What happens if you become a vampire in Skyrim?
Becoming a vampire in Skyrim significantly alters the gameplay experience, introducing a range of new powers and weaknesses, such as increased frost resistance, the ability to become invisible, and an enhanced Vampire’s Seduction power, but also increased vulnerability to fire and sunlight. As players progress through the stages of vampirism, these effects become more pronounced, influencing character interactions, combat, and overall strategy, making the decision to become a vampire a crucial one that impacts the entire Skyrim journey.
Understanding Vampirism in Skyrim
Becoming a vampire in Skyrim is a transformative experience that opens up new gameplay mechanics and storyline possibilities. The process of becoming a vampire involves contracting vampirism, a condition that progressively changes the player character’s abilities and appearance over four stages. Each stage brings about new powers and weaknesses, such as Embrace the Shadows, which allows for temporary invisibility, and increased resistance to frost damage, but also heightened susceptibility to fire and severe penalties when exposed to sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it bad to turn into a vampire in Skyrim?
Turning into a vampire in Skyrim has both benefits and drawbacks. While it offers unique powers and abilities, it also introduces significant weaknesses, particularly to fire and sunlight, which can severely hinder gameplay.
2. What are the downsides to being a vampire in Skyrim?
The primary downsides include an increased weakness to fire and a severe aversion to sunlight, which can slow or stop magicka, health, and stamina regeneration and even reduce these stats, making the character more vulnerable.
3. Can you recover from being a vampire in Skyrim?
Yes, it is possible to cure vampirism in Skyrim. Players can seek out Falion in Morthal, who can perform a ritual to cure vampirism using a filled Black Soul Gem.
4. What happens if I accept being a vampire in Skyrim?
Accepting vampirism changes the character’s appearance over time, adding fangs, making the skin paler, and turning the eyes red, regardless of the character’s original race.
5. Should I be a vampire or a Dawnguard?
Joining the Dawnguard is generally considered the better choice as it offers more questlines and character interactions without the inherent weaknesses of being a vampire.
6. Is it better to accept Harkon’s gift or not?
Accepting Harkon’s gift allows the player to become a Vampire Lord, gaining powerful vampire abilities, but also commits the player to the vampire storyline and its consequences.
7. Can you join Dawnguard as a vampire?
Players can join the Dawnguard as a vampire, but only up to a certain point in the storyline. Beyond that, they must be cured of vampirism to continue.
8. How do you treat Serana?
Serana can be cured of her vampirism after completing the Dawnguard DLC by bringing her to Falion in Morthal, who can perform the curing ritual.
9. How do I feed as a vampire in Skyrim?
Feeding as a vampire can be done by pickpocketing sleeping NPCs or by using the Vampire’s Seduction power on willing NPCs, and as a Vampire Lord, by attacking and feeding on enemies.
10. Should I be a vampire or a werewolf in Skyrim?
The choice between being a vampire or a werewolf depends on preferred gameplay style, with vampires offering more control over powers and werewolves providing a more intense, transformative experience.
11. What happens if you don’t drink blood as a vampire in Skyrim?
Not feeding as a vampire results in significant stat reductions in daylight and increased weakness to fire, but it does not lead to immediate death or game-over.
12. Can Serana still be a follower if you choose Dawnguard?
Yes, Serana can remain a follower regardless of whether the player chooses to side with the Dawnguard or becomes a vampire.
13. What happens if I let Serana turn me into a vampire?
Letting Serana turn you into a vampire allows for certain unique interactions and quests but may limit access to other questlines until vampirism is cured.
14. Are you a vampire forever in Skyrim?
No, vampirism can be cured in Skyrim by visiting Falion and undergoing a ritual, allowing players to revert to their normal state.
15. Can you marry Serana if you cure her?
While it’s possible to cure Serana of her vampirism, marrying her as a vampire is not an option for the player character who has also become a vampire, highlighting the complexities of character relationships in Skyrim.