How do I become a werewolf Skyrim: Step-by-step Guide

Blogs rtdfsg 01 Jul , 2026 0

Introduction: Want to Become a Werewolf in Skyrim?

If you’ve ever wondered “how do I become a werewolf Skyrim”, you’re not alone. Turning into a fearsome beast, feeling the rush of the beast form, and unlocking unique werewolf abilities is one of Skyrim’s most memorable experiences. Whether you’re playing Skyrim Special Edition on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation, this guide walks you through every step, covering the Companions questline, lycanthropy mechanics, perks, Dawnguard interactions, and how to cure lycanthropy if you change your mind.

Overview: What Becoming a Werewolf Means

First, let’s clarify terms. Lycanthropy is the condition that grants you the ability to transform into a werewolf. In Skyrim, you acquire lycanthropy through the Companions questline or by being infected by another werewolf during specific encounters. Once infected, you can assume beast form, gaining speed, strength, and a savage melee attack set. However, becoming a Skyrim werewolf also affects interactions with townsfolk, certain quests, and DLC factions like the Dawnguard.

Step-by-Step: How Do I Become a Werewolf Skyrim?

Follow these steps to become a werewolf and use your new powers effectively. This section explains the in-game progression, quest triggers, and what to expect once you transform.

1. Start the Companions Questline

Go to Whiterun and find Jorrvaskr. The Companions guild starts your easiest path to lycanthropy.
Speak to the gatehouse NPCs or talk to Aela the Huntress to be invited in. Completing early tasks in the questline unlocks deeper missions.
Progress until you reach the quest that requires you to accompany Kodlak Whitemane into Ysgramor’s Tomb, where he sacrifices himself to cure his spirit and you become infected.

2. The Rite: Becoming a Werewolf Through the Circle

At a key point, you’ll be offered the chance to join the Circle. This is critical: the ritual is how you acquire lycanthropy as part of the Companions. Aela the Huntress and the Circle will attack you the first time if you fail, but the usual outcome grants you the ability to transform.

3. Alternate Methods: Getting Infected

Other werewolves can infect you in scripted encounters—be mindful in radiant quests and wilderness battles.
Console commands on PC are an option: adding the “A00007” perk or using specific actor commands will force lycanthropy, but commands can break intended progression and achievements.

Understanding Werewolf Mechanics: Beast Form and Abilities

Once you become a werewolf, your character gains access to beast form, which turns you into a powerful melee creature. Learning these mechanics helps you use the transformation tactically.

What Beast Form Does

Increased melee damage and speed.
No access to most weapons, magic, or items while transformed.
Unique perks become available through the Werewolf Perk Tree (if you own Dawnguard).
Feeding on corpses after transforming extends the duration of beast form and improves your rage meter.

Werewolf Abilities and Perks (Dawnguard)

If you have the Dawnguard DLC, you unlock a Werewolf perk tree tied to the Companions and interacting with certain NPCs. Perks can increase the duration of beast form, add a timed power attack, or grant unique status effects. Tips:

Save perks for defensive perks first if you prefer survivability in beast form.
Pair with light armor or health-boosting enchantments pre-transformation to survive initial fights after the shift.

Tactics: Using Your Werewolf Powers Effectively

Transformation is a powerful tool, but success depends on smart use. Below are practical tactics and examples to maximize effectiveness in combat and quests.

Combat Tips

Use beast form on multiple weaker enemies to chain-feast and regain duration.
Start fights in human form to get a tactical advantage—open with spells or poisons, then transform to finish enemies quickly.
Avoid fights in towns unless you intend to cause chaos. Guard responses can make quests messy and may flag you as an enemy.

Quest Tips

Complete major story quests or DLC lines before taking lycanthropy if you worry about quest flags. Some players prefer getting Dawnguard-related content done first.
If you want to recruit followers later, be aware that their reactions to your beast form vary—Aela embraces it, while some followers may leave temporarily.

How to Cure Lycanthropy (If You Want to Reverse It)

Becoming a werewolf is fun but not permanent if you want out. Skyrim gives you options to cure lycanthropy. Keep these steps in mind if you decide that beast form isn’t for your character.

