I'm about 20 hours of gameplay in after doing the main quest line with the vampires. I also accidentally didn't get the Summon Durnehviir shout because I killed him quick without knowing he was supposed to talk to me. I'm getting bored, and the only significant things I've done after the mainquest line are tons of radiant quests with all of the VL artifacts, 'Lost in the Ages' quest with the Aetherium Shield, maxed out the VL perk tree and got all of the Paragon treasures in the Forgotten Vale. Do the Dawnguard really have it that much better to where it's worth backtracking that much? If I do, I plan on turning into a VL again after the main questline anyway. Can you guys help me weigh out the positives and negatives in this to help me decide if I should or not?

If you redo it do the Dawngaurd, the quests are basicly the same plus you can become a VL after anyway. So, all your loot plus armoured trolls/ hounds/ upgraded corssbows etc.

Yeah, that's what I'm asking. Is backtracking 20 hours worth all of those positives? Do you still get Auriel's bow and the ability to get Elven arrows cursed by Serana or blessed by the Falmer? I'm big on range and honestly the better crossbow is one of the reasons I'm considering it.

Yes you do get Auriel's bow and both arrow types, so yes as Dawnguard you can block the sun.

Sold. Thank you sir.

They aren't that different, but the crossbow upgrades are nice.

The Vampire side can get artifacts that super buff your character's normal and VL form, you can NOT get it on the Dawnguard side.

+100 HP and +20 claw damage in VL form..and for Khajits

+100 magicka and magicka regen

and two other necklacess

The equivalent of the artifacts are the crossbow upgrades on the Dawnguard side.

In my opinion the VL is strong as it is (Master) so it doesn't really need any buffs past the skill tree, you still get the bow and I'm quite sure you can get the corrupted arrows aswell.

It pretty much boils down to crossbows vs. VL artifacts. It's up to you to decide whether or not 20 more hours is worth it. Honestly, I would leave your character as is and make a new one to join the Dawnguard.

Reloaded a save from WAYY back and chose Dawnguard this time. I sped through the main questline and this is honestly so much better to me. The crossbows and crafting them, armored trolls, etc. After this, I feel like choosing the VL side of the quests are lacking extremely considering being able to be a VL anyway choosing DG. Those artifacts aren't worth it to me.

The Volkihar's Ring of the Erudite is probably one the best rings in the game. It fortifies your Magicka by 100, and flat out doubles Magicka regeneration, it's not just +100%. As a bonus, it also works in VL form!
In addition, the Bloodstone Chalice offers an impressive bonus. It works on Vampiric Drain, Drainball and quite possibly every source of absorb health!

Here are your problems , it's pretty much evidence that you just Fast traveled the whole DLC.

It will take me 200 hours just to finish one side.

You will have it done in about 50 hours, this DLC isn't that big.

I don't think it's a problem that I like efficiency. We all play our own way right? I have about 350 discovered locations on the map, I fast travel when there are objectives and I horse in between major cities afterwards to get everything in between. I don't really see a problem.

Eh, it really just boils down to how much you like Crossbows. They aren't an I-Win button, in my opinion. The people who seem to be clamoring that the Dawnguard have it better are what we call in the Role Playing world "Munchkins".

I have 400 hours in Skyrim , there's NOTHING that I have finished..
The MQ itself is still at the Greybeards.

Dawnguard do have it better in many ways. In the end Castle Volkihar will more-or-less be yours to fool around in as you choose, you've got your own room in the Dawnguard Fort, you can still become a Vampire Lord, get crossbow upgrades and all. The only thing you're missing out on VL-side is the Vampire Lord artifacts and those creepy vampires who actually seem to eat flesh from living humans on their dinner tables.

I don't know what Betheseda hat thought about this, don't fit to the lore, it is awkward, simply a sign that they sometimes don't think much about their doing.

And yes Dawnguard is simply better, Dwemer Crossbows, armored huskies (not these cartoonish helldogs)..

Yeah, it's not that much of a difference but I like being with the Dawnguard. The crossbows to me are great and being able to craft the bolts too. I just generally like the people in DG better.