Embracing the Beast Within: Your Guide to Becoming a Werewolf in Skyrim
Yes, absolutely! You can become a werewolf in Skyrim. The path to lycanthropy is primarily tied to The Companions questline in Whiterun. However, you can also become a werewolf by joining the Dawnguard faction via the Dawnguard DLC. Choosing to embrace the beast within offers unique gameplay experiences, both positive and negative, affecting your character’s abilities, interactions, and storyline. Let’s delve into the details of becoming a werewolf and explore the intricacies of this transformative decision.
The Path to Lycanthropy: Joining the Pack
The Companions Questline
The most straightforward method of acquiring lycanthropy involves joining The Companions. Located in Whiterun’s central district, this guild of warriors offers a series of quests. As you progress through the main storyline, you’ll eventually be invited to participate in a ritual that grants you the Beast Form ability. This transformation is irreversible unless you choose to cure yourself later in the game.
Siding with the Dawnguard
Alternatively, becoming a werewolf can be achieved by allying with the Dawnguard, a faction dedicated to hunting vampires. This path requires you to own the Dawnguard DLC. While primarily focused on vampire hunters, the Dawnguard welcomes werewolves, allowing you to maintain your lycanthropic abilities while participating in their questline. This is a great option if you want to balance the benefits of being a werewolf with the narrative of fighting against the undead.
Advantages of Embracing Lycanthropy
Disease Resistance and Passive Abilities
One of the most significant advantages of being a werewolf is the 100% resistance to all diseases. This provides immunity to debilitating conditions such as rockjoint, ataxia, and vampirism. Furthermore, you gain the passive ability to carry more weight without becoming encumbered.
The Beast Form
The Beast Form grants immense power, significantly increasing your attack damage, speed, and stamina. In werewolf form, you become a formidable force on the battlefield, capable of swiftly dispatching enemies. This form also comes with a unique perk tree, allowing you to further enhance your abilities as a werewolf. This aligns well with discussions about skills and engagement at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.
Roleplaying Opportunities
Becoming a werewolf unlocks a unique set of roleplaying possibilities. You can embrace the primal instincts of the beast, dedicating yourself to the hunt and honoring the Daedric Prince Hircine. This can significantly influence your character’s motivations and interactions within the world of Skyrim.
Disadvantages and Limitations
Inability to Interact
While transformed into a werewolf, you cannot interact with objects, open doors, or use equipment. This can be restrictive, especially in areas requiring puzzle-solving or precise interactions. You are also forced into a third-person perspective, which may not suit all playstyles.
Forced Transformations
Under certain circumstances, such as reaching low health or encountering powerful enemies, your character might involuntarily transform into a werewolf. This can be problematic in towns or cities, leading to unwanted attention from guards and potentially triggering a bounty.
Rested Bonus
One minor disadvantage is the inability to gain the “Rested” bonus, which increases skill progression speed. This is because you can’t sleep in a bed while possessing the Beast Blood.
Is it Worth Becoming a Werewolf?
Whether or not becoming a werewolf is a good choice depends on your playstyle and preferences. On a practical level, the 100% disease resistance is a significant benefit. If you enjoy fast-paced combat, increased damage output, and roleplaying a more primal character, then embracing lycanthropy can be an exhilarating experience. However, if you prefer stealth, magic, or find the limitations of the Beast Form too restrictive, you might find the experience less appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I cure lycanthropy in Skyrim?
Yes, you can cure lycanthropy. The most common method involves completing The Companions questline. During the final quest, “Glory of the Dead,” you can cure yourself (and other Companions) by throwing a Glenmoril Witch Head into the Flame of the Harbinger. Alternatively, if you contract lycanthropy after this quest, you can seek out Aela the Huntress to be turned back into a werewolf, then cure it with a Glenmoril Witch Head again.
2. Is it better to be a vampire or a werewolf in Skyrim?
The choice between becoming a vampire or a werewolf depends on your playstyle. Werewolves excel in melee combat with increased strength and speed, while vampires gain access to powerful magic and stealth abilities. Werewolf form is generally considered better for players who enjoy aggressive, fast-paced gameplay, while the Vampire Lord form is better for those who enjoy magic or stealth. The 100% disease resistance is a great passive bonus for werewolves.
3. Can I be both a vampire and a werewolf in Skyrim?
Normally, you cannot be both a vampire and a werewolf simultaneously. Accepting either curse removes the other. However, there are glitches that can be exploited to become a hybrid. These glitches require precise timing and specific conditions during the Dawnguard questline.
4. What happens if I become a vampire after being a werewolf?
If you become a vampire after being a werewolf, you lose the Beast Form ability and the 100% disease resistance granted by lycanthropy. You will gain the vampire’s abilities and weaknesses, including sunlight sensitivity.
5. Can I join the Dawnguard as a werewolf?
Yes, you can join the Dawnguard as a werewolf. The Dawnguard is primarily focused on hunting vampires, and they do not discriminate against werewolves. You can participate fully in the Dawnguard questline while retaining your lycanthropic abilities.
6. What is the best race for a werewolf in Skyrim?
While any race can become a werewolf, some races are more suited to the role. Nords, Redguards, and Orcs are generally considered good choices due to their racial abilities that complement the werewolf’s strengths in melee combat.
7. How long does the werewolf transformation last?
The Beast Form transformation lasts for 150 seconds by default. However, you can extend the duration by feeding on corpses. With the “Savage Feeding” perk, you can feed on most creatures, further prolonging the transformation.
8. What are the werewolf perks in Skyrim?
The werewolf perk tree includes perks that increase your health, stamina, attack damage, resistance to damage, and the ability to summon wolf companions. The “Totem of Brotherhood” perk, for example, allows you to summon two wolves to fight alongside you.
9. Does being a werewolf affect my relationship with NPCs?
Generally, being a werewolf does not negatively affect your relationship with NPCs unless you transform in a populated area and are witnessed. Transforming in public will cause guards to attack you and may lead to a bounty.
10. Can I get married as a werewolf in Skyrim?
Yes, you can get married as a werewolf in Skyrim. Lycanthropy does not prevent you from marrying an NPC.
11. Will I lose my werewolf perks if I cure lycanthropy?
Yes, you will lose your werewolf perks if you cure lycanthropy. However, if you become a werewolf again, you will retain the points to put back into them.
12. Where can I find Glenmoril Witch Heads?
Glenmoril Witch Heads can be found by looting the bodies of Glenmoril Witches. These witches reside in Glenmoril Coven, a location in the mountains south of Windhelm.
13. Can Serana turn me into a vampire after I’m a werewolf?
Yes, Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord even if you are already a werewolf. However, doing so will cure you of lycanthropy.
14. Is there a downside to becoming a vampire in Skyrim?
Yes, there are downsides to becoming a vampire in Skyrim. These include weakness to sunlight, which reduces your health, stamina, and magicka regeneration during the day. Additionally, NPCs may become hostile towards you if you progress to the higher stages of vampirism without feeding.
15. Can you become a Werebear in Skyrim?
While you cannot become a Werebear yourself, you can summon one using the power granted by the Beast Stone after completing the quest “Cleansing the Stones” in the Dragonborn DLC.