Volkihar vs. Dawnguard: Which Skyrim Faction Reigns Supreme?
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Choosing between the Volkihar vampire clan and the Dawnguard vampire hunters is a defining moment in Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC. The “better” choice is subjective, deeply intertwined with your preferred playstyle, moral alignment, and character build. Objectively, however, the Dawnguard offers a more balanced and arguably less restrictive experience. While both factions provide unique rewards and storylines, the Dawnguard’s access to specialized weaponry like the Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow, the relative ease of navigating Skyrim as a non-vampire, and the ultimate ability to acquire the Vampire Lord form regardless, often make them the more appealing choice for a first playthrough or for players who prioritize a more “heroic” roleplaying experience. Ultimately, the best faction for you depends on your individual preferences. Embrace the darkness or defend the light; Skyrim is your oyster.
Benefits of Joining the Dawnguard
Joining the Dawnguard offers a range of advantages, particularly for players who enjoy ranged combat or prefer a more traditional heroic narrative.
- Enhanced Crossbows: The Dawnguard provides access to enhanced crossbows, specifically the Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow, which ignores 50% of armor. These are incredibly powerful against heavily armored foes, a common threat in Skyrim. You also get access to various types of bolts like exploding bolts, making you a formidable ranged fighter.
- Specialized Armor: The Dawnguard armor provides a strong defense and a distinct aesthetic, reinforcing the vampire hunter theme.
- Armored Trolls: For a fee, you can hire armored trolls to accompany you, acting as powerful melee companions.
- Moral High Ground: Roleplaying as a righteous vampire hunter allows for a more traditionally “good” aligned character, which can be satisfying for many players.
- Vampire Lord Form Acquisition: Crucially, you can still become a Vampire Lord even after siding with the Dawnguard. After completing the questline, you can ask Serana to turn you.
- Fort Dawnguard Amenities: Fort Dawnguard serves as a fully functional home base, offering safe storage, crafting stations, and vendors.
Perks of Embracing the Volkihar Clan
Becoming a vampire with the Volkihar clan unlocks a very different gameplay experience, embracing dark powers and supernatural abilities.
- Vampire Lord Transformation: You receive the Vampire Lord transformation immediately upon joining (though you can obtain it later with the Dawnguard). This grants access to unique powers, a new skill tree, and a monstrous form.
- Volkihar Keep: The keep provides safe storage, crafting stations, and mortal thralls for easy feeding.
- Unique Dialogue: As a vampire, you’ll unlock unique dialogue options and interactions with other vampires, immersing you in their culture.
- Dark Aesthetic: If you enjoy a darker, more sinister aesthetic, the Volkihar clan’s environment and armor reflect this.
- Powerful Necromantic Abilities: The vampire skill tree focuses heavily on necromantic abilities, allowing you to raise the dead and command powerful undead minions.
The Downside of Vampirism
Embracing the Volkihar path comes with some significant drawbacks.
- Sunlight Weakness: Vampires suffer penalties in sunlight, including reduced health, stamina, and magicka regeneration. This can make daytime exploration challenging.
- NPC Hostility: As you progress through the stages of vampirism without feeding, NPCs will become increasingly hostile, making interactions difficult.
- Feeding Requirements: To avoid the negative effects of starvation, you must regularly feed on sleeping NPCs, which can be inconvenient and morally questionable.
- Limited Social Interaction: Maintaining a human guise becomes difficult as a vampire, potentially hindering interactions with those outside your clan.
Dawnguard Weaknesses
Even the “good” guys have some flaws.
- Less Focus on Magic: The Dawnguard primarily focuses on physical combat, leaving magic users feeling slightly less catered to.
- Limited Transformation: You don’t get a unique transformation like the Vampire Lord form naturally (before Serana’s offer). This can be a downside for players who enjoy shapeshifting mechanics.
- Less Intrigue: The Dawnguard storyline is more straightforward and less morally ambiguous than the Volkihar’s, which may appeal less to players who enjoy complex narratives.
Neutrality and Serana
Regardless of your choice, Serana remains integral to the Dawnguard storyline. She seeks you out and is essential to completing the main questline. Your decision will ultimately affect your relationship with her, but she remains a key character throughout. You can even have her turn you into a Vampire Lord after siding with the Dawnguard.
Ultimately, it is a matter of choice
The decision between the Volkihar clan and the Dawnguard is a deeply personal one, driven by individual preferences and roleplaying desires. There is no objectively “best” choice, only the path that best aligns with your vision for your character and your preferred gameplay style.
FAQs about Choosing Between Volkihar and Dawnguard
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further guide your decision:
1. Can I join both Dawnguard and vampires?
Yes, but only temporarily. You can start the Dawnguard questline, and even be offered vampirism by Harkon. However, you must ultimately choose a side. Accepting Harkon’s gift makes you an enemy of the Dawnguard, while refusing it and later returning as a vampire will result in you being expelled from the Dawnguard.
2. Can I cure vampirism after joining Volkihar?
Yes. You can cure your vampirism through Falion in Morthal. This is the same method used to cure regular vampirism and can be done multiple times if you choose to become a vampire again later. Serana can also turn you back into a Vampire Lord after being cured.
3. Does Serana care if I join the Dawnguard?
Serana will initially be somewhat disappointed if you choose the Dawnguard, especially if you previously showed interest in becoming a vampire. However, she understands the situation and remains a vital ally regardless of your choice.
4. Can I still become a Vampire Lord if I join the Dawnguard?
Yes! This is a crucial point. After completing the Dawnguard questline, you can ask Serana to turn you into a Vampire Lord.
5. What happens if I choose to side with the Dawnguard as a vampire?
You will be expelled from the Dawnguard, requiring you to cure your vampirism before you can rejoin.
6. What are the benefits of being a Vampire Lord?
The Vampire Lord transformation grants access to unique powers, a dedicated skill tree, and a powerful bat-like form. These powers include summoning gargoyles, draining life, and using vampiric grip to pull enemies towards you.
7. Does Harkon betray you?
Yes, Harkon will always attempt to betray the Dragonborn at the end of the Dawnguard questline, regardless of your actions.
8. Can you get Harkon’s sword if you join the Dawnguard?
Yes, you can obtain Harkon’s sword regardless of which faction you choose, as you will eventually face him in battle.
9. What is the best level to start the Dawnguard DLC?
There’s no strict level requirement, but level 10 or higher is generally recommended to handle the tougher enemies encountered in the questline.
10. Is it worth feeding as a vampire in Skyrim?
Yes, feeding is essential to manage the negative effects of vampirism. Feeding resets your stage of vampirism, reducing NPC hostility and mitigating sunlight weaknesses.
11. Can I cure Serana after killing Harkon?
Yes, after completing the Dawnguard DLC, you can convince Serana to seek a cure for her vampirism by speaking with her and then taking her to Falion in Morthal.
12. Does Serana want to be cured?
Serana is initially resistant to the idea of being cured, viewing her vampirism as a gift. However, with persuasion, she can be convinced to seek a cure.
13. What are the disadvantages of being a vampire in Skyrim?
The main disadvantages include sunlight weakness (reduced stats and regeneration in sunlight), NPC hostility, and the need to regularly feed on sleeping NPCs.
14. What are the benefits of joining Volkihar clan?
Aside from becoming a Vampire Lord, benefits include access to Volkihar Keep, unique dialogue, and a focus on necromantic abilities.
15. What do you get if you choose Dawnguard?
You gain access to Fort Dawnguard as a base, specialized weapons and armor effective against vampires, and the ability to hire Armored Trolls.
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