Alternate Dawnguard Paths aka Fight Serana

⭐ ⭐ (155 endorsements) 📥 8,838 downloads 📌 v1.1 📅 4/9/2022
🟠 Updated over a year ago

By Domenicus · Quests and Adventures

⬇ Download Mod Source: Nexus Mods ↗ 📅 Updated: 1/7/2025 📅 Created: 4/9/2022
⚠️ Install Order · 5 steps
1🛠️ SKSE64 — Skyrim Script Extender 64 Download ↗
2🔧 USSEP — Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch Download ↗
3🖥️ SkyUI — SkyUI (MCM framework) Download ↗
4🧩 Address Library — Address Library for SKSE Plugins Download ↗
5🔧 SSE Engine Fixes — SSE Engine Fixes Download ↗

Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.

🔍 Analysis

  • 👍 1.8% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
  • 🏆 #34 of 61 Quests and Adventures mods in this game by downloads

📋 About This Mod

Does your character have a fanatical hatred of Vampires? Do you just want Serana to shut up and be a basic goth b somewhere else? This is the mod for you!

It is my firm belief that the player should be allowed to be an idiot. This includes doing things which in some way mess up the game. To this end, I have rewritten some of the dawnguard quests to allow the player to start the questline by assaulting Serana and/or killing everyone in Castle Volkihar. However, if you choose to do the former, you will skip some dawnguard quests and have to do 6 radiant quests until the dawnguard is in a position to assault Castle Volkihar; if you also do the latter the dawnguard questline stops there and nothing after that will happen. This means you won't get armoured trolls or improved crossbows, but if your character can solo everyone in Castle Volkihar you probably don't need them. Either way, Serana will never be seen again. You will still be able to find Auriel's bow and access the Soul Cairn but you might find it a bit harder. Don't @ me saying that you can get into the soul Cairn without being Soul Trapped or a Vampire if not playing the vanilla path, I know and don't plan to change it. This mod isn't voiced, as I hate fiddling around with xVA.

The bigger fights addon adds more vampires to the initial vampire assault during a new order and makes Celann and Durak protected during that quest so they probably won't die. It also adds more vampires to a large vampire attack that occurs later if you fight Serana.

PS this mod may increase the chance of the vanilla bug where you can't kill Harkon and have to reload a save and try again. I killed Harkon multiple times via every path available in this mod, but I've never seen that bug before so idk. Just be extra sure to save before going to Castle Volkihar to kill him.

PPS I'm the only person who has tested this mod and while I'm pretty sure I got everything there could be bugs

Installation

You should be ok installing it before you reach level 10 but you may need to start a new game

Compatibility:

Compatible:

Dawnguard Tweaks and Enhancements Lite

Patch Provided:

Runic Dawnguard - Sepmodarated Lost Relic Questline

Not Compatible:

Dawnguard Tweaks and Enhancements

Anything else that affects Dawnguard quests and isn't mentioned

Probably anything that has a conflict with any of my asset files

I edited Harkon to stop him shouting SERANA YOUR OWN FATHER when he dies. This might break compatibility with mods that edit his appearance. However, making a patch for that would be trivial in xedit or if you allow such a mod to ov

🤖 AI-enhanced — based on mod data

Alternate Dawnguard Paths lets you start the Dawnguard questline by attacking Serana or wiping out Castle Volkihar, skipping quests and locking content. It adds unvoiced dialogue and optional bigger fights. For players who want to roleplay as a vampire-hating character and break the intended path, with 155 endorsements and a January 2025 update.

✨ Key Features

Allows starting the Dawnguard questline by assaulting Serana, skipping some quests and requiring 6 radiant quests before the assault on Castle Volkihar.
Allows killing everyone in Castle Volkihar, which stops the questline entirely and prevents getting armoured trolls or improved crossbows.
Serana is removed from the game permanently if you choose either alternate path.
Auriel's bow and the Soul Cairn remain accessible but are harder to reach.
Optional bigger fights addon adds more vampires to the initial assault and makes Celann and Durak protected.
Unvoiced mod, as the author avoids xVA.

📊 Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

  • Gives you the freedom to be an idiot and break the questline, which is a rare and fun roleplay option.
  • Community-tested by the author across all paths, with 155 endorsements showing some appreciation.
  • Optional addon makes the vampire fights more challenging and protects key NPCs.

⚠️ Cons

  • Unvoiced dialogue might feel jarring compared to the fully voiced vanilla quests.
  • Author admits they're the only tester, so bugs are possible and the mod may be unstable.
  • Choosing the kill-everyone path locks you out of significant content like armoured trolls and improved crossbows.
🎯 Is This For You?
For Skyrim players who want to roleplay as a vampire-hating character and don't mind breaking the main questline. It's also for those who want a challenge by fighting through Castle Volkihar early. Skip if you want a polished, fully voiced experience or if you care about completing all Dawnguard content.
📦 Install:Easy· Under 1 minute

💡 Beginner Tips

  • Save before entering Castle Volkihar to avoid the Harkon kill bug, as the mod may increase its chance.
  • If you choose to fight Serana, be prepared for 6 radiant quests before the assault—plan your build accordingly.
  • Consider using a mod manager to easily toggle the bigger fights addon on or off.

📊 Mod Details

Game
Skyrim Mods
Author
Domenicus
Version
1.1
Downloads
8,838
Endorsements
155
Category
Quests and Adventures
Created
4/9/2022
Updated
1/7/2025

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