While not an intended feature, the Dragonborn can become a Vampire-Werewolf hybrid in which is included in most Skyrim editions. That pack fully intended for players to only commit with a single monstrous transformation. However, thanks to an oversight and glitch it is possible to have access to both at the same time.
Normally, one would have to pick between one of the two possible transformations at a time. It isn't a total lock, as there are dialogue options to revert between either being a Vampire or Werewolf - but no normal means to quickly switch on the fly. Most importantly, each state has its own perk tree that can be maintained as a hybrid without the additional need to reallocate points.
Players will have to do this procedure in a certain order. One will need to already have obtained Vampire Lord status before ever starting the questline to become a Werewolf. If one has already gained the ability to transform into the latter, then that character is no longer eligible for becoming a hybrid. One would need to restart all of Skyrim with a fresh new character and be sure to have backup saves just in case.
Becoming a Vampire Lord in Skyrim
Those that opt into the Dawnguard expansion questline in Skyrim will have the opportunity to first transform into a normal Vampire, and then later upgrade into a stronger Vampire Lord. This is the required first step in order to become a later hybrid. One will need to head to Fort Dawnguard within The Rift. If players are already level 10, players will also be automatically asked to visit by the Orc NPC Durak.
Vampire Route
Skyrim's Dawnguard has two story options: help out the Dawnguard or side with the Volkihar Vampire clan. To gain the Vampire Lord transformation early, one will need to do the Volkihar option. If one has already agreed to side with Dawnguard, then the hybrid option will be lost of the rest of the save state. ing the Volkihar involves doing a long quest chain that includes the following:
- Dawnguard
- Awakening
- Bloodline
- The Bloodline Chalice (Vampire) - ask Harkon to become a Vampire Lord
- Prophet (Vampire)
- Scroll Scouting
- Seeking Disclosure
- Chasing Echoes - but do not fully finish it
The last quest, Chasing Echoes, has a few caveats. Towards the end, the dedicated Skyrim follower Serana will ask what to do with the portal to the Soul Cairn. There are two options of fully upgrading to Vampire Lord or placing the Dragonborn’s soul in a Soul Gem. Despite the request, do not agree to either option yet. In order to become a Vampire-Werewolf hybrid one will now need to not answer Serana and head to the Companions Guild to start the Werewolf transformation.
Adding a Wolf Hybrid in Skyrim
Now that one is a Vampire Lord, it is time to head to another location Skyrim of Whiterun Hold. Once inside the town, head over to the Jorrvaskr district and the Companions guild house will be in the north-eastern section. Speak with Kodlak Whitemore to the guild fully. He will also have several additional quests that must be undertaken:
- Take Up Arms
- Proving Honor
- The Silver Hand
- Random Sidequests
As noted, sometimes the Companions Guild will interweave one or two sidequests before returning to the main storyline. These are randomly generated quests that have different possible goals, targets, and locations. Most are rather simple or easy quests. If a quest shows up from the guild, complete it quickly and the main missions will be accessible again.
True Crossblooded Vampire-Werewolf
When starting up The Silver Hand, it is important to reinstate Serana as one’s Skyrim follower if she left at any point - or if someone else forced themselves as a follower previously. For the transformation to be both Vampire and Werewolf, one will want to add Vampire Lord to their power button or otherwise hotkey the transformation. In general, it is also a good idea to save now just in case things do not take.
For the quest itself, Skjor will ask players to meet them inside the Underforge. There, they will be requested to drink from the blood pool and become a full Werewolf. The important part here is to simultaneously take the blood and transform into a Vampire Lord at the same time. If done correctly, players will first become a Werewolf and then extremely quickly back to Vampire Lord. Now, at this point speak to Serana and agree to become a Vampire Lord again to deal with the Soul Cairn. If done correctly, the Dragonborn’s Werewolf and Vampire powers will combine into a single form.
Hybrid Powers in Skyrim
Since none of this was the intended design in Skyrim, being a Vampire-Werewolf hybrid in Skyrim has some strange effects to it. First, one will never take sunlight damage no matter which form they are currently in, making Vampire Lord much more deadly in the daytime. However, one cannot use the Vampire Seduction power at all. The biggest advantage is that all other Werewolf and Vampire skills learned will be saved and will not need to be retrained.
Quests and character reactions
All quests regarding the Volkihar, Dawnguard, and Companions will still function as normal. All story-related NPCs will regard players correctly as either a Werewolf or Vampire. However, random ambient dialogue around these locations may be jumbled, with the Dragonborn possibly being referred to as either, both, or just being a normal person. Most importantly, Serana, Harkon, and Aela the Huntress will have conversation prompts to restore standard Lycanthropy/Vampirism. Both of those options will break the hybrid status and should be avoided.
Last, the player character may show physical attributes of both transformations. Their eyes may change to the associated creature after ending a transformation and becoming humanoid. There is also a possibility that the actual Vampire and Werewolf models may overlap, giving a completely strange appearance until both transformations end. As a precaution, one will want to manually save often to make sure their hybrid status is never lost.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.
