SKYRIM: Fort Dawnguard castle review

An in depth analysis of Fort Dawnguard from Skyrim to see if it's castle defenses are realistic.
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[@robin6469]

Keep in mind, in the lore, Fort Dawnguard was built as a prison, and not necessarily a military base. In the lore it was originally built to contain the Jarl of Riften's vampire son and was later repurposed as a military base

[@jackbelmont4389]

But i imagine were did they kept the jarl's son? The only dungeon there is a small room next to isran's room.

[@NexusEhh]

jack belmont I’m pretty sure it would be the symbol in the middle of the main room, seems to be a very logical place to put a vampire when there’s a big ass sky light

[@jackbelmont4389]

@@NexusEhh I thought the same but the main entrance and exit is RIGHT beside him. True the sun would weaken him but wait of it during the night? Assuming that isran didnt modified the place or that the old dawnguard kept the vampre at the cave system behind the keep.

[@mrsslav5593]

of course it was in lore there is even some secret dialog with Isran i thing that the circural towers was added later and that jarl was seeking the most remote place to his vampire son to imprison him but the dawnguards fucked up and needed to kill that son of the Jarl and he then bunished them and they were fighting vampires in the field like some bandits BTW i dont like how he critisisis the game this from point of view that it shoudnt be looked at and for hells sake man its fantasy game that shit with how buildings are bigger inside then outside is bullshit man come on..... i like his videos on historical stuff but this game is just an masterpiece every game have some setbacks but skyrim is just a fucking masterpiece

[@gerardmagos3608]

@@jackbelmont4389 remember when you step into the fort after your first mission and isran uses that giant spell to check if you got turned and how the dawnguard have sun magic and runic weapons that symbol on the floor is probably a giant magic catalyst for anti-undead spells

[@valhar2000]

I'm starting to think that we should start a petition to get Bethesda to hire Shad as a historical adviser for their next Elder Scrolls game.

[@616lordofdarkness]

i think they don't need to hire him just let him do

[@hazzmati]

But the elder scrolls games aren't meant to be historic

[@valhar2000]

I meant hire him temporarily as a consultant. I don't think him becoming their full-time employee would help anybody. Just run their castle designs by him, get back a list of changes and suggestions, and then implement them.

[@valhar2000]

+Hazzmati Indeed they are not, but they are meant to be _good_ , and Shad could definitely help them with that. The sort of suggestions he gives in his videos should not be difficult for Bethesda's designers to implement, and they would results in better looking castles and cities. Bear in mind that I love the Elder Scrolls games; that's why I care so much.

[@judeobolshevik4233]

Bro u read my mind. I think it wouldn't hurt any One and it will only add

[@Archangel71]

That intro has convinced me to build machiculations into my house.

[@hans-joachimbierwirth4727]

Yeah, that isn't as expensive as a normal one but aren't there regulations against this type of uhm toilette? Not that i don't like the idea of uhm shitting on unwanted visitors :/

[@eruyommo]

Archangel71 There's a house with them in my city. I've thought that's the first place I'm going to go when a zombie apocalypse happens.

[@pietandersen6120]

Archangel71 MACHICULATIOOOOOOOONS

[@johnjaeger2257]

I love machicolations so much that I installed them on my toilet. Sadly, this design feature has led to some complications that were hard to explain to the plumber and the floor repairmen...

[@Ed_man_talking9]

don't do it! you can't handle it! ... i'm unintentionally using reverse phycology am i?

[@MsJavaWolf]

There is a deer falling off the tower at around 12:33

[@SirConto]

The whole reason they aren't fortifying the entrance into the valley is so they can throw deers at people from a tower afterwards

[@knightofhavel8673]

Oh deer

[@LisaSimpson2]

Haha! So there is (oh deery me) :-D

[@DJLuckeyLu]

I was just about to comment this lol

[@AbenZin1]

Jesus Christ! RUN AWAY!

[@demondragon24]

the moment he first said "if only there was a designed feature that let you shoot the attackers..." I removed the headphones and waited

[@graysonelam78]

Same!

[@dvl973]

I always blast the headphones! IT'S THE BEST PART OF EACH CASTLE VIDEO

[@tasselhoffburfoot3252]

Every time he mentions maticulations for these castles I just think about all the poor NPCs falling to their deaths by accidentally glitching into the holes

[@nyuki187]

Anyone here designing castles or forts will never again design them without machiculations. Hope you're happy Shad.

