Werewolf is more fun than I was expecting

Saltypretzels

I've been around since launch and have mostly only seen on the forums that werewolf sucks. Well, I was bored with my current build and wanted to try something new. And so far, I really like werewolf. I think it's a blast to play.

1) You only advance in werewolf levels by killing foes in form, which means that it is a constant race to kill more and MOR! You pounce from enemy to enemy trying to kill as fast as possible to get your kills up before you go back to human. The timer on werewolf is not the bad thing that I read so much about. It adds to the sense of urgency and need to kill and devour the next foe. Once I hit max werewolf level this sense of urgency will probably fade a bit, which is too bad. I really like that feeling.

2) The damage is good. My character is stamina spec'ed, so werewolf does good damage. Probably about the same as using my two-handed sword, but you can travel from mob to mob so fast because of the pouncing, and it has a really good cc ability... It is good to scare the mobs away, because then you can pounce them again!

3) Haven't tried it in PvP or in dungeons, but as far as doing some single player questing, it is a ton of fun. So, the morale of this post is to try werewolf for yourself and make your own judgments rather than listening to other forumites opinions.

21jws10

What class are you at the moment just wondering? I like it on some classes more than others.

leepalmer95

Well it's useless in pvp,

21jws10

@leepalmer95 you're in blackwater blade ps4 EU? For daggerfall covenant?

leepalmer95

21jws10 wrote: »

@leepalmer95 you're in blackwater blade ps4 EU? For daggerfall covenant?

my lvl 37 alt is, yes

21jws10

@leepalmer95 thought I saw you, nice work

leepalmer95

21jws10 wrote: »

@leepalmer95 thought I saw you, nice work

not sure what for, but ty

21jws10

@leepalmer95 speaking of werewolves/vampires there are a LOT on console I think, I have silver bolts on my healer and it seems to knock a lot down.

leepalmer95

21jws10 wrote: »

@leepalmer95 speaking of werewolves/vampires there are a LOT on console I think, I have silver bolts on my healer and it seems to knock a lot down.

Next patch it's going to be worse, i doubt many will be ww, but a lot will be vamps because it's so easy to get rid of 25% fire dmg ^^ , get your dawnbreaker of smiting ready.

Pallmor

Yeah, I went werewolf a while back for the stam regen. But I recently started leveling it when I did a skill point respec, and it's a blast to play. It takes a while to generate enough ultimate to use. But man, when you do, it's a hoot in crowds!

Alucardo

Pallmor wrote: »

Yeah, I went werewolf a while back for the stam regen. But I recently started leveling it when I did a skill point respec, and it's a blast to play. It takes a while to generate enough ultimate to use. But man, when you do, it's a hoot in crowds!

Roll a stam sorc with a set of saviours hide - you can get your cost for werewolf trans down to 156. Then use carve to generate even more ultimate and you'll be in beast form in literally no time!

UrQuan

I've got quite a few werewolf characters (primarily because I really liked the whole Companions storyline in Skyrim - possibly my favorite in that game), and I'd say my experiences with actually using the werewolf form are decidedly mixed.

I was first a werewolf on my Dragonknight tank (I actually got infected accidentally - I didn't even realize the mobs I was fighting were the special ones that give you lycanthropy). That's the character I tried out werewolf form with the most. Even after the changes that improved werewolf form, overall I just found that I was noticeably less powerful in werewolf form than in human form. For something that requires an ultimate to use, that's hardly a ringing endorsement.

After dabbling a tiny bit here and there with werewolf form on other characters, I tried it out in earnest on my stamina-build Nightblade DPS. What a difference! On a character that was actually built around stamina and weapon power/weapon crit going into werewolf form doesn't make me feel like I'm wasting an ultimate to nerf myself! With skill points in all of the active and passive skills, I'm actually more powerful as a werewolf than as a khajiit!

So I guess the moral of the story is that if you're a more balanced build (like my tank, who relies primarily on magicka skills for damage and utility, and stamina for blocking and other tanking stuff) the werewolf form is going to feel underwhelming. If you're a stamina build DPS, though, it can be pretty powerful.

CP5

As someone who tries to use the transformation itself I can say that ww is leagues ahead of what it was at launch, but I will also add that the timer is the worst. It is almost like someone is bashing you upside the head with a hammer shouting GOGOG. It, just becomes more irritating to deal with and completely removes the ability to enjoy the transformation, or utilize it in more demanding situations.

LiquidSchwartz

leepalmer95 wrote: »

Well it's useless in pvp,

if youre in the middle of taking a keep and transform and fear everyone its really useful
plus you can spam howl and keep knocking down npc

waterfairy

Here's a tip that the guy who bit me shared...after completing the ritual, stay in that same area (hunting grounds?) to max your werewolf level. There's no timer on the transformation there so you just run around killing the respawning mobs. I got to werewolf level 10 in less than an hour.

