Unleash the Dark Powers: Unveiling the Thrills of Playing a Vampire in Skyrim

Vampires are a common theme in fantasy literature, films, and games such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. In this game, players have the opportunity to embrace the life of a vampire, initially seen as a disease that required management or a cure. However, with the introduction of the Dawnguard DLC, being a vampire became advantageous. It grants players various skill bonuses, as well as access to powerful spells and abilities. While there are drawbacks to being a vampire, some Skyrim players find the benefits well worth the inconveniences.

In Skyrim, vampirism is officially recognized as a sickness called Sanguinare Vampiris. Players contract this disease when attacked by an enemy vampire using the Vampiric Drain spell, which has a 10 percent chance of infecting them. The disease alters the player's appearance and diminishes the regeneration and value of their health, magicka, and stamina when exposed to sunlight. However, the Dawnguard DLC in Skyrim offers a special weapon that counters these effects, allowing players to fully embrace their role as a formidable Vampire Lord.

The Advantages of Playing a Vampire in Skyrim

Being a vampire in the game offers several benefits to the player. One major advantage is the acquisition of strong abilities and active effects, such as Nightstalker's Footsteps. This ability enhances the Dragonborn's stealth by making them 25 percent more difficult to detect while sneaking, particularly useful for players who prefer the stealth archer playstyle. Additionally, vampirism provides advantages for spellcasters, as the Champion of the Night active effect increases the potency of illusion spells by 25 percent.

In terms of abilities, vampires can utilize Vampiric Drain to absorb health from enemies, resurrect companions with Vampire's Servant, and enhance their vision in the darkness with Vampire's Sight. Furthermore, vampires enjoy complete immunity to diseases and poisons, and their resistance against frost strengthens as they become more powerful.

At higher stages of vampirism, players will experience 100 percent frost resistance and unlock new abilities such as Embrace the Shadows, allowing them to become completely invisible for a limited time each day. Additionally, they will acquire the skill Vampire's Seduction, enabling them to feed on fully conscious NPCs, a capability that regular Skyrim vampires lack as they can only feed on sleeping targets.

Why Dawnguard is Essential to Unlocking the Full Potential of Vampirism in Skyrim

The Dawnguard DLC is essential for players who want to fully experience the benefits of being a vampire in Skyrim. By completing its quest line, players can unlock the Vampire Lord form. To become a Vampire Lord, players must be given vampirism by either Lord Harkon or Serana, both of whom are only available if the expansion is installed. Once in this form, players receive 50-point bonuses to health, magicka, and stamina.

Becoming a Vampire Lord grants players new abilities such as Vampire Claws, which allows for powerful unarmed attacks and the ability to walk on water. Additionally, the Bats special ability enables players to transform into a swarm of bats, evading attacks. The Dragonborn Vampire Lord can also utilize the Raise Dead spell to reanimate corpses and control them in combat.

Instead, players can address the first issue by utilizing Auriel's bow, a weapon from the Dawnguard DLC, which allows them to block out the sun during daylight hours. Vampire Lords can also take advantage of their enhanced stealth abilities to easily avoid detection by guards. These alternative approaches make being a vampire a viable choice for those interested in role-playing as a creature of the night or for players looking to further empower their Dragonborn character.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is currently available on various platforms, including PC, Nintendo Switch, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.