[@havoc3742]

or if they do, do so in a way that makes machiculations superfluous

[@cobraglatiator]

superfluous machiculations are the best machiculations.

[@booketoiles1600]

Or they'll put matriculations on the plan but those won't end up in the final game because there is no way a player can see the difference between filled and actual matriculations without flying and adding them would cost more and make the area more cpu heavy.

[@Nethan2000]

I do, but I put towers on the corners with arrow slits.

[@thoticcusprime9309]

@@Nethan2000 lmfao bad

[@theerikin8431]

Cave entrance needs more defenses? Modding community....assemble!

[@TheHornedKing_27]

Yup

[@mastercoolguy2809]

No please. There’s already too many amazing structure mods that I don’t even have the time or equipment to experience

[@storyspren]

Shad: "If only there was a structural feature..." Me: *turns volume down*

[@ls200076]

Einomies LOWER THE GATES

[@cgamejewels]

Yup😎😎😎

[@Sassytravis]

it's annoying as hell isn't it?

[@lydiahe6790]

@@Sassytravis what is?

[@Sassytravis]

@@lydiahe6790 the awful way he yells. It’s a large reason why people may not watch his videos. It’s grating to the ear.

[@Macharassi]

I was waiting the whole time for you to be mad about the fake machiculations. Ha Ha

[@dvl973]

I was hoping he would appreciate how awesome they would be if they were proper machicolations. I mean they would be awesome and huge, complementing each arrow loop on all the battlements. Sad it was lost on the designer.

[@gunnarherzog5538]

Concerning the location of the Fort: As far as I remember from the lore, the Fort wasn't designed to defend the valley or be a fallback point for a last stand, instead (again, as far as I remember) it was designed to be a prison for the son of a local ruler, who was turned into a vampire. So yes, the reformed Dawnguard should've gotten cracking at building up the entrance to the valley, but initially the primary point was to keep someone in.

[@Samtheworldeater]

You are correct, fort dawnguard was the residence of one of the older riften jarl son who was turn into a vampire, the dawnguard was there to keep him off the people

[@AdmiralStoicRum]

Did you know that what keeps people out will keep people in?

[@european-one]

@@AdmiralStoicRum not in the same way. A good castle will make each layer vulnerable to the inner layer to ensure that if that zone is taken the attackers cant camp it. That wouldn't be desireable here

[@ourtube1128]

“YOU CANT HANDLE THE MACHICOLATIONS”

[@Anmatgreen]

Awww, but I really want them...

[@10110010100111010]

I believe they wanted to make them, but skipped on them as it would increase the complecity and would take too much time modelling. But that's just speculation.

[@antixkiller2407]

@@10110010100111010 or bathesda is just lazy and every one of their games are incomplete and has easily fixable flaws..they just dont because all Mr Howard cares about is money

[@10110010100111010]

@@antixkiller2407 Yes, that could also be a Major factor in decision making.

[@imnotherenow200]

@@10110010100111010 *salutes* Major Factor

[@ThallanarRabidtooth]

So, mod makers out there, here's how you fix Fort Dawnguard: 1. Put a shit-load of gatehouses leading up to the fort. You don't have to start from the front of the cave that is in the main Skyrim map, if you want to preserve the hidden location of the fort. Put the first gatehouse at the back end of the cave that goes into the valley. 2. You can make the Fort design more efficient if you want, but I don't mind it as much. 3. Put machicolations in the battlements. And it's fixed!

[@vahloksekun646]

1. The gatehouses shouldn't be too hard to place in the Creation Kit, as there a lot of static meshes (models) already available for that. 2. So connect the towers to the mountains, that might require doing some remodelling. 3. Same as 2, but to make the machicolations work, you'll also need to redo the collision mesh, which is seperate from the original mesh. Otherwise, any projectile fired through will hit "an invisible wall" (the collision mesh). Unfortunately, redoing this collision mesh isn't an easy task and might take up a lot of time.

[@greganator111]

The reason why most games don’t have proper matriculations is because of art poly limits to make it easier on lower power consoles/pc,s and to save time because the facude has all the benefits and none of the drawbacks from a game design/art sense

[@xsanguine8]

The fort is also designed to keep vampires in/out, and they are very proficient with magic, so if they can get past your other defenses, those machicolations are a security risk. The attacking vampire can reach you through that hole much easier than you can affect them, drain, charm, or even a fireball to the face (or somewhere further south).

