Skyrim Werewolf Guide: How To Unleash Your Inner Beast

Hey fellow adventurers! Ever dreamt of tearing through Skyrim's wilderness as a fearsome werewolf? The power, the speed, the sheer thrill of the hunt – it's an experience unlike any other! If you're itching to embrace your inner beast in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from joining the legendary Companions to mastering your lycanthropic abilities. So, buckle up, grab your silver weapons (just kidding… mostly!), and let's dive into the hairy details of becoming a werewolf in Skyrim!

Joining the Companions: Your Gateway to Lycanthropy

Your journey to becoming a werewolf begins with the Companions, a renowned group of warriors residing in Whiterun. Think of them as Skyrim's version of a Viking-esque fighters guild – they're tough, they're skilled, and they have a secret. To get started, head to Whiterun, one of the first major cities you'll encounter after escaping Helgen. Once inside the city gates, make your way to Jorrvaskr, a grand mead hall that serves as the Companions' headquarters. It's hard to miss – it's a large, upside-down ship-like structure located in the Wind District. Stepping inside Jorrvaskr is like entering a hall of heroes. You'll be greeted by the sight of seasoned warriors sparring, sharpening their blades, and swapping tales of their adventures. To initiate your induction into this esteemed group, seek out Kodlak Whitemane, the wise and respected Harbinger of the Companions. He's usually found in the living quarters, poring over ancient texts or engaging in thoughtful conversation with other members. If Kodlak isn't immediately available, other key members such as Vignar Gray-Mane or any of the Circle members, including Farkas or Aela the Huntress, can point you in the right direction. Engaging with Kodlak Whitemane will unveil the Companions' ethos and mission, which revolves around honor, valor, and the pursuit of glory through martial prowess. Kodlak, a sagacious Nord with a contemplative demeanor, embodies the wisdom and leadership expected of a Harbinger. However, beyond the facade of a traditional fighters guild, the Companions harbor a clandestine secret: a lineage of lycanthropy that binds them to the primal essence of the wolf. As you progress through their ranks, you will gradually uncover the true nature of their pack, a revelation that will forever alter your destiny in Skyrim. Becoming a werewolf isn't just about raw power; it's about embracing a wilder, more instinctual side of yourself. The Companions offer a unique path, a blend of warrior tradition and ancient magic, making it a truly compelling choice for any aspiring lycanthrope. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility (and a lot of fur!).

The Companions Questline: Trials and Transformations

Once you've expressed your desire to join the Companions, you'll be given a series of quests to prove your worth. These quests serve as an introduction to the Companions' way of life and allow you to familiarize yourself with their members and their unique skills. The initial quests are fairly straightforward, involving tasks like sparring with other members, assisting them with minor jobs around Whiterun, and taking on simple contracts to clear out nearby caves or bandit camps. These early missions are essential for building rapport within the Companions and establishing your reputation as a capable warrior. They also provide valuable experience in combat, exploration, and interacting with the world of Skyrim. As you complete these introductory quests, you'll gradually rise in the ranks of the Companions, earning the respect of your fellow members and gaining access to more challenging and rewarding assignments. You'll accompany seasoned warriors like Farkas and Aela on dangerous missions, facing formidable foes and uncovering ancient secrets. These experiences will not only test your combat prowess but also deepen your understanding of the Companions' history and their connection to the legendary heroes of the past. The questline takes a dramatic turn when you're tasked with retrieving a fragment of Wuuthrad, a legendary battleaxe shattered long ago. This questline delves into the ancient history of the Companions and their ties to Ysgramor, a legendary Nord hero who led his people to Skyrim. As you venture deeper into ancient ruins and face increasingly powerful enemies, you'll begin to glimpse the true nature of the Companions' secret – their connection to lycanthropy. It's during the quest "The Silver Hand" that the truth is fully revealed. You'll witness a ritual involving the blood of a werewolf, and it's here that you'll have the opportunity to embrace the beast within and become a werewolf yourself. This is a pivotal moment in your Skyrim journey, a decision that will dramatically alter your gameplay experience and open up a whole new world of possibilities. Are you ready to accept the gift (or curse?) of lycanthropy? The choice is yours, but the path to becoming a werewolf in Skyrim is an unforgettable adventure.