It's not as strong as I thought but I think I will have to try becoming a werewolf on my stamina nightblade as UrQuan said...seems like they would make a much stronger wolf then my Orc DK.

UrQuan

Vigarr wrote: »

Here's a tip that the guy who bit me shared...after completing the ritual, stay in that same area (hunting grounds?) to max your werewolf level. There's no timer on the transformation there so you just run around killing the respawning mobs. I got to werewolf level 10 in less than an hour.

That's what I've done on every one of my werewolf characters after the first (I didn't know about it then - I leveled that guy's WW to 10 the old fashioned way). They've nerfed the mob respawn time somewhat, but this is still the easiest way to level your WW skill to 10. It used to be that by the time you had done a circuit and killed all of the mobs, the first ones would have already respawned. Now you have to wait a little bit. Still totally worth doing though.

Saltypretzels

21jws10 wrote: »

What class are you at the moment just wondering? I like it on some classes more than others.

I'm a dragonknight, but I don't really see that helping much. The important thing is that I'm totally specc'ed for weapon damage and stamina.

UrQuan

Saltypretzels wrote: »

21jws10 wrote: »

What class are you at the moment just wondering? I like it on some classes more than others.

I'm a dragonknight, but I don't really see that helping much. The important thing is that I'm totally specc'ed for weapon damage and stamina.

Agreed - I believe that's what makes all the difference. The class should be totally irrelevant. My characters that aren't very effective as werewolves aren't specced for weapon damage/crit and stamina. The one that has quite effective as a werewolf is. I don't think him being a nightblade has anything to do with it.

CP5

LiquidSchwartz wrote: »

leepalmer95 wrote: »

Well it's useless in pvp,

if youre in the middle of taking a keep and transform and fear everyone its really useful
plus you can spam howl and keep knocking down npc

Problem is both howl and roar are very taxing on your stamina and if anyone bothers they can lock you down since you'll quickly run yourself dry on stamina.

starkerealm

CP5 wrote: »

LiquidSchwartz wrote: »

leepalmer95 wrote: »

Well it's useless in pvp,

if youre in the middle of taking a keep and transform and fear everyone its really useful
plus you can spam howl and keep knocking down npc

Problem is both howl and roar are very taxing on your stamina and if anyone bothers they can lock you down since you'll quickly run yourself dry on stamina.

It depends on your timing and build. If you're just mashing piercing howl over and over, then that's not going to work.

starkerealm

UrQuan wrote: »

Vigarr wrote: »

Here's a tip that the guy who bit me shared...after completing the ritual, stay in that same area (hunting grounds?) to max your werewolf level. There's no timer on the transformation there so you just run around killing the respawning mobs. I got to werewolf level 10 in less than an hour.

That's what I've done on every one of my werewolf characters after the first (I didn't know about it then - I leveled that guy's WW to 10 the old fashioned way). They've nerfed the mob respawn time somewhat, but this is still the easiest way to level your WW skill to 10. It used to be that by the time you had done a circuit and killed all of the mobs, the first ones would have already respawned. Now you have to wait a little bit. Still totally worth doing though.

I've actually never used that one. Though, I've only ever done Werewolf at level once. After that I ran a couple sixteens, and then a 12 through, back before they added scaling to the encounter. So, as a level 12, farming out the level 38 mobs for ranks wasn't happening.

UrQuan

starkerealm wrote: »

UrQuan wrote: »

Vigarr wrote: »

Here's a tip that the guy who bit me shared...after completing the ritual, stay in that same area (hunting grounds?) to max your werewolf level. There's no timer on the transformation there so you just run around killing the respawning mobs. I got to werewolf level 10 in less than an hour.

That's what I've done on every one of my werewolf characters after the first (I didn't know about it then - I leveled that guy's WW to 10 the old fashioned way). They've nerfed the mob respawn time somewhat, but this is still the easiest way to level your WW skill to 10. It used to be that by the time you had done a circuit and killed all of the mobs, the first ones would have already respawned. Now you have to wait a little bit. Still totally worth doing though.

I've actually never used that one. Though, I've only ever done Werewolf at level once. After that I ran a couple sixteens, and then a 12 through, back before they added scaling to the encounter. So, as a level 12, farming out the level 38 mobs for ranks wasn't happening.

The lowest level I did that farming on prior to the scaling was a level 20 (fully equipped with blue crafted gear sets). Much more difficult farming level 38 mobs as a level 20 werewolf (and it included a lot of times when I was desperately chugging potions to stay alive), but it was still worth doing. I don't think it would have been a good idea to try on a level 12, though, and probably not on a level 16 either.

Of course, now that it scales down as far as level 12, it's basically always worth doing. Heck, even if you're doing the quest on a level 4, you can still probably do the mob farming.

starkerealm

UrQuan wrote: »

The lowest level I did that farming on prior to the scaling was a level 20 (fully equipped with blue crafted gear sets). Much more difficult farming level 38 mobs as a level 20 werewolf (and it included a lot of times when I was desperately chugging potions to stay alive), but it was still worth doing. I don't think it would have been a good idea to try on a level 12, though, and probably not on a level 16 either.

