How Can You Become a Werewolf in Skyrim: Complete Guide

How Can You Become a Werewolf in Skyrim: Complete Guide

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Introduction

If you’ve ever wondered how can you become a werewolf in Skyrim, you’re in the right place. Becoming a werewolf is one of the most thrilling roleplay options in Skyrim: it changes combat style, grants powerful beast form abilities, and ties into the Companions questline and Daedric lore. This guide walks you through every step — from joining the Companions to using the Ring of Hircine, learning about Lycanthropy, and deciding whether to cure it. You’ll get examples, clear steps, tips, and FAQs so you can choose the path that fits your playstyle.

What is Lycanthropy and why become a werewolf in Skyrim?

Lycanthropy in Skyrim is a disease and a supernatural condition that allows your Dragonborn to transform into a werewolf (beast form). Mechanically, it trades some perks of other builds for raw melee melee power, increased stamina regeneration in beast form, and unique abilities tied to the Companions questline and the Daedric Prince Hircine. Players ask “how to be a werewolf in Skyrim” because werewolf perks give:

  • High melee damage and bite attacks
  • Improved stamina and health regeneration while in beast form
  • Access to special powers like Beast Form and the Hircine-related quest rewards
  • Roleplaying fun and unique combat animations

There are trade-offs: you can’t use weapons or spells in beast form, and some NPCs react differently. Knowing these pros and cons helps answer the bigger question of how can you become a werewolf in Skyrim with purpose.

Primary method: Join the Companions and contract Lycanthropy

The most common and lore-friendly way to become a werewolf Skyrim is through the Companions questline in Whiterun. This is the route most players follow because it’s integrated into the main world and gives you options later on.

Step-by-step: Companions questline

  • Travel to Whiterun and locate Jorrvaskr — the Companions’ mead hall.
  • Talk to Kodlak Whitemane and introduce yourself. Complete the initial tasks to earn their trust.
  • Progress through the Companions questline until you reach “The Silver Hand” and then “Glory of the Dead”.
  • During the quest line you’ll learn about the Circle. Speak with Aela the Huntress — she offers to transform you.
  • Aela will perform a ritual to give you Lycanthropy. Once infected, you can transform into the werewolf form using the Beast Form power.

Tips: Keep completing Radiant quests for the Companions to access the Circle faster. Aela the Huntress is the primary NPC tied to this method; her dialogue often triggers the change. This method is the most natural answer to “how can you become a werewolf in Skyrim” for players who love roleplay and story participation.

Alternative routes: Daedric quests and the Ring of Hircine

If you prefer a different flavor or want to tie into Daedric lore, two key alternatives exist: the Daedric quest from Hircine and special artifacts like the Ring of Hircine. These let you gain unique versions of Lycanthropy or a controllable werewolf curse.

Hircine’s quest and Hircine’s Blessing

Hircine is the Daedric Prince of the Hunt. The Hircine quest (“Ill Met By Moonlight”) gives you a choice: a curse that turns you into a werewolf or a ring that allows transformation without permanent infection in some versions. Steps:

  • Find and start “Ill Met By Moonlight” (search for Sinding and speak to the hagraven in the grove).
  • Complete the quest; depending on your choices you may receive Hircine’s Ring or Hircine’s blessing which ties into Lycanthropy.

Note: The Ring of Hircine is especially useful if you want to control when to transform. It can remove some of the downsides or provide a different mechanical effect depending on your Skyrim edition and mods.

Other special cases and the Dawnguard DLC

The Dawnguard DLC primarily focuses on vampires, but it impacts Lycanthropy interactions due to faction choices. If you’re playing with DLCs enabled and wondering about cross-effects between vampires and werewolves, remember: the game disallows being a full vampire lord and a werewolf simultaneously without mods. Decide early whether you want to pursue vampire or werewolf paths.