Methods to Cure Lycanthropy

The main canonical cure is completing the Companions questline successfully. After finishing the storyline (including the Glory of the Companions resolution), you can ask a specific NPC to cure you.
Dawnguard DLC adds more options tied to vampirism and faction interactions that can indirectly affect lycanthropy status; check with Serana and other DLC NPCs.
Console commands on PC (e.g., removing the werewolf ability) are available but will remove achievements and can cause save corruption if used improperly.

Tips Before Curing

Decide if you want to keep any werewolf perks or Hearthfire changes before curing—some progress is irreversible.
Save the game before attempting a cure, because the process can have unintended side effects in modded games.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Players sometimes run into problems when trying to become a werewolf or using beast form. Here are common issues and practical solutions.

Not Triggering the Companions Questline

Make sure you’ve completed the initial Whiterun tasks: speak to the gateguarders and do early Radiant quests. Fast travel to Whiterun and re-initiate conversations.
Sometimes a prior quest or mod conflicts. Try reloading an earlier save or disabling suspicious mods if on PC.

Beast Form Not Activating or Glitches

If beast form won’t activate, check that you actually have the active werewolf status; some quests can remove the disease temporarily.
On consoles, a full restart of the game can sometimes clear temporary state issues. On PC, verify game files or check mod conflicts.

Examples: Famous Werewolf Moments and Builds

Seeing exemplary approaches helps you plan. Below are example builds and famous moments to inspire your playstyle.

Example Build 1: The Pure Beast

Playstyle: Maximize melee damage in beast form, invest in health and stamina, minimal magic use.
Perks/Items: Health boosting enchantments, heavy armor before transformation if you plan to switch back and forth often.
Best For: Players who love raw melee chaos and quick, aggressive combat.

Example Build 2: Moonshadow Stalker

Playstyle: Combine stealth attacks in human form with timed transformations to ambush larger targets.
Perks/Items: Sneak, archery to soften targets, then transform to finish using beast form for crowd clearing.
Best For: Players who like tactical play and hybridization of stealth and brute force.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are five commonly asked questions about “how do I become a werewolf Skyrim” with concise answers.

Q1: Can I become a werewolf without joining the Companions?

A1: In most vanilla playthroughs, the Companions questline is the intended path to becoming a werewolf. You can be infected by other werewolves in rare, scripted encounters or use console commands on PC. Mods also create alternate paths.

Q2: Does being a werewolf affect my ability to join other factions like Dawnguard?

A2: Lycanthropy doesn’t permanently block most faction quests, but some NPC reactions and specific quests may change. Dawnguard DLC introduces unique interactions with vampires and werewolves, so expect some narrative ripple effects.

Q3: Are there benefits to staying a werewolf long-term?

A3: Yes. Werewolf perks and the power of beast form are powerful in combat, especially for clearing out raid-style encounters. Feeding on corpses can extend your transformations, and certain perks increase damage and survivability.

Q4: Will my followers run away if I transform in front of them?

A4: Reactions vary. Some followers, like Aela the Huntress, are supportive. Others may attack or flee depending on mods and faction ties. It’s safer to transform away from your followers if you want to keep them nearby.

Q5: How do console commands work to force lycanthropy?

A5: Console commands can add the werewolf ability or set your state, but they only work on PC and can disable achievements. Use commands like adding the specific perk or actor value changes with caution and always back up your save.

Conclusion: Embrace the Beast or Walk Away

Now you know how do I become a werewolf Skyrim—step-by-step through the Companions, what beast form does, tactics for using werewolf abilities, how to cure lycanthropy, and how to troubleshoot common problems. Whether you seek the full Glory of the Companions experience, want to roleplay as a moonlit predator, or simply try both worlds before choosing, Skyrim gives you the freedom to experiment. Save often, choose a playstyle that fits your story, and enjoy the savage thrill of the hunt.

Quick tips recap:

Start at Jorrvaskr in Whiterun to trigger the Companions questline.
Complete the Circle ritual to get lycanthropy naturally.
Use beast form strategically; feed on corpses to extend duration.
If you change your mind, follow questline steps or use safe methods to cure lycanthropy.
Backup saves before using console commands or mods to alter werewolf status.

Enjoy your journey through Skyrim, whether you stalk the night as a werewolf or heal and walk again among men.