Skyrim Build Guide: Unleash the Beast - Melee Werewolf Power
This article is based on information from the latest version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Skyrim Anniversary Edition, patched on January 17, 2024). This game does not have a "season" system like typical online games.
Have you ever wanted to traverse the vast lands of Tamriel with the power of something otherworldly? In the world of Skyrim, there exists a path to become a "Werewolf," revealing your true form when night falls. This guide introduces a "melee-focused Werewolf build" where you operate steadily in human form with heavy armor and one-handed weapons, but once you howl at the moon, you transform into a beastman with overwhelming destructive power. Experience the exhilaration of mastering two forms and devastating your enemies.
Two Faces Howling at the Moon! Werewolf Build Concept
The greatest appeal of this build lies in the dramatic shift in combat style between "human form" and "Werewolf form." Ordinarily, you'll adventure as a classic warrior, engaging enemies steadily with well-honed heavy armor and one-handed weapons. However, the true strength of this build emerges when you find yourself in a tight spot, surrounded by powerful foes or numerous enemies.
Upon transforming into "beast form," you lose the benefits of your equipment, but gain overwhelming offensive power and astonishing speed to dart across the battlefield—more than compensating for the loss. Unleash a fierce assault with sharp claws, a terrifying roar that sends enemies fleeing, and self-healing plus extended transformation time by devouring fallen foes. Wielding these abilities, you can unilaterally annihilate threats that would be insurmountable in human form. The core enjoyment of this build lies in clearly understanding the roles before and after transformation and strategically switching between them depending on the situation.
Build Roadmap: Towards the Ultimate Beast
Character progression aims to achieve both stability in human form and explosive power in Werewolf form. In the early stages, steadily develop your skills as a warrior, then acquire the power of the Werewolf through The Companions' questline.
Core Principles and Progression Path
Focus your stats primarily on Health and Stamina, with a ratio of "2 Health : 1 Stamina" as a good balance. Magicka is not needed. Ensure sufficient Stamina for survival in human form and for power attacks and sprinting in Werewolf form. Below is a summary of the progression guidelines.
| Item | Recommended Choices and Progression Order |
|---|---|
| Recommended Race | Orc: The racial power "Berserker Rage" doubles damage dealt and halves damage taken. If activated before transformation, its effects carry over into Werewolf form, making it the optimal choice for further increasing explosive power. Redguard: "Adrenaline Rush" provides rapid Stamina recovery, contributing to sustained sprinting and power attacks in Werewolf form. |
| Recommended Standing Stone | Early Game: Warrior Stone - Speeds up One-Handed, Heavy Armor, and Smithing skill increases by 20%, making progression more efficient. Mid to Late Game: Lord Stone - Increases armor rating by 50 and magic resistance by 25%. Greatly enhances survivability before transformation. (Alternative) Lady Stone - Increases Health and Stamina recovery rates by 25%. Also contributes to sustained combat capability after transformation. |
| Werewolf Perk Acquisition Order | Requires the "Dawnguard" DLC. Earn skill points by devouring enemies while transformed. 1. Bestial Strength: Highest priority, acquire all 4 ranks. Increases claw damage by up to 100%. 2. Animal Vigor: Health and Stamina increase by 100. Dramatically improves durability. 3. Gorging: Doubles Health recovery from devouring. A lifeline during transformation. 4. Savage Feeding: Broadens the range of devourable targets, increasing opportunities for healing and extending transformation time. |
| Human Form Key Skills and Perks | One-Handed: Armsman(5/5) → Fighting Stance → Weapon-specific Perk (e.g., Bladesman) Heavy Armor: Juggernaut(5/5) → Fists of Steel → Cushioned → Conditioning (negates weight penalty) Smithing: Aim for Daedric Smithing or Dragon Smithing, starting from Steel Smithing. Enchanting: Enchanter(5/5) → Insightful Enchanter → Extra Effect (allows two enchantments per item) |
How to Become a Werewolf
To become a Werewolf, you must progress through The Companions' questline, headquartered at Jorrvaskr in Whiterun. By participating in a ritual during the middle of the storyline, you will embrace the blood of the beast.
