Should I Be a Werewolf in ESO in 2024? Pros, Cons, and Tips

Werewolves in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) remain a divisive topic in 2024. Are they worth it? With the Armory system making it easier than ever to switch between builds, this guide dives into what being a werewolf offers, its strengths and weaknesses, and whether it fits your playstyle in PvP, PvE, or solo content.

What is a Werewolf in ESO?

A werewolf in ESO is a unique skill line that lets you transform into a savage wolf beast using a powerful ultimate. This transformation unlocks a full set of active abilities and passives. To acquire it, get bitten by special werewolf NPCs (active at specific times and locations) or, more commonly, have another player infect you at a shrine in places like Bangkorai. To cure lycanthropy, visit a Priest of Arkay—but with the Armory system, you can save and swap builds without needing to cure or reinfect.

How to Become a Werewolf

The simplest method in 2024 is to visit a werewolf shrine (e.g., in Bangkorai) and get bitten by another player—free and fast! Join communities like Discord (check the video description) to find someone willing to help. NPC bites are an option, but they’re less reliable due to timing and spawn conditions.

Werewolf Abilities and Passives

When transformed, you gain access to several powerful abilities. The ultimate, Werewolf Transformation, boosts max stamina and stamina recovery by 15% (even when not transformed). Light attacks apply bleed damage over 4 seconds, heavy attacks deal 50% splash damage, and transforming fears enemies for 3 seconds. Your spammable ability, Leap (X Button), deals bleed damage, applies hemorrhaging, and increases damage as enemy health drops while extending your transformation by 1 second per hit. Healer’s Fortitude heals based on max health, restores stamina at full health, and grants Minor Endurance/Fortitude (+15% recovery) and Major Brutality/Sorcery (+20% damage) for 20 seconds. Deafening Roar fears enemies for 4 seconds, sets them off-balance for 7, applies Major Breach and Minor Maim (reducing resistances and damage by 5%), and allows heavy attacks to taunt. Hew of Agony deals massive physical damage (e.g., 10,888 on a basic build), with +10% damage to terrified or off-balance enemies. Shred applies disease damage and Major Defile (-10% healing and damage shields).

Passives include Devour, which restores health by eating corpses; Pursuit, granting +30% movement speed and +50% stamina from heavy attacks; Blood Rage, extending transformation by 4 seconds when dealing damage (once every 5 seconds); Savage Strength, providing +18% weapon/spell damage and Major Resolve; and Call of the Pack, reducing transformation cost by 40% per group werewolf, up to 80%.

Pros of Being a Werewolf

Werewolves shine in 2024 with a versatile toolkit offering damage, healing, mobility, and resource swapping (Magicka to stamina). They excel in PvP with high damage and mobility, especially when paired with the Oakensoul Ring for extra buffs. For solo content like Maelstrom Arena or overland quests, werewolves provide self-sustain and easy one-bar builds. The Armory system adds flexibility, letting you swap builds instantly without re-biting. Plus, no DLC is needed—werewolf is accessible even without mythics or ESO Plus.

Cons of Being a Werewolf

Drawbacks include PvP targeting due to a larger hitbox and high threat, making you a focus for enemies using Dawnbreaker or Nightblades with poison damage. In PvE, werewolves can achieve 70-80k DPS but are niche and less optimal for trials needing sustained damage. Additionally, many buffs overlap with the Oakensoul Ring, raising the question: why limit yourself to werewolf?

Werewolves in PvP and PvE

In PvP, werewolves are strong in Battlegrounds with mobility and team support, though Cyrodiil’s open fights can expose you to more attacks. Pairing with Oakensoul boosts viability. In PvE, they’re excellent for solo content (e.g., Maelstrom Arena) and some dungeons with taunt utility but less competitive in trials. Werewolves use standard DPS sets like Kinras or Pillar of Nirn.

The Armory System: A Game-Changer

The Armory system saves your build—including werewolf status—letting you switch instantly. Try werewolf for PvP or solo content, then swap to a standard build for PvE trials without hassle. It’s 2024’s biggest reason to experiment with lycanthropy risk-free.

Should You Be a Werewolf in 2024?

Yes—if PvP or solo content is your focus. Werewolves offer a fun, mobile, one-bar playstyle that’s easy to try with the Armory system. For PvE trials or Cyrodiil’s chaos, you might prefer a standard build.