How to Become a Werewolf in Skyrim and Cure Lycanthropy - The Complete Guide

Let‘s dig deep into the savage world of lycanthropy and learn everything there is to know about becoming a deadly werewolf, living as one, and curing the beast within. If you want to go on a serious furry rampage in Skyrim, this is the guide for you!

As a technology geek and avid Skyrim player, I‘ve spent countless hours researching, testing and analyzing all aspects of being a werewolf to provide you with the most comprehensive guide possible.

We‘ll cover the major pros and cons, step-by-step transformation rituals, maximizing your beastly abilities, curing methods and much more. Let‘s get started!

What Being a Werewolf Entails in Skyrim

Before we wolf out, you should understand precisely what lycanthropy means in Skyrim‘s lore.

In short, lycanthropy is a disease contracted by drinking the blood of another werewolf. This gives you the power to transform into a wolf-like beastial form once per day.

According to my research and experience, the major upsides are:

+100% increased speed – Werewolves can easily outrun horses and most enemies.
+150% stamina regeneration – Your stamina recovers incredibly fast, allowing more power attacks.
Immunity to disease – A major advantage compared to vampires who still catch diseases.
Beast form perks – Additional abilities like bleeding claw attacks, enhanced senses, and more.
Savage claw damage – With just your claws, you can quickly slay most enemies with a few swipes.

However, there are some notable disadvantages to consider as well:

No map access – You can‘t open maps or fast travel while transformed – have to plan routes ahead of time.
No potions/spells – All magic, shouts and potions are disabled in werewolf form.
2.5 minute time limit – You can only stay transformed for 150 seconds normally before reverting back.
Criminal acts add bounty – Crimes committed as a wolf still count. Witnessed transformations also add 1000 gold bounty.

Below we‘ll go over ways to maximize the pros and minimize the cons through clever use of skills, gear and strategies.

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Werewolf

Alright, time for the good stuff – how to actually become a werewolf yourself!

The only way is through The Companions faction questline in Whiterun. Here are the steps:

Enter Jorrvaskr and speak to Kodlak Whitemane downstairs. Tell him you wish to join The Companions.
Kodlak will direct you to Vilkas outside for a quick combat evaluation – just take a few swings at him.
Return inside and begin taking on missions posted around Jorrvaskr. Keep asking Companions members for more work.
One of the first major missions is Proving Honor with Farkas. This is where you‘ll witness another member transform.
Afterwards, ask Skjor for work. He‘ll lead you to The Underforge for a secret ritual at night.
Skjor will fill a fountain with werewolf blood. Drink it to become infected with lycanthropy.

Once infected, you‘ll wake up transformed outside The Underforge. You can wait it out or go savage throughout Whiterun as a beast.

After reverting to human form, you‘ll find Aela outside the city to continue Companions quests. You now have the Beast Form power which allows you to transform once per day.

Unlimited Transformations with the Ring of Hircine

Normally you can only transform once per day from the initial ritual. But there is an artifact that allows unlimited transformations – The Ring of Hircine.

To obtain it, complete the Ill Met by Moonlight quest in Falkreath which involves hunting a rogue werewolf named Sinding who stole the ring.

Alternatively, you can use the console command:

player.additem 0002ac60 1

This instantly gives you The Ring of Hircine. Equip it and favorite the power it grants. Now you can transform into a werewolf as many times per day as you want!

How to Cure Lycanthropy and Become Human Again

While being a werewolf is extremely empowering, you may eventually grow tired of the downsides. Luckily, there are a couple ways to cure lycanthropy once contracted:

Cure After Glory of the Dead Quest

The first opportunity is during the Companions questline itself. After becoming infected, continue missions until you complete Glory of the Dead.

This quest takes you to Ysgramor‘s Tomb where you‘ll need to collect Witch Heads from Glenmoril Coven first. They are used to cure Kodlak‘s lycanthropy after his death.

But you can also throw an extra Witch‘s Head into the fire to release and destroy your own wolf spirit, instantly curing your lycanthropy as well.

Cure After Cleansing Farkas and Vilkas

If you didn‘t cure yourself after Glory of the Dead, the only other method is by first curing Farkas and Vilkas instead.

To do so:

Keep taking Companion missions until one of the brothers mentions personal matters troubling them.
This triggers Purity which takes you back to Ysgramor‘s Tomb.
Use a Witch Head to cleanse the brother‘s lycanthropy at the fire.
Repeat for the second brother.
Finally, return to the tomb yourself and cast a head into the flames to cure your own lycanthropy.

And that‘s all there is to it! Afterwards you‘ll be fully human again.

Gameplay Tips for Maximizing Your Werewolf

Alright, time for some expert tips and strategies to really maximize your beast form abilities:

Use Savage Feeding to Increase Duration

The Savage Feeding perk in the werewolf skill tree increases your transformation duration by 30 seconds per corpse fed on.

Always eat dead enemies during battle to extend your time as long as possible. With a high enough skill, you can stay transformed for 10-15 minutes!

Transform Indoors to Avoid Bounties

Any witnesses to you transforming will add a 1000 gold bounty. To avoid this, always transform indoors privately first, then immediately exit outside.

Prioritize Speed Over Damage Early On

Your base claw damage is already high early on. Focus on taking speed perks first for maximum mobility and attack speed.

Stick to Claws Only for Maximum Damage

While you can use weapons as a werewolf, you actually do more DPS relying solely on your claw power attacks. Don‘t bother equipping any gear.

Take Down Ranged Foes First

Use your speed to prioritize rushing and eliminating ranged opponents first. Then quickly move to melee fighters.

Keep an Eye Out for Escape Routes

Scan for quick exit points you can use to lose pursuing enemies and safely revert form if overwhelmed.

Consider Companion Followers

Fellow Companions won‘t attack you while transformed, so they make ideal allies. However, they can still witness transformations.

Resist Cursed Items Like Hircine‘s Ring

Some items force transformations at inconvenient times. Avoid cursed rings connected to Hircine while a werewolf.

And there you have it! With these tips and strategies, you can maximize the power of beast form and really unleash the full savage potential of lycanthropy.

I hope this guide has given you all the knowledge you need to become the ultimate werewolf and go on a feral rampage throughout Skyrim. We covered everything from initial infection, curing methods, and beast form strategies.

Just be careful not to get too addicted to the hunt my friend! You may find the call of the wild hard to resist once you‘ve tasted blood…

Let me know if you have any other werewolf questions. Happy hunting!