[@whereuwannabe7796]

"For an army to march over those mountains it's not gonna happen." Hannibal - "Hold my elephants."

[@daltonkirkhart217]

That’s actually why he lost. Bc he lost about half of his army while marching through the alps. Most of his elephants died during the trip

[@niklas2021able]

@@daltonkirkhart217 Acualy not... He lost cause he did not get support and Rome just fcked him by attrition xD.

[@TheHornedKing_27]

That’s what I was thinking!

[@antorseax9492]

Unlike the Alps this Range does *not* have pathways. What? Do you think he went over the peaks? No. He went though the valleys in the Alps which are passable

[@Pangora2]

@@daltonkirkhart217 Hannibal went on to smash and wipe out three Roman field armies in the several years after that. It was his move to the south and avoid Rome itself, he had the victories he needed.

[@thomaslevy7249]

Khajiit has machicolations, if you have coin.

[@DeltaDonnaLynn]

BAHAHAHA!!!! Brilliant!!!!

[@thomaslevy7249]

Nathaniel Harari LOL

[@NathanielHarari]

Anytime I see that phrase online now, I think of that picture. :D It's so perfect.

[@RocketHarry865]

must be a castle architect.

[@Dartchone]

Some say khajit is full of shit and all machicolation on sale are fake, dont listen to such lies

[@metheguy1232]

12:34 video games are beautiful, as you can have scenes such as this while an elk decides to become a bird and fly off to the left

[@jjtomecek1623]

12:35 Keep trying little buddy and Santa will hire you one of these days!!!

[@perryatwood4972]

AJ Tomecek lol, one of these days!

[@stevenn1940]

How did I miss that? xD

[@moonbean169]

lmao

[@CsukaFlorian]

I was looking for this comment :D

[@EmilyKveldulv]

thats skyrim for ya

[@2KXMKR]

Your history is off on this one, Shad. Fort Dawnguard DOES fill the main requirements of a castle. Its construction was commissioned by a past Jarl of Riften, estimated during the second era, to house his son whom had contracted vampirism. Refusing to have his son killed, the Jarl had the castle built to house him. The Dawnguard were originally a band of mercenaries employed to contain the son within the castle. The castle was indeed a private residence. Although it is most likely that the castle was actually a sort of prison-residence hybrid, focusing on keeping someone in rather than out. The history that follows is a bit foggy and kind of splits off in two different directions; It's both implied that the Dawnguard eventually killed the son (likely because Skyrim's vampires get more powerful the longer they starve) and were banished from The Rift by the Jarl and then disbanded. And that the (original) Dawnguard witnessed the power that a vampire can hold and decided to become vampires themselves. [WARNING - NERD MODE ACTIVATED] This version of events sounds the most fitting to me and leads me to believe that Bethesda missed a HUGE plot twist here; What if it turned out that the Jarl's son was none other than Lord Harkon and his court were the original Dawnguard?! I'll allow a five second pause for the mind fucking to subside..... Okay. Back to the fort; As the Dawnguard quest line advances it seems the (new) Dawnguard are actively converting the prison-castle in to a more fortified structure as every few visits we can see newer walls being constructed along the path leading up to the keep. I guess given enough time the Dawnguard would have fortified the entire path with multiple gate houses.

[@donniejefferson9554]

Would've been a nice twist

[@akajail9360]

Lord harkon was an ancient person that was chosen by molag bal to become the strongest vampires and the cost of it was molag bal raping serana, it says it in the lore

[@lukeskywalker5392]

@@akajail9360 didnt Molag also bang Harkons wife?

[@hatman3445]

@@lukeskywalker5392 and Harkon's daughter (Serana)

[@thevideogameempire]

@Witcher Kamryn I read that the male ritual for vampirism was just killing lots of people.

[@jay15951]

The more of these you do the more I begin to think fantasy game designers need to hire you on as a castle consultant Ps do Volkihar castle next

[@durandol]

I always liked the look of the Dawn Guard armour. It almost seems out of place to see something so, for lack of a better term, practical amidst some of the more silly designs of armour you find in Skyrim. As for the fort, I think the interior section, where you first walk in, is also defensive in nature, as well as there being an exit tunnel, though I could be remembering that wrong.

