Why Are The Dawnguard Attacking Me? A Comprehensive Guide to Dawnguard Hostility in Skyrim
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The Dawnguard, those stalwart vampire hunters of Skyrim, should be allies in the fight against the undead. So, why are they suddenly hostile? The answer, like much in the world of Tamriel, isn’t always straightforward. Several factors can turn these dedicated warriors against you, ranging from simple bounties to fundamental choices in the Dawnguard DLC itself. Here’s a breakdown of the most common causes, along with solutions to regain their favor or, failing that, deal with their aggression.
The most common reasons for the Dawnguard attacking you are: having a bounty in the Rift, choosing to become a vampire lord by accepting Harkon’s offer, turning into a werewolf in their presence, or a potential bug causing Durak to be randomly hostile. Understanding these causes is crucial for navigating the complex politics of Skyrim.
Understanding the Root Causes of Dawnguard Aggression
1. The Bounty Hunter’s Paradox: Unpaid Debts in the Rift
Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the correct one. The Dawnguard, along with the Companions, have been known to turn hostile if you have an active bounty in the Rift, the hold encompassing Riften. This is a peculiar quirk of the game’s mechanics. Even if the bounty is relatively small or stems from a minor offense, it can trigger an aggressive response.
- The Solution: The easiest way to resolve this is to travel to Riften, commit a minor crime (like punching a guard), and then either pay off your bounty or serve your time in jail. This effectively resets your bounty status and should alleviate the Dawnguard’s aggression. Keep in mind that sometimes you can get a bounty that doesn’t show up immediately, so this should be tried regardless.
2. Embracing the Darkness: Becoming a Vampire Lord
The primary conflict of the Dawnguard DLC revolves around the war between the Dawnguard and the Volkihar Vampire Clan. If you choose to side with the vampires by accepting Lord Harkon’s gift and becoming a Vampire Lord, the Dawnguard will permanently consider you an enemy. This is a fundamental shift in your allegiance, and there is no turning back.
- The Solution: Unfortunately, there is no simple fix. As long as you remain a Vampire Lord, the Dawnguard will be hostile. You have two options:
- Continue down the Vampire Lord Path: Embrace your vampiric powers and complete the Dawnguard DLC as a member of the Volkihar Clan.
- Cure Your Vampirism (Partial Solution): Even after curing your vampirism through Falion in Morthal, the Dawnguard will remain hostile if you originally chose to become a Vampire Lord. This is a consequence of choosing that path and betraying them.
3. The Beast Within: Werewolf Transformation
The Dawnguard, while primarily focused on vampires, are generally suspicious of anything considered “unnatural” or “Daedric.” If you transform into a werewolf in their presence, they will immediately attack. This is due to the werewolf form’s association with Hircine, the Daedric Prince of the Hunt.
- The Solution: Avoid transforming into a werewolf near the Dawnguard. If you accidentally transform, immediately revert to your human form (if possible) and either flee the area or attempt to yield and pay a fine (though this may not always work).
4. Durak’s Discontent: A Bug-Related Animosity
Some players have reported a bug where Durak, one of the Dawnguard members, becomes randomly hostile without any apparent reason. This is often linked back to the aforementioned bounty in the Rift issue.
- The Solution: Attempt to clear any potential bounties in the Rift by the method described above. If that doesn’t work, try fast traveling to a far away location like Solitude and then fast traveling back to the Dawnguard. This can sometimes fix the problem. If all else fails, reloading a previous save may be necessary.
FAQs: Additional Insights into Dawnguard Relations
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of dealing with the Dawnguard:
1. Can I join both the Dawnguard and the vampires?
Yes, you can initially work with both factions to some extent. However, you will eventually be forced to choose a side when Harkon offers you his blood to become a Vampire Lord. Accepting this offer makes you an enemy of the Dawnguard, and refusing it results in the vampires rejecting you.
2. Does the Dawnguard hate werewolves in general?
The Dawnguard’s primary focus is on hunting vampires. They don’t actively hate werewolves unless you transform in their presence. Simply being a werewolf isn’t enough to trigger their hostility.
3. Can I marry Serana if I join the Dawnguard?
Unfortunately, you cannot marry Serana in the vanilla version of Skyrim, regardless of which faction you choose. While she has unique dialogue about marriage, the option to marry her is not implemented without the use of mods.
4. What happens if I refuse to become a vampire in Dawnguard?
If you refuse Harkon’s offer, you will side with the Dawnguard. This decision locks you into the Dawnguard questline and prevents you from becoming a Vampire Lord.
5. Will Serana still follow me if I become a werewolf?
Yes, Serana will continue to follow you even if you are a werewolf. She is unfazed by your lycanthropic transformations.
6. Can I wipe out the Dawnguard?
Yes, if you side with the Volkihar Clan, you will eventually receive a side quest called “Destroy the Dawnguard,” which allows you to eliminate them entirely.
7. Are the Dawnguard bad guys?
Whether the Dawnguard are “bad guys” is a matter of perspective. They are generally considered the “righteous” side, dedicated to protecting Skyrim from the threat of vampires. The Volkihar Clan, on the other hand, often engages in more morally questionable activities.
8. Can you make peace with the Dawnguard after siding with the vampires?
No, you cannot make peace with the Dawnguard after becoming a Vampire Lord. Your decision to embrace vampirism solidifies your role as their enemy.
9. Is being a vampire worth it in the Dawnguard DLC?
The benefits of being a vampire include powerful abilities like Nightstalker’s Footsteps. The main downside is that it makes the Dawnguard hostile and locks you into the Volkihar Clan questline. It’s a matter of your personal playstyle preference.
10. Who is the main villain in the Dawnguard DLC?
Lord Harkon is the main antagonist and final boss of the Dawnguard DLC. He is the leader of the Volkihar Clan and seeks to plunge Skyrim into eternal darkness.
11. Is there a downside to becoming a werewolf in Skyrim?
Becoming a werewolf has several downsides, including the inability to loot or open chests in beast form, the loss of resting bonuses, and the inability to become a Vampire Lord.
12. Why am I being attacked in Castle Volkihar?
If you transform into a Vampire Lord inside Castle Volkihar, it can sometimes cause friendly vampires to attack you due to a bug. Leaving the area for a few days or reloading a previous save can resolve this issue.
13. Can I stop being a vampire after Dawnguard?
Yes, you can cure your vampirism by seeking out Falion in Morthal.
14. Does completing Dawnguard stop vampire attacks?
Yes, completing the main Dawnguard DLC questline (regardless of which side you choose) will significantly reduce or eliminate random vampire attacks in Skyrim.
15. What happens to Serana if you side with the Dawnguard?
If you side with the Dawnguard, Serana will remain with you and play a crucial role in the questline, helping you locate her mother, Valerica, and ultimately defeat Harkon.
Conclusion: Navigating the Complexities of the Dawnguard
The Dawnguard’s hostility can be frustrating, but understanding the underlying causes allows you to take appropriate action. Whether it’s clearing a simple bounty, accepting the consequences of embracing vampirism, or simply avoiding werewolf transformations in the wrong company, you can navigate the complex world of Skyrim and hopefully keep the Dawnguard (mostly) on your side. Remember, every choice has consequences in Tamriel, and sometimes, those consequences involve a hail of crossbow bolts.
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