Curing the Beast Within: A Comprehensive Guide to Lycanthropy in Skyrim
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Yes, you absolutely can cure being a werewolf in Skyrim. The process involves completing the Companions questline and exploiting a unique opportunity to cleanse your character of the Beast Blood. However, the story doesn’t end there! There are caveats, alternative methods, and the possibility of reclaiming your hairy heritage. This guide dives deep into the mechanics of Lycanthropy in Skyrim, providing everything you need to know about becoming, curing, and even becoming a werewolf again.
How to Shed Your Fur: The Companions Questline
The primary method for curing Lycanthropy is interwoven with the Companions questline. You’ll need to progress far enough to reach the quest “Glory of the Dead“. During this mission, you’ll confront the spirit of Kodlak Whitemane, the Harbinger of the Companions.
Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Complete the Companions Questline: Follow the questline until you reach “Glory of the Dead“.
- Defeat Kodlak’s Wolf Spirit: Within the Ysgramor’s Tomb, you’ll encounter Kodlak’s Wolf Spirit. Defeating him is a key step in the ritual.
- Place a Glenmoril Witch Head: Retrieve a Glenmoril Witch Head from the Glenmoril Coven. You will need at least one to cure Kodlak, but to cure yourself, you’ll need an additional one. You can obtain more than one head from the witches, so collect as many as you like before starting “Glory of the Dead”.
- Ignite the Flame of the Harbinger: Place the Glenmoril Witch Head in the Flame of the Harbinger within Ysgramor’s Tomb. This will summon a Wolf Spirit.
- Defeat Your Wolf Spirit: As a werewolf, interact with the Flame of the Harbinger. Your own Wolf Spirit will emerge. Defeat it to cleanse yourself.
- Confirm Your Humanity: Once defeated, you’ll be cured of Lycanthropy. You’ll no longer be able to transform into a Werewolf.
Alternative Cures: The Dawnguard DLC
If you own the Dawnguard DLC, another avenue for curing Lycanthropy opens up. This method involves becoming a Vampire Lord.
- Complete the Dawnguard Questline: Progress through the Dawnguard DLC far enough to gain the ability to become a Vampire Lord from Serana.
- Become a Vampire Lord: Ask Serana to turn you into a Vampire Lord. This process will automatically remove your Lycanthropy.
It’s important to note that becoming a Vampire Lord has its own set of consequences and gameplay implications. You’ll trade the benefits and drawbacks of being a Werewolf for those of being a Vampire. Consider carefully which path best suits your playstyle and character.
Reclaiming the Beast Within: Becoming a Werewolf Again
Interestingly, even after curing yourself of Lycanthropy, you can regain the Beast Form power – provided you have the Dawnguard DLC or the Special Edition of Skyrim.
- Speak to Aela the Huntress: After completing “Glory of the Dead” and curing yourself, locate Aela the Huntress within The Circle at Jorrvaskr.
- Request the Beast Blood: Speak with her and ask to become a Werewolf again. She will grant you the Beast Blood once more, restoring your ability to transform.
Note that you can only do this one time. After you’ve used Aela to regain Lycanthropy once, she will no longer offer the option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 of the most frequently asked questions regarding Lycanthropy in Skyrim:
1. How do I revert from werewolf form?
To revert to human form, press the button you use to sheathe your weapon (default is “R”). After sheathing, press the “Z” key to activate revert function and continue your travels! You can also just wait 1–2 hours and you will automatically transform back.
2. Can I be both a werewolf and a vampire?
No, you cannot be both a Werewolf and a Vampire simultaneously without exploiting glitches. Becoming a Vampire will cure you of Lycanthropy, and vice versa. The game mechanics are designed to prevent this hybrid state through normal gameplay.
3. What are the benefits of being a werewolf?
The benefits include 100% resistance to all diseases, increased strength and stamina in Beast Form, powerful claw attacks, and the ability to intimidate enemies with a howl. You can also extend your time in Beast Form by feeding on corpses.
4. Are there any downsides to being a werewolf?
The primary downsides are the inability to gain resting bonuses while having Beast Blood, and the potential for uncontrollable transformations early in the game if you don’t have the Ring of Hircine.
5. How do I control my werewolf transformations?
Initially, transformations are tied to the game’s internal clock. However, once you complete the “Ill Met By Moonlight” quest and obtain the Ring of Hircine, you gain more control, allowing you to transform at will (once per day).
6. Do werewolves live forever in Skyrim?
No, Werewolves do not live forever in Skyrim. While Lycanthropy grants increased strength and resilience, it doesn’t bestow immortality like Vampirism.
7. Is it better to be a werewolf or a vampire in Skyrim?
This is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Werewolves offer raw power and disease immunity, while Vampires gain magical abilities and resistances. Consider the pros and cons of each before choosing.
8. How many kills does it take to max out the werewolf perk tree?
It requires approximately 164 feedings on corpses to unlock all perks in the Werewolf perk tree.
9. Can I join the Dawnguard if I am a werewolf?
Yes, you can join the Dawnguard as a Werewolf. The Dawnguard is focused on hunting Vampires, and your Lycanthropy is irrelevant to them.
10. What is the best race to be a werewolf?
The best race is subjective, but Nords and Redguards benefit from their racial abilities, which complement the Werewolf‘s strengths. Ultimately, choose the race you enjoy playing the most.
11. How long can you stay a werewolf?
The base duration of Beast Form is 150 seconds (2.5 minutes). You can extend this time by feeding on corpses.
12. Can a Khajiit be a werewolf?
Yes, any race in Skyrim, including Khajiit, can become a Werewolf.
13. Will Serana still follow me if I become a werewolf?
Yes, Serana will continue to follow you regardless of whether you are a Werewolf or a Vampire. Her role in the Dawnguard DLC is independent of your transformation.
14. Can a werewolf contract diseases?
While you have a 100% disease resistance as a werewolf, you can still contract diseases from traps due to a known bug in the game.
15. How do you become a hybrid (Vampire Lord/Werewolf) in Skyrim?
Becoming a true hybrid without glitches is not possible in standard gameplay. There are glitches that can enable a hybrid state, typically involving exploiting the timing of the Vampire Lord transformation and Lycanthropy acquisition. However, these glitches are often unstable and can cause unforeseen issues.
Final Thoughts
The path of the Werewolf in Skyrim is filled with choices and consequences. Whether you embrace the beast within or seek to rid yourself of its curse, understanding the mechanics of Lycanthropy is crucial. Use this guide as your compass, and may your adventures in Skyrim be filled with furry (or fur-free) glory!
Exploring these themes of identity and transformation in games is something the Games Learning Society is deeply interested in. You can find out more about their work at GamesLearningSociety.org.