[@Fishhunter2014]

There needs to be a 'Shad approved' mod that fixes all the defenses in skyrim. Like the The Holds mod but focused on correcting the flaws in design that he pointed out.

[@moonbean169]

they should hire a team of people who actually understand castles for the next elder scrolls. They just need to be limited by there resources because shad would fill the whole map with machiculations

[@hakairyu1]

Kevin Torhan I feel like the problem with that is that we actually had to attack the towns and castles in the game. So if they were properly built, the game could have been so much harder. That could be a bad thing.

[@epion660]

@@hakairyu1 Or it could have made it something other than clear out the town that's many times easier than a bandit cave. Honestly any of the bandit caves could easily over run any of the cities without issue.

[@njnjco]

I took my headphones off half a minute ahead of time. The anticipation was real man. Nice set up. lol

[@krillanr]

The friggin Bethesda flying Elk at 12:33. I'm dead! XD!! Great video man.

[@KenBabaganoosh]

Must be Christmas.

[@hazeltree7738]

I saw a flying mammoth yesterday.

[@0okamino]

Bethesda Game Studios: "Nobody will notice a little glitch like that." Everyone: "Is that so?"

[@chdmann]

According to Skyrim's Lore, Fort Dawnguard was a prison built to house the Son of a Riften Jarl. It was primarily designed to keep him inside, and not to be defended from assault. For this purpose, it had an 'airlock' that kept the Vampire locked in with his mercenary jailers (the first Dawnguard), and the cave could be caved in if SHTF to contain the Vampires.

[@M3RS.]

"You can't handle the machiculations!" Me: ,,Teach me!"

[@quintoncraig9299]

Yami/Atem: *Tell me!*

[@95keat]

I'm surprised you didn't talk about the inner Gatehouse inside of the castle you put into a large area where portcullises can we dropped and you can be attacked from all sides from above

[@geehammer1511]

Yep shame he missed out on possibly the best defense the whole fort has

[@DukeoftheAges]

@IronyFalseLogical actually many real life forts did have all of that

[@FatalAlcatraz]

12:34 ---> Oh deer...

[@Ilyas-ty6cy]

Damn Skyrim!! Never stop to amaze me.

[@FatalAlcatraz]

Trying to penetrate the defenses... Seems like they are sufficient against the wildlife. (BUT WHAT ABOUT DRAGONS??)

[@connorshekelstein6432]

FatalAlcatraz he killed himself cause there were no machicullations

[@vojtechpribyl7386]

Meanwhile on that roof: Guard: "THIS IS DAWNGUAAAARD!" *kicks down the confused animal*

[@discododo0468]

(badum tiss)

[@XansStuff]

I think the reason machicolations are generally not placed in the game is because of massive frame rate drops if they are put in. All the ray tracing and extra sources of shadow and light could really tax your gpu, especially those under $400

[@epion660]

Could have a texture or something...

[@kevgmei]

If you simply put a texture of a machicolation there, it wouldn't look convincing at all. It would look like the walls of the castle lobby in Super Mario 64, but worse.

[@genericprofile2381]

And someone is gonna fall through them. Especially in a bethesda game with the poor pathfinding ai and glitch frequency.

[@DarkKnightofIT]

They could have had a hatch texture so that they'd be theoretically usable.

[@XansStuff]

@@genericprofile2381 Not really, you just make sure they are not included in the navmesh

[@MagicSpud]

Not to mention what would even be the point of storming that fort in the first place? "Hello there good Lord! My dutiful sappers have collapsed the single cavern exit from your domain. Have fun starving to death!"

[@Xanthriel]

Darth Vanquish exactly my thoughts

[@wetwafflestv1340]

Thats on the way into skyrim, which is the reason for Dawnguard as well, it holds that valley closing one of the easily accessible areas into skyrim.

[@theokrisna]

"jokes on you master of sappers, we have lake and field of cabbages

[@cgamejewels]

@@theokrisna mmmm cabbages 🍽️🍽️

[@LautaroArgentino]

Well, according to lore the initial purpose of the building was to keep someone in rather than out. So it makes sense.

[@TheWampam]

I have the feeling, that many game developer only know the flatland-castles built in England, while they are creating castles for mountainous lands most of the time.

[@DHeaco7]

Before I watch, I know what you're thinking, Shad. WHERE ARE THA MACHICULATIOOOONS?!?!

