How To Become A Werewolf In Skyrim A Comprehensive Guide
Have you ever dreamt of tearing through enemies with savage claws, feeling the raw power of the beast surge through your veins? In the vast and immersive world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, that dream can become a reality. The lycanthropic transformation, the ability to shift into a fearsome werewolf, is a thrilling and powerful experience. This guide will walk you through how to become a werewolf in Skyrim, covering everything from joining the Companions to mastering your beast form.
Joining the Companions: Your Path to Lycanthropy
Your journey to becoming a werewolf begins in Whiterun, one of the first major cities you'll encounter in Skyrim. Whiterun is a bustling hub of activity, and nestled within its walls is the legendary mead hall of Jorrvaskr, home to the Companions, a renowned guild of warriors and mercenaries. These guys are the key to unlocking your inner beast. To officially kick things off, head straight to Jorrvaskr and seek out the leaders of the Companions, who are usually hanging out in the main hall. You'll want to have a chat with Kodlak Whitemane, the wise and respected Harbinger (leader) of the Companions, or any of the other prominent members like Vilkas, Farkas, or Aela the Huntress. Tell them you're interested in joining their ranks, and they'll likely give you a trial quest to prove your worth.
The initial quests for the Companions often involve tasks like clearing out local dungeons of bandits or creatures, retrieving items, or assisting the citizens of Whiterun. These quests serve as an introduction to the Companions' way of life and allow you to get to know the other members. As you complete these quests, you'll rise through the ranks of the Companions and earn their trust. This is crucial because the opportunity to become a werewolf is not offered to just anyone; it's a privilege reserved for those who have proven their loyalty and skill. Keep at it, complete the tasks assigned to you, and show your dedication to the Companions' cause. The more you invest in the guild, the closer you get to unlocking the beast within. And trust me, the feeling of transforming into a werewolf for the first time is totally worth the effort. This initial phase is all about proving yourself. Think of it as the application process for becoming a furry, fanged powerhouse. You're showing the Companions that you're not just some random adventurer looking for a quick power boost, but a true warrior worthy of their trust and their gifts. So, embrace the grind, complete those quests, and let the Companions see what you're made of. Your patience and dedication will be rewarded in due time.
The Blood of the Beast: The Transformation Ritual
After completing a series of quests for the Companions, you'll eventually be invited to participate in a special ceremony known as the Blood of the Beast. This is the pivotal moment, the ritual that will forever change you and grant you the power of lycanthropy. The specific details of the quest leading up to this ritual may vary slightly depending on your choices and interactions with the Companions, but the core experience remains the same: you're about to become something extraordinary. The ritual typically takes place in the Underforge, a hidden chamber beneath Jorrvaskr, shrouded in mystery and ancient power. You'll gather with the inner circle of the Companions, the members who share the same lycanthropic gift. This is a deeply symbolic and somewhat intimidating experience. You'll be in the presence of seasoned warriors who have embraced the beast within, and now it's your turn to make that choice. During the ritual, you'll be asked to drink a special concoction, a potion containing the blood of the werewolf. This is the moment of truth. As you consume the blood, you'll feel a surge of power coursing through your veins, a primal energy awakening within you. The world may blur, your senses may heighten, and you might experience a moment of intense disorientation. This is the transformation beginning. It's a visceral and unforgettable experience, a moment that marks a turning point in your Skyrim adventure. You're no longer just a warrior; you're a beast, a creature of the night, a werewolf.
After the ritual, you'll likely experience your first transformation. This can be a bit disorienting at first, but it's also incredibly exhilarating. You'll feel the raw strength and speed of the werewolf, the power to tear through enemies with ease. It's a taste of what you've become, and it's just the beginning of your journey as a lycanthrope. Remember this moment, guys. It's the culmination of your efforts, the reward for your dedication to the Companions. You've joined their ranks, proven your worth, and now you've embraced the beast within. The world of Skyrim will never look the same again. From now on, you are both warrior and werewolf, a force to be reckoned with.