Embracing the Beast: The Gift of Lycanthropy

The pivotal moment arrives during the quest "The Silver Hand." This mission plunges you into a conflict with a group of werewolf hunters, aptly named the Silver Hand, who pose a significant threat to the Companions. During this quest, you'll witness a ritualistic ceremony where members of the Circle – the inner circle of the Companions – transform into werewolves. It's a breathtaking and somewhat unsettling spectacle, a display of primal power that will leave you awestruck. The Companions' werewolf form is not merely a cosmetic change; it's a fundamental shift in their abilities and their connection to the world. As a werewolf, they possess incredible strength, speed, and ferocity, becoming a force of nature on the battlefield. The ability to transform into a werewolf is a closely guarded secret, passed down through generations of Companions. It's a gift, but also a burden, as the transformation comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities. You'll be given the opportunity to partake in this ritual, drinking the blood of a werewolf and inheriting the curse (or blessing, depending on your perspective) of lycanthropy. This is the moment of transformation, the point of no return. Once you've imbibed the blood, you'll experience the agonizing and exhilarating process of changing into a werewolf for the first time. Your body will contort and twist, your bones will crack and reshape, and fur will sprout across your skin. It's a visceral and powerful experience, a true awakening of the beast within. As a werewolf, you'll gain access to a unique set of abilities and a new playstyle. Your melee attacks will become devastatingly powerful, you'll be able to sprint at incredible speeds, and you'll gain a fearsome roar that can send enemies scattering in terror. However, the transformation is not without its drawbacks. As a werewolf, you'll be vulnerable to silver weapons, and you'll be unable to access your inventory or cast spells in your beast form. You'll also be forced to feed on the hearts of your victims to sustain your transformation, a gruesome necessity that adds a darker edge to your gameplay. But for many players, the thrill of becoming a werewolf outweighs the risks. The raw power and primal fury of the beast form offer a unique and satisfying way to experience Skyrim, a chance to unleash your inner predator and dominate the battlefield.

Mastering Your Inner Beast: Skills and Abilities

So, you've become a werewolf – congratulations! But the journey doesn't end there. Mastering your lycanthropic abilities requires practice, understanding, and a willingness to embrace your wild side. As a werewolf, you'll have access to a unique skill tree, separate from your regular character skills. This skill tree focuses on enhancing your werewolf form, making you even more powerful and fearsome. To unlock these skills, you'll need to feed on the hearts of your victims while in werewolf form. Each heart consumed grants you progress towards the next perk, allowing you to customize your werewolf and tailor it to your playstyle. Some of the key skills in the werewolf skill tree include: Bestial Strength: This perk increases your damage output in werewolf form, making your claws even more deadly. Gorging: This skill allows you to feed on more creatures, increasing the duration of your werewolf transformation. Totem of Ice Brothers: This perk summons ice wolves to fight alongside you, providing valuable support in combat. Totem of the Moon: This ability summons a werewolf ally, creating a truly formidable duo. Totem of the Predator: This perk grants you a howl that detects nearby creatures, making it easier to track down prey. Totem of Terror: This howl strikes fear into your enemies, causing them to flee in terror. Mastering these skills will transform you from a simple werewolf into a true apex predator, a force to be reckoned with in the wilds of Skyrim. But it's not just about raw power; it's also about strategy and control. Learning when and where to transform is crucial to maximizing your effectiveness as a werewolf. Transforming in a crowded city, for example, is likely to attract unwanted attention from guards and townspeople. However, transforming in a dungeon or a remote wilderness area can give you a significant advantage against your enemies. It's also important to manage your transformation time effectively. As a werewolf, your transformation is limited by a timer, which depletes as you remain in beast form. Feeding on hearts extends this timer, allowing you to stay transformed for longer periods. Learning to balance your hunger with your combat needs is a key part of mastering the werewolf playstyle. Becoming a werewolf is a journey of self-discovery, a process of embracing your primal instincts and learning to control the beast within. With practice and dedication, you can become a true master of lycanthropy, a legend whispered in the taverns and feared in the wilderness.

