Should You Shoot the Sun in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide to Auriel’s Bow and Solar Manipulation
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In short: yes, you absolutely should shoot the sun in Skyrim. But the when, how, and why are crucial. Wielding Auriel’s Bow and manipulating the celestial orb is one of the most powerful and visually stunning mechanics in the Dawnguard DLC. Whether you are a vampire seeking respite from the sun’s burning rays, or a Dawnguard stalwart looking to strategically weaken your undead foes, mastering this mechanic can significantly enhance your Skyrim experience.
Understanding the Mechanics
Auriel’s Bow
Acquired during the “Touching the Sky” quest, Auriel’s Bow is a unique weapon alleged to belong to the elven god Auri-El. Its power lies not only in its base stats but also in its ability to interact with special arrows. There are two primary arrow types of interest here:
- Sunhallowed Elven Arrows: Created by imbuing regular Elven Arrows at the Auriel’s Bow Shrine in Darkfall Cave after completing the quest “Touching the Sky,” Sunhallowed arrows fire beams of sunlight at the sun that damage undead and cause explosions of sunlight where they land.
- Bloodcursed Elven Arrows: Obtainable from Serana after the “Touching the Sky” quest, these arrows are imbued with her vampire blood and will cause a temporary eclipse when shot at the sun.
The Sun’s Effects
Shooting the sun with these arrows triggers distinct effects, strategically altering the game world to your advantage:
- Sunhallowed Arrows: Firing Sunhallowed arrows at the sun results in a similar, though less impactful, darkening effect as the Bloodcursed arrows. They also cause beams of sunlight to rain down from the sky.
- Bloodcursed Arrows: These transform the sun into a bloody eclipse, completely blocking out the sun for the rest of the day until the next sunrise. This is extremely beneficial for vampires. This allows vampires to negate the penalties associated with sunlight exposure, such as reduced health, magicka, and stamina regeneration.
Tactical Applications
For Vampires
The Bloodcursed Elven Arrows are a vampire’s best friend. During the day, vampires suffer from crippling sunlight penalties. Using these arrows allows vampires to roam freely during the day, unhindered by the sun’s effects. Plan your expeditions, quests, and even simple tasks like selling goods in town with the sun safely blacked out.
For Dawnguard Members
While the Bloodcursed arrows primarily benefit vampires, the Sunhallowed Elven Arrows can be used to turn the sun into a destroyer of the undead. The explosion of beams will damage them greatly. This allows for the Dawnguard to engage the undead horde more effectively.
Strategic Considerations
- Timing: Consider the timing of your shots. Eclipses and Sunhallowed lightstorms last until the next sunrise. Plan accordingly.
- Location: Be mindful of your location when using Sunhallowed arrows. The sunbeams can unintentionally harm non-hostile NPCs.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
- NPC Reactions: While eclipses don’t inherently cause NPCs to become hostile, excessive use of Sunhallowed arrows near populated areas can result in accidental friendly fire.
- Dependency: Vampires might become overly reliant on Bloodcursed arrows. Conserving and managing your supply is essential.
- Moral Implications: Some players may find the act of permanently altering the sun’s appearance to be morally questionable, considering the impact on the game world.
In Conclusion
Mastering Auriel’s Bow and its specialized arrows is a game-changer in Skyrim, especially when playing through the Dawnguard DLC. It empowers you to control the environment, manipulate enemy weaknesses, and dramatically influence the course of combat and exploration. Whether you’re a bloodthirsty vampire or a righteous vampire hunter, learning to shoot the sun is a skill every Dragonborn should possess.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I get Auriel’s Bow?
You obtain Auriel’s Bow during the “Touching the Sky” quest, part of the Dawnguard DLC storyline. You must follow the questline to its completion to acquire the bow from Gelebor.
2. Where do I get Sunhallowed Elven Arrows?
After completing “Touching the Sky”, return to the Auriel’s Bow Shrine in Darkfall Cave. Place Elven Arrows into the shrine to imbue them with Sunhallowed power.
3. Where do I get Bloodcursed Elven Arrows?
After completing the “Touching the Sky” quest, you can ask Serana for Bloodcursed Elven Arrows. She will provide them to you.
4. Can I make Bloodcursed Elven Arrows myself?
No, you cannot craft Bloodcursed Elven Arrows yourself. You can only obtain them from Serana.
5. Does the eclipse caused by Bloodcursed Arrows affect everyone?
The eclipse primarily affects vampires by removing the negative effects of sunlight. Other NPCs will react to the darkened sky, but it doesn’t inherently make them hostile.
6. Can I use Auriel’s Bow without the Dawnguard DLC?
No, Auriel’s Bow and the associated mechanics are exclusive to the Dawnguard DLC.
7. Is the eclipse permanent?
No, the eclipse caused by Bloodcursed Elven Arrows lasts until the next sunrise.
8. What happens if I shoot the sun in a city like Whiterun?
Shooting the sun with Bloodcursed Elven Arrows will cause the eclipse. Shooting with Sunhallowed arrows in or near a populated area can unintentionally hit and anger townspeople due to the sunlight beams.
9. Can I cure Serana after using her Bloodcursed Arrows?
Yes, you can cure Serana of her vampirism after finishing the Dawnguard DLC by taking her to Falion in Morthal.
10. Will siding with the Dawnguard prevent me from getting Bloodcursed Arrows?
No, even if you side with the Dawnguard, Serana will still provide you with Bloodcursed Elven Arrows.
11. Is it better to use Sunhallowed or Bloodcursed Arrows?
It depends on your allegiance and goals. Bloodcursed Elven Arrows are ideal for vampires, while Sunhallowed Elven Arrows are more effective for Dawnguard members fighting the undead.
12. Does Auriel’s Bow break?
No, Auriel’s Bow is a unique artifact and does not break.
13. What happens if I give Harkon Auriel’s Bow?
Regardless of whether you refuse to give it or do give him the bow, Harkon will attack you. It’s best to keep it.
14. Can Werewolves benefit from shooting the sun?
Werewolves do not suffer from sunlight like vampires do, so only shooting the sun with Sunhallowed Arrows will benefit a werewolf as that will allow them to destroy the undead horde easier.
15. What is the hardest skill to level up in Skyrim?
While subjective, many players find Restoration to be one of the more challenging skills to level up, along with Smithing. For more information on game-based learning and skill development, explore the resources available at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.