Embracing the Beast Within: Mastering Your Werewolf Form
Once you've undergone the transformation and become a werewolf, it's time to learn how to control your newfound powers. Shifting into your werewolf form grants you incredible strength, speed, and stamina, making you a formidable force in combat. However, it's crucial to understand the mechanics and limitations of your beast form to truly master it. When transformed, you'll primarily rely on melee attacks using your claws. These attacks are devastating, capable of tearing through enemies with brutal efficiency. You can also perform powerful charging attacks to knock down opponents, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up strikes. The werewolf form enhances your mobility, allowing you to sprint at incredible speeds and cover vast distances quickly. This is particularly useful for traversing the wilderness or closing the gap on fleeing enemies. Your stamina regenerates at an accelerated rate in werewolf form, ensuring you can maintain your ferocious attacks and movements for extended periods. However, remember that your transformation is time-limited. The duration of your werewolf form is determined by your Beast Blood ability, which gradually depletes as you remain transformed. You can extend the duration by feeding on the corpses of your victims, replenishing your Beast Blood and prolonging your time as a werewolf. This adds a strategic element to combat, encouraging you to hunt and consume your fallen foes to maintain your power.
One of the key considerations when embracing your werewolf form is the loss of your usual equipment and abilities. While transformed, you cannot access your inventory, cast spells, or use weapons or armor. You are entirely reliant on your claws and raw physical prowess. This makes you incredibly powerful in melee combat but vulnerable to ranged attacks. Smart werewolf players learn to carefully manage their transformations, using them strategically in situations where their strengths outweigh their weaknesses. Also, becoming a werewolf has its drawbacks and advantages. One significant weakness is your vulnerability to silver weapons, which inflict extra damage on werewolves. You'll need to be mindful of enemies wielding silver, as they can quickly bring you down. However, you also gain a 100% resistance to all diseases, making you virtually immune to illnesses that plague Skyrim. This is a valuable perk, especially in regions known for their harsh environments and disease-carrying creatures. Remember, the key to mastering your werewolf form is practice and experimentation. Get a feel for your attack range, learn how to time your transformations effectively, and discover the best strategies for different combat scenarios. Don't be afraid to unleash the beast within, but do so with awareness and control. With time and experience, you'll become a truly fearsome werewolf, a legend whispered in the wilds of Skyrim.
The Perks and Powers of a Skyrim Werewolf: Unleashing Your Inner Beast
Being a werewolf in Skyrim isn't just about raw power; it's about unlocking a unique set of abilities and perks that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. The werewolf transformation grants you a host of advantages, making you a formidable force to be reckoned with. Let's delve into the specifics of what makes being a werewolf so rewarding. One of the most significant benefits is the Beast Form power. This is the active ability that allows you to transform into a werewolf once per day. As you progress along the werewolf perk tree, you can unlock the ability to transform more frequently. Once transformed, your strength, stamina, and speed are dramatically increased, making you a whirlwind of claws and teeth in combat. You gain access to a unique set of melee attacks, including powerful claw strikes and charging attacks that can send enemies flying. Your howls can instill fear in your enemies, causing them to flee in terror, or even summon other werewolves to fight alongside you. The werewolf form is a true expression of primal power. In addition to the Beast Form power, you also gain access to a dedicated werewolf perk tree. This skill tree allows you to further customize and enhance your werewolf abilities.
Perks like Bestial Strength increase your damage output, while Gorging allows you to restore more health by feeding on corpses. Savage Feeding lets you feed on almost any creature, not just humans, expanding your options for sustaining your transformation. There are perks that enhance your howls, making them more potent and versatile. The werewolf perk tree offers a wide range of options to tailor your lycanthropic abilities to your playstyle. Beyond the active powers and perks, being a werewolf also provides passive benefits. As mentioned earlier, you gain a 100% resistance to all diseases, making you immune to debilitating illnesses. This is a significant advantage, particularly in the disease-ridden swamps and dungeons of Skyrim. However, remember that vulnerability to silver weapons remains a drawback, so you'll need to be cautious when facing enemies wielding such armaments. Embracing the werewolf transformation also impacts your interactions with the world. Guards and citizens may react with fear or hostility when they witness your transformations, so it's important to be mindful of where and when you unleash your beast form. However, the respect and fear you command as a werewolf can also open up new opportunities and interactions. NPCs may be more willing to cooperate with you, or they may simply cower in your presence, making certain situations easier to navigate. Being a werewolf in Skyrim is a multifaceted experience, offering a blend of raw power, unique abilities, and social implications. It's a path that can dramatically alter your gameplay, and for those who embrace the beast within, it's a thrilling and rewarding journey.
