Embracing the Night: A Comprehensive Guide to Vampirism in Skyrim
So, you’ve caught the bug. The thirst, the hunger, the allure of the night – you’re considering joining the ranks of the undead in Skyrim. The question isn’t just if you should become a vampire, but what it actually means. What happens if you become a vampire in Skyrim?
Becoming a vampire in Skyrim fundamentally alters your gameplay experience, introducing both potent strengths and significant weaknesses. You gain powerful abilities tied to your vampiric state, increasing your melee damage, granting access to unique spells like Vampiric Drain, and enhancing your stealth. However, you also become vulnerable to sunlight, hindering your abilities during the day, and facing the constant need to feed on human blood to manage your vampiric progression. Your appearance changes, reflecting your descent into the undead, and you’ll face hostility from some NPCs who recognize your true nature. Ultimately, it’s a strategic choice that can dramatically reshape your character’s capabilities and roleplaying opportunities.
The Nitty-Gritty: Mechanics of Vampirism
Let’s delve into the mechanics of vampirism in Skyrim. The process begins with contracting Sanguinare Vampiris, a disease easily caught from vampires, especially those lurking in caves and ruins. If left untreated for three in-game days, you’ll transform into a full-fledged vampire. A simple potion of Cure Disease, or a visit to a temple with a shrine, will cure Sanguinare Vampiris before the transformation is complete.
Once you’ve embraced the darkness, your vampirism progresses through stages, influenced by how recently you’ve fed. There are four stages in total. Each stage grants new abilities, but also increases the negative effects of sunlight. As you progress further into vampirism by not feeding, the bonuses grow, but the penalties become more severe. People will start to recognize you and will attack you on sight.
Benefits of Becoming a Vampire
- Enhanced Strength and Speed: Vampires gain increased strength and speed, making them formidable in combat.
- Resistances: Vampires are highly resistant to disease and poison. Depending on your stage of vampirism, you might also get a resistance to frost, helping you in the colder regions of Skyrim.
- Night Vision: See clearly in the dark with a toggleable night vision ability.
- Vampiric Drain: A signature ability that allows you to drain health from living targets, restoring your own. This can be upgraded with perks!
- Unique Spells and Abilities: Vampires gain access to unique spells, like invisibility or the ability to summon gargoyles (with the Dawnguard DLC).
- Sneak Bonus: Vampires gain a bonus to sneak, making them naturally good assassins.
- Embrace of Shadows: A power that makes you invisible for a period of time.
Drawbacks of Becoming a Vampire
- Sunlight Weakness: The most significant drawback. In sunlight, you’ll lose health, stamina, and magicka, and your regeneration of these attributes will cease entirely. The higher your vampiric stage, the more severe the penalties.
- Fire Weakness: Vampires are vulnerable to fire damage.
- Negative NPC Interactions: As you progress through the stages of vampirism, NPCs will become increasingly hostile towards you, attacking on sight. You’ll need to feed to mitigate this.
- Altered Appearance: Your eyes will change color, and your face will become paler and gaunt. This may or may not be desirable, depending on your aesthetic preferences.
- Constant Hunger: You’ll need to feed regularly to avoid progressing through the stages of vampirism and incurring the full brunt of the sunlight weakness and NPC hostility.
The Dawnguard DLC: A Game Changer
The Dawnguard DLC significantly expands upon the vampire experience. It introduces the Volkihar Vampire Clan, offering a new questline centered around vampire lords and their quest for power. It also adds the option to become a Vampire Lord, a powerful creature with unique abilities and a dedicated skill tree.
The Vampire Lord Transformation
The Vampire Lord transformation grants you a new form with its own skill tree and abilities. In this form, you can fly (briefly), use powerful magic, and summon gargoyles. However, you’re even more vulnerable to sunlight in this form, and transforming back to your human form requires time and can be inconvenient. This form is only available through the Dawnguard DLC questline. It also offers a unique perspective on vampires, allowing you to explore what it means to be a powerful vampire lord.
Curing Vampirism
If you decide that the life of a vampire is not for you, you can be cured. The process involves completing a quest that typically starts by speaking to innkeepers, who will direct you to Falion in Morthal. He’s an expert on the undead, and he can perform the ritual to restore your humanity. This involves providing him with a filled black soul gem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vampirism in Skyrim
Here are some frequently asked questions about vampirism in Skyrim:
1. How do I become a vampire in Skyrim?
Contract the disease Sanguinare Vampiris from a vampire enemy. Allow three in-game days to pass without curing it.
2. How do I feed as a vampire?
Sneak up on a sleeping NPC and activate them. You’ll be given the option to feed. Alternatively, you can use the Vampire’s Seduction ability (acquired later in the vampire stages) to calm a person and then feed.
3. What are the different stages of vampirism?
There are four stages, ranging from Stage 1 (recently fed) to Stage 4 (starving). Each stage increases your vampiric powers but also amplifies your weaknesses.
4. How does sunlight affect vampires in Skyrim?
In sunlight, vampires lose health, stamina, and magicka, and their regeneration is suppressed. The effect is more severe at higher stages of vampirism.
5. Can NPCs tell that I am a vampire?
Yes. As you progress through the stages of vampirism, NPCs will recognize you as a vampire and may become hostile.
6. How do I cure vampirism in Skyrim?
Speak to innkeepers to start the quest Rising at Dawn. They’ll direct you to Falion in Morthal, who can perform the ritual to cure you, after you acquire a filled black soul gem.
7. What is the Vampire Lord form?
Introduced in the Dawnguard DLC, the Vampire Lord form is a powerful transformation with unique abilities and a skill tree.
8. How do I become a Vampire Lord?
Join the Volkihar Vampire Clan during the Dawnguard DLC questline.
9. What are the benefits of being a Vampire Lord?
Unique powers like summoning gargoyles, draining life, and transforming into a swarm of bats, plus a dedicated skill tree.
10. What are the drawbacks of being a Vampire Lord?
Increased vulnerability to sunlight, a limited ability to interact with the environment in Vampire Lord form, and certain quests being locked off.
11. Can I still use weapons and armor as a Vampire Lord?
No. In Vampire Lord form, you rely on your vampiric abilities and powers.
12. Does being a vampire affect my skill progression?
No, being a vampire doesn’t directly affect your skill progression. However, it can influence your playstyle and the skills you prioritize.
13. Can I complete all the quests in Skyrim as a vampire?
Most quests can be completed as a vampire, but some NPCs may refuse to interact with you if you’re at a high stage of vampirism. The Dawnguard questline offers an alternative questline based on whether you choose to join the vampires or the Dawnguard.
14. Does my race affect my vampiric abilities?
No, your race doesn’t have a direct impact on your vampiric abilities, but racial bonuses can complement a vampire playstyle. For example, Dunmer (Dark Elves) have a natural resistance to fire, which can help offset the vampire’s weakness.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore of vampires in The Elder Scrolls universe?
Dive into in-game books, explore vampire dens and strongholds, and engage with online communities dedicated to The Elder Scrolls lore. You can also learn about how games create a rich experience, like with Skyrim, at the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Embracing vampirism in Skyrim is a transformative experience, offering a unique blend of power and peril. Whether you choose to stalk the shadows as a traditional vampire or embrace the might of the Vampire Lord, remember to consider the benefits and drawbacks before taking the plunge. Good luck, and may the night be ever in your favor.