Can You Become a Werewolf by Joining the Dawnguard in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The answer, put simply, is no. Joining the Dawnguard faction in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will not directly make you a werewolf. The Dawnguard is primarily a faction focused on hunting vampires, and their questline largely revolves around eradicating the Volkihar vampire clan. While the Dawnguard DLC does introduce a Werewolf perk tree, it does not force or even encourage players to become werewolves. Becoming a werewolf requires separate actions within the game, entirely independent from the Dawnguard questline.
Understanding the Dawnguard and Werewolves in Skyrim
To understand why the Dawnguard doesn’t transform you into a werewolf, it’s essential to understand the context of the Skyrim world and the game mechanics. The two main factions connected to the Dawnguard DLC are, thematically, almost opposites: the Dawnguard, dedicated to eliminating vampires, and the Volkihar, a powerful clan of ancient vampires. Werewolves, while a significant part of Skyrim’s lore, exist separately, primarily tied to The Companions guild in Whiterun.
The Werewolf perk tree was added with the Dawnguard DLC to provide a comparable progression system for werewolves, similar to the Vampire Lord perk tree offered by joining the Volkihar vampires. It’s a balancing factor, not an incentive to become a werewolf by joining the Dawnguard. Think of it as the opportunity to enhance werewolf abilities if you already are one, even if you choose to fight vampires.
Becoming a Werewolf: The Actual Methods
Since joining the Dawnguard won’t turn you into a werewolf, here’s how you can actually acquire Lycanthropy in Skyrim:
-
The Companions Questline: The most common and readily available method is to progress through the main questline of The Companions. During a specific quest, you will have the option to become a werewolf. This involves a ritual involving drinking the blood of one of the Companions‘ inner circle, like Aela the Huntress.
-
The Ring of Hircine: During the quest “Ill Met by Moonlight“, you can acquire the Cursed Ring of Hircine. While initially cursed, resolving the quest in a specific way (saving Sinding) allows you to obtain the regular Ring of Hircine. Wearing this ring grants you an additional werewolf transformation per day. More importantly, if you are already a werewolf, you can use this ring to transform as often as you like, negating the daily cooldown. However, if you aren’t a werewolf, the ring won’t magically turn you into one.
-
Contacting Lycanthropy: You can contract Lycanthropy from an active werewolf, as a follower. One example would be by feeding on Skjor, Aela, Vilkas, Farkas, or Kodlak.
-
Bloodmoon Ability: As a member of the Companions, you have access to the Bloodmoon ability within the Werewolf Perk Tree. By returning to the Werewolf Ritual site, you can transform another player into a werewolf once a week.
The Dawnguard DLC: A False Trail?
The presence of the Werewolf perk tree in the Dawnguard DLC might lead some to mistakenly believe there’s a connection to joining the faction. It’s a design choice to enhance the overall gameplay experience for all players who choose to embrace the werewolf transformation, regardless of their stance in the Dawnguard vs. Volkihar conflict. Essentially, it allows you to play a werewolf character to their full potential while still actively hunting vampires alongside the Dawnguard. Think of it as a powerful tool in your arsenal, rather than a prerequisite for joining the fight.
The Dawnguard DLC is amazing. Check out information from the Games Learning Society on game design elements, here: GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Werewolves, Vampires, and the Dawnguard
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of werewolves, vampires, and the Dawnguard in Skyrim:
1. Can I join the Dawnguard as a vampire?
Yes, you can join the Dawnguard initially as a vampire, but your progress will be limited. They will ask you to cure your vampirism before continuing the main questline, preventing you from receiving further quests until you do so.
2. Can I become a Vampire Lord if I side with the Dawnguard?
Absolutely! You can still become a Vampire Lord even if you side with the Dawnguard. Serana offers to turn you into a Vampire Lord during the questline, regardless of your initial allegiance.
3. Is it better to be a vampire or a werewolf in Skyrim?
“Better” is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Werewolves have disease immunity and strong melee attacks, while Vampire Lords have powerful magical abilities and unique perks. Vampires often need to feed to manage their vampirism levels, adding another layer to gameplay.
4. Can I be both a vampire and a werewolf at the same time?
No, you cannot be both a vampire and a werewolf simultaneously in Skyrim. Becoming one will overwrite the other. You will turn into a werewolf and lose any vampiric powers or effects.
5. How do I cure vampirism or Lycanthropy in Skyrim?
Vampirism can be cured by completing the quest “Rising at Dawn” after contracting the disease and speaking to Falion in Morthal. Lycanthropy, on the other hand, can be cured during The Companions questline.
6. Will the Dawnguard attack me if I become a vampire after joining them?
Yes, if you become a vampire after joining the Dawnguard, they will become hostile towards you and refuse to interact with you, until you find a cure for vampirism.
7. Does Serana approve of me becoming a werewolf?
Serana is generally accepting of the player’s choices. She will still follow you and continue the questline regardless of whether you are a vampire or a werewolf.
8. How long does the werewolf transformation last?
The base werewolf transformation lasts for 150 seconds. Feeding on corpses extends the duration by 30 seconds per corpse, but it cannot last indefinitely.
9. Can I turn other NPCs into werewolves?
No, you cannot directly turn random NPCs into werewolves in the base game. However, with the Bloodmoon ability from the Werewolf perk tree, you can transform other players.
10. What are the benefits of the Werewolf perk tree?
The Werewolf perk tree enhances your werewolf form with increased damage, stamina, health, and new abilities like summoning werewolf allies or a deadly howl.
11. Can I still complete The Companions questline if I join the Dawnguard?
Yes, the Dawnguard and The Companions questlines are entirely separate and can be completed independently of each other.
12. Where can I find werebears in Skyrim?
Werebears are primarily found on Solstheim, introduced in the Dragonborn DLC. There is no way to transform into one.
13. Is it worth becoming a werewolf in Skyrim?
Becoming a werewolf offers disease immunity, powerful melee combat, and a unique roleplaying experience. However, it also has drawbacks such as being unable to access rested bonuses and facing prejudice from certain NPCs.
14. Can I use the Ring of Hircine if I’m not a werewolf?
No, the Ring of Hircine only functions for characters who are already werewolves. It allows them to transform more frequently.
15. Why can’t Aela turn me into a werewolf again?
Aela can only turn you into a werewolf once (twice if you are cured and have the Dawnguard DLC installed). After that, you’ll need to find other means if you wish to become one again after curing yourself.
Final Thoughts
While the Dawnguard DLC significantly enhances the werewolf experience with its perk tree, it’s crucial to remember that joining the Dawnguard itself won’t transform you. Becoming a werewolf requires actively pursuing the Companions questline, obtaining the Ring of Hircine, or contracting Lycanthropy from another werewolf. Understanding these distinctions ensures a more informed and enjoyable playthrough of Skyrim. Choose your path wisely, Dragonborn, and embrace the beast within—or relentlessly hunt it down.