Mastering Both Forms! Combat Tactics
Situational awareness is key to mastering this build. Fight by leveraging the strengths of both human and beast forms.
Combat in Human Form
Combat is primarily orthodox melee, using a shield and one-handed weapon, or dual-wielding. With your well-trained heavy armor and defensive skills, you should be able to fight most enemies stably. If a tough battle is anticipated, prepare for transformation. Especially, the Orc's racial power "Berserker Rage" can dramatically boost your combat abilities in Werewolf form if activated before transforming.
Combat in Werewolf Form
After transforming, you take on the significant risk of having 0 defense, but in return, you gain immense power and speed. Against groups of enemies, performing power attacks while sprinting allows you to knock down and send foes flying. This is an incredibly potent main attack for this build.
Always prioritize "devouring" for health management. Each time you defeat an enemy, devouring their corpse restores your health and extends your transformation time by 30 seconds. By repeating this, you can sustain your transformed state throughout combat.
Additionally, the "Howl" activated with the Shout (Thu'um) key frightens nearby enemies, causing them to flee. This is useful for disengaging when overwhelmed by numerous enemies or temporarily neutralizing troublesome magic users.
On the "Legendary" difficulty, the risk of 0 defense becomes even more pronounced. A single enemy attack can be fatal. Therefore, a more cautious playstyle is required, such as hit-and-run tactics—surprise attacks with sprint power attacks followed by quickly retreating—or systematically eliminating enemies while they are incapacitated by your "Howl." Drinking various resistance potions crafted through Alchemy before transforming can increase your survival rate, as their effects persist.
Recommended Gear to Become the Ultimate Beast
To maximize your abilities before transforming, selecting and enhancing your gear is crucial. Don't forget to acquire unique items that aid your Werewolf form.
Essential Daedric Artifacts
Ring of Hircine: This is the most crucial item for this build, removing the one-per-day transformation limit into a Werewolf. You can obtain it by progressing through the Daedric Quest "Ill Met By Moonlight." The freedom to transform at will will greatly expand your strategic options.
Example of Final Gear Set
Fundamentally, gear crafted using your Smithing and Enchanting skills to their fullest potential will be the strongest.
- Armor: A full set of "Daedric Armor" or "Dragonplate Armor." Enhance them to "Legendary" quality with your Smithing skill.
- Example Enchantments for Armor: Apply a balanced mix of Health Fortify, Stamina Fortify, One-Handed Damage Fortify, Magic Resistance, and various elemental resistances.
- Weapons: "Daedric Sword/Axe/Mace." Similarly, enhance these to "Legendary" quality.
- Example Enchantments for Weapons: A combination of "Absorb Health" and "Absorb Stamina" greatly improves your sustained combat ability before transformation. "Paralyze" is also a powerful option.
- Accessories: The Ring of Hircine is essential. For your other ring and necklace, apply enchantments like "Fortify One-Handed Damage" or "Fortify Health."
- Skyrim Anniversary Edition Creation Club Content: If installed, the "Ring of the Hunt" (increases damage dealt while transformed) and the "Ring of the Moon" (automatic Health and Stamina regeneration while transformed) are extremely powerful and will elevate your build to an even higher level.
Conclusion: Towards the Ultimate Predator of the Moonlight
While the "melee-focused Werewolf build" requires some effort to develop, it's a truly unique and powerful build that allows you to enjoy two distinct playstyles—human and beast—with a single character. Make a name for yourself as a warrior of Skyrim in human form, and in dire situations, devour your enemies as the ultimate predator. Once you experience its overwhelming power, there's no doubt you'll be hooked.
So, why not knock on the doors of The Companions, embrace the ancient blood, and let your roar echo across all of Tamriel?
