Lycanthropy in Elder Scrolls Online is an affliction your characters can catch from Werewolves, which allows them to transform into bipedal wolf-like beasts. Becoming a werewolf adds the related skill line with which you can unlock extra bonuses.
Werewolves can deal lethal damage with their claw attacks, move swiftly, and have increased health and stamina. They can also use their forearms to block and bash, similar to normal weapon use. During the transformation, they retain buffs, passive skills from other skill lines, and benefits of equipped weapons and armor, including weapon enchantments.
The main disadvantage of the werewolf transformation is that, while it lasts, the only active skills that can be used are the five from the werewolf skill line. Another significant disadvantage is the limited time on transformations, though this time can be increased by various means using the werewolf skill line. Also, the werewolf will be vulnerable for a brief time while returning to their original form. While in beast form, werewolves are also vulnerable to Poison Damage. Whether in beast form or not, they are vulnerable to Fighters Guild abilities from players who have the Skilled Tracker passive skill.
Becoming a Werewolf
In order to become a werewolf, you must be infected with the disease Sanies Lupinus. This can be acquired by being bitten by high-level Werewolves in ESO
- The easiest way is to be bitten by another player is at one of the game’s Werewolf Shrines. These are located in Reaper’s March, The Rift and Bangkorai, see the maps below for their exact locations.
- A less easy way is to get infected by npc werewolves. They only spawn during full moon cycle however, and the chance to get it is fairly random each time you get hit so you might want to bring some good self-sustain, as well as dismiss your companions and any retaliation abilities you might have. Once you get the disease, you must first talk to an npc (with an arrow similiar to daily quests) in the zone's major town before going to the shrine.
- Alternatively, players can purchase a Werewolf's Bite from the Crown Store for 1,500
.
Werewolf Basics
While you are in Werewolf Form you will lose access to all current skills and abilities and gain those of the Werewolf Skill Line for the duration. The following is a brief rundown of the positives and negatives of being a Werewolf and what you can expect when in Werewolf Form:
- + 10,000 Physical and Spell Resistance
- + 30% Max Stamina
- + 30% Increased Movement Speed
- + 15% Stamina Recovery
- + 18% Weapon Damage
- + 100% Stamina return from Heavy Attacks
- + 25% Damage from Poison attacks (Weapon Enchants, Abilities, and Weapon Poisons)
- + 20% Damage from Fighters Guild Skills
When in Human Form
- + 15% Stamina Recovery (must be on your active bar to apply)
Applied When in Werewolf Form
- Weapon Damage
- Weapon Traits
- Slotted Poisons
- Armor (this includes Shield if you have one equipped when you transform)
- Armor Traits
- Armor Passives
- Racial Passives
- Class Passives
- Alliance War Passives
- Guild Passives
Not Applied When in Werewolf Form
- Weapon Passives (such as Twin Blade and Blunt, Forceful or Heavy Weapons)
- Passives that require an ability on your bar (such as Piercing Spear, Magelight or Slayer)
Players can also benefit various bonuses outside of Werewolf Form for different Races and Classes.
You can check an in-depth video of playing a Werewolf below:
Curing Lycanthropy
If a player would like to cure the contracted status, one must travel and find Prelate Sabinus in the Mage's Guild hall in order to be cured. Players will be required to provide a small amount of gold before being cured once you've encountered Prelate Sabinus.
Prelate Sabinus' Location
Werewolf Sets
There are many different Sets players wishing to Werewolf can use. Since Werewolf is a Stamina-based Skill Line, you’ll either want to choose Heavy or Medium Armor. Medium Armor is recommended for PvE to increase your damage, and Heavy Armor for PvP to increase your Resistances. Keep in mind that you can mix and match Heavy and Medium Sets and that Werewolves increase not only Stamina but Weapon Damage by a good percentage. Let’s take a look at some Sets players may wish to utilize when playing a Werewolf:
Medium Armor Werewolf Sets
- Bone Pirate's Tatters Set
- Draugr Hulk Set
- Salvation Set
- Shacklebreaker Set
- Spriggan's Thorn Set
- Quick Serpent Set
You can also check an in-depth guide for the Blood Moon Set below:
Werewolf Skills
Werewolf Skills in Elder Scrolls Online can be obtained by being bitten by another player who possesses the Blood Moon skill. It can also be acquired by being bitten by Werewolves located in high-level areas or purchased from the Crown Store for 1,500. Werewolves spawn at night, and much more during a Full Moon. Any player who actively has the Vampire Skill Line is not eligible. This Skill Line was given a major overhaul in Update 5. The player will rank up this Skill Line by killing enemies in Werewolf form. It does not matter what enemies are killed, as each enemy counts for the same amount of XP. An easy way to rank up this Skill Line is by finding an area with lots of easy enemies and transforming and killing all of them before your timer runs out. It takes a total of 225 kills while in Werewolf Form to reach Rank 10.
