I haven't yet bought Dawnguard, but I find the people of of the citites and such to play a large part in my gaming experience. Is it true that it causes alot of death to non-essential NPCs? Is it a game-changing experience not for the best? Does it ever stop? Do the attacks occue when you're in the city or out? Is ther any way to prevent/stop this?

Some people are experiencing it worse than others. So long as the DLC is installed, all characters will suffer vampire attacks on towns, unless you join the vampires. Then Dawnguard will attack you, but that's about it. Some people have dealt with it and don't really mind it. However, a lot of people are upset about it because it is affecting their game. Hopefully Beth will at least acknowledge it soon, one way or another. If they're going to keep it in, I'm uninstalling because there's no other way to stop it from happening in the first place.

I have not encountered this once, I did not visit the cities at all during the course of the main quest ( dawnguard) and only after I completed it for dawnguard.

I joined the Vampires and towns can still be attacked by vampires just left often. The only time I have seen a vampire attack myself was in solitude when I went to drop stuff off at my house.

it seems to happen more for some people than others. in 20+ hours playing this DLC i've only had it happen once, and even then the vamps were killed pretty quickly and i only lost 1 guard

I can confirm that I have never before experienced vampire attacks since installing dawnguard. Nor have i experienced any bugs, Tears, or lag issues.

I have never had such a big issue with this either. I have had a couple of attacks in towns but that is it. They were quickly dispatched. Most of the problem seems to come from players who are "high level" and play on master. Of course, the higher level you are, and the what level you play on, adept, master, etc effects the "strength" of these attacks. I can deal with the attacks, but to me they are not really a bother, since I am only level 43 and play on apprentice level.

Please use this thread

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1390477-random-vampire-attacks-2-merged-similar-topics/