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Embracing the Beast Within: How Many Times Can You Become a Werewolf in Skyrim?

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Yes, you absolutely can become a werewolf multiple times in Skyrim, but with a significant caveat. The number of transformations depends entirely on whether you own the Dawnguard DLC or the Special Edition (which includes all DLC). Without the DLC, you can only become a werewolf once. With it, you get a single second chance. Let’s delve into the hairy details of lycanthropy and how to manage your inner beast!

The Curse and the Cure: A Lycanthropy Primer

Before we explore the multiple transformations, let’s get the basics straight. Lycanthropy, or becoming a werewolf, is a condition contracted primarily through the Companions questline in Whiterun. Initially, you’re turned into a werewolf by Aela the Huntress during a specific quest.

The Initial Transformation

Joining the inner circle of the Companions involves a ritual that infuses you with werewolf blood. This grants you the Beast Form power, allowing you to transform into a powerful werewolf at will (once per day, initially). As a werewolf, you gain significant advantages:

Increased Strength and Stamina: Tear through enemies with ease.
Disease Immunity: No more worrying about Sanguinare Vampiris!
Powerful Attacks: Claw and bite your way to victory.

However, the beast comes with drawbacks:

No Rested Bonus: Sleep is useless in human form.
Public Transformation Penalty: Transforming in front of witnesses results in a bounty.
Forced Third-Person Perspective: A minor annoyance for some, a major detraction for others.

Curing Lycanthropy

The option to cure your lycanthropy arises during the final stages of the Companions questline. The quest, involving Ysgramor’s Tomb, allows you to purify yourself (and others) by throwing a Glenmoril Witch head onto a specific flame.

The Dawnguard Difference: The Second Chance

This is where the Dawnguard DLC shakes things up. If you cure yourself of lycanthropy after obtaining the Dawnguard DLC, you can ask Aela the Huntress to grant you the gift of lycanthropy one more time. This effectively gives you a second bite at the werewolf apple. But be warned: if you cure yourself a second time, you can never become a werewolf again through Aela.

Vampires, Werewolves, and Hybrids: A Complicated Relationship

It’s crucial to understand the interplay between lycanthropy and vampirism. Becoming a werewolf instantly cures vampirism. However, a well-known (and often patched) glitch allowed players to become a vampire-werewolf hybrid, combining the powers (and weaknesses) of both. However, achieving this is extremely complex and often unreliable, and recent patches may have eliminated it entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Skyrim Werewolves

Here are some common questions players have about becoming and managing their lycanthropy in Skyrim:

Can you contract lycanthropy outside the Companions questline? No, the primary method for becoming a werewolf is through the Companions. There are no random encounters that can infect you with lycanthropy.
What happens if I cure myself of lycanthropy before completing the Companions questline? It will likely halt the questline. You need to be a werewolf to progress through certain stages.
Can I become a vampire after being a werewolf? Yes, you can contract vampirism after being a werewolf (and vice versa, after being cured).
Is it better to be a werewolf or a vampire in Skyrim? This is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Werewolves excel in raw melee power, while vampires offer a broader range of abilities, including stealth and magic. Many players enjoy the roleplaying aspects of each.
Can I join the Dawnguard as a werewolf? Absolutely! The Dawnguard are vampire hunters, but they don’t discriminate against werewolves. You can fight alongside them against the vampire threat.
How do I cure vampirism? You can be cured by becoming a werewolf (as stated above), completing the quest “Rising at Dawn” by speaking to Falion in Morthal, or having Serana cure you (if she hasn’t cured her own vampirism yet).
What are the werewolf perks? Werewolf perks enhance your Beast Form with abilities like increased damage, fear effects, and the ability to summon wolf allies. These are unlocked by consuming corpses while in werewolf form.
Can followers accompany me in werewolf form? No, followers will become hostile towards you when you transform into a werewolf. It’s best to dismiss them before transforming.
What is the rarest type of werewolf in Skyrim lore? The article mentions Omicron werewolves are the most mysterious and rare but they are not in the game and therefore not in Skyrim lore.
Can you become a werebear in Skyrim? No, you cannot directly become a werebear in Skyrim. Werebears exist as enemies, but the player cannot transform into one.
What’s the downside to being a vampire in Skyrim? The primary downside is sunlight weakness, which prevents health, stamina, and magicka regeneration during the day, along with potential hostility from NPCs.
Can a Khajiit become a werewolf? Yes, any race in Skyrim can become a werewolf or a vampire.
How does the Ring of Hircine affect werewolf transformations? The Ring of Hircine allows you to transform into a werewolf more than once per day.
Is there a level cap on werewolf perks? No, there is no level cap on werewolf perks. You can continue to unlock perks as long as you consume corpses in Beast Form.
Where can I learn more about the lore and mechanics of Skyrim? There are numerous resources available, including the Elder Scrolls Wiki, online forums, and gaming communities. Exploring resources such as GamesLearningSociety.org, the website of the Games Learning Society, can also provide a deeper understanding of the game and its impact on learning and engagement.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Your Inner Beast

Ultimately, the decision of whether to become a werewolf, cure yourself, and potentially re-embrace the beast is a personal one in Skyrim. Consider the benefits, drawbacks, and your preferred playstyle. With the Dawnguard DLC, you have a valuable second chance to experience the raw power of the werewolf. Just remember, choose wisely, for some doors, once closed, can never be reopened. Now go forth, Dragonborn, and howl at the moon!