How to become a werewolf in Skyrim (and have the most fun at it)

According to Elder Scroll lore, lycanthropy originated as a blessing bestowed upon mortals by the Daedric Prince Hircine. Hircine, Father of Manbeasts, would gift this disease to those who had won his favor—followers and hunters of great prowess. 

In Skyrim, those who manage to contract lycanthropy gain the ability to morph into a towering, bestial form boasting great strength and stamina. This Beast Form grants extra abilities while transformed, such as sending enemies running with a howl, or summoning spectral reinforcement. The primary method of contracting lycanthropy in Skyrim is following the Companions storyline:

Skyrim How To Become A Werewolf

Join the Companion’s and progress through the storyline until the quest entitled The Silver Hand. Follow Skjor to the Underforge and drink the blood of Aela the Huntress. Another method involves obtaining Hircine’s Ring—a Daedric artifact granting the player Beast Form

Skyrim Obtaining Ring of Hircine

Here are 10 ways to have fun as a werewolf 

Terrorize NPCs

NPCs that witness your transformation immediately become hostile, either attacking you or fleeing to inform the guards of your new 1000 coin bounty.

Unleash your inner beast in the middle of one of the Holds of Skyrim and savagely brutalize the guards and civilians that fail to get out of your way.

Lead the Pack

• What’s a wolf without a pack? Wolves you come across while in your Beast Mode will refrain from attacking you. Occasionally, they’ll recognize you as their alpha and fall in step behind you, savaging enemies you come across.
• Abilities like Totem of Ice Brothers and Totem of the Moon summon ice wolves and werewolves (respectively) to aid you in battle.
• In my opinion, this adds a nice touch to the role-playing aspect of the game. Wolves are pack animals, and werewolves are no exception. Summoning your canine brothers against your foes makes playing as a werewolf that much more enjoyable.

Listen to Commentary

• Every so often, an observant guard will point out animalistic traits your character has developed—including fur coming out of your ears.
• Oftentimes, NPCs have several lines of dialogue. Many of these are humorous or informative. Stand next to a guard and listen carefully—he may share something you haven’t heard before.

Fight the Eternal War

• Since the dawn of time, werewolves and vampires have, quite literally, been at each other’s throats.
• Vampires can be found throughout Skyrim. After being hired to stab a sword through their unbeating hearts, travel to their lairs and test fang and claw against undead magic.

Forfeit your Humanity

• Sometimes, life in Skyrim can be difficult with civil war, dragons and divine intervention. Give up the politics, and your humanity, by embracing life as a werewolf.
• Feeding on a corpse as a werewolf extends the duration of your transformation. Though initially limited to people, the Savage Feeding perk greatly expands the player’s menu.
• Travel to a location ridden with enemies, like a bandit camp. After slaughtering them, feasting on their carcasses will extend your transformation for several minutes— more than enough time to find more victims. This leaves the player free to live as a werewolf, roaming forests and caves, feeding as often as possible both to keep your transformation and to satisfy your hunger.

Join the Dawnguard

• As I mentioned earlier, vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies. Surround yourself with fellow vampire slayers by joining the Dawnguard and set yourself against the schemes of ancient coffin-dwellers
• Joining the Dawnguard offers a rewarding storyline, as well as exclusive weapons, armors, and spells.

Boost Your Abilities

• As a werewolf, feeding on the hearts of your victims allows you to unlock perks in the lycan skill tree. With these perks you do more damage, gain the ability to summon reinforcements, and more.
• Majni, a werewolf in Solstheim, sells four rings that grant werewolves special abilities, including the ability to slow time.

Fight with your Kin

• By this point you’ll know some of your fellow Companions share your curse. Undertaking guild-related quests and taking fellow members as followers keeps you close to your little wolf pack.

Test Yourself

• As a werewolf, your strength and stamina receive massive boosts—but you’re unable to equip weapons or armor. Because of this, as you progress through the game enemies improve and become harder to kill. Test your brute strength and rapidly-regenerating stamina against heavily-armored damage-absorbing foes.

Find the Cure

• Eventually, you’ll tire of tearing people to bits and feeding on their remains. Finding a cure for your lycanthropy allows you to play as a normal Nord/Elf/Khajiit, or even contract vampirism if you so desire

— just for a change of pace.

The savage strength and ruthlessness of the werewolf in Skyrim ensure you’ll enjoy spending hours mauling your enemies beyond recognition.

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