Will the Dawnguard Attack Me if Serana Turns Me into a Vampire Lord? The Ultimate Skyrim Guide

The burning question on every Dragonborn’s mind contemplating a dip into vampirism courtesy of the alluring Serana: Will the Dawnguard, those stalwart vampire hunters, suddenly turn hostile? The short answer is: no, not immediately. Serana turning you into a Vampire Lord doesn’t automatically trigger Dawnguard aggression, provided certain conditions are met. Specifically, this hinges on when and how you become a vampire relative to the Dawnguard questline. Let’s delve into the specifics to avoid any unwanted confrontations with your crossbow-wielding allies.

Understanding the Dawnguard’s Stance on Vampires

The Dawnguard, led by the battle-hardened Isran, are dedicated to eradicating the vampire threat in Skyrim. Their vigilance stems from a deep-seated hatred for the undead, particularly the powerful Vampire Lords of the Volkihar Clan. However, their priorities aren’t always cut and dry. The storyline has built-in accommodations for some level of flexibility.

The Crucial Factor: Quest Progression

The most important factor determining whether the Dawnguard attacks you is the progress of the Dawnguard questline. If you’ve already initiated the questline and haven’t yet been given the explicit choice to become a Vampire Lord by Harkon, you can safely have Serana turn you after completing the initial vampire check conducted by Isran upon first entering Fort Dawnguard. This check essentially flags you as ‘not currently a threat’. As long as you are ‘not currently a threat’ you can get turned. You can get cured afterwards and continue the Dawnguard questline.

Post-Questline Transformation

The great news is that after you’ve completed the entire Dawnguard questline, your transformation into a Vampire Lord by Serana will not trigger any hostility from the Dawnguard. This is because, by then, the primary objective – defeating Harkon – is complete, and your alliance (or rather, usefulness) is established. It is assumed that because you were so helpful during the Dawnguard questline that you are not going to cause any trouble after the questline is over.

What Triggers Aggression?

While Serana turning you after completing the entire Dawnguard questline usually won’t trigger aggression, there are certain situations that will cause the Dawnguard to become hostile:

• Transforming into a Vampire Lord in front of them: Even after finishing the questline, if you brazenly transform into a Vampire Lord in the middle of Fort Dawnguard, expect a fight. They may know you are not a threat but they are still going to treat you as a threat if you are in vampire lord form. This is a clear display of your vampiric nature, and they will react accordingly.

• Being a Vampire Before Joining: If you approach Fort Dawnguard already as a vampire, Isran will immediately demand that you get cured before he offers any assistance or allows you to join the cause.

• Hidden Bounties: Occasionally, a hidden bounty can cause the Dawnguard to become hostile even if you haven’t overtly committed a crime. This is a known bug, and a simple fix is to commit a minor crime in a hold, pay the fine, or serve jail time. This resets your bounty status.

• Mod Conflicts: Mods can sometimes interfere with the Dawnguard’s behavior, leading to unexpected aggression. If you’re experiencing issues, try disabling recently installed mods to see if that resolves the problem.

FAQs: Slaying Doubts About Serana and the Dawnguard

To further clarify the intricacies of navigating vampire transformations and Dawnguard relations, here are some frequently asked questions:

1. Will the Dawnguard attack me if I turn into a werewolf?

Yes, absolutely. Unlike vampirism, the Dawnguard has zero tolerance for werewolves. If you transform into a werewolf in their presence, they will immediately attack you, without hesitation.

2. Can I cure Serana if I sided with the Dawnguard?

Yes, you can convince Serana to seek a cure for her vampirism after completing the main Dawnguard questline and leaving Volkihar Cathedral. This option becomes available through specific dialogue choices made throughout the quest.

3. Why is the Dawnguard attacking me even though I’m not a vampire?

As mentioned earlier, this could be due to a hidden bounty. Try clearing your bounty by committing a minor crime and paying the fine. Another possibility is a mod conflict.

4. Is it better to side with the Dawnguard or vampires?

This depends on your play style and preferences. The Dawnguard offers access to unique weapons and armor, particularly suited for ranged combat. Siding with the vampires offers powerful vampiric abilities and a different perspective on the conflict. In terms of overall benefit, many players feel that the Dawnguard is the better choice because they are ultimately the “good guys”.

5. Is being a vampire worth it in the Dawnguard DLC?

Being a vampire offers advantages like increased stealth and powerful spells. However, it also comes with disadvantages like weakness to sunlight. Decide if the pros outweigh the cons for your character build.

6. How do I side with the Dawnguard and keep Serana?

Serana is a key character in the Dawnguard DLC, regardless of which side you choose. She will remain your follower even if you side with the Dawnguard and refuse Harkon’s offer to become a Vampire Lord.

7. What happens if Serana turns me?

Serana turning you into a Vampire Lord grants you powerful vampiric abilities. However, you will need to manage the weaknesses associated with vampirism, such as vulnerability to sunlight.

8. Can I get Harkon’s sword if I side with the Dawnguard?

Yes, you will still encounter Harkon and have the opportunity to obtain his sword regardless of which side you choose.

9. What happens if you side with the Dawnguard as a vampire?

You can still join the Dawnguard as a vampire, but Isran will insist that you get cured before you can progress the questline.

10. Will Serana still follow me if I become a werewolf?

Yes, Serana will remain your follower even if you are a werewolf. She is unfazed by your lycanthropic transformations.

11. Can I enter Castle Volkihar as a werewolf?

Yes, you can enter Castle Volkihar as a werewolf, but the vampires will refuse to interact with you, except for Serana. She can restore your vampirism at any time, allowing you to interact with the Volkihar again.

12. Does Serana like you more as a vampire?

No, Serana’s affection for you is not dependent on your vampiric status. She values your friendship regardless of your transformations.

13. Can you marry Serana if she is cured?

Officially, Skyrim doesn’t allow you to marry Serana, cured or not, without the use of mods. There are mods available that enable marriage with Serana.

14. Is it better to become a vampire or partially soul trapped in the Soul Cairn?

Becoming partially soul trapped in the Soul Cairn is generally considered the better option. The stat reduction is minimal and easily reversible, while becoming a vampire has more significant drawbacks if you don’t manage it well.

15. Can I join both the Dawnguard and vampires?

You can initiate both questlines, but eventually, you will be forced to choose a side. Accepting Harkon’s gift of vampirism will make Isran hostile, and refusing it will lead to the vampires rejecting you.

Conclusion: Navigating the Vampire Dilemma

Ultimately, whether or not the Dawnguard attacks you after Serana transforms you into a Vampire Lord depends on your quest progress and your actions. Completing the Dawnguard questline before embracing vampirism ensures a peaceful coexistence. Always be mindful of your surroundings and avoid transforming in front of the Dawnguard to maintain friendly relations. Remember, your journey in Skyrim is yours to define, and you have the power to shape your destiny, vampire or not.

For more in-depth discussions on game design, player behavior, and the educational aspects of gaming, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.