Vampire Lord without switching sides (at least temporarily).
- Best Suited For: Players who enjoy ranged combat, prefer playing as a heroic character, and aren’t interested in embracing the Vampire Lord playstyle.
The Volkihar Vampires: Lords of the Night
- Faction Focus: The Volkihar vampires are ancient and powerful, seeking to shroud Skyrim in eternal darkness. Their missions involve manipulating mortals, gathering powerful artifacts, and ultimately, overthrowing the sun.
- Key Benefits:
- Access to the Vampire Lord form, with its unique perk tree and powerful abilities.
- Unique rings and amulets that enhance the Vampire Lord form.
- Volkihar Keep as a base of operations, complete with vampire-themed amenities.
- Opportunity to embrace the darker side of Skyrim.
- Access to unique vampire-themed spells and abilities.
- Drawbacks:
- Weakness to sunlight (although this can be mitigated with certain perks and equipment).
- Dealing with the consequences of vampirism (feeding, potential hostility from NPCs).
- Aligned with a “bad” moral compass (at least initially).
- Best Suited For: Players who enjoy playing as a Vampire Lord, don’t mind the drawbacks of vampirism, and want to explore the darker side of Skyrim’s lore.
Shared Experiences
Regardless of which side you choose, you’ll experience the core storyline of the Dawnguard DLC, including the search for Auriel’s Bow and the confrontation with Harkon. You’ll also interact with key characters like Serana, whose fate is intertwined with both factions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it possible to become a Vampire Lord if I side with the Dawnguard?
Yes! During the quest “Bloodline”, Serana will offer to turn you into a Vampire Lord regardless of your initial choice. You can even become a Vampire Lord multiple times by asking her to turn you back after being cured.
2. What happens if I go to Fort Dawnguard as a vampire?
Initially, they will tell you to cure yourself before offering any quests. However, you can join the Dawnguard as a vampire up until the point where you are given the choice to become a Vampire Lord.
3. Can I still become a werewolf after joining either the Dawnguard or the Volkihar vampires?
Yes, you can. Becoming a vampire or joining the Dawnguard/Volkihar will not impact the Companions questline. You can still become a werewolf by completing the necessary quests.
4. Is there a downside to becoming a vampire in Skyrim?
Yes, there are downsides. The most significant is the weakness to sunlight, which prevents health, stamina, and magicka regeneration. Additionally, NPCs may become hostile if you progress to later stages of vampirism without feeding.
5. Can you cure Serana of her vampirism?
Yes, after completing the Dawnguard questline, you can convince Serana to seek a cure for her vampirism. You can bring her to Falion in Morthal, who will perform the ritual.
6. Can you marry Serana?
Unfortunately, not without mods. The base game does not allow you to marry vampires. To marry Serana, you’ll need to download a mod specifically designed for that purpose.
7. Does Lord Harkon betray you?
Yes, Harkon always betrays the Dragonborn, regardless of your choices. He plans to use Auriel’s Bow for his own ends and will attempt to kill you to achieve them.
8. What are the benefits of joining the Dawnguard?
You gain access to powerful crossbows and bolts, armored huskies, and a safe haven at Fort Dawnguard. You’ll also be fighting for a righteous cause, protecting the innocent from the vampire threat.
9. Should I accept Harkon’s offer to become a Vampire Lord?
If you plan on utilizing the Vampire Lord form, yes. It unlocks the Vampire Lord perk tree and allows you to fully experience the Volkihar storyline. If you don’t want to be a Vampire Lord, refuse his offer.
10. Can I cure vampirism in Skyrim?
Yes! You can be cured of vampirism by speaking to Falion in Morthal. You’ll need to bring him a filled Black Soul Gem, which you can obtain by trapping a human soul.
11. What happens if I go to Castle Volkihar before starting the Dawnguard questline?
You won’t be able to enter. Furthermore, it can sometimes cause bugs to the questline if you find it before.
12. Are the Dawnguard good guys?
In general, yes. The Dawnguard is dedicated to protecting the innocent from the vampire threat, making them the more morally righteous faction.
13. Is being a vampire better than being a werewolf in Skyrim?
It depends on your play style. With the Dawnguard DLC, vampirism, especially the Vampire Lord form, is generally considered more powerful due to its unique abilities and fewer drawbacks (with proper management).
14. What happens if I don’t feed as a vampire in Skyrim?
For every 24 in-game hours you don’t feed, you’ll progress through the stages of vampirism. At Stage 4, you’ll gain the most powerful vampire abilities, but also become more hostile to NPCs.
15. Does Serana want me to become a vampire?
Serana doesn’t explicitly state whether she wants you to become a vampire or not. She understands the power and potential danger it entails, and likely leaves the decision entirely up to you. She primarily cares about your well-being.
Choosing between the Dawnguard and the Volkihar vampires is a matter of personal preference. Consider your play style, moral alignment, and what you hope to gain from the experience. Ultimately, the right choice is the one that provides you with the most enjoyment. And if you want to learn more about how gaming intersects with learning and education, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Good luck, Dragonborn!