Dawnguard as a Werewolf: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re a howling terror of the night and you’re eyeing up the Dawnguard? Excellent choice! Skyrim offers a lot of flexibility, and playing as a werewolf siding with the Dawnguard is entirely viable, and often a powerful combination. You won’t face any immediate roadblocks. The Dawnguard isn’t prejudiced against werewolves (unlike vampires), and they’ll happily accept your lycanthropic assistance in their fight against the undead bloodsuckers. However, understanding the nuances of this path will help you make the most of your monster-hunting experience. You can happily take quests, and roam around without issues. The key takeaway is that being a werewolf does not conflict with the Dawnguard questline.

Advantages and Considerations

The primary advantage is the sheer power you wield. As a werewolf, you possess incredible strength, speed, and devastating melee attacks. This can make the early stages of the Dawnguard questline, which often involve clearing out vampire nests, significantly easier. Spam that sprint attack! Think of yourself as a furry, four-legged battering ram tearing through undead ranks.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Restricting Interaction: While transformed, you can’t interact with NPCs, loot corpses, or use doors properly. So you’ll have to make sure you are in your human form for all of that.

• Silver Hand Vulnerability: Remember that the Silver Hand, a faction you’ll encounter during the Companions questline (if you haven’t finished it), poses a significant threat due to their silver weapons. You’ll need to be extra cautious when facing them, as silver deals bonus damage to werewolves.

• Beast Form Limitations: The Beast Form provides great strength, however, it prevents using weapons, armor, or spells, so you are stuck with melee attacks.

• No Hybrid State: You cannot be a werewolf and a vampire lord simultaneously without exploiting glitches. The game mechanics prioritize one over the other. If you become a Vampire Lord, you lose your werewolf form (unless you use the trick that will be listed in FAQs).

Reaping the Benefits

Despite these considerations, playing as a werewolf in the Dawnguard offers a unique and rewarding experience. The combination of your lycanthropic powers and the Dawnguard’s resources and weaponry can make you a formidable force against the vampire threat. Plus, let’s be honest, tearing through hordes of vampires as a werewolf is just plain fun. And if you later feel that being a werewolf is getting old, Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord instead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the intricacies of being a werewolf in the Dawnguard:

1. Can I join the Dawnguard if I’m already a werewolf?

Yes, you can absolutely join the Dawnguard as a werewolf. They don’t discriminate against lycanthropes.

2. Will the Dawnguard attack me if I transform into a werewolf near them?

No, Dawnguard members won’t attack you if you transform into a werewolf around them. They are focused on fighting vampires, not werewolves.

3. Can I become a Vampire Lord and remain a member of the Dawnguard?

You can become a Vampire Lord after joining the Dawnguard, but you’ll eventually be asked to cure your vampirism to continue the questline. This is because the Dawnguard fundamentally opposes vampires.

4. If I become a Vampire Lord, will the Dawnguard become hostile?

Yes, if you fully embrace vampirism and become a Vampire Lord, the Dawnguard members will become hostile and refuse to offer quests until you are cured. However, the Dawnguard may not attack you while you are in human form, but you will not be able to interact with any members.

5. Can I complete the entire Dawnguard questline as a werewolf?

Yes, you can complete the entire Dawnguard questline as a werewolf without any major issues. Just be mindful of the limitations mentioned earlier.

6. Is it possible to be both a werewolf and a vampire lord in Skyrim?

Without exploiting glitches, no. The game mechanics don’t allow you to be both simultaneously. One always overrides the other. However, there is a glitch that players can exploit to become a hybrid.

7. How do I become a werewolf/vampire hybrid?

To become a hybrid, you need to progress far enough in Dawnguard that Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord. Then, before starting the Dawnguard quest, become a werewolf through the Companions questline. After Serana turns you into a Vampire Lord, immediately go to Aela and go through the process to become a werewolf again. This process must be done as soon as you are turned.

8. Does being a werewolf affect my relationship with Serana?

No, Serana is indifferent to your lycanthropy. She’ll continue to follow you and assist you regardless of your state.

9. Can I cure my lycanthropy after joining the Dawnguard?

Yes, you can cure your lycanthropy after joining the Dawnguard by completing the Companions questline or by seeking out a cure from a mod.

10. Which is stronger: Vampire Lord or Werewolf?

This is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Vampire Lords are generally considered stronger, especially in the late game, due to their powerful spells, abilities, and resistances. However, werewolves excel in melee combat and offer a unique gameplay experience.

11. Can I use the Dawnguard’s weapons and armor as a werewolf?

Yes, you can use the Dawnguard’s weapons and armor in your human form. These can be very useful, especially crossbows, for ranged combat.

12. What are the best skills to focus on as a werewolf in the Dawnguard?

Focus on skills that enhance your melee damage, stamina, and health. These include Two-Handed, Heavy Armor, and Restoration (for healing between transformations). The werewolf perk tree will be your priority to level up your wolf skills.

13. Will other NPCs react differently to me as a werewolf?

Most NPCs won’t react differently to you as a werewolf unless you transform in front of them. Transforming in populated areas will often result in a bounty and hostile reactions from guards.

14. Can I still access the Soul Cairn if I’m a werewolf?

Yes, you can access the Soul Cairn as a werewolf. However, be aware that the environment can be challenging for werewolves due to its open spaces and numerous undead enemies.

15. Where can I learn more about the game learning aspects of Skyrim?

To delve deeper into the educational potential within games like Skyrim, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. They offer valuable insights into how gaming can be used for learning and skill development.

Hopefully, this comprehensive guide has answered your questions about playing as a werewolf in the Dawnguard. Now go forth, embrace your inner beast, and rid Skyrim of the vampire menace! Remember, you can always check out resources from the Games Learning Society to enrich your overall understanding and experience.