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Is There a Downside to Being a Werewolf in Skyrim?

Yes, there are several downsides to embracing the Lycanthropic curse in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, though the severity and impact of these drawbacks will vary depending on your play style. While the 100% disease resistance is a highly attractive perk, and the Beast Form can be incredibly powerful, the limitations and inconveniences associated with being a werewolf are crucial to consider before making the transformation. These downsides range from social limitations and in-game mechanics to roleplaying implications, affecting everything from your character’s interactions to their overall build.

The Core Downsides of Lycanthropy

Here’s a breakdown of the primary downsides of becoming a werewolf in Skyrim:

No Resting Bonus: Perhaps one of the most consistently irritating downsides is the inability to gain any resting bonus. Sleeping in a bed, whether in an inn or your own home, will provide no benefit to a werewolf. This includes the Well Rested, Lover’s Comfort, and Spouse’s Comfort bonuses, which grant experience point gains. This makes leveling skills slower and more tedious.
Loss of Human Form Control: When transforming into a werewolf, you lose control over your actions. While you can use skills in werewolf form, you can’t access menus, open chests, loot corpses, or interact with the environment beyond attacking and using your Howl ability. This can be disruptive when exploring, especially in dungeons.
Forced Third-Person Perspective: The Beast Form is locked in the third-person perspective. Players who prefer first-person combat will find this jarring and potentially disorienting.
Transformation Cooldown: Once you transform, you must wait out the duration of the transformation. Even if you’ve cleared a dungeon, you’ll be stuck as a werewolf until the time expires or you use the “Revert Form” power obtained from the Companions questline. This can be inconvenient if you need to quickly access your inventory or use a specific potion.
Social Stigma: While some NPCs are indifferent to your Lycanthropy, others will react negatively. Guards might comment on your unusual appearance, and some characters may express disgust or fear. This can impact your immersion and roleplaying experience.
Inability to Benefit From Certain Questlines: Werewolves may find the Dawnguard questline to be problematic. While you can join the Dawnguard as a werewolf, the questline focuses on vampire hunting, which can create narrative dissonance.
Clothing Damage (Roleplaying): While not implemented mechanically in the game, roleplaying as a werewolf would imply the need for constant replacement of clothing that is ripped during transformations.
Quest Requirements: The quest Ill Met By Moonlight is one of the few quests that allows you to receive an artifact. You must choose between the Ring of Hircine or the Savior’s Hide.
Potentially Unwanted Transformation: At the start of the Companions quest line, you are forced into a Werewolf transformation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Being a Werewolf in Skyrim

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about being a werewolf in Skyrim, designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and disadvantages: