Skyrim – Pros and Cons of Becoming a Vampire

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Before I decide whether or not I wish to become a vampire, I'd like to know what I have to deal with.

Will I have to stay out of the sun? Will having garlic in my inventory hurt me? I'd also like to know all the benefits I have.

Also, will certain races behave differently as a vampire? I know kahjiit can see very well at night, so that'd be a bonus if I have to stay out of the sun.

Best Answer

Unfortunately (or fortunately), you don't sparkle, and Anna Paquin isn't instantly attracted to you. There are other perks and drawbacks that might offset that, though:

Benefits

  • Immunity to disease, and any disease you contracted will be cured
  • Immunity to poison, and any poison you contracted will be removed
  • 25% boost to Illusion spells cast
  • 25% harder to detect while sneaking
  • 25% boost to frost resistance per stage of vampirism (to a max of 100% at stage 4)
  • Special, vampire-only powers (see below)

Drawbacks

  • Your face transforms into something only a mother could love; NPCs will comment about it, too
  • NPCs will attack you on sight once you hit stage 4
  • No magicka, stamina, or health regeneration during the day
  • 15 point reduction to magicka, stamina, and health during the day per stage of vampirism (to a max of 60 at stage 4)
  • Weakness to fire increases by 25% per stage of vampirism (to a max of 100% at stage 4)
  • Cannot become a werewolf, and lycanthropy will cure vampirism
  • Must feed periodically to maintain lower-levels of vampirism, which is a real hassle and is considered a crime

Vampire powers

As mentioned above, vampires get a set of powers and abilities in addition to their bonuses:

Stage 1:

  • Vampire's sight — 60 second night vision; no cost, no cooldown
  • Vampiric drain — drain life, 2 health per second
  • Vampire's servant — Reanimate level 6 or lower corpse; 1 day cooldown

Stage 2:

  • Vampire's seduction — mob level 8 or lower won't fight or flee for 30 seconds
  • Vampire's servant now works on level 13 or lower corpses

Stage 3:

  • Vampiric drain now drains 4 health per second
  • Vampire's servant now works on level 21 or lower corpses

Stage 4:

  • Embrace of the shadows — Invisibility and night vision for 3 minutes; 1 day cooldown
  • Vampiric drain now drains 5 health per second
  • Vampire's servant now works on level 30 or lower corpses
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