The Elder Scrolls V – Skyrim: How to Become a Vampire

In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, like in previous versions of the game, you can become a vampire. Being a vampire in Skyrim is actually a bit easier than in previous games, since you don’t have nearly as many weaknesses as a vampire.

To become a vampire, you simply need to encounter a vampire and contract the Sanguinare Vampiris disease. Every time a vampire lands a hit on you, there is a chance that you will contract the disease. Normally the disease can be cured with just about any Cure Disease potion or spell, however if you let the disease run its course for 3 days, you will become a full vampire.

Some known vampire locations: Bloodlet Throne, in the mountains near Falkreath; Haemar’s Shame, east of Helgen; Morvarth’s Lair, north-east of Morthal. Also, in the quest line for The Dark Brotherhood, there is a quest to kill a pair of vampires.

Note that becoming a vampire will require some stealth in order to feed.  If you’re just out for physical strength, check out my guide on how to become a werewolf instead. Also check out my guide on how to cure vampirism if you want to switch back to human form.

The Stages of Vampirism

Once you become a vampire, there are different stages you’ll go through if you don’t feed. The longer you go without feeding, the more powerful you become, and the stronger your weaknesses get.

In order to feed, you must sneak up on a sleeping victim and use the Pickpocket action, then you’ll see an option to suck their blood. Feeding always takes you back to stage one, no matter what stage you’re on when you feed.

Stage One
25% bonus to illusion spells
25% resistant to frost
25% harder to detect when sneaking
100% resistance to disease and poison
Vampiric Drain Spell (drain 2 points of health per second)
Vampire’s Servant Power (weak reanimate dead, used once per day)
Vampire Sight Power (improved night vision for 60 seconds, multiple uses)
25% weakness to fire
15 point decrease to health, magicka, and stamina in sunlight, and they don’t regenerate in sunlight
Humans treat you as they normally would

Stage Two
All stage one effects, with the following changes..
50% resistant to frost
Vampiric Drain Spell (drain 3 points of health per second)
Vampire’s Servant Power (more powerful reanimate dead, used once per day)
Vampiric Seduction power (calm creatures & humans up to level 10)
50% weakness to fire
30 point decrease to health, magicka, and stamina in sunlight, and they don’t regenerate in sunlight
Humans treat you as they normally would

Stage Three
All stage one and two effects, with the following changes..
75% resistant to frost
Vampiric Drain Spell (drain 4 points of health per second)
Vampire’s Servant Power (powerful reanimate dead, used once per day)
75% weakness to fire
45 point decrease to health, magicka, and stamina in sunlight, and they don’t regenerate in sunlight
Humans will not speak to you unless you speak to them first

Stage Four
All stage one, two, and three effects, with the following changes..
100% resistant to frost
Embrace of Shadows Power (becomes invisible with improved vision for 180 seconds, used once per day)
Vampiric Drain Spell (drain 5 points of health per second)
Vampire’s Servant Power (very powerful reanimate dead, used once per day)
100% weakness to fire
60 point decrease to health, magicka, and stamina in sunlight, and they don’t regenerate in sunlight
Most humans will attack you on sight