[@alexanderpreu7113]

Shad for video game castle advisor!

[@Julia-mx3ki]

You said fort dawnguard hasn't all the castle requirements because there was no one living there. But this is wrong: The castle used to be owned by the Jarl of Rifton and he has raised his son there hundreds of years ago. Later it was used to seal the son because he has become a vampire. So it has at one point in its history it has fulfilled all the requirements for a castle.

[@ShatoraDragondore]

Oh i dont need to post this cause you have done it already no need to re state it then

[@MoonlitMike]

@@ShatoraDragondore yes

[@AkGamerRo]

The primarily function of Fort Dawnguard when it was build was to be a prison for one of the jarl's sons ,which was a vampire. It is mentioned in the game. It has gain later the statute of home and base of operations for the vampire hunters known as the Dawnguard. Also couldn't be shot at the gate from one of the small towers on the road? This is a great review of the defensive capabilities of Fort Dawnguard!

[@1stshockarmy]

You see this girl screaming "Machicolations"? She's got a curved sword. Cuuuurved. Sword.

[@kacperwoch4368]

O kurwa.

[@zeronova1484]

1stshockarmy, You're making me weak at the knees.

[@madisonlink7141]

Are you sure that's not an arrow? Common problem, I hear.

[@wyldcard8715]

Is this a penis joke

[@lukeskywalker5392]

@@madisonlink7141 why not both?

[@littlemoth4956]

3:32 Well, not really. Keep in mind the Dawnguard was just reformed and is only a handfull of members with little resources. Fort Dawnguard was originally a dusty and abandoned fort, and wasn't used for a long time until recently. Building quick wooden barricades is essential because they are under imminent attack by vampires.

[@MikefromTexas1]

Okay, you got me. That intro was epic.

[@tobyey9134]

Stone Bull 0728 it‘s dangerous to go alone, take this like

[@charlesqbanks]

"YOU CAN'T HANDLE MACHICOLATIONS." "Oh, but I want 'em..."

[@dragonfireking1]

I would trust you Shad with the designing of my forts

[@hadenwong4718]

dragonfireking1.I just thought a cool idea for a competition would be to design a castle in a set location and have Shad review them.

[@dragonfireking1]

I agree, it would be quite interesting.

[@lazulenoc6863]

Lots of people here talking about how it used to be a prison for one vampire but I genuinely cannot tell where the actual holding area would be within the fortifications.

[@Simtar123]

Magical intro XD

[@Charter23682]

The Panacea imho pretty cringy hahah

[@GameElement64]

Now that you’ve done Fort Dawnguard, you have to do Castle Volkihar. Unlike other holds in Skyrim, it has a gatehouse

[@enoughothis]

Did a little squee when I saw this video! Please do Castle Volkihar as well. You rock Shad!

[@der_sebbl]

Volkihar has to be next

[@estevanruiz8735]

Your T-shirt Ads are always very well done and creative, good job. Also finally Dawnguard! Love Dawnguard it's one of my favorite video game castles, love entering the always sunny valley and walking the path, glad to see you review it.

[@rultkiraly43]

Only saw the intro, but already liked, just for the MACHICOLATIONS

[@CAnDA7D2]

Same!!! It's brilliant!

[@sethbritton6970]

As an aside: didn't finish the video yet, but the Castle part was originally concieved as a house for a local noble bigwig in the nearby settlement way back in the day. Specifically, the bigwig's son had caught the settings most despised form of the munchies, and he wanted to pointedly put him somewhere far away from the rest of society. So pointedly that he hired the original iteration of the Dawnguard to kick his son's ass and drag him back to the main facility if he tried to leave. Which might explain the three chokepoint gates on the road in: protection provided for both suppliers and residents. They also mention that the castle was left to rot for several centuries after it was no longer used as a posh prison cell, so there may have been a moderately different and more elaborate design in play back when it was first constructed.

[@bcfb21]

If I ever get a castle I promise I’ll put in accurate machiculations and I’ll invite you to see it shad.

[@bpouelas]

9:42 "With a big fault, which I will get to" You already know your ears are more doomed than this Castle in a siege.

[@AKRex]

At 12:35, did a cow or a horse just jump off that tower?!?! LOL!!!!!!!!!

