Will the Dawnguard Attack Me if Serana Turns Me Into a Vampire? A Skyrim Deep Dive

The short answer is: it depends. The Dawnguard’s reaction to your vampiric transformation by Serana is intricately tied to your progress within the Dawnguard questline. Generally, if you’ve already joined the Dawnguard and then become a vampire, they won’t immediately attack you on sight, provided you’ve been “vampire checked” by Isran. However, their acceptance is conditional, and your vampirism will definitely impact your interactions within Fort Dawnguard.

Now, let’s break down the nuances, potential pitfalls, and solutions to navigate this undead predicament, shall we?

The Initial Dawnguard Alliance: A Foundation of Trust (Sort Of)

The Dawnguard, as a faction dedicated to eradicating vampires, doesn’t exactly offer membership to those who sparkle in the sun (or, more accurately, wither under it). The initial stages of the Dawnguard questline involve proving your worthiness and demonstrating your commitment to their cause. This usually means you’re human (or at least appear to be) upon joining.

Serana’s Temptation: The Path to Vampirism

Serana, the ancient vampire daughter of Lord Harkon, plays a pivotal role in the Dawnguard DLC. There will be a time during the main storyline where she has to smuggle you into the Soul Cairn, which can be accomplished by either partially soul trapping you or turning you into a Vampire Lord. It’s entirely possible to side with the Dawnguard and still accept Serana’s offer to become a Vampire Lord. This is where things get interesting.

The Dawnguard’s Reaction: From Acceptance to Rejection (and Back Again)

Here’s the breakdown of the Dawnguard’s reaction based on where you are in the Dawnguard storyline and exactly when Serana turns you:

• Pre-Isran’s “Vampire Check”: If you become a vampire before Isran (the leader of the Dawnguard) has a chance to assess you for vampirism, you might face immediate hostility. It’s best to complete the initial quests that involves Isran before becoming a vampire.

• Post-Isran’s “Vampire Check” but Before Main Quest Completion: This is where the gray area lies. The Dawnguard members won’t outright attack you when you return to Fort Dawnguard as a Vampire Lord, provided that it was after Isran checks you. However, they will refuse to interact with you, constantly reminding you to seek a cure from Falion in Morthal. This effectively blocks you from accessing quest-related dialogue and services within the fort.

• Post-Dawnguard Main Quest Completion: After defeating Lord Harkon and completing the Dawnguard main quest, the situation is similar. The Dawnguard won’t attack, but they’ll still shun you and demand you seek a cure. You retain access to services (selling items, etc.) and can still continue the radiant quests given by the other members of the Dawnguard such as Florentius Baenius and Gunmar.

The Cure: A Path Back to Acceptance

Fortunately, Skyrim offers a readily available cure for vampirism. Falion, a skilled mage residing in Morthal, can perform the ritual to restore your mortal form. Once cured, you’ll be welcomed back into the Dawnguard with open arms (or at least without being shunned). You will need a filled Black Soul Gem to perform the curing ritual.

Gameplay Considerations: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Becoming a Vampire Lord grants you powerful abilities and unique gameplay mechanics. However, it also comes with weaknesses, such as vulnerability to sunlight. Carefully consider the trade-offs before embracing the darkness. You can always ask Serana to turn you back into a Vampire Lord whenever you desire. The Games Learning Society explores how games like Skyrim can be used to teach players about complex decision-making processes. Explore more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Dawnguard and Vampirism

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of the Dawnguard and vampirism:

1. Can I still do Dawnguard quests as a Vampire Lord?

Yes, but your interactions will be limited. While the Dawnguard won’t attack you outright, their refusal to speak with you blocks access to quest-related dialogue. Once you are cured from vampirism, you will gain back access to regular questing and dialogue.

2. Will the Dawnguard attack me if I transform into a Vampire Lord outside of Fort Dawnguard?

No, they will not attack you outside the fort just for being a vampire. The Dawnguard’s hostility is triggered primarily within the confines of Fort Dawnguard.

3. What if I accidentally become a vampire before joining the Dawnguard?

If you contract vampirism before officially joining the Dawnguard, you’ll need to cure yourself before attempting to join. Isran will refuse your membership otherwise.

4. Can Serana turn me back into a Vampire Lord after I get cured?

Yes! This is one of the key benefits of having Serana as a companion. She can turn you into a Vampire Lord as many times as you desire.

5. Is there a penalty for repeatedly becoming a vampire and getting cured?

No, there are no negative consequences for frequently switching between vampirism and mortality.

6. Does Serana disapprove if I get cured of vampirism?

Not at all. Serana respects your decisions and will remain a loyal companion regardless of your vampiric status.

7. If I side with the vampires initially, can I later join the Dawnguard?

No, you cannot switch factions mid-playthrough. Your initial choice locks you into either the Dawnguard or the Volkihar vampire clan.

8. What are the advantages of siding with the Dawnguard over the vampires?

The Dawnguard offers access to unique crossbows, enhanced dwarven bolts, and a more morally aligned storyline for players who prefer fighting against the forces of evil.

9. Can I marry Serana?

Unfortunately, not without mods. While there are lines in the game that hint at her opening up to the Dragonborn, the game does not allow for this, even if she is cured of vampirism.

10. Will the Dawnguard attack me if I’m a werewolf?

Yes, the Dawnguard will attack you if you transform into a werewolf in front of them. Their hatred extends to all unnatural creatures, not just vampires.

11. Can I be both a Vampire Lord and a Werewolf at the same time?

Technically, yes, through a glitch. However, this is not an intended game mechanic and may lead to unexpected issues.

12. Does being a Vampire Lord affect my relationship with other factions in Skyrim?

No, only the Dawnguard members are affected by you being a Vampire Lord. Other factions will treat you as normal, unless you reach Stage 4 Vampirism, which makes most NPCs aggressive.

13. If I have a bounty in a hold, will the Dawnguard attack me?

No. The Dawnguard will only attack you if you are a Vampire Lord or a werewolf.

14. Can I still sell items to the Dawnguard if I’m a Vampire Lord?

Yes, even though they won’t talk to you, you can still sell items to the vendors present. They will still trade with you even if you are a vampire.

15. What happens if I become a vampire after finishing the Dawnguard questline?

If you become a vampire after completing the Dawnguard questline, the members of Fort Dawnguard will still shun you and ask you to seek a cure from Falion in Morthal. However, it will not affect quest progress, as you will have already completed the questline by this point.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to embrace vampirism at Serana’s offer is a personal one. Weigh the pros and cons, consider your play style, and choose the path that best suits your Dragonborn’s destiny. Just remember, even in the world of Skyrim, choices have consequences, and the Dawnguard’s reaction is just one piece of the puzzle.