Unleash Your Inner Beast: A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Werewolf in Skyrim
So, you yearn to trade your Dragonborn status for the raw power of a lycanthrope? To feel the primal urge, the ripping and tearing, the unbridled ferocity of a beast unbound? Becoming a werewolf in Skyrim is a transformative experience, granting unique abilities and altering your gameplay in significant ways. The primary method to acquire this furry affliction is by joining the Companions faction in Whiterun and progressing through their questline. Let’s delve into the details of how to embrace your inner wolf.
The Companions: Your Gateway to Lycanthropy
Joining the Ranks
Your journey begins in Whiterun, the first major city you’ll likely encounter after the tutorial. Head to Jorrvaskr, the mead hall that serves as the headquarters for the Companions. Speak to Kodlak Whitemane, the harbinger, or any of the other prominent members like Aela the Huntress, Skjor, Farkas, or Vilkas. Express your interest in joining their ranks.
Proving Your Worth
You’ll be given a series of radiant quests designed to test your skills and prove your loyalty. These tasks typically involve simple tasks like clearing out dungeons, retrieving items, or assisting the citizens of Skyrim. Complete these quests diligently to advance through the Companions’ ranks.
The Blood Ritual
Eventually, you’ll reach a pivotal point in the questline where you uncover a secret about the Companions: some of them are werewolves. Skjor will approach you and reveal this truth, inviting you to partake in a ritual to embrace the beast within. Meet him at night at a specific location (usually the Underforge). Aela the Huntress will also be present.
Embracing the Beast
During the ritual, you’ll witness Aela transform into a werewolf. She will then offer you her blood. By drinking it, you will contract lycanthropy, forever changing your destiny in Skyrim. You will then be forcibly transformed into a werewolf for the first time, giving you a taste of your new found power.
Alternative (Circumstantial) Method
Feeding on Other Werewolves
It is possible to become a werewolf by feeding on Skjor, Aela, Vilkas, Farkas, or Kodlak while they are asleep in their bed, but only these members of the Companions can give the Dragonborn lycanthropy. The other Companions aren’t werewolves, so do not bother trying to contract Lycanthropy from them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Skyrim Werewolves
1. Is it good to be a werewolf in Skyrim?
Being a werewolf has both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, you gain 100% disease resistance, making you immune to all diseases, including vampirism. You also receive a substantial boost to your health and stamina while in werewolf form. However, you lose any “well-rested” bonuses from sleeping in human form, and your gameplay can become somewhat limited due to the once-per-day transformation.
2. What are the benefits of being a werewolf?
- 100% Disease Resistance: Say goodbye to worrying about diseases!
- Increased Health and Stamina: Massive boosts in werewolf form.
- Intimidation Howl: Frighten your enemies into fleeing.
- Unarmed Damage: Devastating claw attacks.
- Crime Immunity: Crimes committed in werewolf form are often not attributed to your human character.
- Wolves Don’t Attack: Regular wolves won’t attack you, recognizing you as one of their own.
3. How do I transform into a werewolf in Skyrim?
Once you’ve contracted lycanthropy, you’ll gain the “Beast Form” power. To activate it, go to your Magic menu, then Powers, and equip the Beast Form power by highlighting it and pressing the corresponding button (usually the right trigger on a controller or the ‘F’ key on PC). Once equipped, use the shout button (usually ‘RB’ on Xbox, ‘R1’ on PlayStation, or ‘Z’ on PC) to transform.
4. How long can I stay in werewolf form?
The initial duration of the Beast Form is 150 seconds (2 minutes and 30 seconds). However, you can extend this duration by feeding on corpses. Each humanoid corpse you devour adds time to your transformation. With the Savage Feeding perk (unlocked through the werewolf perk tree), you can feed on almost any dead creature, further extending your time as a beast.
5. How do I level up the werewolf perk tree?
You level up the werewolf perk tree by feeding on corpses in werewolf form. Each corpse consumed grants progress towards the next perk point.
6. Does becoming a werewolf cure vampirism?
Yes, becoming a werewolf completely cures vampirism. If you’re a vampire and contract lycanthropy, the vampiric condition will be removed.
7. Can I be a vampire and a werewolf at the same time?
No, you cannot be both a vampire and a werewolf simultaneously in standard Skyrim gameplay. One condition will override the other. However, there are glitches that allow you to become a hybrid, but this is not intended or supported by the game.
8. Can I be cured of lycanthropy in Skyrim?
Yes, you can be cured of lycanthropy. There are two main ways:
- The Companions Questline: Completing the Companions questline will eventually lead to a ritual that cures you of lycanthropy.
- Becoming a Vampire Lord: If you become a Vampire Lord through the Dawnguard DLC, your lycanthropy will be overwritten, and you will be cured.
9. What happens if I get arrested in werewolf form?
If you are arrested in werewolf form, you will revert to your human form, and you will be transported to the nearest prison. Any crimes you committed as a werewolf might not be added to your character if you transform back to your human form.
10. Do followers like being around a werewolf?
No. Followers will become hostile toward the player if they transform into a werewolf near them.
11. Are there any weaknesses to being a werewolf?
Yes, werewolves have a few weaknesses:
- Loss of Rested Bonus: You can’t gain the “well-rested” bonus from sleeping in human form.
- Limited Transformations: You can only transform once per day unless you use a Ring of Hircine (acquired through a Daedric quest).
- Follower Hostility: Followers may become hostile if you transform near them.
12. How do I start the Wolf Queen quest?
The Wolf Queen questline is initiated after completing the quest “The Man Who Cried Wolf.” Shortly after, a courier will deliver a note from Falk Firebeard in Solitude, asking you to speak with him about the ritual you interrupted in Wolfskull Cave.
13. Do I need the Dawnguard DLC to be a werewolf?
No, you do not need the Dawnguard DLC to become a werewolf. However, the Dawnguard DLC adds new perks to the werewolf skill tree, enhancing your werewolf abilities if you choose to acquire it.
14. What is the best race to be a werewolf in Skyrim?
While any race can be a werewolf, some races benefit more from the transformation. Nords are a solid choice due to their inherent resistance to frost and their “Battle Cry” ability, which can be useful in conjunction with the werewolf form. Redguards are good due to their adrenaline rush ability to regenerate stamina faster.
15. What are the Totems of Hircine?
The Totems of Hircine are special abilities you unlock through a questline given by Aela the Huntress after becoming a werewolf. These totems grant powerful benefits in werewolf form, such as summoning wolves, detecting enemies, or enhancing your fear howls.
Becoming a werewolf in Skyrim is a thrilling and rewarding experience. By following these steps and understanding the advantages and disadvantages, you can master the beast within and unleash your primal fury upon the land. Remember to explore all the facets of lycanthropy, from leveling up your werewolf perks to utilizing the Totems of Hircine. Embrace the darkness, and let the hunt begin!
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