Will Serana Wear Heavy Armor in Skyrim? The Ultimate Guide

The short answer is: yes, Serana can wear heavy armor in Skyrim, but there are specific conditions that must be met. It’s not as simple as handing her a set of Daedric armor and expecting her to equip it immediately. She will only equip armor, whether light or heavy, if it represents an upgrade over her default Vampire Royal Armor in terms of armor rating. Therefore, understanding the mechanics behind follower equipment and Serana’s preferences is crucial for optimizing her combat capabilities.

Understanding Serana’s Armor Preferences

Serana, the intriguing vampire companion from the Dawnguard DLC, has a set of specific behaviors when it comes to equipping armor. Unlike some other followers who will wear anything you give them (within their skill set), Serana is more discerning.

Here’s a breakdown of the key factors:

• Armor Rating is King: The primary factor determining whether Serana will equip a piece of armor is its armor rating. If the armor you offer has a higher rating than her current Vampire Royal Armor, she’s likely to equip it.
• Light vs. Heavy Doesn’t Matter (As Much): While Serana is often described as preferring light armor, the game mechanics don’t enforce a strict preference. She is capable of wearing both light and heavy armor. The key differentiator is the armor rating.
• Tempering is Essential: If you want Serana to wear a particular set of armor, such as Forsworn armor or even a lower-tier heavy armor, you might need to temper it (upgrade it at a workbench) to increase its armor rating above that of her default armor.
• Enchantments Don’t Affect Equipping: Enchantments on the armor do not directly impact whether Serana will equip it. She cares about the raw armor rating. However, good enchantments will definitely make her a more effective follower after she has the armor equipped.
• The Vampire Royal Armor Baseline: Serana starts with the Vampire Royal Armor, which has a decent armor rating. Any replacement armor needs to exceed this to entice her to switch. The exact armor rating can vary slightly, but it’s high enough that you’ll need moderately good armor or well-tempered lower-tier armor.

Gearing Up Serana: A Practical Approach

So, how do you successfully equip Serana with the heavy armor of your choice? Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Assess the Armor Rating: Check the armor rating of the heavy armor you want Serana to wear. Compare it to the armor rating of a similar piece of Vampire Royal Armor (you can find this information online or by looking at the armor worn by another vampire).
2. Temper the Armor: If the base armor rating isn’t high enough, head to a workbench and temper the armor using the appropriate materials. Increasing the armor rating through tempering is often necessary, especially for lower-tier heavy armors.
3. Transfer the Armor: Give the heavy armor to Serana via the follower inventory screen.
4. Check Her Inventory: Open Serana’s inventory again. If the armor rating is sufficiently higher, she should have automatically equipped the new armor. If not, double-check the armor rating and tempering level. Sometimes, a small increase isn’t enough to trigger the switch.
5. Consider Perks: Remember that your own smithing perks will affect how much you can temper armor. Without significant investment in Smithing, you may struggle to make lower-tier armor good enough to outclass her default gear.

Why Bother with Heavy Armor?

While Serana may prefer a stealthy approach, heavy armor offers advantages:

• Increased Protection: Heavy armor provides superior physical damage resistance, making Serana more durable in direct combat. This is especially useful if you’re playing on a higher difficulty or facing tough enemies.
• Tanking Potential: If you want Serana to act as a tank, drawing enemy attention while you deal damage, heavy armor is the way to go. It allows her to withstand more punishment.
• Aesthetic Choice: Let’s be honest, sometimes you just want your companion to look awesome! Heavy armor can significantly change Serana’s appearance, giving her a more formidable and imposing presence.

Beyond Armor: Weapons and Playstyle

Don’t forget about Serana’s weapon choices. She defaults to using magic and a one-handed weapon. Consider giving her a powerful Daedric or Dragonbone sword to complement her heavy armor. Remember that training your own skills will benefit Serana greatly. Also, understand how your perks in the skill tree affects the character.

Ultimately, the best equipment for Serana depends on your playstyle and the challenges you face. Experiment with different combinations of armor and weapons to find what works best for you. The Games Learning Society promotes the idea that games are inherently educational. Understanding these mechanics is a demonstration of that learning. You can find out more about the GamesLearningSociety.org on their website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Serana and her armor preferences, providing more in-depth answers and clarifying common misconceptions.

