Dawnguard stands as the first major story DLC for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, pitting vampire hunters against an undead prophecy. If you’ve installed Dawnguard but aren’t sure where to begin or how to navigate the 22 quests it offers, you’re in the right place. This guide breaks down the entire questline, from your first encounter with the Dawnguard faction through the climactic battle against Lord Harkon. Whether you’re tackling this on PC, PS5, Xbox, or any other platform, the progression and strategy remain the same. Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
- The Dawnguard quest is Skyrim’s first major story DLC containing 22 quests, centered on stopping Lord Harkon from blotting out the sun using an ancient Elder Scroll prophecy.
- You can start the Dawnguard quest at level 10 when Durak approaches you, by asking guards for rumors, or by traveling directly to Fort Dawnguard in Dayspring Canyon north of Riften.
- The ‘Bloodline’ objective marks a crucial branching point where you choose between the vampire-hunting Dawnguard faction or the Volkihar vampire path, with each offering completely different story outcomes and rewards.
- Recruiting specialized fighters like Gunmar, Sorine Jurard, and Florentius Baenius builds your army and unlocks unique gear paths, including enhanced crossbow recipes and exploding bolts.
- Essential preparation includes stocking crossbows and bolts, bringing potions and frost resistance for the Soul Cairn dimension, and understanding that reading Elder Scrolls temporarily blinds you and drains stats.
- Eight radiant quests are available for completionists seeking faction reputation and unique items, though they’re optional for completing the main story.
What Is The Dawnguard Quest?
The Dawnguard quest refers to the primary campaign added by Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC, which centers on an ancient prophecy from an Elder Scroll. Lord Harkon, leader of the Volkihar vampire clan, wants to use this scroll to blot out the sun permanently, a power fantasy for vampires but a nightmare for humanity.
You’re tasked with stopping him by joining the Dawnguard, a faction of vampire hunters based in Fort Dawnguard. The DLC itself contains 22 total quests: 12 main story quests plus side and radiant missions. The “main quest” path you choose, Dawnguard or Volkihar, branches significantly after the “Bloodline” objective, offering completely different story outcomes, recruitment options, and rewards. The Dawnguard path emphasizes holy relics and sunlight, while the Volkihar route leans into vampire power and ancient secrets.
How To Start The Dawnguard Quest
Installation is the first step. If you own Skyrim Special Edition, Dawnguard comes included by default. On other versions, you’ll need to purchase and install it separately.
Once installed, triggering the questline is straightforward:
Method 1: Level Gate Trigger
Reach character level 10. You’ll be approached in a main city (like Whiterun or Solitude) by an Orc named Durak. He’ll invite you to Fort Dawnguard, located in Dayspring Canyon north of Riften. Accept the invite, and you’re on the Dawnguard path.
Method 2: Guard Rumor
If Durak never shows up, ask any Hold Guard about rumors. They’ll mention the Dawnguard and point you toward Fort Dawnguard.
Method 3: Direct Travel
You don’t need to wait for level 10 or random encounters. Simply head to Dayspring Canyon directly, it’s marked on your map once Dawnguard is installed. You can start the questline at level 1 if you’re confident in your skills, though the game assumes a higher level for combat difficulty.
Once you arrive at Fort Dawnguard, speak with Isran, the Dawnguard leader. He’ll kick off the main quest “Dawnguard” and explain the vampire crisis.
Key Objectives & Progression
Meeting The Dawnguard
Your first official objective is to meet the faction. Fort Dawnguard houses several key NPCs. Isran is the primary quest giver and faction leader, he’s stoic, mission-focused, and will guide you through the entire campaign. Durak is the recruiter who first contacted you (if you took Method 1). Agmaer is a new recruit you can meet during the early quests. These NPCs form the backbone of your army throughout the main quest.
When you first arrive, Isran hands you a crossbow and steel bolts as a starter reward. Crossbows are particularly effective against vampires due to their high physical damage and the unique bolts you’ll unlock later.
Recruiting Members & Building Your Army
The “A New Order” objective tasks you with recruiting specialized fighters. You’ll recruit Gunmar, a grizzled warrior who brings armored trolls to aid in combat, invaluable for holding the line during large battles. Sorine Jurard is a crossbow specialist and engineer. Recruiting her unlocks the “Ancient Technology” radiant quest line, which grants access to enhanced crossbow recipes and ammunition types like exploding bolts.
Later, you can recruit Florentius Baenius, a priest with unique dialogue options and his own quest chain involving lost relics. Each recruit contributes different combat abilities and unlocks new gear paths. Building your army isn’t just flavor, these NPCs appear in later main quests and affect battle dynamics significantly.
Note that vampire city attacks (random encounters where vampires assault settlements) begin immediately after installing Dawnguard. Progressing at least to the “Bloodline” objective reduces the frequency of these random assaults, which can kill essential NPCs if you’re not careful.
Essential Tips For Quest Success
Progression Pacing: Don’t rush past “Bloodline.” This quest is a major branching point where you choose Dawnguard or Volkihar. If you’re unsure, complete it before making the final decision. Once you commit, you can’t fully switch factions in that playthrough.
Gear and Loadout: Crossbows dominate early DLC combat. Stock up on steel bolts and craft exploding bolts through Sorine’s radiant quests once unlocked. Vampire-hunting gear, especially enchanted items with fire damage, is superior to generic weapons. The crossbows deal consistently high DPS against flying vampires and are more reliable than melee combat in tight dungeon spaces.
Radiant Quests: The Dawnguard faction has eight repeating radiant quests: Preemptive Strike, Hide and Seek, Cleansing Light, Hunting the Monster, A Jarl’s Justice, Rescue, Lost Relic, and Ancient Technology. These aren’t required for the main story, but they reward faction reputation, unique items, and Skyrim’s broader quest knowledge. If you’re a completionist, prioritize them after finishing the main questline.
Soul Cairn Preparation: One of the later objectives takes you to the Soul Cairn, a dimension of trapped souls and harsh environmental hazards. Bring potions of health, stamina, and magicka. Frost resistance is crucial. Bring a follower for backup, and consider stocking soul gem ammunition.
Elder Scroll Mechanics: Reading Elder Scrolls temporarily blinds you and drains stats. Plan these moments carefully, read them only when safe and prepare for temporary weakness afterward. The game warns you, but many players ignore this and end up surprised.
Conclusion
The Dawnguard questline delivers one of Skyrim’s most compelling branching narratives. From your first encounter at Fort Dawnguard through the final confrontation with Lord Harkon, the journey spans recruitment, exploration, and heavy combat. Whether you choose the vampire-hunting path or betray the Dawnguard for Volkihar power, you’re guaranteed 10+ hours of engaging storytelling. Start by reaching level 10 or heading directly to Dayspring Canyon, commit to your faction choice at “Bloodline,” and use the radiant quests to strengthen your forces. The prophecy awaits, make sure you’re ready for what comes next.
