werewolves?

[Origomar]

what are werewolves in dnd and how can you become one?

[Fendalus]

Well, in 3.5 they are technically medium humanoids with the Shapechanger subtype. You can be a werewolf either by being bitten by one and failing a DC15 fort save or by being born to one (Afflicted Lycanthrope and natural lycanthrope, respectively). Naturals are more powerful than afflicted lycanthropes, and afflicted ones can't spread lycanthropy.

For more info, see the SRD's entry on Lycanthropes

*Edit*

For 4th edition, I'm afraid I have no clue how it works. I'm sure someone around here does, though.

[Blackfang108]

For 4th edition, I'm afraid I have no clue how it works. I'm sure someone around here does, though.

In 4e: they're monsters and NPCs. Only. Period. No you can't become one. No, not even then.

You can be a Longtooth Shifter, which is similar to a diluted Werewolf, but you can't be a real werewolf.

[Nero24200]

If you're eager to play as a were-creature, I'd just use a shifter. It might have changed in 4th Edition (since I havn't seen their rules in that version) but in 3.5 they're pretty much just the Diet-Coke* of lycanthropes, having less raw power but without the LA.

Then again, they come from the Races of Ebberon book, most of the creatures within are just Diet-Coke Monsters (Changlings are just Dopplegangers made into a player race with no LA and Warforged are just golems made into player race with no LA).

*Note, I'm not meaning this in a negative way. In fact, I prefer Diet Coke to normal Coke strangly

[Origomar]

cool thanks for the info, didnt realize it was in the srd

[Bibliomancer]

The rules are a bit ambigious about how lycanthropy works for players, since the minimum lycanthrope ECL adjustment(an afflicted) would have +2 LA. Presumably, you spend your next 2 levels paying for it, which suggests that you could become a lycanthrope the day before a large battle in order to get a power boost, and then be cured afterwards.

Hmm. I might try this in Red Hand of Doom, if I can find one.

[KillianHawkeye]

Don't forget you also have to add the animal's Hit Dice to your ECL as well.

[Bibliomancer]

Don't forget you also have to add the animal's Hit Dice as well.

Not for afflicted lycanthropes. (Because you also don't gain their extra HP, or only gain them in animal form).

Again, the wording's ambiguous.

[mostlyharmful]

Not for afflicted lycanthropes. (Because you also don't gain their extra HP, or only gain them in animal form).

Again, the wording's ambiguous.

No. You get the animal Hit Dice, they always count. Which ever form you're in they're still there

[Bibliomancer]

No. You get the animal Hit Dice, they always count. Which ever form you're in they're still there

My mistake. Thanks for the clarification.

That means that you can gain an effective +4 to ECL from becoming a werewolf. And the effect is fully reversible.

Still an interesting temporary enhancement, if you can find a werewolf.

[mostlyharmful]

My mistake. Thanks for the clarification.

That means that you can gain an effective +4 to ECL from becoming a werewolf. And the effect is fully reversible.

Still an interesting temporary enhancement, if you can find a werewolf.

There's also the issue that once you start seeking out lycanthropes to turn you and start using it you're pretty much sure to wind up CE and chances are you won't want to get rid of it after you get it.

[Dimers]

Well, in 3.5 they are technically medium humanoids with the Shapechanger subtype.

Or giants! Yay, troll werewolf! Stone giant werewolf hulking hurler! But monstrous humanoids are out, for some reason.