What are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a vampire?

Question

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.

Answer 1

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