Lycanthropy ( Skyrim ) Lycanthropy is a disease that can be received in . Werewolves are men and women who can transform into powerful , monstrous wolves once a day . Opinions on Lycanthropy vary among factions in Skyrim : some members of the Companions in Whiterun see it as a blessing , a way of drawing out the strength and ferocity of their inner beast ( though the Harbinger , Kodlak Whitemane sees it as more of a curse that holds him back from entering Sovngarde after death ) . Others , such as the Silver Hand and the Vigilants of Stendarr , see it as a violation of nature . As of , werewolves have been incorporated into the wild as randomly encountered creatures . Appearance . The appearance of the werewolf in " Skyrim " is that of a large wolf - like humanoid creature with razor sharp claws and a set of large teeth . Unlike the more wolf - faced look of the werewolves , the werewolves of " Skyrim " have monstrous faces and muscular builds . Males are slightly taller than females . Their eyes in wolf form are yellow , while in human form the eyes of a NPC werewolf are silver . Werewolves in " Skyrim " have less fur than the " Bloodmoon " werewolves , their arms are longer and possess more strength . Becoming a werewolf . If the Dragonborn contracts Lycanthropy , they will have the ability to turn into a werewolf . The only way to get this disease is by progressing through the Companions questline . The process by which the Dragonborn becomes a werewolf is activated through the Magic menu , Powers tab : Beast Form . This resembles a standard power in that it can be marked as a favorite and assigned a quick - change number as any other power , spell , shout , weapon , or armor . Lycanthropy is contracted as part of the blood ritual that occurs during The Companions quest , " The Silver Hand " . The first transformation through this disease vector is particularly violent , allowing the Dragonborn to prowl outside The Underforge of Whiterun in bestial form ; there are two exits , one to the city , and a one - way exit to the eastern environs . After the Dragonborn " feeds " or just waits , the screen blacks out , the Dragonborn turns back to their original form , unclothed , being questioned by Aela the Huntress . The Dragonborn may also become a werewolf when wearing Ring of Hircine during the quest " Ill Met by Moonlight " for the Daedric Prince Hircine . This is temporary and the Dragonborn does not contract lycanthropy . In , if the Dragonborn is cured of Lycanthropy or becomes a Vampire Lord , they can talk to Aela and she can make them a werewolf again , canceling out vampirism . To become a Vampire Lord again , they need to ask Serana or Harkon ( if sided with the vampires ) . If sided with the Dawnguard , the Dragonborn must complete their quest line . Feeding ( Bloodlust ) . Bloodlust is a feeding method used by lycanthropes in . Player - controlled werewolves consume the flesh of corpses to extend the duration of their lycanthropic form . Each corpse extends the transformation an additional 30 seconds while also restoring health . If one chooses not to wait the minute or two one might have left , just wait a few hours . Curing Lycanthropy . Conventional method . Once Lycanthropy is cured via the Companions ' method , the Dragonborn cannot contract Lycanthropy again , nor do they have access to The Underforge . At the end of the Companions questline , a radiant quest " Purity " becomes available for those who wish to rid themselves of the disease . As part of that quest , the Dragonborn must cut off the head of a Glenmoril Witch , bringing it into the depths of Ysgramor ' s Tomb , draw the spirit of the wolf from their body , and defeat it . In order to remove the curse however , the Dragonborn must have killed at least two Glenmoril Witches , one for Kodlak , one for the Dragonborn . If the Dragonborn has killed all five witches , it is possible to cure all of the The Circle , except for Aela the Huntress who does not want to be cured . Vampire method . If the Dragonborn chooses to become a Vampire Lord and they are already a werewolf , then Beast Form will be removed from the Dragonborn ' s power menu . Console commands . Another way of curing lycanthropy is via console commands ; open the console and type , codice _ 1 . By using the console command code codice _ 2 to change the Dragonborn ' s race , vampirism is immediately removed . This is also true of the codice _ 3 command . Beast Form . When the Dragonborn becomes a werewolf , they acquire a new power known as Beast Form . This allows them to transform into a werewolf once a day ; however , the process takes a few seconds , during which they are vulnerable to attacks . Once transformed , the Dragonborn remains a werewolf for 2 . 