What Happens When You Purify the Knight’s Heart in Skyrim?

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Purifying the Knight’s Heart in Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC is a pivotal decision that significantly impacts your playthrough, especially if you’re aligned with the Dawnguard. Essentially, purifying the Knight’s Heart results in you acquiring the enhanced version of the Rune Hammer and allows Florentius Baenius to become available as a vendor and follower. However, this choice necessitates defeating Knight-Paladin Gelebor in combat.

The Choice at Forgotten Vale: Corruption and Purification

The Dawnguard questline leads the Dragonborn to the Forgotten Vale, a hidden location brimming with ancient Falmer and long-lost secrets. Here, you encounter Knight-Paladin Gelebor, one of the last remaining Snow Elves. He tasks you with purifying a corrupted shrine to gain access to Auriel’s Bow. This corruption has festered within the Knight’s Heart, a sacred stone at the shrine.

The Immediate Effects of Purification

Purifying the Knight’s Heart triggers the following immediate effects:

• Knight-Paladin Gelebor turns hostile: He believes you have defiled the shrine and attacks. He is a formidable opponent wielding powerful frost magic.
• A boss fight ensues: You must defeat Gelebor to proceed.
• You obtain the Rune Hammer: After defeating Gelebor, you can loot his body to obtain a vastly improved version of the Rune Hammer.
• Florentius Baenius becomes available: When you return to Fort Dawnguard, the previously lost and assumedly crazy Florentius Baenius will appear. He’ll become a merchant and follower offering unique items and quests.

Long-Term Consequences and Benefits

Purifying the Knight’s Heart grants several long-term benefits, although they come at the cost of Gelebor’s life:

• Enhanced Rune Hammer: This weapon boasts significantly increased damage and enchantments compared to its unpurified counterpart. It’s a valuable tool against vampires and other undead creatures.
• Florentius Baenius’s Services: Florentius is an expert at finding and creating powerful magical items. His presence at Fort Dawnguard greatly enhances your arsenal. He can also become a follower, providing valuable support in combat. He also has Radiant quests, allowing you to receive new quests repeatedly.
• Access to Unique Items: Florentius sells unique items related to vampire hunting, making him an invaluable asset for Dawnguard members.

The Alternative: Leaving the Knight’s Heart Unpurified

While purifying the Knight’s Heart provides tangible benefits, the alternative of leaving it unpurified has no apparent advantages. Gelebor will remain friendly, but the questline cannot progress, locking you out of acquiring Auriel’s Bow and effectively halting the Dawnguard storyline. There are no known benefits or alternative outcomes resulting from leaving the Knight’s Heart unpurified.

FAQs About Purifying the Knight’s Heart

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the consequences of purifying the Knight’s Heart:

1. Is it possible to avoid fighting Knight-Paladin Gelebor after purifying the Knight’s Heart? No, there is no known way to avoid the boss fight. Purifying the Heart automatically triggers his hostility.

2. Is Knight-Paladin Gelebor a difficult boss to fight? Yes, Gelebor is a challenging opponent, especially at lower levels. He uses powerful frost magic and has high resistances. Consider bringing fire-based weapons and spells to counter his abilities.

3. What level should I be before attempting to purify the Knight’s Heart? A level of 20 or higher is recommended to handle the encounter with Gelebor effectively.

4. What are the specific enchantments on the enhanced Rune Hammer? The enhanced Rune Hammer deals extra damage to undead and has a chance to stagger enemies.

5. Can I purify the Knight’s Heart if I’m a vampire? Yes, your vampire status does not affect your ability to purify the Knight’s Heart.

6. What happens if I kill Knight-Paladin Gelebor before purifying the Knight’s Heart? You will not be able to progress the questline, as you need him to open the way to the next shrine.

7. How do I start the Dawnguard questline? The questline typically begins after you reach level 10, when you might be approached by Dawnguard recruiters or overhear conversations about vampire hunters. You can also go directly to Fort Dawnguard.

8. What are some good strategies for defeating Knight-Paladin Gelebor? Utilize fire-based attacks, stock up on resist frost potions, and use ranged attacks to keep your distance. Consider bringing a follower to help tank damage.

9. Does purifying the Knight’s Heart affect my relationship with other NPCs? No, only Gelebor becomes hostile.

10. Can I reverse my decision after purifying the Knight’s Heart? No, once the Knight’s Heart is purified and Gelebor is defeated, the changes are permanent. You cannot undo the process.

11. Does Florentius Baenius offer unique quests only available after purifying the Knight’s Heart? Yes, the radiant quests from Florentius are only available if you purified the Knight’s Heart.

12. Is Florentius Baenius a good follower? Yes, Florentius is a powerful mage follower who can heal you and deal significant damage.

13. What types of items does Florentius sell? He sells a variety of enchanted weapons, armor, and scrolls, focusing on items effective against vampires and other undead.

14. Does purifying the Knight’s Heart impact the ending of the Dawnguard DLC? It is a crucial step in completing the Dawnguard questline, necessary to obtain Auriel’s Bow and defeat the main antagonist. Without completing this, the quest will not progress.

15. Is there an alternative way to obtain Auriel’s Bow without purifying the Knight’s Heart? No, purifying the Knight’s Heart and defeating Gelebor is the only way to access the inner sanctum and retrieve Auriel’s Bow.