How to use Werewolf abilities and werewolf perks effectively

Once you have Lycanthropy, transforming into beast form gives you significant melee advantages. Here are practical tips and examples for maximizing your werewolf playstyle:

  • Timing your transformation: Use Beast Form during heavy melee fights or when you have followers to cover ranged enemies. You cannot wield weapons or cast while transformed, so choose moments where pure melee makes sense.
  • Pair with stamina-boosting gear: Werewolf attacks consume stamina. Equip rings, armor, or potions that increase stamina or regeneration before transforming to extend your time in beast form.
  • Use sneak and surprise: Approach quietly and transform for an ambush. The initial burst of damage is often enough to clear smaller groups.
  • Stacking with melee perks: Before transforming, buff with potions or shouts that increase damage or crowd control — for instance, use Dragon Shout to stagger big enemies before turning.

Example build: A stealth melee build that uses sneak attacks, then transforms into beast form to finish fights. Combine this with the beast blood roleplay and Aela-related perks from the Companions questline.

How to cure lycanthropy (and why you might)

Some players ask “how to get lycanthropy” while others ask how to reverse it. Skyrim gives you options to cure Lycanthropy if you change your mind.

  • Cure via NPC: After you become a werewolf through the Companions, you can seek Silver Hand or use specific quests to remove it, though the typical in-game cure is completed via a ritual by the Companions or by using the quest-related options depending on choices earlier in the game.
  • Cure via console/mods: PC players can use console commands or mods to remove Lycanthropy (not available on consoles).
  • Cure by Hircine’s quest choices: Some outcomes of the Hircine quest can offer a different state that might function as a controllable blessing rather than a permanent disease.

Why cure it? You might want to become a vampire later, or you may dislike the roleplay consequences. Decide before you invest too much into werewolf perks — because re-acquiring Lycanthropy later requires repeating certain quest steps or relying on mods.

Common mistakes and practical tips for players

  • Don’t skip dialogue: The Companions and Aela the Huntress have specific dialogue that triggers Lycanthropy. If you rush, you may miss it.
  • Save before key moments: Save before rituals or Daedric choices. That way you can reload if you change your mind about becoming a werewolf.
  • Be careful with Dawnguard decisions: If you plan to join the Dawnguard or become a vampire lord, resolve those choices before locking into Lycanthropy unless you want to roleplay trade-offs.
  • Use the Ring of Hircine if you want control: It lets you transform voluntarily and can be the best tool for combat-only werewolf roleplay.
  • Experiment with perks and gear: Buff boots, rings, and temporary potions before transforming to get the most out of beast form.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How can you become a werewolf in Skyrim without joining the Companions?

You can become a werewolf through the Daedric quest “Ill Met By Moonlight” (Hircine) or by acquiring certain artifacts like the Ring of Hircine depending on game version and mods. The Companions method is most direct, but Hircine-related paths are viable alternatives.

2. Can you be a vampire and a werewolf at the same time?

By default, Skyrim does not allow you to be a full vampire lord and werewolf simultaneously. The Dawnguard DLC and base game mechanics prevent that overlap unless you use mods or console commands.

3. What happens if you cure lycanthropy? Can you get it back?

If you cure Lycanthropy, you lose the Beast Form power and its benefits. You can re-acquire Lycanthropy by repeating applicable quest steps or by using console commands or mods. Some players prefer to keep a saved game prior to curing for easy reversion.

4. Are there werewolf perks I should aim for?

Werewolf perks differ from weapon and armor perks. Focus on builds that enhance stamina and melee power outside and inside beast form. If you enjoy sustained beast fights, invest in gear that boosts stamina and health regeneration.

5. Does the Ring of Hircine make becoming a werewolf safer?

Yes. The Ring of Hircine can give you more control over transformations and remove some permanent drawbacks. It’s especially useful for players who want the power without continuous roleplay consequences.

Conclusion

So, how can you become a werewolf in Skyrim? The most natural path is joining the Companions and accepting Lycanthropy through Aela the Huntress, but Daedric choices like Hircine’s quest and artifacts such as the Ring of Hircine provide alternatives. Each route affects gameplay differently: the Companions route ties into the Companions questline and roleplay, while Hircine’s options offer more control and lore flavor. Consider how werewolf perks fit your build, save before major decisions, and experiment with potions, rings, and shouts to maximize beast form power. Whatever you choose, transforming into a werewolf remains one of Skyrim’s most memorable experiences.

Now that you know the steps, perks, cures, and tips, pick a path, head to Whiterun (or the Hircine grove), and answer the call of the hunt.