[@Atomkriegg]

that was a deer lmao

[@AKRex]

That deer definitely take the mdeal for gymnastics of 2017! lol

[@ryankunst668]

It was one of Santa's flying reindeer clearly.

[@Roland3ld]

Resuming rewatching the backlog for full support and engagement.

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

Machiculations can stop even the pommel

[@shadiversity]

Pommels don't fight against machicolations, they unite to make the unstoppable force by throwing pommels *through* machicolations.

[@Shadeius]

But what if the enemy throws pommel through machicolations? Solid stone floor would defend you form such an attack.

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

Shadiversity And they are thrown by VIKINGS!

[@Canwehitsubscriberswitho-sr1id]

The wooden battlements were put in to show that the dawnguard had been improving the forts defences. As they said that they would

[@spaceletsgothere8906]

Modders get on it. I'll be very disappointed if i don't get to walk through 4 or 5 gatehouses on my next playthrough.

[@TheloyalArcanine]

Fort Dawnguard's original purpose was to house the Jarl of Riften's son who became a vampire during the 2nd era, and the Dawnguard's purpose was to...well, guard the prince. He had to be put down eventually to which the Jarl banished them, but the ideology remained and lead to the formation a new Dawnguard, who protect people as vampire hunters. With that in mind, does it make it a castle with context to the lore as it used to belong to the Jarl of Riften? Also, as you progress in the Dawnguard storyline the gates become more heavily fortified and it gets suited with Watchmen, which while not incredibly protective is due to the fact that the Dawnguard also house the victims and the unprotected citizens from vampires.

[@Rudofaux]

A review of Ft. Dwanguard?! Be still my heart.

[@zJoriz]

When I visit places like this in a game, I can never feel 'safe' or 'at ease'. Not only did they leave the front door to the valley wide open, they also made the fort extra vulnerable to sieges. The whole ingame feeling the castle gave me was: this thing is useless and bad things will happen to it later on. Hopefully not while my character's inside it. If the castle would have been a strategically placed wall with buildings inside, they could have converted some of that valley into farmland. They could have included the lake, for an endless supply of fresh water. They could have kept livestock. They could have been mostly self-sufficient. Even if it was just a jail, as one commenter pointed out, the cave system would have been fit for this purpose, I think. And instead of needing hundreds of soldiers to defend this long, thin defensive line, they could have been more effective while only having ~50 mouths to feed, including the means to feed these mouths.

[@Raven_Leblanc]

ooh, that rush of adrenaline you get when Shad yells Machicolations... OOOH, gimme my sword, I need to slay some stupidity! *yells* MACHICOLATIOOOONS!!!!

[@justsomebloke621]

It's real purpose was a prison for the Jarls son who was a vampire. The dawn guard were a mercenary group who kept the vampire quarantined. The order evolved into vampire hunters and the prison became a base.

[@tobyey9134]

4:20 you, shad, should definetly become a voice over actor...

[@zssdfounder4607]

Fort dawnguard was built with the intent of acting as a prison for a vampire, not to keep invading armies out. It was later, in the time that skyrim takes place in, fortifide by the dawnguard who had limmited resorces and time to prepare for war against a vampire menence.

[@kroutonjr]

i cant wait till i get into dnd and do a game as the dm... and use all the castle knowledge ive learned from your channel for one hell of a castle raid or something

[@LemanRussVanquisher]

Oh yea. All my castles and keeps that my players have to assault are basically unsiegable thanks to Shad.

[@kalsaari4670]

I've had the same thought.... thank you Shad for curing my ignorance about castles... :D

[@Anthony_Stuart]

title: "Fort Dawnguard castle rev-" me: "he's going to complain about the mountain behind it again... rightly so" edit: heh, apparently he had too many other things to complain about XD

[@grandexalt777]

I already know this is gonna be a roast of this castle... This gon b gud.

[@thingonometry-1460]

Thanks to you, I now include proper machiculations, murder hiles and merlons on all my minecraft castles

[@danhaas9730]

And now I'll have that outro music stuck in my head for another few days! :P

[@BudokaiMan-mr9tw]

3:15 to be fair when you arrive Isron sent out thousands of invitations and messages to everyone in skyrim revealing the hidden location of fort Dawnguard and they have like 8 to 10 members and when you arrive from dropping off serana (if you decide to refuse the vampire lord transformation) Isron and the other few members would be fighting off a large skirmish of vampires, because they were literally begging for recruits those vampires probably assumed they were weak in numbers (which they were) so Isron build those extra walls while waiting for more recruits. Now that I mentioned it, in the fort itself it's actually very dusty lots of cobwebs and still has hundreds of unopened crates and supplies laying around, Isron even tells you take whatever you need for your journey to the cave that you meet serana in and says there's not much.

