Vampirism has a long history in the Elder Scrolls series and does change a bit from game to game. There are differences even between Oblivion and Oblivion Remastered. Vampirism will give you Boons and Banes.

The Effects of being a Vampire

You can see your present state of Vampirism under the “Active Effects” tab. It’s all based on how long since you last Drank Blood. The stage will only progress after either Sleeping or Waiting.

Vampiric Boons

You have 100% Resistance to both Diseases and Paralysis. You receive boosts to your skills and attributes based on your level of Vampirism (aka Vampiric Hunger).

Skill Boosted:

• Acrobatics
• Athletics
• Destruction
• Hand to Hand
• Illusion
• Mysticism
• Sneak

Attribute Boosted:

• Strength
• Willpower
• Speed

Vampiric Abilities

As the Hero gets hungrier, they will unlock additional Vampiric abilities. These abilities are lost once the Hero has fed.

• Hunter’s Sight – 5 Magicka – Night Eye for 30 seconds on self, Detect Life 100ft for 30 seconds on self.
• Vampire’s Seduction – Daily Power – Charm 50 points for 20 seconds on Touch.
• Reign of Terror – Daily Power – Silence for 20 ft for 60 seconds. Demoralize up to Level 6 for 60 seconds
• Embrace of Shadows – Daily Power – Night Eye for 90 seconds on self, Invisibility for 180 seconds on self.

Vampiric Banes

Once above 50% Vampiric Hunger, you are at risk of taking Sun Damage. This will inflict a low (but scaling) amount of damage between the hours of 6am and 8pm. The damage is based on your percentage of Vampiric Hunger.

The damage from the Sun will stop you from initiating Fast Traveling during the Daylight hours. If you are Fast Traveling and it lapsing into day while you Fast Traveling, you will finish the journey then start taking damage.

Vampiric Hunger builds since your last Feeding.

As your hunger increases, there is a disposition penalty invoked. You will need to use Vampire’s Seduction to be able to overcome it and interact with people normally if you’re hunger has progressed to Stage 2 or above.

When at Stage 4 of Hunger there is a chance that Guards will NOT accept your Yield to them. You must either flee or fight them to the death.

Feeding

The cornerstone of managing your Vampiric condition. The more recently you fed, the better off you are for interactions but not for the boosts associated with your Vampiric stage.

If anyone witnesses you feeding, you are immediately reported for the Crime and gain a 40 gold bounty for Assault. Being caught while feeding will also wake the victim.

• Feeding on beggars at night is recommended. Approaching them at night will not immediately alert them. Just make sure there isn’t a Guard nearby and you can feed.
• Feed on Arkved (who’s considered a bandit) within the final room of Arkved’s Tower. He’s always sleep so always viable. Access is dependent on the Daedric Quest associated with Vaermina.
• If you own Rosethorn Hall, the house for sale in Skingrad, you can feed on its resident servant (if you hired Eyja) at night: 12am – 7am.
• You can always feed on the Sleeping Prisoner within the Deepscorn Hollow.
• Break into a house and feed on its own during the night (usually after 12am).
• Feed on sleeping Guild Members. Mages Guild and the Dark Brotherhood are the safest. Fighters Guild is viable but risky. Cloud Ruler Temple is viable but very risky.
• Feed on those asleep within the Great Chapels.

Curing Vampirism

To cure yourself of Vampirism is a long quest called “Vampire Cure” that you can get from Raminus Polus at the Arcane University in the Imperial City.

Important Notes:

• This quest will automatically fail/complete during the quest “The Purification” because the Hero must kill Vicente Valtieri.
• It is impossible to feed on other Vampires.
• You can avoid getting a Bounty yourself if you have the Gray Cowl of Nocturnal and wear that while feeding in a high-risk location. That way you can take the Cowl off and immediately lose any bounty acquired.
• If you cure your Vampirism through the Quest, you cannot become a Vampire again without using Console Commands or Mods.