In this Skyrim guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming a werewolf, how to cure lycanthropy, and why you’d even want to shapeshift in the first place.
How to Become a Werewolf in Skyrim
There are two ways you can become a werewolf in Skyrim, though one of these methods requires the Dawnguard DLC.
With the Dawnguard DLC
If you have Dawnguard DLC, becoming a werewolf is as easy as joining the Dawnguard faction. Talk to town guards until one relays a rumor about the faction, which will reveal a Fort Dawnguard on your map.
When it appears, you will gain access to the “Dawnguard” quest in your journal. When you reach Level 10, Durak will tell you the location of the fort, in case you’re having trouble getting town guards to help.
Once you reach the fort, talk with Isran in the main room and tell him you’d like to join. This will spark a series of quests, which you’ll through until you meet Lord Harkon, who will offer to turn you into a Vampire Lord. Decline his offer, then head back to Fort Dawnguard. Talk with Isran again to join the Dawnguard faction and become a werewolf.
Without the Dawnguard DLC
The other way to become a werewolf comes during a Companions’ main quest. During one of these quests, “The Silver Hand”, it will be revealed that all high-ranking companions have lycanthropy, and they will grant you this ability prior to your attack on a stronghold.
How to Cure Your Werewolf Disease
At the end of The Silver Hand questline, you will need to burn some Glenmorii witch heads to cure Kodlak Whitemane of lycanthropy.
At this point, you can choose to use one of these witch heads to cure yourself of the disease as well, or you can choose to stick with lycanthropy permanently.
If you opt to cure yourself, you can become a werewolf again later, but only if you have the Dawnguard DLC. Speak with Aela the Huntress in The Circle, and she will grant you the ability to transform once again with her werewolf blood. You must not currently have vampire blood when you do this.
Pros and Cons
As a werewolf, you will be immune to all forms of disease and you will have increased health in your human form. You will inflict higher damage that increases with your level and health can be restored by feeding on humans you kill.
You will gain the Howl ability, which causes nearby enemies to cower in fear or flee, and you will also have enhanced agility and strength while in the werewolf form. Feeding on humans you kill will increase the time you spend as the wolfman by 30 seconds per human.
There are some cons, though. Silver weapons will do increased damage against you, and you will have a harder time regenerating from this damage in your werewolf form. Followers and companions may also abandon you.
In this form, you can’t get the Rested buff or the Well Rested bonus. You will also become weak against the Undead, and howling at undead enemies will not incur any effects, making you quite vulnerable to large numbers of them.
Related guides:
How to Get Dragon Scales in Skyrim How to Get the Skeleton Key Unconventional Skyrim Builds
There are seemingly endless things to do in Skyrim, and even if you’ve played it through a thousand times, there’s always something new for you to try. If you’ve always wondered how to become a werewolf, now you know what to do! It can be a great way to spice up a playthrough. For more on Skyrim, consider checking out the links above or heading over to our guides hub for The Elder Scrolls V.