5 minutes of real time . It is possible to extend this time by approaching a corpse and feeding on it by activating it as if looting it . This restores 50 points of Health and gives an additional 30 seconds of time as a werewolf . Beast form can be extremely useful in situations where equipment is removed , such as the quest " No One Escapes Cidhna Mine " and other prison escape attempts . In some scenarios , the Dragonborn ' s equipment ( such as swords , ex : Dragonbane ) will stay equipped after the transformation . However , the equipment does not add extra damage to attacks , but one handed skill will increase as if the Dragonborn were still in human form . When in beast form , a notable size increase occurs , this is not just a visual effect , and this may cause certain areas or dungeons to be impossible to traverse while in beast form . Walking backwards may allow the Dragonborn to pass under a low overhang . In the " " , the Dragonborn ' s equipment is automatically re - equipped upon leaving Beast Form . Advantages . Perk tree . As a part of " Dawnguard " , the werewolf perk tree is included . By consuming the heart of a corpse as a werewolf , it is possible to gain points exclusively for the werewolf perk tree . These points can be used to unlock perks such as increasing the total damage inflicted , health and stamina when in werewolf form . Unless the Savage Feeding perk is taken , only humanoid enemies can be fed upon ( with the exception of undead ) . Therefore , for fast leveling , it is highly recommended to take the Savage Feeding perk as soon as possible , increasing the variety of corpses that may be fed upon . The perk tree can only be accessed when in beast form . The werewolf skill tree includes eight perks . " * The quest " Totems of Hircine " must be completed before these will become usable . " Feedings . Each new perk requires a few more feedings than the last . A total of 164 people need to be fed upon to complete the entire tree . Disease immunity . The Dragonborn gains 100 % resistance to all diseases ( including Vampirism ) . This effect is permanent as long as they do not use the cure for Lycanthropy . In " Dawnguard " , however , if the Dragonborn chooses to become a Vampire Lord , it will replace Lycanthropy just as Lycanthropy replaces Vampirism . Shapeshifted . The Dragonborn ' s damage is base 20 and levels gradually until level 45 , where base damage is 80 , while as a werewolf the Dragonborn also gains 100 health and stamina , not to mention a much higher sprint speed that makes them move much faster and can be utilized for long periods of time . Stamina also regenerates much faster , and power attacks are magnified . The standing and moving power attacks knock back opponents more often , and the sprinting power attack gains a massive damage boost . The Dragonborn also has a chance to maul an opponent after knocking them down . Unlike traditional werewolves , the Dragonborn can transform at will , during day or night , by using the Beast Form power . Actions while in werewolf form do not count towards the Dragonborn ' s normal bounty , unless someone sees the transformation , in which case a 1 , 000 gold bounty is added in the appropriate hold . This makes it incredibly useful while doing many Dark Brotherhood missions . Also whilst transformed , wolves treat the Dragonborn as an ally unless attacked . Ring of Hircine . The Ring of Hircine , once obtained through the quest " Ill Met by Moonlight " , will allow the Dragonborn to turn into a werewolf unlimited times a day . Equipping it will give the Dragonborn the " additional transformations " power which is lost after using it . To regain the power , the Dragonborn must re - equip the ring , at which point the power will be returned . Frostmoon Pack . In , Majni , the leader of the Frostmoon Pack at Frostmoon Crag on Solstheim , sells a set of four rings that enhance the abilities of a werewolf upon transformation into Beast Form . The rings are only available to the Dragonborn if they are a werewolf , otherwise the members of the Frostmoon Pack are hostile towards visitors . The Ring of Bloodlust increases both damage and damage taken in Beast Form by 50 % . The Ring of Instinct provides an effect similar to the Slow Time shout for 20 seconds upon transformation into Beast Form . The Ring of the Hunt allows for the regeneration of health in Beast Form . The Ring of the Moon increases the duration of Howls by 25 % . Shifting . As previously stated in the " Other " section above , the Dragonborn is limited to one change per day . When using the power Beast Form , it is possible to transform no matter what the time of day or where the Dragonborn is located . To return to normal form , the Dragonborn must wait 2 . 