Living with the Beast: Challenges and Considerations

Being a werewolf in Skyrim is a thrilling experience, but it's not without its challenges. There are certain aspects of the werewolf life that you'll need to consider and manage if you want to thrive as a lycanthrope. One of the biggest challenges is the social stigma associated with lycanthropy. Werewolves are often feared and hunted in Skyrim, and revealing your true nature to the wrong person can have serious consequences. Guards may attack you on sight, townspeople may shun you, and even your closest companions may turn against you. For this reason, it's crucial to be discreet about your werewolf form. Avoid transforming in populated areas, and be careful who you confide in about your condition. The Companions offer a safe haven for werewolves, but even within their ranks, it's important to be mindful of your actions. Another challenge is the lack of access to your normal abilities while transformed. As a werewolf, you can't use weapons, armor, spells, or items from your inventory. You're limited to your claws, your teeth, and your raw strength. This can be a significant disadvantage in certain situations, especially when facing enemies with ranged attacks or magical abilities. To overcome this limitation, it's important to plan your transformations carefully. Assess the situation beforehand and make sure you have a clear path to your target. Use your speed and agility to close the distance quickly, and rely on your powerful melee attacks to take down your foes. It's also important to consider the long-term implications of being a werewolf. While the beast form offers incredible power, it also comes with a significant drawback: you become immune to the Well Rested bonus, which normally increases your skill gain rate. This can make it slower to level up your skills, especially in the early game. However, there are ways to mitigate this drawback. You can strategically plan your skill training, focusing on skills that are less reliant on the Well Rested bonus. You can also use Standing Stones, such as the Lover Stone, to boost your skill gain rate. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to embrace the werewolf life is a personal one. There are pros and cons to both sides, and it's important to weigh them carefully before making your choice. But for those who are willing to embrace the challenges, the rewards of becoming a werewolf in Skyrim are truly extraordinary.

Curing Lycanthropy: Is There an Exit Strategy?

Okay, so you've embraced the beast within, tasted the raw power of the werewolf, and maybe even torn a few bandits limb from limb. But what if you decide the lycanthropic life isn't for you? What if you yearn for the warmth of a sunny day, the comfort of a well-rested sleep, and the ability to wear that fancy new armor you just crafted? Fear not, my furry friend, for there is a way to cure lycanthropy in Skyrim. The cure is tied to the Companions questline, specifically the final quest, "Glory of the Dead." This quest involves venturing into Ysgramor's Tomb, a sacred burial ground for the Companions, to honor Kodlak Whitemane's wish for a peaceful afterlife. Kodlak, the Harbinger of the Companions, sought a cure for his lycanthropy, and his spirit can only find rest once the beast within him is purged. During the quest, you'll encounter a series of challenging encounters and puzzles as you navigate the ancient tomb. Ultimately, you'll reach a chamber where you can summon the spirits of werewolves and defeat them, cleansing yourself and other members of the Companions of the curse. To cure your own lycanthropy, you'll need to throw a Glenmoril Witch Head into the fire in the final chamber and defeat your wolf spirit. Glenmoril Witch Heads can be obtained by defeating Glenmoril Witches, who reside in Glenmoril Coven, a location in the western part of Skyrim. You'll need at least one Glenmoril Witch Head to cure yourself, and potentially more if you want to cure other members of the Companions. Once you've defeated your wolf spirit, you'll be free from the curse of lycanthropy. You'll regain your immunity to diseases, your vulnerability to silver weapons will disappear, and you'll be able to enjoy the Well Rested bonus once again. However, it's important to note that curing your lycanthropy is a one-time deal. Once you've purged the beast from your system, you can't become a werewolf again through the Companions questline. So, before you commit to the cure, make sure you're truly ready to say goodbye to your inner wolf. But if the call of civilization is stronger than the call of the wild, know that there is a path back to humanity in the world of Skyrim.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Destiny in Skyrim

So, there you have it, adventurers! A comprehensive guide on how to become a werewolf in Skyrim, from joining the Companions to mastering your lycanthropic abilities and even curing yourself if you so choose. The path of the werewolf is a thrilling and challenging one, filled with raw power, primal instincts, and a unique perspective on the world. Whether you choose to embrace the beast within or seek a cure for lycanthropy, the decision is yours, and the consequences will shape your Skyrim adventure in profound ways. Remember, becoming a werewolf is not just about gaining new abilities; it's about embracing a different way of life. It's about accepting the duality of your nature, the balance between man and beast. It's about facing your fears and unleashing your inner potential. So, go forth, brave adventurers, and carve your own legend in the wilds of Skyrim. Will you be a fearsome predator, a protector of the innocent, or a tormented soul seeking redemption? The choice is yours. Embrace your destiny, and let the howl of the werewolf echo through the mountains and valleys of Skyrim!