The Beast Within: Navigating the Downsides of Lycanthropy in Skyrim

Lycanthropy, the curse of the werewolf, offers a visceral power fantasy in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The ability to transform into a hulking beast, tear through enemies with savage claws, and strike fear into the hearts of NPCs is undoubtedly appealing. However, this primal power comes at a cost. While the initial thrill of being a werewolf is undeniable, the long-term gameplay implications can be surprisingly restrictive. The cons of being a werewolf in Skyrim center around several key areas: lack of rest bonuses, social stigma, limitations in gameplay mechanics while transformed, and potential challenges in character progression. These disadvantages can significantly impact your overall Skyrim experience.

The Price of Power: Detailing the Drawbacks

Let’s break down the specific downsides you’ll face when embracing the beast within:

• No Rest for the Wicked (or the Lycanthrope): Arguably the most consistent annoyance is the inability to receive “Well Rested,” “Rested,” or “Lover’s Comfort” bonuses after sleeping. These bonuses, which increase skill gain by 10% or 15%, are crucial for efficient character leveling, especially early in the game. Their absence forces you to rely solely on raw experience gain, making the progression feel slower. Sleep is for the weak, unless you like 10-15% faster skill gains.

• Social Stigma and Bounty Issues: Transforming in public is a surefire way to earn a hefty bounty. While the initial bounty is manageable, repeated offenses will make you a wanted criminal in most holds. Furthermore, NPCs who witness your transformation may become hostile, damaging your reputation and limiting quest availability. Followers can also turn on you.

• Gameplay Restrictions in Beast Form: As a werewolf, you’re forced into third-person perspective, which many players find disorienting or less immersive. More importantly, you cannot interact with the environment. This means no looting bodies, opening doors, picking locks, using crafting stations, or even accessing your inventory. This can become frustrating in dungeons or during long expeditions. The inability to loot directly contradicts the werewolf’s inherent lust for carnage.

• Feeding Frenzy and Lack of Control: Maintaining your werewolf form requires feeding on corpses. The duration of your transformation depends on how many bodies you consume. The more bodies you consume, the longer you stay in beast form. While this encourages a primal playstyle, it can also lead to unintended consequences. In crowded areas, you might accidentally attack innocent bystanders, further increasing your bounty and notoriety. The lack of precise control over your actions in werewolf form can also lead to accidental aggro of tougher enemies that you’d rather avoid.

• Quest Limitations: Certain quests are either impossible or significantly harder to complete while in werewolf form. Those that require stealth, diplomacy, or precise object interaction become serious challenges. This limits your options for character roleplaying and can impede your progress through certain questlines.

• Vulnerability to Silver Weapons: While werewolves boast impressive physical resistance, they are particularly vulnerable to silver weapons. Enemies wielding these weapons will deal significantly more damage, making certain encounters unexpectedly dangerous. This isn’t a constant threat, but it’s a vulnerability to keep in mind.

• Incompatibility with Vampire Lord Transformation: A significant disadvantage is that you cannot become a Vampire Lord while being a werewolf. This limits your end-game power-building potential. You have to cure yourself of lycanthropy before starting the Dawnguard quest line, so you can become a Vampire Lord.

• Appearance Changes (Subjective): While some players enjoy the werewolf’s appearance, others find it unappealing. The forced third-person perspective amplifies this effect, making it difficult to ignore your character’s monstrous form. Your character is in third person while you’re in beast form.

• Limited Skill Progression: You can only level up the werewolf skill tree by transforming and using your abilities. This requires dedicating a portion of your playtime to actively engaging with the werewolf mechanics. If you prefer a more traditional combat style, this can feel like a chore.

FAQs: Clearing the Mist on Werewolf Drawbacks

Here’s a detailed FAQ section designed to address your burning questions about the downsides of being a werewolf in Skyrim:

1. Does the Dawnguard hate werewolves?

Interestingly, the Dawnguard primarily targets vampires, not werewolves. Being a werewolf doesn’t automatically make you an enemy of the Dawnguard. However, if you are witnessed transforming and attacking innocent people, they may treat you as a threat, just like any other citizen would.

2. Can I become a Vampire Lord if I’m a werewolf?

No. You must cure your lycanthropy before accepting the Vampire Lord transformation. These are mutually exclusive states.

3. Can you get rid of being a werewolf in Skyrim?

Yes. You can cure your lycanthropy by completing the Companions questline and using a Glenmoril Witch Head to cleanse yourself at the Flame of the Harbinger. After the Dawnguard DLC, you can become a werewolf up to two times after becoming cured.

4. Should I remove lycanthropy in Skyrim?

Whether you should remove lycanthropy depends on your playstyle. If you find the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, curing yourself is a viable option. It allows you to regain rest bonuses and pursue other character builds, such as the Vampire Lord.

5. What happens if people see me transform into a werewolf?

Witnessing your transformation is a criminal act, and you will receive a bounty of 1,000 septims. Guards will attempt to arrest you, and NPCs may become hostile.

6. Do followers hate werewolves?

Yes, followers can become hostile when you transform into a werewolf. This is a significant drawback, as it can disrupt your adventuring party and force you to fight your companions.

7. Can I use potions and scrolls while in werewolf form?

No. You cannot access your inventory or use any items while transformed. This makes you vulnerable to status effects and limits your tactical options.

8. Is being a werewolf a disease?

Yes, lycanthropy is considered a disease in Skyrim. However, it’s a unique disease that grants you powerful abilities in exchange for certain drawbacks.

9. Does being a werewolf make me immune to diseases?

Yes, being a werewolf grants you 100% disease resistance. This is a significant advantage, as it protects you from various debilitating ailments.

10. What are the best races to play as a werewolf in Skyrim?

While any race can become a werewolf, some races have advantages. Nords, Redguards, and Orcs are often cited as good choices due to their racial bonuses in combat skills.

11. How long does beast form last in Skyrim?

The duration of your werewolf transformation is initially 150 seconds, but it can be extended by feeding on corpses.

12. Can I talk to NPCs while in werewolf form?

No. You cannot interact with NPCs in any way while transformed. This makes completing quests that require dialogue impossible in beast form.

13. How many times can you turn back into a werewolf after being cured?

With the Dawnguard DLC installed, Aela the Huntress can grant you lycanthropy once after you’ve been cured. So in total, you can become a werewolf twice in one character’s story.

14. Does armor affect werewolf stats?

No. Armor worn before transforming is removed and does not affect your werewolf form’s stats. The werewolf form has its own base stats.

15. What skills can I use as a werewolf?

As a werewolf, you primarily use your claws for melee attacks and howl abilities. The werewolf skill tree focuses on enhancing these abilities.

Conclusion: Weighing the Scales of the Beast

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to embrace lycanthropy in Skyrim is a personal one. The raw power and unique gameplay offered by the werewolf form are undeniably appealing, but the drawbacks are equally significant. Carefully consider your playstyle, character goals, and tolerance for the restrictions imposed by lycanthropy before taking the plunge.

Remember that Skyrim is a game about choice. Being a werewolf can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to be aware of the full implications before transforming your character forever. For more insights into the complexities of gaming and its impact on learning, explore the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.