Vampirism & Lycanthropy (Bloodmoon Expansion)
The Bloodmoon expansion introduces the chilling possibility of contracting vampirism or lycanthropy, adding a new layer of challenge and opportunity to the player's experience on Solstheim. These supernatural afflictions fundamentally alter a character's abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, forcing players to adapt their strategies.
Vampirism: Contracting vampirism typically occurs through the bite of a vampire. Once infected, your character will begin to suffer from a severe weakness to sunlight, which drains health and magicka. However, vampires gain sificant bonuses to their attributes, enhanced night vision, and potent magical abilities, including the power to command the undead and drain life force. Managing vampirism involves feeding on mortals to maintain your strength and avoid detection by vampire hunters, while also seeking out cures or embracing the power.
Lycanthropy: The Bloodmoon expansion is particularly known for its focus on werewolves. You can become afflicted with lycanthropy through the bite of a werewolf, most notably during the main questline. As a werewolf, you gain immense physical strength, speed, and regenerative capabilities in combat. However, you also suffer from a powerful urge to transform during the night or when threatened, losing control and potentially attacking allies. Curing lycanthropy is a sificant undertaking, often involving a ritual quest.
Key Aspects of Supernatural Afflictions
- Vampirism:
- Strengths: Fortified attributes, enhanced night vision, life drain, summoning undead.
- Weaknesses: Severe sunlight damage, aversion to holy places.
- Management: Feeding on NPCs, avoiding sunlight, seeking cures.
- Lycanthropy:
- Strengths: Increased physical attributes, rapid regeneration, powerful melee attacks in beast form.
- Weaknesses: Loss of control during transformation, potential to harm allies, vulnerability to silver.
- Management: Controlling transformations, seeking cures through specific rituals.
Deciding whether to embrace or cure these afflictions is a major choice for players. Each path offers unique gameplay experiences and challenges, adding sificant replayability to the Bloodmoon expansion.