Curing Your Inner Wolf: A Comprehensive Guide to Eliminating Lycanthropy in Skyrim

So, you’ve embraced the beast within in Skyrim, enjoyed the raw power and savagery of being a werewolf, but now you’re looking for a way out? Don’t worry, reverting to your original, less furry self is entirely possible. Here’s the definitive guide on how to shed your wolfish skin and become a normal (or as normal as the Dragonborn can be) citizen of Skyrim once more.

The primary method for curing yourself of Lycanthropy involves completing the Companions questline and utilizing the Flame of the Harbinger at Ysgramor’s Tomb. To elaborate, the questline for the Companions leads you to Ysgramor’s Tomb. Within the tomb is a fire known as the Flame of the Harbinger. To cure Lycanthropy, you must place the head of a Glenmoril Witch into the flames, after which your Wolf Spirit will appear and you will need to defeat it in battle.

The Step-by-Step Cure

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Complete the Companions Questline: You’ll need to progress far enough into the Companions storyline to reach the quest “Glory of the Dead“. This quest will lead you to Ysgramor’s Tomb.
2. Acquire a Glenmoril Witch Head: You’ll need a Glenmoril Witch Head for the ritual. If you didn’t pick one up during the earlier quest “The Silver Hand,” you can find more witches at Glenmoril Coven. Remember to loot a head after defeating each witch.
3. Initiate the Cleansing Ritual: At the end of the “Glory of the Dead” quest, you’ll find the Flame of the Harbinger within Ysgramor’s Tomb.
4. Throw in the Head: Activate the Flame of the Harbinger and interact with it to place the Glenmoril Witch Head inside.
5. Battle Your Wolf Spirit: Your Wolf Spirit will emerge from the flame. Defeat it in combat. This signifies the separation of your soul from the Lycanthropy curse.
6. You’re Cured! Congratulations! You are now free from Lycanthropy. You will no longer be able to transform into a werewolf.

Other Considerations: Post-Questline Cure

If you accidentally waited too long and don’t cure yourself immediately after the “Glory of the Dead” quest, there’s a caveat. If you do not immediately use the Flame of the Harbinger to cure yourself of lycanthropy after completing Glory of the Dead, you may be locked out from using the Flame of the Harbinger. It may not be available again, meaning that without exploits or glitches, you might be stuck with Lycanthropy for the rest of your playthrough, or until you become a Vampire Lord.

Alternative Cures: Vampirism

If you find that the Flame of the Harbinger is unavailable, you can contract Vampirism.

1. Contract Sanguinare Vampiris: This is the first stage of Vampirism. You can contract it from vampires.
2. Allow the Disease to Progress: Wait three in-game days without curing the disease. This allows the disease to progress into full vampirism.
3. Cure Vampirism: You are now a vampire. If you get cured of vampirism, Lycanthropy will be cured as well.
4. Find Falion: Falion is located in Morthal.
5. Fill a Black Soul Gem: Trap a soul inside a Black Soul Gem.
6. Give the Filled Black Soul Gem to Falion: Falion will cure you of Vampirism.

Using Mods

Finally, you can use mods. Many mods allow you to revert to your previous state, or change certain aspects of Lycanthropy and Vampirism. Modding the game is only possible on the PC and other platforms like Xbox or PlayStation depending on the title.

Lycanthropy and the Games Learning Society

The intricate mechanics and choices surrounding Lycanthropy in Skyrim offer a fascinating lens through which to examine player agency and narrative consequence in games. The Games Learning Society explores these concepts in depth, investigating how games like Skyrim can be used as powerful tools for learning and understanding complex systems. Explore more about the intersection of games and education at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I become a werewolf again after being cured?

Yes, but only once normally. After completing the Companions questline, Aela the Huntress can grant you Lycanthropy one more time. So, you can be a werewolf, cure yourself, and then become a werewolf again. After that, Aela won’t offer the gift again unless you use exploits. You can also contract Lycanthropy again by using mods.

What happens to my werewolf perks after I’m cured?

All perks acquired in the werewolf skill tree will be lost upon being cured. If you become a werewolf again, you will need to reacquire those perks.

Is it possible to be both a vampire and a werewolf simultaneously?

Normally, no. Becoming a werewolf grants you 100% disease resistance, which prevents you from contracting Sanguinare Vampiris, the disease that leads to vampirism. However, a glitch or mod can allow you to become a hybrid, possessing both the werewolf and Vampire Lord abilities.

How long does the werewolf transformation last?

The base duration of the Beast Form power is 150 seconds (2.5 minutes). You can extend this duration by feeding on corpses. The Savage Feeding perk allows you to feed on almost any dead creature to extend the transformation.

What are the advantages of being a werewolf?

• 100% Disease Resistance: You are immune to all diseases.
• Increased Strength and Stamina: Enhances your melee combat capabilities.
• Beast Form Power: Allows you to transform into a powerful werewolf with unique attacks and abilities.
• Intimidation: Werewolves can cause enemies to flee by howling.
• Health Regeneration: Eating slain foes restores health and extends your transformation.

Are there any disadvantages to being a werewolf?

• Restricted Equipment: You cannot use weapons, armor, or spells in werewolf form.
• Negative Reactions: Some NPCs may react negatively to you, especially if they witness your transformation.
• No Resting Bonus: You cannot gain resting bonuses while having the beast blood.

Can the Dawnguard cure me of Lycanthropy?

No, the Dawnguard specializes in hunting vampires, not curing werewolves.

What happens if I spare Sinding in the quest “Ill Met by Moonlight”?

If you spare Sinding, you will receive the Ring of Hircine, which allows you to transform into a werewolf at will more than once per day. This is also a requirement for the Oblivion Walker achievement.

How do I get more Glenmoril Witch Heads if I’ve already used the ones I had?

Return to Glenmoril Coven, where the Glenmoril Witches reside. They respawn after a certain amount of in-game time, allowing you to collect more heads.

Can I cure other Companions of Lycanthropy?

Yes, you can help cure other members of the Companions, such as Farkas and Vilkas, by using the Flame of the Harbinger with Glenmoril Witch Heads. However, the order in which you cure them and yourself matters. Cure your companions first, then cure yourself.

What is the best race to be a werewolf?

While any race can be a werewolf, Nords and Redguards are often considered good choices due to their starting skill bonuses in combat-related skills that complement the werewolf’s melee-focused playstyle.

Can I still complete quests as a werewolf?

Yes, you can complete most quests as a werewolf. However, some quests may be difficult or impossible to complete in werewolf form due to restrictions on dialogue and interactions.

Does being a werewolf affect my ability to marry someone?

No, being a werewolf does not affect your ability to marry an NPC in Skyrim.

How long is an hour in Skyrim compared to real time?

One full day-night cycle in Skyrim lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes in real-time. Therefore, one hour in Skyrim is about 3.33 minutes in real-time.

Can I become a werewolf infinitely?

You can cure Lycanthropy by becoming a Vampire Lord an infinite number of times. However, Aela will only grant you Lycanthropy once after the initial Companions questline. Therefore, you can only become a werewolf a second time via that method. After the initial quest, you are no longer able to become a werewolf unless you become a vampire and cure it or use exploits or mods.

Whether you’re a seasoned Dragonborn seeking to shed your beastly form or a newcomer curious about the world of Lycanthropy, this guide should equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate your path in Skyrim.