Curing Lycanthropy: Reclaiming Your Humanity (If You Choose To)
While the power and ferocity of the werewolf can be incredibly enticing, some players may eventually decide that they prefer their original, human form. The good news is that curing lycanthropy in Skyrim is possible, although it requires undertaking a specific questline. If you find that the drawbacks of being a werewolf outweigh the benefits, or if you simply want to experience the game from a different perspective, this section will guide you through the process of reclaiming your humanity. The quest to cure your lycanthropy is tied to the Companions questline. After completing the main questline for the Companions, you'll unlock a series of radiant quests (repeatable quests) from the members of the Circle, the inner circle of werewolves within the Companions. These radiant quests typically involve clearing out various locations of enemies or retrieving specific items.
To initiate the cure, you need to complete a certain number of these radiant quests until you receive a special quest from Kodlak Whitemane, the Harbinger of the Companions. Kodlak, despite being a werewolf himself, yearns for a peaceful afterlife in Sovngarde, the Hall of Valor, which is traditionally inaccessible to werewolves. His quest involves finding a way to purify his soul and escape the curse of lycanthropy. This quest is the key to curing your own condition as well. Kodlak's quest will lead you to a specific location, often a dungeon or crypt, where you'll need to retrieve the heads of Glenmoril Witches. These witches possess the power to remove lycanthropy, but they are also formidable opponents. Be prepared for a challenging fight when you encounter them. Once you've obtained a Glenmoril Witch head, you'll need to return to Ysgramor's Tomb, a sacred burial site located on an island north of Winterhold. This tomb is a significant location in the lore of the Companions and the history of Skyrim. Within Ysgramor's Tomb, you'll find a Flame of the Harbinger, a mystical fire that can be used to purify the souls of werewolves. To cure Kodlak, you'll need to toss his soul shard (obtained during the quest) into the Flame, releasing him from the curse of lycanthropy. The process for curing yourself is similar. After curing Kodlak, you'll have the opportunity to throw a Glenmoril Witch head into the Flame, which will summon your own werewolf spirit. You'll need to defeat your spirit in combat to sever your connection to the beast and cure yourself of lycanthropy. This is a symbolic and challenging encounter, representing your internal struggle to reclaim your humanity. Once you've defeated your spirit, you'll be free from the curse of lycanthropy, and you'll revert to your original form. Remember that curing lycanthropy is a permanent decision. If you wish to become a werewolf again in the future, you'll need to use console commands (on PC) or start a new game. However, for those who seek to reclaim their humanity, the quest to cure lycanthropy offers a satisfying conclusion to their lycanthropic journey.
Conclusion: Embracing the Beast or Reclaiming Humanity in Skyrim
Becoming a werewolf in Skyrim is a transformative experience, offering a unique blend of power, ferocity, and gameplay opportunities. This guide has walked you through the entire process, from joining the Companions to mastering your beast form and even curing your lycanthropy if you choose to do so. Whether you embrace the savage power of the werewolf or seek to reclaim your humanity, the decision is ultimately yours. The world of Skyrim offers a multitude of paths and possibilities, and the choice to walk the path of the werewolf is just one of many. So, go forth, adventurer, and forge your own destiny in the land of dragons and ancient magic. Whether you howl at the moon as a fearsome beast or walk among the civilized as a respected warrior, may your journey be filled with excitement, adventure, and unforgettable experiences.
Have you ever wondered how to become a werewolf in Skyrim? I hope this comprehensive guide helps you unleash your inner beast and master the art of lycanthropy! Remember guys, the choice is yours: embrace the beast or reclaim your humanity. Either way, Skyrim offers an epic adventure. Happy gaming!