Do I have to finish Skyrim before Dawnguard?

Do I Have to Finish Skyrim Before Dawnguard?

The wait is over, and Dawnguard, the highly anticipated DLC for Skyrim, has finally arrived. But, before you dive into the world of vampires and werewolves, you may be wondering if you need to finish the main storyline of Skyrim before starting Dawnguard. The answer is no, you don’t have to finish Skyrim before Dawnguard, but there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind.

No Main Quest Requirement

One of the most significant advantages of Dawnguard is that it doesn’t require you to finish the main storyline of Skyrim. You can start the DLC at any point in the game, as long as you have reached level 10. This means that you can jump into the world of vampires and werewolves without having to complete the main quest.

Limited Access to Castle Volkihar

However, there is one significant limitation to keep in mind. Castle Volkihar, the main hub of Dawnguard, is only accessible after completing a certain point in the DLC’s storyline. If you try to access the castle before reaching that point, you may encounter a bug that can break the entire questline. Therefore, it’s recommended to wait until you’ve reached the required point in the story before accessing the castle.

Dragonborn and Dawnguard

Another important consideration is the relationship between Dragonborn and Dawnguard. While you don’t need to finish Skyrim before starting Dawnguard, you do need to have the Dragonborn DLC installed. Dawnguard is an expansion of the Dragonborn DLC, and it builds upon the story and gameplay mechanics introduced in Dragonborn.

Marriage and Serana

If you’re interested in marrying Serana, the vampire queen, you’ll need to use a mod. The Marriable Serana mod allows you to marry Serana, but it’s not part of the original Dawnguard DLC. You’ll need to download and install the mod separately.

When to Start Dawnguard

So, when should you start Dawnguard? The answer depends on your playstyle and preferences. If you’re a completionist, you may want to wait until you’ve finished the main storyline of Skyrim before starting Dawnguard. However, if you’re eager to explore the world of vampires and werewolves, you can start Dawnguard at any point after reaching level 10.

Table: Dawnguard Requirements

Conclusion

In conclusion, you don’t have to finish Skyrim before starting Dawnguard. However, there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind. Castle Volkihar is only accessible after completing a certain point in the DLC’s storyline, and you’ll need to have the Dragonborn DLC installed. If you’re interested in marrying Serana, you’ll need to use a mod. Ultimately, the decision of when to start Dawnguard depends on your playstyle and preferences.