| Name & Image | Skill Type | Rank | Description | Unlock | Cost | Cast Time | Range/Radius (Target) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Ultimate |
|
Werewolf Rank 1 | 325 Ultimate |
1s (30s) |
(Self) | |
 |
|
|
Werewolf Transformation Rank IV | 325 Ultimate |
1s (30s) |
Self | |
|
|
|
Werewolf Transformation Rank IV | 325Ultimate | 1s (30s) |
Self | |
| |
Active |
|
Werewolf Rank 2 | 4050 Stamina | Instant | 5-22m range (Enemy) |
|
|
|
|
Pounce Rank IV | 4050 Stamina | Instant | 5-22m range/ |
|
|
|
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Pounce Rank IV | 4050 Stamina | Instant | 5-22m range (Enemy) |
|
| |
Active |
|
Werewolf Rank 3 | 4590 Magicka |
Instant | Self | |
|
|
|
Hircine's Bounty Rank IV | 4590 Magicka |
Instant | Self | |
|
|
|
Hircine's Bounty Rank IV | 4590 Magicka |
Instant | Self | |
| |
Active |
|
Werewolf Rank 5 | 4163 Stamina | Instant (3.3s) |
8m radius (Area) | |
|
|
|
Roar Rank IV | 4163 Stamina | 1s | 8m radius | |
|
|
|
Roar Rank IV | 4163 Stamina | 1s | 8m radius | |
| |
Active |
|
Werewolf Rank 6 | 3510 Stamina |
Instant | 10m range (Enemy) |
|
|
|
|
Piercing Howl Rank IV | 3510 Stamina |
Instant | 10m range (Enemy) |
|
|
|
|
Piercing Howl Rank IV | 3510 Stamina |
Instant | 10m range (Enemy) |
|
| |
Active |
|
Werewolf Rank 9 | 3240 Stamina |
Instant | 7m radius (cone) |
|
|
|
|
Infectious Claws Rank IV | 3240 Stamina |
Instant | 7m radius (cone) |
|
|
|
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Infectious Claws Rank IV | 3240 Stamina |
Instant | 7m radius (cone) |
|
| |
Passive | Rank I | WHILE IN WEREWOLF FORM:
|
Werewolf Rank 3 | -- | -- | -- |
| Rank II | WHILE IN WEREWOLF FORM:
|
Werewolf Rank 7 | -- | -- | -- | ||
| |
Passive | WHILE IN WEREWOLF FORM:
|
Werewolf Rank 3 | -- | -- | -- | |
| |
Passive | Rank I | WHILE IN WEREWOLF FORM:
|
Werewolf Rank 4 | -- | -- | -- |
| Rank II | WHILE IN WEREWOLF FORM:
|
Werewolf Rank 8 | -- | -- | -- | ||
| |
Passive |
|
Werewolf Rank 6 | -- | -- | -- | |
| |
Passive | Rank I | WHILE IN WEREWOLF FORM:
|
Werewolf Rank 6 | -- | -- | -- |
| Rank II | WHILE IN WEREWOLF FORM:
|
Werewolf Rank 9 | -- | -- | -- | ||
| |
Passive | Rank I | WHILE IN WEREWOLF FORM:
|
Werewolf Rank 7 | -- | -- | -- |
| Rank II | WHILE IN WEREWOLF FORM:
|
Werewolf Rank 10 | -- | -- | -- | ||
Chomp
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