[@lugen3966]

Keep in mind that Fort Dawnguard was originally designed (in lore) to keep the Jarl of Riften's son, who had become a vampire, sealed within, and that there was really no need to keep anything out.

[@dartonal9490]

Can you do castle reviews on the castles in Mount and Blade Warband?

[@Luckysquirrel1256]

It is too bad you didn't get any chance to mention the inner cage trap that is used against the vampires, it is pretty unique, and could be used against invaders as well.

[@Kellethorn]

This is all well and good Shad, but at 12:32 you can see the Dawnguard testing their newest, most innovative defense yet: Dropping Deer.

[@miraakdovahkiin3804]

Yes! I've been waiting for this, thank you Shad.

[@Georgedepinedo]

Shad, the purpose of Dawnguard was to protect the world from what was inside. Aside if you are right on it is redundant otherwise.

[@hawkticus_history_corner]

Dat opening yo. Edit: Also, Shad is now Jaws

[@kalsaari4670]

Jawsiculations.

[@hawkticus_history_corner]

You sir, deserve that like

[@JasonVanderwyk-91Bravo]

fort dawnguard i think would be a nightmare if anyone broke in the front Isran would slam those inner gates down and would rain death down on you from the upper floor he can seal you off completely and fire down like fish in a barrel. you also have to deal with the trolls that they have trained so when they build those new gatehouses that Shad talked about could be there then have the Trolls stationed aswell at each one and then with those new gatehouses then on top of the fort could be a dragon area like the other dragon spots in the mountains of skyrim dragon could be like the guardian watch dog .

[@brianvdwaal]

Shad: you need machiculations Me: can't touch this Btw shad love the vids keep it up and greeting from the Netherlands

[@equesdeventusoccasus]

First, allow me to put your mind at ease, when you shine a mage light upon the embattlments from below, where machicolations should be, you will find what appears to be boards covering that section. Boards that might easily be removed to reveal machicolations, or covered to keep unwary guards from falling through holes in the floor. Second, a castle is designed for the enemies it's made to defend against. Ft. Dawnguard was made to be a vampire's prison that would obviously need to defend against fly gargoyles and flying vampires. So sealing the open bailey areas with a roof is not a waste, but rather a wise precaution. Not to mention its original occupant was both a prince and a vampire, so his prison was made with him in mind. One more thing: at least part of the interior of the fort is built into the surrounding mountains. This is apparent if you go to the archery training area / troll pit and look up towards the fort. Two things are evident, you are in a cave and that section of the fort is as well. Through out Skyrim you find evidence of large structures both ancient Nord & Dwemer being built in caves. Fort Dawnguard is no difference.

[@petergugganig3225]

I just have to give this video a like. You can't argue against machicolations.

[@DanielVeja.]

OH! I KNEW THAT THOSE MACHICOLATIONS WERE COMING WHEN YOU STARTED TALKING ABOUT "THERE IS A DESIGN THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED"!

[@baronvonbeans9887]

Something you said got me thinking It'd be pretty interesting to see a castle in a location like that being made up of 10 or so different fortifications. You could build a Bailey on each hill/peak and each have their own gatehouse Seeing as they're all on raised formations, this gives you an opportunity to put drawbridges in, or maybe something new and creative, maybe something like locks that uses water to raise a bridge into place

[@Viktor16161616]

I'm sure I've said as much before but I really appreciate the warning for headphone users as a man with damaged hearing (complete loss on one side and weaker on the remaining side). Makes me reassured that I can watch with 0 risk. Stellar content as always Shad. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and yours.

[@earnestbrown6524]

Oh no the world ends, flat earthers are going to use your video as proof.

