Vampirism 101

Gedalya · April 2014

In the Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), players will have the ability to become a Vampire, or a Werewolf; this guide deals with Vampires and becoming one at a highlevel in ESO.

How Can I Become a Vampire?
To become a Vampire a player you will need to receive a bite from a qualifying vampire; once bitten you will receive Vampirism. An alternate way to become a Vampire involves
being bitten by a player who already has Vampirism. There are numerous Vampires in ESO; however only Bloodfiends can give you Vampirism. The other Vampires in-game do not have this effect. There is a similar parallel for Werewolfs; in that numerous Werewolfs exist in-game, however a specific type can cause the trait. Players who have Vampirism can use the Blood Ritual passive skill in the Vampirism Skill Tree/Line to bite, and give another player Vampirism once every week (7 day cool-down). Once you have received Vampirism you will be able to start the quest, Scion of the Blood Matron. The Scion of the Blood Matron quest is given by an NPC at a local Wayshrine (after receiving Vampirism). You will have 7 days to finish the quest; or you will lose Vampirism.

Where Can I Find Bloodfiends?
Bloodfiends spawn in a cycle in specific areas for each faction (Daggerfall Covenant, Aldmeri Dominion, Ebonheart Pact). The areas are for level 37 to level 44 players; and they are Bangkorai (Daggerfall Covenant), the Rift (Ebonheart Pact) and Reaper’s March (Aldmeri Dominion). Bloodfiends spawn in groups. To be clear only those Bloodfiends which spawn as described will infect you; there are some areas where Bloodfiends exist normally and these can not infect you.

The following link has several invaluable pictures; including what Bloodfiends look like, and maps with highlighted spawn locations for Bangkorai, the Rift, and Reaper's March.
teso.mmorpg-life.com/become-vampire-eso/

Scion of the Blood Matron Questline
This quest will allow the option to embrace or reject Vampirism; if you complete the quest and embrace it you will receive the Skill Tree/Line.

This video shows the quest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YeUhXh-M_M

This video can assist in completing the quest if you are a low level:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52La23T3sAw

Vampirism Skill Tree/Line
Active:
Drain Essence
Invigorating Drain
Midnight Drain
Mist Form
Elusive Mist
Poison Mist
Bat Swarm
Clouding Swarm
Devouring Swarm

Passive:
Savage Feeding
Supernatural Recovery
Blood Ritual
Undeath
Unnatural Resistance
Dark Stalker

This video shows the Vampirism Skill Tree/Line as viewed in-game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ww6uTak694

How do I cure Vampirism

If by chance you receive a bite from a Bloodfiend and you do not want the gift; you can speak with a priest of Arkay who will remove the curse for a fee; the priest will be in a town including the one in which you receive the quest for Vampirism.

Difficulties
As Bloodfiends spawn differently than other monsters; finding them can be difficult if you are trying to become a Vampire. This is further complicated by the fact that other players will also be trying to become Vampires; including some who will kill the Bloodfiends after they spawn.

Recommendations

If you are trying to find a Bloodfiend, be patient; this may seem obvious but given competition it needs to be emphasized.
If you have the coin, find someone willing to sell a bite; these are quite expensive so be prepared for sticker shock; also, be warned: unlike normal commerce there is no way to ensure if you pay someone will follow through and bite you. Because of this I recommend the following as a best bet for the patient:
If you don't have the coin and you are moderately patient, find and join a Vampire guild; then take a number, and wait your turn to receive a bite from a senior member.

Feeding
Vampirism requires regular feeding; failing to do so leads to 1 of 4 stages of Vampirism (Hunger) depending on how long you go between feedings, each of which has negative consequences.

Further Questions.

Can I be a Vampire and a Werewolf at the same time? No.
Do Vampire and Werewolf spawn cycles alternate by day? No, I missed an opportunity at a Vampire bite (see Difficulties above) as a spawned Vampire/Bloodfiend was killed; and moments later became a Werewolf. File under epic lulz.
Can you be cured of Vampirism, and receive Vampirism in the future? Yes
How does leveling work with Vampirism? The following thread governs this and how it differs from the Werewolf skill line: forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/89658/how-does-vampire-leveling-works

This video provides a great overview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Rr64peJBs