- Not to be confused with Hell Hound.
- "Death Hounds are used as guardians by vampires. How they came to be is unknown, but their bite is as cold as the grave."
- ―Dawnguard loading screen[src]
Death Hounds are undead creatures that serve as the pets and guard dogs for vampires. The Dragonborn is able to own one if they are a vampire, and are level 5 or higher.
Appearance
Death Hounds resemble large, muscular dogs with glowing red eyes. Their black, hairless skin appears to be necrotizing, with several patches of black muscle tissue exposed. This necrotizing is most evident in their faces, with a gaping nasal cavity in place of a nose, and a lipless mouth filled with dozens of sharp, jagged teeth, of which there are far more than any other canine. All death hounds wear heavy iron collars around their necks.
Combat
A death hound's primary form of attack is its bite, which deals frost damage. However, they also emit a permanent frost cloak that drains stamina from any enemy of theirs in melee range during combat.
Upon death, a death hound collar and dog meat and, occasionally, small amounts of gold or other minor treasures may be on their bodies.
Named Death Hounds
Trivia
- Killing death hounds count towards raising the power of the enchantment of the Dawnguard Rune Axe making it more effective.
- It is likely that death hounds are dogs that have contracted Sanguinare Vampiris.
- Like vampires, death hounds cannot be fed upon by a werewolf. Having the perk Savage Feeding doesn't change this.
- Death hounds do not bark or move their jaws like normal dogs, but if the console command
sexchangeis used on them, they will behave like normal dogs. - Death hounds level is capped at 5 while huskies are capped at 25.
- Death Hounds are similar in appearance to Hell Hounds from The Elder Scrolls: Arena, having a dark coloration and pure red eyes. However, Hell Hounds have an affinity for fire, while Death Hounds have an affinity for frost.
Appearances
| Creatures and Enemies (The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard) | |
|---|---|
| Named Creatures | |
| Docile Creatures | |
| Hostile Creatures | |
| Undead | |