Of course, now that it scales down as far as level 12, it's basically always worth doing. Heck, even if you're doing the quest on a level 4, you can still probably do the mob farming.

16 isn't too bad. I did that in green heavy Hunding's Rage, and I think Sword and Board. Though that set's been scrapped. I still have the blue heavy Alessia's Bulwark with 3pc Ashen Grip set I used at 12. And, actually the medium blue 16 Bullwark I used the first time I tried it at 16.

Low level runs were a lot of fun, and you could learn a lot about how to really get the most from a wolf.

UrQuan

starkerealm wrote: »

UrQuan wrote: »

The lowest level I did that farming on prior to the scaling was a level 20 (fully equipped with blue crafted gear sets). Much more difficult farming level 38 mobs as a level 20 werewolf (and it included a lot of times when I was desperately chugging potions to stay alive), but it was still worth doing. I don't think it would have been a good idea to try on a level 12, though, and probably not on a level 16 either.

Of course, now that it scales down as far as level 12, it's basically always worth doing. Heck, even if you're doing the quest on a level 4, you can still probably do the mob farming.

16 isn't too bad. I did that in green heavy Hunding's Rage, and I think Sword and Board. Though that set's been scrapped. I still have the blue heavy Alessia's Bulwark with 3pc Ashen Grip set I used at 12. And, actually the medium blue 16 Bullwark I used the first time I tried it at 16.

Low level runs were a lot of fun, and you could learn a lot about how to really get the most from a wolf.

For the mob farming though? I know you could do the quest successfully at level 16 or 12 even before scaling (I don't remember who, but I know someone on the forums posted a video of doing it at level 4! I never did it below level 20 myself prior to scaling - that was enough fun and challenge for me), but I would think the difficulty involved in fighting level 38 mobs at level 16 would have made the farming to level werewolf not worth doing, and probably better to level your werewolf the traditional way.

Sandshark95

I love the WW ultimate on my stamina NB DPS; it allows me to breeze through PvE content, solo world bosses and dolmens several levels higher than my level, and has proved time and again to be the perfect "Oh (Bleep)!" button in just about any hairy situation. It's arguably one of my favorite ultimates across all of my alts, and it's most definitely my favorite on my NB because I was never too impressed with the ultimate options for the NB class. Plus, as a stamina NB, I don't have the greatest self-heals to rely on, so the WW heal is great--even though it costs magicka and I can't exactly spam it more than twice in a row--and has saved me on a number of occasions. Provided, I don't PvP a lot, but I can see the possible shortcomings of the WW thing in that respect.

The timer actually doesn't bother me too much; sure, it would be very nice if it were a bit longer, but Devour and the passives compensate for it to an okay degree. I actually chose the Berserker morph for the extra damage, yet I can still run around in Wolf-form for an impressive amount of time so long as I keep killing things.

I, too, leveled up my 3 WWs to max level within an hour of receiving the bites by just farming the mobs in the Hunting Grounds. I had to wait a few minutes each time after I killed everything for the respawns, but I can say I still prefer this method over the alternative.

starkerealm

UrQuan wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

UrQuan wrote: »

The lowest level I did that farming on prior to the scaling was a level 20 (fully equipped with blue crafted gear sets). Much more difficult farming level 38 mobs as a level 20 werewolf (and it included a lot of times when I was desperately chugging potions to stay alive), but it was still worth doing. I don't think it would have been a good idea to try on a level 12, though, and probably not on a level 16 either.

Of course, now that it scales down as far as level 12, it's basically always worth doing. Heck, even if you're doing the quest on a level 4, you can still probably do the mob farming.

16 isn't too bad. I did that in green heavy Hunding's Rage, and I think Sword and Board. Though that set's been scrapped. I still have the blue heavy Alessia's Bulwark with 3pc Ashen Grip set I used at 12. And, actually the medium blue 16 Bullwark I used the first time I tried it at 16.

Low level runs were a lot of fun, and you could learn a lot about how to really get the most from a wolf.

For the mob farming though? I know you could do the quest successfully at level 16 or 12 even before scaling (I don't remember who, but I know someone on the forums posted a video of doing it at level 4! I never did it below level 20 myself prior to scaling - that was enough fun and challenge for me), but I would think the difficulty involved in fighting level 38 mobs at level 16 would have made the farming to level werewolf not worth doing, and probably better to level your werewolf the traditional way.

I think @MuseTheDrunkenDragon was the one who posted the level 4 video. I know it was someone in my guild. But, yeah, on the 12, I had issues with the normal enemies. The Mammoth was doable though.

Saltypretzels

For me, leveling up in the traditional sense (not in the Hunting Grounds on respawns) has been really fun. I really like the sense of urgency that you get with the werewolf timer and just wanting to make the next level and get the next skill. Still, to each their own.