[@saberman610]

Great as always. I would make two observations that may be relevant (though not contradictory, for the most part) in regards to the entranceway: 1. The castle is a restore project by Isran, so it's possible that the original fortress WAS a secret before it was abandoned and its people moved on to join the Vigilant. 2. Not fortifying the outside of the cave may be less due to vampires and more due to humans. Isran has claimed a fort and is gathering an independent fighting force in the midst of a civil war, and his fort is uncomfortable close to the border between the factions. A lot of people know where the Dawnguard is, but people you talk to more extensively seem to think that Isran is just a kooky old nut sitting in a ruin. While he maintains his organization mostly out of sight and just sends a few recruiters to get a small trickle of fighters, he may go beneath the notice of the Empire and the Stormcloaks, but if he fortifies the outside, he may get their attention in a bad way. As we see with Balgruff, being neutral is not considered an option. This doesn't change most of the issues with the Fort itself, but it may be a train of thought

[@M3RS.]

Half of the comments already are about machiculations... With mine as well :D

[@starquest7171]

Shad in the lore of Fort Dawnguard it was originally a prison for a vampire

[@nervatraianus]

God bless you for the inspiring, interesting and highly informative content you produce Shad!

[@Erikaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I don't know why, but your castle reviews are honestly one of my favourite series on KZbin, they never fail to inspire me or make me smile So, yeah, thanks Shad :P

[@realmofdoors9605]

Literally playing Skyrim when I got this notification 😂

[@ode4162]

Zpydermonky nice Hamilton profile picture

[@professordruid4495]

There is actually an in lore reason the Dawnguard had to build wooden defenses. This is the second iteration of the Dawnguard. The first used fort Dawnguard but they weren't vampire hunters. Rather they were vampire jailers. The Jarl of Riften in those days had a son who became a vampire, rather than kill his son he trapped him, built Fort Dawnguard as his prison and the og Dawnguard were supposed to keep him in. It wasn't built to be defensible because it wasn't supposed to be under attack. Just to contain a single vampire

[@dogman9291]

Exactly. It was supposed to be defensible from the inside, from threats inside the building, not from outside of it. Isran and his Dawnguard don't have the resources or funding to construct big stone walls to better serve the fort's new purpose, so they have to make do with wooden defenses since Vampires are skittish around fire anyway, making it unlikely that they'd risk trying to torch it.

[@db5094]

Must've been one strong vampire

[@tada-kun982]

@@db5094 no, but he wasn't supposed to get hurt lol

[@db5094]

@@tada-kun982 dude they couldve just had some guards and one room then. Was he like a master escapee

[@db5094]

@@tada-kun982 dude they couldve just had some guards and one room then. Was he like a master escapee

[@HybridHumaan]

Another great video shad ! Glad i found your channel!

[@MrPeterGoldman]

That at the beginning, was the best commercial I've seen this year.

[@squashedeyeball]

BEST INTRO OF ALL TIME! PERFECT! THANKS YOU FOR THAT MATE :) *My dream came true!* And great video Shad. I can never get enough of these reviews...

[@jasongray9099]

Fort Dawnguard is first a prison to contain a single vampire so you should look at it from the inside out

[@professormetal4411]

YES I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH SHAD!!!!

[@somerton4383]

Bithor Gaming You sir shall be deaf one of these days

[@Felahliir]

Dawnguard was built for the son of the jarl of Riften. He was a vampire and got kept there.

[@julbot1]

This Fort is just a few steps away from being unsiegeable and it hurts. It just needs more Gatehouses and Machiculations and it would be perfect. Just the nature of where it is means that the enemy would be hard pressed to get any kind of siege equipment in place. The walk up to the front gate would be Arrow Hell due to the two towers standing over the pathway leading up to it.

[@j.gonzalez2543]

Attackers just need a small army to easily block the entrance and let everyone inside die from starvation or surrender. Design and location are just stupid.

[@MetallicBascinet]

Best intro ever, Shad! Keep it up!

[@glowstickofdestiny1290]

Dawnguard? More like WRONGuard!

[@akaaoife2312]

GlowstickOfDestiny damn vampires....

[@kenkastlekausmo701]

Where's Pun Husky when you need his assist?

[@uchihaitachi181]

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on Volkihar Keep, or whatever you would call it.

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

Malbork castle was also a military base and was part of the... Oh shit you mansioned it right as i was writing it!

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

2:10

[@undertakernumberone1]

It's proper Name sounds far better though... Marienburg

[@joefleming6755]

I have to say that the dawngaurd were correct about not having defences in the cave or up the path because of the enemy. Bat-transforming vampires are going to be attacking from above so it makes sense for the fortress to be just a big impenetrable box, and having defences other than that are just going to flown over.