5 minutes , unless they have fed on corpses , which adds 30 seconds per humanoid heart consumed , 15 seconds per animal heart ( only with the " Savage Feeding " perk ) . Giants . The Beast Form is useful for fighting against giants . By using the sprint attack , the giant will be knocked down just like any other foe , and they take a long time to get back up on their feet . During this time the Dragonborn can continue attacking the Giant with no risk of damage . As soon as the giant is almost recovered from its stagger , the Dragonborn can simply repeat to knock them down again . However the Dragonborn does need to beware of the giants ' pets , the mammoths . It is recommended that the Dragonborn kills them first . This can also be done in werewolf form easily . Simply power attack the mammoths first , when the giant is approaching , knock him down as stated above and continue attacking the mammoth . The Dragonborn should constantly be moving around to the back of the mammoth , to avoid being attacked , as the mammoth moves rather slowly compared to the werewolf . A werewolf ' s agility and the giant and mammoths ' slow attacks also give the Dragonborn a huge edge . Disadvantages . No sleeping bonus . The Dragonborn cannot gain any resting bonuses when having lycanthropy . They also cannot gain the temporary bonus of Lover ' s Comfort ( normally gained by sleeping in the Dragonborn ' s house when his or her spouse is present ) while afflicted . Skill bonuses from standing stones still apply normally . They also still get the Father ' s / Mother ' s Love bonus . Shapeshifted . Once transformed , the camera view is automatically moved to third person and cannot be changed back until after the transformation wears off . The werewolf form is large , and so has trouble fitting through narrow passages , and while in werewolf form the Dragonborn cannot access menus , maps , or items . This can be troubling when in the wild , as the Dragonborn cannot view the map and can easily become lost . By " sheathing " the werewolves claws , the werewolf can take on a less aggressive stance , along with allowing them to pan the camera . It is not possible to speak while shifted ( unless a part of a quest is reached where a character starts a conversation with the Dragonborn . If this happens it is possible to reply to them even in werewolf form ) . Anyone unfamiliar with the werewolf form will usually flee or try to attack the Dragonborn . Any followers that the Dragonborn may have will not leave their service for simply transforming into a werewolf and will still follow and attack enemies , but if the Dragonborn were to use The Scent of Blood or purposely damage the follower , they would flee , so it is advised to be careful around followers when in werewolf form . ( Exceptions : When a follower is at too high a level to be affected by Scent of Blood , they will shrug it off without consequences . ) The Dragonborn can feed upon fallen foes by activating them , this allows the Dragonborn to regenerate health . This is the only way to heal while in this form , as spell - casting and passive health regeneration are disabled . It also increases the duration of werewolf form by thirty seconds per person fed on . It is sometimes possible to feed on non - playable races , vampires , Falmer and Dremora can be fed on . If the Dragonborn goes near a town while transformed , the guards will attack on sight . To enter a town , the Dragonborn must wait in a hidden location until they revert to human form . Since all armor and weapons are unequipped when in Beast Form , the Dragonborn will not gain any skill points ( one handed stays the same skill level after clawing foes to death ) . Locks cannot be picked and chests can ' t be opened while in Beast form . Most unlocked doors and gates can still be opened . Weapon loss . When the Dragonborn leaves beast form , all of their equipment will be placed in their inventory , and they will have to re - equip it . There have been claims that the Daedric artifacts , Ebony Blade , Mehrunes ' Razor , Daedric Sword , any kind of mace , and the Sanguine Rose bug when transformed and allow the Dragonborn to use them in werewolf form . On several occasions , Soul Trap will still trap souls and fill soul gems . Very rarely the Dragonborn may have a blade or a bow in their hand as a werewolf , but it will not affect combat . Using a blade in this form will count towards one handed experience , but using a bow will not . Low armor . Initially this is not a problem , since the base armor value of Beast Form is better than most early armor , but in the late - game most enemies will be able to quickly put the Dragonborn down with a few power attacks . This is especially true on Master Difficulty . This problem is worsened by the lack of any ranged attacks , aside from launching opponents at each other . Werebears . Werebears are a different kind of lycanthrope present on Solstheim . There is no way for the Dragonborn to become one , However the Conjure Werebear power can be gained during the Cleansing the Stones quest , after cleansing the Beast Stone , allowing you to conjure one to fight by your side . Unlike what the book " On Lycanthropy " suggests , Werebears are not found in Skyrim in the game , and only on the island of Solstheim in .