Become a Vampire in ESO: Vampirism Ultimate Guide

Ever wondered what it's like to stalk the shadows of Tamriel with a thirst for blood? Becoming a vampire in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is your ticket to living that undead fantasy. It's not just about looking pale and brooding—vampirism offers slick abilities, a unique playstyle, and a chance to scare the pants off your enemies (or at least confuse them with your red misty exits). In this guide, I'll walk you through how to catch the curse, unlock its full potential, and decide if it's worth the sunburn. Expect some laughs, a few hard-earned lessons from my own missteps, and everything you need to sink your fangs into ESO's vampire life.

Let's be real: who hasn't dreamed of turning into a stealthy bloodsucker at least once? In ESO, vampirism gives you perks like sprinting invisibly, draining life from foes, and rocking a gaunt, gothic vibe. But it's not all glamorous—you'll take a hit to health recovery and practically combust in fire-heavy fights. Still, if you're itching to mix up your gameplay or just want to creep out your guildmates, here's how to make it happen.

You've got options when it comes to becoming a vampire: a buddy's bite, an NPC's chomp, or a quick Crown Store purchase. Each has its charm—well, mostly. Let's dive in.

This is the gold standard. Free, fun, and a great way to bond with random strangers in Tamriel. Here's the deal:  

Find a vampire player with the Blood Ritual skill unlocked.  

Head to a vampire ritual site in Reaper's March, Bangkorai, or The Rift (check the spots below).  

They'll do a quick ritual, and you'll catch Noxiphilic Sanguivoria—vampirism's baby stage.

Reaper's March: North end, near a world boss. Sneak past unless you're feeling heroic.  

Bangkorai: South of Evermore, hidden in a rocky corner.  

The Rift: North of Shor's Stone, easy to spot.

Why It's Great: No cost, no grind—just a friendly nip at the altar. Hit up zone chat or your guild; someone's usually game to help. I once got bitten by a guy who then invited me to a dungeon run—best blind date ever.

Prefer to go it alone? Bloodfiends—those nasty, bitey NPCs—spawn near the ritual sites at night.  

Hang out in Reaper's March, Bangkorai, or The Rift after dark.  

Let them attack you (brace yourself—it stings).  

Pray you get infected. It's not a sure thing, so you might die a few times first.

Why It's Cool: It's gritty and immersive—perfect for lone wolves or role-players. I tried this once and spent an hour dodging death, only to get infected right as I was about to rage-quit. Felt like a champ.

On Reddit: A player posted, “Took me four deaths and a lot of swearing, but I got it. 10/10, would suffer again.”  

Got 1,500 crowns lying around? You can snag the Curse of Vampirism from the store. For 3,000 crowns, you'll even skip the quest and max out the skill line instantly.  

Pros: Fast. Done.  

Cons: Expensive and kinda soulless. Where's the adventure in clicking “buy”? Save your crowns for a mount that doesn't make you feel like you cheated.

Caught the curse? Awesome—you're halfway there. Now you need to finish the Scion of the Blood Matron quest to unlock the vampire skill line and go full Nosferatu. Here's how it goes:  

- Hit up a ritual site (any of the three works).  

- Interact with the altar to kick things off.  

- Follow the spooky visions—talk to NPCs, sip from basins (suffering and loss, yum), and smack some enemies.  

- Wrap it up, and congrats—you're a true vampire.

Quick Tip: It's a breeze, even for newbies. I ran it on a lowbie with trash gear and didn't break a sweat. Takes about 10 minutes if you don't get lost in the dialogue.

Now that you're undead, here's what you're working with:  

Stages: Four levels of vampirism. Feed on NPCs to climb from stage 1 (mildly pale) to stage 4 (full-on crypt dweller). Higher stages boost your powers but tank your health recovery.  

Skills: The vampire skill line is clutch:  

- Blood Scion: Morph into a massive vampire lord. PvP terror, guaranteed.  

- Mist Form: Dodge damage and zip away in a red cloud.  

- Eviscerate: Hit harder the lower your health gets—risky but rewarding.

Passives: Sneak at normal speed, take less damage when hurt, and sprint invisibly at stage 4.

The Look: Stage 1 is subtle; stage 4 screams “I haven't seen sunlight in years.” It's a mood—love it or hate it.

Vampirism's a mixed bag. Here's the rundown, plus my two cents from too many hours in ESO.

Sneak Speed: Move normally while crouched. Thieves and PvP stalkers rejoice.  

Invisibility: Stage 4 sprinting turns you into a vanishing act. I've escaped so many ganks with this it's ridiculous.  

Big Ult: Blood Scion is a beast—extra health, damage, and a fear effect.  

Feeding: Draining NPCs feels straight out of a vampire flick.

For PvP, it's a no-brainer—I live for the chaos. PvE? Depends on your build, but the sneak perks are gold for grinding.

Fire Hurts: Up to 25% extra fire damage. Dungeons with flame-spitting bosses? Pain.  

No Healing: Health recovery drops to zilch at stage 4. Stock up on potions.  

Costly Skills: Non-vampire abilities cost more. Annoying for hybrids.  

The Face: Higher stages make you look like a pink-eyed ghoul. Not exactly date-night material.

One player tweeted, “Vampire stage 4 is 90% sneaking, 10% regretting every fire trap I hit.” Can confirm.

Not vibing with the undead life? You can kick the curse two ways:  

Priest of Arkay: Visit Prelate Sabinus at the Mages Guild in Riften (The Rift), Evermore (Bangkorai), or Rawl'kha (Reaper's March). Costs 600-700 gold.  

Crown Store: 800 crowns for an instant fix.

Why Quit? Maybe fire damage is ruining your day, or you're tired of scaring NPCs. I cured it once after a dungeon group kept calling me “Crispy.” Fair enough.

Stage Control: Stick to stage 1 for balance; feed strategically for big fights.  

Gear Up: Fire resistance enchants are your friend—trust me.  

PvP Edge: Mist Form's a lifesaver. Pair it with Blood Scion for maximum “nope” moments.

My Trick: I max out stage 4 for thieving runs—sprinting invisibly past guards feels like I've hacked the game.

Here's where I get opinionated: vampirism isn't just mechanics—it's a lifestyle. For PvP gankers, the stealth and burst make you a nightmare. Role-players? Feeding on NPCs and lurking in shadows is your dream come true. But for PvE tanking or healing? Eh, the fire weakness stings. I'd say pair it with a nightblade for sneaky synergy or a magicka build to lean into the vampire skills. Experiment—see what clicks for you.

That's the full scoop on becoming a vampire in ESO—how to get it, rock it, and ditch it if you need to. It's a wild twist on the game, whether you're in it for the powers or the spooky vibes. Got your own vampire tales or questions? Share 'em below. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more ESO adventures—happy hunting!