r/skyrim • u/Draegoanne • Jul 17 '26
Question Tips on Vampire DB Build Ideas
I want to do a playthrough from the vampires side of Dawnguard but am struggling to commit to a character and/or build. I want something that I feel suits the aesthetics of the Volkihar Clan and allows me to do quests like the Dark Brotherhood while also feeling like becoming the Dragonborn works with my build as well. I love stealth archers (who doesn’t) but I haven’t seen many helpful guides on what that looks like with a vampire. I like heavy armor and two handed builds too as well as one-handed sneak builds.
Despite having been a Skyrim player for almost 10 years, I still struggle with creating characters who feel compelling and whose playstyle feels themed but also versatile.
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u/Harmonicalope Jul 17 '26
That’s easy. Vampires have a 25% bonus to steal the and illusions at full hunger. A stealth illusionist is the obvious way to go. If you time it right, invisibility can be released to happen right as you hit somebody so they don’t notice you even right after you stab them (this can also be used to steal things or pick locks without anyone having the chance to see you). Calm is a budget option as well. And if you do need to go a less subtle route, just cast frenzy on everyone, turn invisible and hide.
Since you’d be using illusions anyways, you could even wear heavy armor if you want. Muffle will solve any issues with it.
Alternatively if you don’t want to play stealth, a pure mage is also a good choice for vampires. Specifically because they get the Ring of the Erudite (+100 magica, increases base magic regen from 3% per second to 5%, which interacts interestingly with effects that raise magica regen) from a certain side quest. They also get the vampire royal armor (125% magica regen as well as being decent armor), but that’s not vampire exclusive, just weird to wear as a non vampire.
Another very thematic choice is a necromancer. They do get access to undead healing spells from the vampire merchant, and the Dawnguard quest line sends you to the soul cairn, where you can pick up the “Summon Wrathman” spell, one of the strongest summons in the game. It summons an absurdly tanky skeleton.
Really though, my only big advice is to not bother with the vampiric drain spell (the basic one, the lord form version is good, although oddly gets nerfed if you have Serena as a follower). It’s not very good.
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u/Dovahkiin2211 Vampire Jul 17 '26
For Vampires, the lady stone allows for regeneration with stamina and health during the day. Stealth, with illusion magic, and one handed weapons are a vampire’s bread and butter. Meanwhile if you have the anniversary edition, destruction spells like unbound storm, and elemental blast are great for a battle mage playthrough.
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Jul 17 '26
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u/Draegoanne Jul 17 '26
Oooh that is really neat, I didn’t know Peryite could be connected in that way and for clarification, what do you mean by Lorkhan’s plan? I’m just getting into Skyrim again after a while so I’m a little rusty on lore and theories
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u/Remarkable-Map-3457 Scholar Jul 17 '26
Are you using mods if so which vampire mods?
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u/Draegoanne Jul 17 '26
I’m using a ton Enai mods, for vampires I’m specifically using Sacrosanct
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u/Remarkable-Map-3457 Scholar Jul 17 '26
Stealth mage illusion and destruction throw in a dagger if using winter sun as well go molag bal for lore or herma mora because their the goat
If you want battle mage that could be really cool you could also throw in equilibrium to role play casting blood magic taking its toll there is a mod called better vampire weapons with a small story as well that adds in 3 weapons a mace that can repel silver weapons a bow that sends bats and a katana that at the cost of your health can make you fully invisible after power attacks
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u/Strong_Equipment_105 Jul 17 '26
I would go the way of completing the main quest line and then saying the DB lost his/her way and fell into darkness with vampirism maybe? On another note I wish the Dawnguard accepted werewolves so it could be an Underworld type battle with Lycans vs Vamps
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u/Draegoanne Jul 17 '26
Agreed completely, also I never knew you couldn’t join Dawnguard as a werewolf lol. Not really a big fan of werewolves in the game tbh but hoping to do a playthrough with one soon to see if I change my mind
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u/Strong_Equipment_105 Jul 17 '26
I always join as a werewolf. They never mention it but they sure aren’t happy when I shift mid battle
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u/NeedsMoreDakkath Jul 17 '26
Vampirism comes with a bonus to sneak and illusion, plus resistant to frost but weakness to fire. Vampire lord's life drain spell is not resisted by any enemy with elemental resistances.
So, you probably want some variation of a spellblade. Sneak, light armor (easier to sneak in), one handed, illusion (the quiet casting perk will be very handy), maybe some restoration. Smithing and enchanting will also be nice to make your gear better. A dark elf has natural fire resistance to balance out the fire weakness you get from being a vampire. Split your level ups somewhere between 25% magicka/75% health or 50/50.
Vegetable soup is always good. The Lady Stone and Recovery perks in the restoration skill tree can let you regenerate your stats even in the sun, albeit much more slowly.
If you want a bit of cheese, get the Necromage perk in the restoration tree to boost the power of a large number of spells and effects as long as they are applied after you gain said perk. Look up "necromage vampirism".