What Happens If I Cure My Vampirism in Skyrim?
Curing your vampirism in Skyrim is a significant decision that impacts your character’s abilities, resistances, and role-playing experience. The immediate consequence is the loss of all vampiric powers and resistances you’ve acquired. This includes immunities to disease and poison, enhanced frost resistance, improved Illusion magic, the Nightstalker’s Footsteps sneaking bonus, and any unique Vampire Lord powers gained from the Dawnguard DLC. You’ll revert to a normal mortal state, vulnerable to diseases and sunlight alike. However, the process isn’t irreversible. If you miss the nocturnal lifestyle, you can become a vampire again, under certain conditions.
The Immediate Effects of Curing Vampirism
Loss of Powers and Abilities
The most immediate effect of curing vampirism is the removal of all vampiric enhancements. No more sneaking through the night with supernatural ease, no more shrugging off diseases, and no more draining the life force of your enemies. You’ll need to rely on conventional methods for combat, survival, and stealth.
Return to Mortality
Curing vampirism means you’re once again subject to the same vulnerabilities as any other character in Skyrim. Diseases can affect you, poison can harm you, and sunlight no longer weakens you. This can be a welcome change for players tired of managing their vampire status, but it also requires a shift in playstyle.
Faction Consequences
If you became a vampire while aligned with the Dawnguard, curing yourself allows you to rejoin their ranks. They generally don’t take kindly to vampires, so shedding your vampiric skin is a necessary step to regain their trust.
The Cure: Falion of Morthal
The primary method for curing vampirism involves seeking out Falion, a scholar residing in Morthal. He’s a master of conjuration and possesses the knowledge needed to reverse the vampiric curse.
The Ritual
Falion requires a filled Black Soul Gem to perform the curing ritual. This means you’ll need to capture a human soul, which is considered an evil act by most. Once you have the gem, meet Falion at the summoning stones outside Morthal at dawn. He’ll perform the ritual, and you’ll be cured.
No Limit to Cures
Unlike lycanthropy (werewolfism), there’s no limit to how many times you can cure yourself of vampirism. You can become a vampire, cure yourself, and repeat the process as many times as you like, provided you have the Black Soul Gems and Falion’s willingness.
Reclaiming Your Thirst: Becoming a Vampire Again
Serana’s Gift
If you have the Dawnguard DLC, the easiest way to become a vampire again is to ask Serana to turn you. She retains the ability to grant vampirism indefinitely, unless you convince her to cure herself.
Contracting Sanguinare Vampiris
You can also contract Sanguinare Vampiris again by fighting vampires and allowing them to use their Drain Life spell on you. If left untreated for three days, this disease will transform you into a vampire once more.
Benefits of Curing Vampirism
Freedom from Sunlight Weakness
The most significant benefit of curing vampirism is the elimination of the sunlight weakness. No more reduced stats or inability to regenerate during daylight hours. This allows for greater freedom in exploring Skyrim at any time of day.
Improved Relations with NPCs
Non-player characters (NPCs) are less likely to be hostile towards you when you’re not a vampire. This is especially true at later stages of vampirism, where NPCs may attack you on sight.
More Versatile Gameplay
Curing vampirism allows you to explore other character builds and playstyles. You’re no longer restricted to the advantages and disadvantages of being a vampire, giving you more flexibility in how you approach the game.
Drawbacks of Curing Vampirism
Loss of Powerful Abilities
The most obvious drawback is the loss of your vampiric powers. These can be incredibly useful, especially for stealth and magic-oriented characters.
Increased Vulnerability
You become vulnerable to diseases and poisons once again, requiring you to be more cautious in your travels.
Reliance on Conventional Methods
You’ll need to rely on conventional methods for combat, survival, and stealth, which may be less effective than your former vampiric abilities.
Decision Time: To Cure or Not to Cure?
Ultimately, the decision to cure your vampirism is a matter of personal preference. Consider your playstyle, character build, and role-playing goals. If you’re tired of the limitations of being a vampire, curing yourself can be a refreshing change. But if you enjoy the power and advantages of vampirism, you may want to remain a creature of the night. No matter what you decide, Skyrim offers plenty of opportunities to explore both sides of the coin.
Exploring the nuances of game design, and understanding player choices within game systems like this are just some of the topics studied by the Games Learning Society, which has many resources you can find at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I lose my Vampire Lord perks if I cure vampirism?
No, you do not lose your Vampire Lord perks if you cure vampirism. The perks you’ve unlocked in the Vampire Lord skill tree will remain, but you won’t be able to use them until you become a Vampire Lord again.
2. Can I become a Vampire Lord again after curing vampirism?
Yes, you can become a Vampire Lord again if you ask Serana to turn you. She can grant you vampirism an unlimited number of times, as long as she hasn’t been cured herself.
3. What happens if I cure vampirism during the Dawnguard questline?
If you cure vampirism during the Dawnguard questline, you’ll be allowed to rejoin the Dawnguard. They will accept you back into their ranks once you’re no longer a vampire.
4. How many times can I cure myself of vampirism in Skyrim?
There’s no limit to how many times you can cure yourself of vampirism. You can visit Falion as many times as needed, as long as you have a filled Black Soul Gem.
5. Can I be cured of vampirism twice?
Yes, you can be cured of vampirism multiple times. The process is repeatable, allowing you to switch between being a vampire and a mortal as you please.
6. Is being a vampire worth it in Dawnguard?
Being a vampire in Dawnguard offers powerful abilities and unique perks, but it also comes with drawbacks like sunlight weakness. Whether it’s worth it depends on your playstyle and preferences. Stealth and magic-oriented characters often benefit the most from vampirism.
7. Can I stay in the Dawnguard if I become a vampire?
No, you cannot stay in the Dawnguard if you become a vampire. They will kick you out and only allow you to return once you’ve cured yourself.
8. What are the disadvantages of being a vampire in Skyrim?
The main disadvantages of being a vampire include weakness to sunlight (reduced stats and regeneration), potential hostility from NPCs, and the need to feed on blood to maintain your powers.
9. Is it better to be a vampire or a werewolf in Skyrim?
Whether it’s better to be a vampire or a werewolf depends on your playstyle and preferences. Vampires excel in stealth and magic, while werewolves are powerful melee fighters. Werewolves are also immune to diseases.
10. How many times can Falion cure me?
Falion can cure you an unlimited number of times. Each time, he will require a filled Black Soul Gem.
11. Is it worth feeding as a vampire in Skyrim?
Yes, feeding as a vampire is essential to maintaining your powers and avoiding the negative effects of higher stages of vampirism. Regular feeding keeps you at Stage 1, minimizing the drawbacks.
12. Why won’t Falion cure me?
Falion may not cure you if you don’t have a filled Black Soul Gem or if you approach him at the wrong time of day. Make sure you meet him at the summoning stones outside Morthal at dawn with the necessary item.
13. What are the benefits of being a vampire in Skyrim?
The benefits of being a vampire include immunity to diseases and poisons, increased frost resistance, stronger Illusion spells, and improved stealth. Vampire Lords also gain access to powerful unique abilities.
14. Is it better to side with Dawnguard or vampires?
The choice between siding with the Dawnguard or vampires depends on your character’s alignment and playstyle. The Dawnguard offers access to better weapons and a more trustworthy faction, while the vampires provide unique powers and abilities for Vampire Lords.
15. Can I get lycanthropy again in Skyrim?
Yes, you can get lycanthropy again in Skyrim if you have the Dawnguard DLC or Special Edition. You can ask Aela the Huntress to turn you into a werewolf again, even if you’ve been cured before. However, Aela can only turn you once.