Bloodsuckers have always plagued the lands of Tamriel, all the way back since the Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. And once again, these night-dwellers return in the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, both in the base game and Dawnguard expansion.
Whether contracted through Sanguinare Vampiris or bestowed by Harkon or Serana, the condition positively affects some people more than others. That said, whenever you become a Vampire in Skyrim, you will receive these buffs and debuffs:
- Weakness to Sunlight: Health, Magic, and Stamina will not recover from 5 am to 7 pm (day).
- Resist Disease: 100 percent resistance to disease.
- Resist Poison: 100 percent resistance to poison.
- Nightstalker's Footsteps: 25 percent harder to spot while sneaking.
- Champion of the Night: Illusion spells are 25 percent more powerful.
Updated December 1, 2021, by Anton Charpentier: In the Dawnguard DLC, Skyrim lets you become a vampire and terrorize the mortals of Tamriel. While race is not the most significant aspect of playing as a vampire, some races will benefit from vampiric powers more than others. This guide focuses on the races that pair the best with vampiric powers and what kinds of stat boosts you can expect from your transformation. Moreover, we have more tips for maximizing your vampire abilities.
Redguards
- Stealth Perks: Redguards have no starting stealth bonuses, so they greatly benefit from Nightstalker's Footsteps.
- Magic Perks: Redguards have +5 to Alteration and Destruction spells. The latter pairs well with Vampiric Drain. Redguards also gain the same benefits of Champion of the Night, Vampire's Seduction, and Embrace of Shadows.
- Combat Perks: Redguards have impressive combat bonuses: +10 to One-Handed, +5 Archery. When paired with vampirism, these skills can carry over to more stealthy playstyles.
- Racial Abilities: Redguards have better Stamina regeneration (Adrenaline Rush), which can combat the lack of stamina regeneration during the day and boost it even higher at night.
Redguards already have natural poison resistance, but the total immunity of vampirism is better. Being a Redguard Vampire will make for a unique and balanced playthrough. First, you will combine their natural combat skills with stealth, thus creating a silent but deadly combination. Moreover, their naturally high stamina balances and even boosts some of your vampiric abilities. Ultimately, the 25 percent boost to magic and stealth makes the Redguard's base stats more rounded and opens a whole new realm of combat possibilities.
Imperials
- Stealth Perks: Imperials have no starting stealth skills, so they gain a significant bonus with the Night Stalker Footsteps Vampire perk.
- Magic Perks: Imperials have +10 Restoration and +5 Destruction spells, and +5 Enchanting skills. These stats pair will be the Vampire's Champion of the Night buff and Vampiric Spells. Additionally, their destruction spells buff pair well with Vampiric Drain. As a race with magical fluency, Imperials can take advantage of the Vampire's 25 percent magic bonus.
- Combat Perks: +5 Block, Heavy Armor, and One-Handed, alongside boosted unarmed damage. These base combat skills are helpful when hunting as a Vampire.
- Racial Abilities: The Imperial Voice of the Emperor's ability can weaken prey as a blood-starved vampire and enemies in general.
Imperials are a sort of mixed bag when it comes to vampirism. None of the Imperial's base stats or abilities stack upon the condition's benefits, nor do they belay its weaknesses. That said, it makes being a vampire even more compelling because you can access a whole new set of abilities you do not typically have. Whether from the perspective of roleplaying or gameplay mechanics, Imperials gain many benefits from the condition. So, an Imperial vampire is a definite must-try!
Altmer/High Elves
- Stealth Perks: High Elves have no starting bonuses in stealth (noticing a trend). When they become Vampires, they gain Nightwalker's Footsteps which increases their stealth by 25 percent.
- Magic Perks: High Elves have +10 to Illusion spells and +5 to Restoration, Conjuration, Alteration, Enchanting, and Destruction spells. Illusion and Destruction spell pair well with Champion of the Night and Vampiric Drain, respectively.
- Combat Perks: No starting skills in Combat. Gain the boosted unarmed damage.
- Racial Abilities: Highborn. Regenerates Magica 25x faster, though still unable to work in daylight. High Elves also start with an extra 50 Magica, perfect for the litany of spells the condition gives.
High Elves are among the most adept of Tamriel's peoples when it comes to magical abilities. And this magical fluency meshes well with Vampirism. Vampirism leans heavily towards magic, and therefore High Elves are well-suited to all its perks. Of course, any Altmer vampires will find some kinship in the Volkihar clan, so definitely consider a High Elf when planning to play as a vampire.
Bretons
- Stealth Perks: Bretons have no starting skills in stealth. Therefore they benefit from the Vampire's Nightwalker's Footsteps.
- Magic Perks: Bretons have +10 Conjuration spells and +5 Alteration, Illusion, Restoration spells. Bretons also have +5 Alchemy and Speech skills. Their Illusion spells pair well with Champion of the Night. Alchemy can negate magical and daylight weaknesses, and Speech works in Vampire roleplaying.
- Combat Perks: Bretons have no starting skills in combat, but Vampirism boosts unarmed attacks.
- Racial Abilities: Bretons have a magic resistance of 25 percent called Dragonskin. Bretons also absorb Magic from hostile spells. These natural abilities are helpful during the day when points can't regenerate.
The people of High Rock have many magical abilities, making them a perfect candidate for the many powers inherent in being a Vampire. Their natural resistance and strengths in magic complement the 25 percent magic boost for Vampires. Additionally, the stealth bonus is a game-changer for Bretons. And, of course, there are a few fellow vampiric Bretons (like Babette) littered about Skyrim. So definitely consider playing them when following the path of the bloodsucker.
Dunmer/Dark Elves
- Stealth Perks: Dark Elves have a +5 Sneak, which pairs well with the Vampire's Nightwalker's Footsteps (25 percent boost).
- Magic Perks: Dark Elves have +10 Destruction spells, which pair with Vampiric Drain. Additionally, their +5 Alchemy skill and +5 Alteration and Illusion spells can negate Vampiric weaknesses. Plus, Illusion pairs with Champion of the Night (25 percent boost to Illusion spells).
- Combat Perks: Dark Elves get a +5 Light Armor buff, perfect for stealthy vampire builds. They will also gain a boost to their unarmed attacks when they become a vampire.
- Racial Abilities: Dark Elves resist fire damage by 50 percent. This buff can help negate the Vampiric weakness to fire. They also have an ability called Ancestors Wrath, which cloaks users in a fire for 60 seconds, damaging enemies for 8 points per second. This ability can take out various enemies, including fellow Vampires.
The people of Morrowind are skilled in many types of magic. This natural proficiency means they'll fare quite well with most Vampiric powers. Additionally, they are naturally stealth which further increases when they become vampires. Dark Elves are as stealthy as they are magical, making them perfect hunters of the night. And it's without a doubt that they're among the best races to play as a Vampire.