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Is Serana Good for Sneaking in Skyrim? A Deep Dive

Yes, Serana can be a reasonably good follower for stealth-oriented Dragonborns, but with some caveats. While her core skills lean towards stealth (Sneak, Light Armor), several factors influence her effectiveness, including her AI, gear, and potential quirks. Let’s break down why she’s not always the ultimate shadow companion but still a valuable asset.

Serana’s Stealth Capabilities: A Skill-Based Assessment

Serana’s proficiency stems from a combination of her natural skills and the equipment you provide her.

High Sneak Skill: The provided text states “Sneak is definitely Serana’s highest-level skill“. A high Sneak skill is, obviously, the cornerstone of stealth gameplay. This means she is inherently better at avoiding detection than many other followers.
Light Armor Proficiency: As mentioned in the source, Serana is also proficient in light armor which is much better than the heavy armor, which impacts sneaking negatively.
Conjuration for Distraction: While her Conjuration skill is lower than her Sneak and One-Handed, it’s still a useful tool. Serana can summon creatures, providing a valuable distraction that allows the Dragonborn to move undetected.

The AI Factor: Why Serana Can Be…Challenging

Here’s where things get tricky. Skyrim’s follower AI, including Serana’s, isn’t perfect for pure stealth.

Aggressiveness: Serana, despite her high Sneak skill, can be aggressive. If she detects an enemy, she might engage in combat even if you’re trying to sneak past. This can blow your cover and ruin your stealth approach.
Pathing Issues: Like many followers, Serana can sometimes have trouble navigating complex environments. She might get stuck on objects, wander into the line of sight of enemies, or simply take a less-than-optimal route, blowing your cover.
The “Stealth Roll” Glitch: The provided article highlights a particularly frustrating glitch: “Killing your own reanimated zombies while sneaking may cause Serana to stuck in sneak mode. She will sneak constantly or use “stealth roll” to move around”. This bug can be incredibly annoying and immersion-breaking.

Gear and Equipment: Maximizing Serana’s Stealth

To make Serana a more effective stealth companion, gear is vital.

Light Armor with Stealth Enhancements: Equip her with light armor enchanted with Muffle and Fortify Sneak. The provided text directly recommends this: “Light armour enchanted with Muffle and Fortify Sneak makes her very stealthy”. Muffle reduces the noise she makes while moving, making her harder to detect. Fortify Sneak improves her overall Sneak skill, further enhancing her ability to remain hidden.
Avoid Heavy Armor: Steer clear of heavy armor. It drastically increases noise and makes it almost impossible for her to remain undetected.

Alternatives and Comparisons: Who Else is Stealthy?

The article provided gives us some other options for stealthy companions:

Dark Brotherhood Initiates: This group is mention as being a “pretty good at sneaking“. If you desire another follower that can sneak alongside you they are a great choice.
Jenassa: The source names Jenassa as among the best stealth followers in Skyrim.
Aela the Huntress: Aela is a great option for a sneaky follower as well.

Modding Serana: Enhancing Stealth Capabilities

Skyrim’s modding community offers several options to improve Serana’s stealth AI and overall behavior. Search for mods that:

Improve Follower AI: These mods generally make followers less aggressive, more responsive to player commands, and better at navigating environments.
Fix the “Stealth Roll” Glitch: If you encounter this bug, there are mods specifically designed to address it.

FAQs: Your Burning Questions About Serana and Stealth

Here are the most frequent questions related to Serana and sneaking, answered in detail.

1. Can Serana be cured of vampirism?

Yes, if you side with the Dawnguard, you can convince Serana to seek a cure for her vampirism after completing the main Dawnguard questline. You can then bring Serana to Falion in Morthal.

2. Can Serana die in combat?

No, Serana is essential. This means she cannot be killed, though she can be knocked down in combat.

3. Why does Serana sometimes stop following me?

There are a few reasons Serana might stop following you.

You told her to wait: If you’ve instructed her to wait at a specific location, she will remain there until you tell her to follow you again.
Quest triggers: Some quests temporarily remove Serana as a follower.
Glitch: Occasionally, a glitch may prevent her from following you.

4. Is Serana marriageable?

No, Serana is not marriageable in the base game. However, there are fan-made mods that allow you to marry her.

5. Does Serana have a maximum level?

Yes, Serana’s maximum level is 50. This means that after level 50, she will no longer gain new skills or abilities.

6. Can Serana give me vampirism?

Serana is capable of turning the player into a vampire, but it ultimately depends on the player’s choice.

7. Why is Serana so popular among Skyrim players?

Serana’s popularity stems from her well-developed character, believable interactions, and compelling storyline. Many players find her relatable and sympathetic.

8. What happens if Serana partially soul traps me?

If Serana partially soul traps you in the Soul Cairn, your stats will be slightly weakened. You can reclaim your soul gem to restore your stats.

9. Can Serana become hostile towards me?

Yes, Serana can become hostile if you accidentally attack her or do something that angers her, such as harming creatures she has reanimated.

10. What is the best armor for Serana?

Light armor is recommended for Serana, especially if you want her to be stealthy. Enchant it with Muffle and Fortify Sneak to further enhance her stealth capabilities.

11. Does Serana like the Dragonborn?

Yes, Serana seems to have a positive connection with the Dragonborn. She often expresses her gratitude and hints at a deeper bond in her dialogue.

12. What should I do with Serana after completing the Dawnguard questline?

After completing the Dawnguard questline, you can either have her remain a vampire or convince her to seek a cure. She will continue to be a valuable follower regardless of your choice.

13. How can I fix Serana if she gets stuck sneaking or “stealth rolling”?

The article mentions, this issue has to do with your reanimated corpses, and can cause issues for the player. If you encounter the “stealth roll” glitch, try reloading an earlier save or using console commands to reset her AI. There are also mods available that specifically address this bug.

14. Which races are inherently better at sneaking in Skyrim?

The Khajiit are considered the sneakiest race in Skyrim due to their +10 bonus to the Sneak skill.

15. Where did Serana come from?

Serana is a pure-blood vampire, a Daughter of Coldharbour, who was imprisoned in Dimhollow Crypt with an Elder Scroll. She is a central character in the Dawnguard DLC.

Conclusion: Serana as a Stealth Follower – Promising, but Requires Management

Serana can be a decent stealth follower in Skyrim, thanks to her high Sneak skill and proficiency in light armor. However, her AI and potential glitches can sometimes hinder her effectiveness. By equipping her with appropriate gear, managing her behavior, and potentially utilizing mods, you can maximize her stealth capabilities and enjoy having her as a shadowy companion. Remember to consider other stealthy follower options if Serana’s quirks become too frustrating. Learning and adapting to the game’s mechanics and character behaviors are key elements in the player experience, much like the principles explored by the Games Learning Society as GamesLearningSociety.org.

Is Serana good for sneaking?