Curing the Beast Within: Can You Cure Lycanthropy Twice in Skyrim?
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Yes, you can cure Lycanthropy twice in Skyrim, but the methods and limitations surrounding this process are nuanced and often misunderstood. The game mechanics allow for multiple cures, but specific paths are only available a limited number of times. Understanding these restrictions is crucial for players planning their character’s development.
Understanding Lycanthropy and Its Cure
Lycanthropy, the condition that transforms your Dragonborn into a raging werewolf, is a powerful boon in Skyrim, granting immense strength and bestial abilities. However, it also comes with drawbacks, such as the inability to gain rested bonuses and potential social stigmas. For players seeking to rid themselves of the beast blood, several methods are available. But how many times can you actually utilize them?
The Initial Cure: The Companions Questline
The primary and most straightforward method for curing Lycanthropy is through the Companions questline. As you progress through the Companions’ story, you’ll eventually participate in a ritual to purify yourself of the beast blood. This involves throwing a Glenmoril Witch head into a sacred flame within Ysgramor’s Tomb. Successfully completing this ritual removes Lycanthropy.
The Second Cure: Vampire Lord Transformation
The most reliable method for curing Lycanthropy a second time is to become a Vampire Lord. This is achieved by accepting Harkon’s gift or Serana’s offer during the Dawnguard DLC questline. Becoming a Vampire Lord instantly removes your werewolf abilities, essentially overwriting them with vampiric powers.
The “Aela” Method: Limited Regain
After curing yourself, you might decide you want to become a werewolf again. Aela the Huntress in the Companions will grant you the gift of beast blood one more time. Aela will only do this once, so if you cure yourself again after this, there is no way to become a werewolf again without mods or console commands.
Limitations and Considerations
While theoretically, you could cure Lycanthropy an unlimited number of times by alternating between werewolf and vampire forms, the practical limitations within the game are important to note. Aela will only allow you to regain beast blood once after the initial Companions questline cure. There is no built in mechanism to regain Vampire Lord status after being cured by Falion.
- Glenmoril Witches: After using all the heads you could find in the game, getting more heads to cure Lycanthropy requires exploiting glitches, using mods, or using console commands.
- Aela’s Offer: This is a one-time opportunity after the initial cure, which will cause you to think twice about being cured again.
- Vampire Lord Transformation: While repeatable throughout the Dawnguard questline, this process requires you to stay allied with the vampires.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Curing Lycanthropy
1. Can Aela make me a werewolf again after I cure myself?
Yes, but only once after you complete the Companions questline and cure yourself initially. After she turns you into a werewolf again, if you cure yourself, you will never be able to become a werewolf again.
2. Can I become a werewolf again if I cure myself as a Vampire Lord?
Yes. Transforming into a Vampire Lord cures your Lycanthropy. You can then cure your vampirism through Falion and ask Aela to make you a werewolf again (provided you have not already used your one opportunity).
3. Is it better to be a vampire or a werewolf in Skyrim?
It depends on your play style. Werewolves offer constant disease immunity and powerful melee combat, while Vampire Lords have potent magic and stealth abilities. However, vampires suffer drawbacks in daylight.
4. Can I side with the Dawnguard and still become a Vampire Lord?
Yes. You can choose to side with the Dawnguard initially and later become a Vampire Lord by asking Serana before she is cured.
5. How many times can I turn into a werewolf in Skyrim?
In terms of the gift, there are no specific limits. You can transform into a werewolf as often as your Beast Form power allows, which resets once a day, however there are limits to how many times you are gifted the Beast Blood.
6. Can you be a Vampire Lord and Werewolf at the same time?
Not normally. However, there are glitches and mods that allow you to become a hybrid, gaining abilities from both forms.
7. How do I cure vampirism if I become a Vampire Lord?
You can cure your vampirism by completing Rising at Dawn using Falion in Morthal.
8. Can Falion cure me more than once?
Yes, Falion can cure you of vampirism multiple times. Each time requires a filled Black Soul Gem and you must follow him to the summoning stone.
9. What happens if I cure Serana?
If you convince Serana to cure her vampirism, you can no longer become a Vampire Lord from her. This is the only way to completely eliminate Vampire Lord status.
10. Is there a downside to being a vampire in Skyrim?
Yes, vampires are weak to sunlight and fire. They also become increasingly hostile if they do not feed regularly.
11. How do you get Falion to cure you again?
Simply speak to Falion at the mound at dawn, say “Let’s get this over with” and he will perform the ritual to cure you of your vampirism.
12. Can you join the Dawnguard as a werewolf?
Yes, you can join the Dawnguard as a werewolf. There are no restrictions.
13. What are the cons of being a werewolf in Skyrim?
You do not get rested bonuses, people are frightened by you, and some quests are more difficult or impossible to complete in werewolf form.
14. How do you become a hybrid in Skyrim?
The easiest way is to transform to a vamp lord and perform the blood ritual for werewolf at the same time. However, this requires specific timing and can be difficult to execute.
15. What is the rarest type of werewolf?
In the real world, Omicron werewolves are regarded as the most mysterious and rare werewolf type in existence. This is not the case in the game Skyrim.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the intricate web of Lycanthropy and vampirism in Skyrim requires careful planning. While the game offers multiple paths to cure and regain these conditions, the limited opportunities with Aela and the nuances of the Dawnguard DLC demand strategic decision-making. Consider your playstyle, desired abilities, and long-term character goals before embracing or rejecting the beast within. Understanding the mechanics of the game and taking steps with intention will lead to the best player experience.
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