1. Why won’t Serana equip the Daedric armor I gave her?

The most likely reason is that the base armor rating of the Daedric armor, even without any tempering, is not significantly higher than her default Vampire Royal Armor. While Daedric armor is powerful, Serana needs a noticeable upgrade to switch. Try tempering the Daedric armor to improve its rating further.

2. Does Serana have a hidden preference for light armor over heavy armor?

While many players perceive Serana as preferring light armor, the game’s code doesn’t enforce a strict preference. She is capable of wearing both, and her decision hinges primarily on the armor rating.

3. What is the armor rating of Serana’s default Vampire Royal Armor?

The exact armor rating can vary slightly based on the specific version of the Vampire Royal Armor. However, you can generally expect it to be in the ballpark of around 30-35 per armor piece. You need armor significantly better than this to get her to switch.

4. Can I use console commands to force Serana to wear specific armor?

Yes, you can use console commands to force Serana to equip any armor you want. However, this disables achievements. To do this, you’ll need the armor’s item ID and Serana’s reference ID. Be cautious when using console commands, as they can sometimes lead to unexpected issues.

5. Does Serana benefit from armor perks in the Heavy Armor or Light Armor skill trees?

Yes, Serana benefits from your perks in the Heavy Armor or Light Armor skill trees if she is wearing the corresponding type of armor. This is another reason to specialize her in one type over the other.

6. Will Serana wear a helmet?

Serana will generally not wear a helmet, regardless of whether it’s light or heavy armor. This is a deliberate design choice by the developers. You can use mods to bypass this restriction, but be aware that it might cause clipping issues or other visual glitches.

7. Does Serana’s armor affect her stealth capabilities?

Yes, Serana’s armor affects her stealth capabilities. Heavy armor will make her noisier and easier to detect, while light armor is more conducive to stealth. Consider this when choosing her armor based on your playstyle.

8. Can I improve Serana’s smithing skill so she can temper her own armor?

No, Serana’s skills are fixed and cannot be improved through training or other means. You must temper her armor yourself.

9. What are the best enchantments to put on Serana’s armor?

Good enchantments for Serana’s armor include:

• Fortify Health: Increases her survivability.
• Fortify Magicka: Enhances her spellcasting abilities.
• Fortify Stamina: Improves her melee combat effectiveness.
• Resist Magic: Reduces incoming magic damage.
• Muffle: Makes her quieter while sneaking (especially useful if she’s wearing heavy armor).

10. Does Serana’s Vampire Lord form affect her armor choices?

No, Serana’s Vampire Lord form is separate from her follower equipment. Her Vampire Lord form has its own set of abilities and stats, independent of the armor she wears as a follower.

11. Will Serana equip upgraded versions of her Vampire Royal Armor?

No, Serana will not equip upgraded versions of her Vampire Royal Armor. She only considers completely different armor sets.

12. How does Serana’s skill in magic affect her armor choice?

Serana’s skill in magic does not directly affect her armor choice. Her armor choice is solely determined by whether the armor rating is higher than her Vampire Royal Armor. However, remember that if she is wearing heavy armor, that will increase her spellcasting costs slightly and she will benefit less from the mage armor perks in the alteration skill tree.

13. Does Serana wear apparel such as rings and necklaces?

Yes, Serana wears rings and necklaces that you give her. These items can provide additional bonuses and enchantments to enhance her abilities.

14. Will Serana use potions that I give her?

Serana will use potions that you give her, but only in certain situations. She is more likely to use potions if she is low on health or magicka.

15. Can mods affect Serana’s armor behavior?

Yes, mods can significantly affect Serana’s armor behavior. Some mods may alter her preferences, remove her default armor, or add new armor options. Be sure to read the mod descriptions carefully to understand how they might impact Serana. Always make backups and be aware of what mods are doing to your game.

By understanding these nuances, you can effectively equip Serana with the heavy armor you desire, transforming her into a formidable tank and customizing her appearance to suit your preferences.