Skyrim Showdown: Vampire Lord vs. Werewolf – Which Reign Supreme?

So, you’re pondering the age-old question in the frigid lands of Skyrim: is it better to be a werewolf or a vampire? The answer, my friend, isn’t a simple one. It’s a resounding “it depends.” It hinges entirely on your play style, your character build, and what you hope to achieve in the game. Ultimately, the werewolf is generally better than the Vampire Lord for most players, as the Vampire Lord’s weaknesses heavily impact gameplay.

Let’s delve deep into the heart of each transformation, dissecting their strengths, weaknesses, and the impact they have on your Dragonborn’s adventure.

The Ferocious Werewolf: A Beast Unleashed

The path of the werewolf is one of primal fury and untamed power. Embracing lycanthropy through the Companions questline turns you into a force of nature, capable of tearing through enemies with unparalleled ferocity.

Strengths of the Werewolf

• Immunity to Disease: This is a massive perk. Forget worrying about rock joint, Ataxia, or, most importantly, Sanguinare Vampiris (the disease that turns you into a vampire). Disease immunity simplifies the game immensely.
• Raw Power: In werewolf form, your melee damage is significantly increased. You’ll rip through most enemies with ease, especially early in the game.
• Mobility: The werewolf form is fast and agile, allowing you to traverse the landscape quickly. Leaping great distances is incredibly fun and useful.
• Totems of Hircine: Completing quests after becoming a werewolf grants access to powerful totems that enhance your transformation. These include summoning wolves, detecting enemies, and increasing the power of your fear shout.

Weaknesses of the Werewolf

• No Rested Bonus: While transformed, you cannot access your inventory, cast spells, or use shouts (except the unique werewolf howl). You also can’t gain rested bonuses.
• Forced Transformations: Early in the game, your transformations are often forced, and your werewolf perks might be under developed, making each transformation dangerous for the player.
• Silver Vulnerability: While not as significant as a vampire’s sunlight weakness, werewolves are more vulnerable to silver weapons.
• Restricted Gameplay: In werewolf form, you’re limited to melee attacks. Those relying on ranged combat or magic will find this transformation restrictive.
• NPC Reactions: Witnessing your transformation often scares NPCs, and guards may attack you if they see you change.

The Elegant Vampire Lord: A Master of the Night

Becoming a Vampire Lord through the Dawnguard DLC offers a different kind of power: one of dark magic and sinister elegance. This form, however, comes with significant trade-offs.

Strengths of the Vampire Lord

• Bat Form: The Vampire Lord’s bat form is incredibly powerful and provides access to new abilities.
• Unique Skill Tree: The Vampire Lord has its own dedicated skill tree, with perks that enhance your vampiric abilities. This adds depth and customization to the transformation.
• Nightstalker’s Footsteps: Even in your human form, being a vampire grants you Nightstalker’s Footsteps, making you harder to detect while sneaking. This is invaluable for stealth-based characters.
• Potent Magic: As a Vampire Lord, you have access to powerful Blood Magic spells, including Drain Life, summoning gargoyles, and reanimating corpses.

Weaknesses of the Vampire Lord

• Sunlight Weakness: This is the biggest drawback. In sunlight, your health, stamina, and magicka regeneration are severely reduced. You also become significantly weaker. This makes daytime exploration incredibly difficult.
• Feeding Requirements: You must regularly feed on humans to avoid progressing through the vampire stages. Higher stages lead to hostility from NPCs, making it difficult to interact with the world.
• Vulnerability to Fire: Vampires are significantly more vulnerable to fire damage, a common damage type in Skyrim.
• Reduced Stamina: Stamina is reduced as a Vampire Lord, making movement cumbersome for players.

Making the Choice: Which is Right for You?

Consider these points when deciding:

• Play Style: Do you prefer melee combat, magic, or stealth? Werewolves excel at melee, while Vampire Lords offer a blend of magic and stealth.
• Character Build: Does your character heavily rely on specific skills or perks that are unusable in either transformation?
• Roleplaying: Do you enjoy playing a feral beast or a sophisticated creature of the night?
• Difficulty: Are you willing to deal with the drawbacks of sunlight weakness and feeding requirements?

For many players, especially beginners, the werewolf is the easier and more enjoyable option. The disease immunity is a massive benefit, and the raw power is satisfying. The Vampire Lord, while potentially powerful, requires more careful management and can be frustrating due to the sunlight weakness.

Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your personal preferences. Experiment with both forms and see which one you enjoy more. You can always cure yourself and change your mind later (within certain limits). Remember, Skyrim is about creating your own unique adventure, and the choice between werewolf and vampire is just one of the many exciting decisions you’ll make along the way. You can also explore how games affect learning by visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you be both a Vampire Lord and a Werewolf in Skyrim?

Officially, no. You can only have one transformative disease at a time. Becoming a werewolf will cure vampirism, and vice-versa. However, there are glitches that allow you to become a hybrid, but these are complex and not guaranteed to work.

2. Does becoming a Werewolf cure Vampirism in Skyrim?

Yes, becoming a werewolf will instantly cure you of vampirism.

3. Is it better to join the Dawnguard or the Vampires?

That depends on your preference. The Dawnguard is considered the “good” side, fighting against the vampire threat. Joining the vampires allows you to become a Vampire Lord and embrace the darkness. Each side offers unique quests and rewards.

4. Can you cure being a Werewolf in Skyrim?

Yes. After completing the Companions questline, you can cure yourself of lycanthropy by using a Glenmoril Witch Head at the Flame of the Harbinger. Aela the Huntress can turn you back into a werewolf once after you are cured.

5. What race is best for a Werewolf in Skyrim?

Nords, Redguards, and Orcs are good choices due to their racial abilities that complement melee combat. Dark Elves are also a solid option due to their inherent fire resistance.

6. Can you turn back into a Werewolf in Skyrim?

Yes, if you have the Dawnguard DLC or the Special Edition, Aela the Huntress can turn you back into a werewolf once if you have cured yourself.

7. Can you become a Vampire in Skyrim?

Yes, you can contract Sanguinare Vampiris from vampires and, if untreated, become a vampire. Alternatively, you can become a Vampire Lord by joining the vampires in the Dawnguard DLC.

8. How do you become a hybrid in Skyrim?

Becoming a hybrid requires exploiting glitches in the game. The most common method involves transforming into a Vampire Lord and performing the blood ritual for becoming a werewolf at the same time. This is difficult and not always successful.

9. Will the Dawnguard be mad if I become a Vampire Lord?

If you join the Dawnguard and then become a Vampire Lord after completing the main questline, they will not attack you but will encourage you to get cured.

10. Can you marry Serana if you join the Dawnguard?

No, you cannot marry Serana without mods. While she is a compelling character, marriage is not an option.

11. What happens if a vampire drinks werewolf blood?

This is not explicitly covered in Skyrim lore. In other fictional universes, werewolf blood can have various effects on vampires, such as increasing their aggression or weakening them.

12. Can you still become a Vampire Lord if you are a Werewolf?

No, you must be cured of lycanthropy before becoming a Vampire Lord.

13. What happens if you become a Werewolf in Skyrim?

Becoming a werewolf grants you immunity to disease, a powerful beast form, and access to the Totems of Hircine quests. However, it also prevents you from accessing your inventory and using spells while transformed.

14. What is the most picked race in Skyrim?

Nords are generally considered the most popular race in Skyrim.

15. Which Skyrim race is the strongest?

High Elves (Altmer) are often considered the strongest race due to their inherent magicka bonus and Highborn ability, which allows them to rapidly regenerate magicka.