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How Many Times Can You Reclaim the Beast Within in Skyrim?

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The short answer: it depends on whether you have the Dawnguard DLC and how you choose to manage your character’s afflictions. Without Dawnguard, your shot at being a werewolf is essentially a one-and-done deal after the Companions questline. However, with Dawnguard, you gain an additional opportunity, making it a two-time transformation possibility. After curing yourself for the second time, you are permanently locked out of becoming a werewolf again. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this lycanthropic limitation within the world of Skyrim.

Understanding Lycanthropy and its Cures

Lycanthropy, the curse of the werewolf, offers unique gameplay advantages but also comes with its drawbacks. It’s a powerful tool in the Dragonborn’s arsenal, but some players may prefer a “clean” character or wish to explore the allure of vampirism. This leads to the need to cure lycanthropy, and potentially, reclaim it.

The Initial Infection: Becoming a Werewolf through the Companions

Your first taste of beast blood usually comes through joining The Companions in Whiterun. Through their questline, you’ll inevitably contract lycanthropy. This is a pivotal moment that unlocks the Beast Form power.

Curing Your Lycanthropy the First Time

The quest “Glory of the Dead,” which concludes the Companions questline, presents the opportunity to cure yourself of lycanthropy. This involves cleansing yourself at the Ysgramor’s Tomb. Once you burn the Glenmoril Witch head in the fire, the beast blood is purged.

Reclaiming the Beast Within with Dawnguard

This is where the Dawnguard DLC becomes crucial. After completing “Glory of the Dead” and curing yourself, you can speak to Aela the Huntress. She will offer to restore your lycanthropy, effectively giving you a second chance. Importantly, this is only possible if you cured yourself through the Companions questline.

The Permanent Cure

If you choose to cure yourself a second time (typically through the same method used in “Glory of the Dead“), that’s it. You will never be able to become a werewolf again through Aela or any other in-game means. This decision is final.

Avoiding Unexpected Transformations

One common player concern revolves around involuntary transformations, particularly during full moons. After the initial infection, you can control when to transform using the Beast Form power. You are not forced to transform against your will during full moons, unlike the traditional lore often associated with werewolves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming a Werewolf Again

Here are some frequently asked questions with detailed answers to help you understand the complexities of lycanthropy in Skyrim:

Can I become a werewolf an unlimited number of times? No, you cannot. With the Dawnguard DLC, you get a maximum of two opportunities to become a werewolf. The first is during the Companions questline, and the second is by asking Aela to restore your beast blood after curing yourself the first time.
What happens if I cure my lycanthropy without the Dawnguard DLC? Without the Dawnguard DLC, you only get one chance to become a werewolf through the Companions. Curing yourself is permanent, with no way to regain the Beast Form.
Does Aela offer the Beast Form indefinitely? No, Aela will only offer to restore your lycanthropy once. After that, the dialogue option will disappear, and you won’t be able to regain the Beast Form from her.
Can I become a Vampire Lord and a Werewolf at the same time (a Hybrid)? It’s possible to become a hybrid through exploiting certain glitches. Usually, this involves becoming a Vampire Lord before becoming a Werewolf. This is generally not possible, as the game prevents both afflictions coexisting without the use of external modifications or glitches.
If I become a Vampire Lord, do I lose my Werewolf perks? Yes, transforming into a Vampire Lord will effectively overwrite your Werewolf form, and you will lose your Werewolf perks. However, these perks are typically retained and will be available again if you revert to werewolf form.
Can I switch between being a Werewolf and a Vampire Lord at will? No, you cannot easily switch between the two. You would need to cure one affliction before contracting the other. This would require completing quests associated with each faction and going through the curing process.
What are the drawbacks of being a Werewolf in Skyrim? Some drawbacks include being unable to receive rested bonuses from sleeping, a negative reaction from NPCs if they witness your transformation (potentially incurring a bounty), and followers becoming hostile when you are in werewolf form.
Is it better to be a Vampire Lord or a Werewolf in Skyrim? This depends on your playstyle. Werewolf form is often considered better for melee-focused characters, offering raw power and enhanced abilities. Vampire Lord form, introduced with the Dawnguard DLC, is more suitable for mage-oriented characters, providing access to powerful magical abilities.
What is the best race to play as a Werewolf in Skyrim? Nords, Redguards, and Orcs are generally considered good choices for werewolves due to their racial abilities aligning well with the werewolf’s focus on melee combat and stamina.
Does the Dawnguard accept Werewolves? Yes, the Dawnguard is primarily concerned with hunting vampires. Being a werewolf doesn’t prevent you from joining their ranks, as long as you haven’t allied with the Volkihar vampires.
What is the Ring of Hircine and how does it affect my transformations? The Ring of Hircine allows you to transform into a werewolf more than once per day. This is obtained during the quest “Ill Met By Moonlight.” If you side with Sinding the werewolf, you will receive a cursed version of the ring. By killing Sinding instead of siding with him, you’ll receive a cleansed version of the ring that lets you control your transformation.
How long can I stay in Werewolf form? Initially, the base transformation lasts for 150 seconds (2.5 minutes). You can extend this duration by consuming the hearts of fallen enemies, which adds 30 seconds to your transformation time per heart consumed.
Can I loot bodies or pick locks while in Werewolf form? No, you cannot interact with objects or perform actions like looting bodies, using items, or picking locks while transformed into a werewolf. Your actions are limited to combat and feeding on corpses to extend your transformation.
How do I cure Lycanthropy? You cure Lycanthropy by completing “Glory of the Dead” and burning a Glenmoril Witch Head on the flame in Ysgramor’s Tomb. The game’s coding recognizes the burning process to remove the werewolf affliction from your character.
What is the Volkihar Clan? The Volkihar Clan is a powerful group of pure-blood vampires residing in Volkihar Keep, located off the coast of Skyrim. They are a major faction introduced in the Dawnguard DLC.

The Final Word on Werewolf Transformations

Managing your lycanthropic state in Skyrim requires careful consideration. Remember, without the Dawnguard DLC, you only get one chance. With it, you get two. Weigh the pros and cons before curing yourself, as the final cure is indeed permanent. Use this knowledge to decide whether to embrace the beast within, remain human, or explore the path of the Vampire Lord.

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