Bad Moon Rising

The werewolf myth is usually linked with the supernatural, but Warwick’s predicament is the result of a science experiment gone wrong. In his past, Warwick was a ruthless gangster who abandoned the criminal world and chose to live as an honest man. In an effort to re-awaken his inner beast, a mad scientist pumped him full of chemicals and spliced monster DNA. This ultimately turned Warwick into a cybernetic abomination with an insatiable thirst for blood. Warwick roams the dark alleys of Zaun, but his killing sprees aren’t entirely random. Incidentally, he only targets criminals who terrorize the city. The agonizing experiments bestowed Warwick with enhanced strength, speed, and durability. His powers are amplified when his enemies spill blood, and he can pick up the scent from a mile away.

Werewolves often wrestle with loneliness, and it’s exceedingly difficult for them to find a place in society. Bob hails from an entire village of lycanthropes, but he’s forced into isolation after his homeland is destroyed by a spiteful bitch powerful magician. As the sole survivor of the attack, Bob adopts a nomadic lifestyle and becomes something of a wanderer. Although he faces tremendous discrimination from humans, he’ll reluctantly join the New State Army if he notices enough diversity amongst their ranks. Bob is a valuable asset on the battlefield, and he’s a well-rounded fighter with decent magic abilities. He also has some amazing physical attacks at the ready, and this is where he excels. A special rune allows him to maintain his human form when he wants to, but he’s bestowed with tremendous strength when he unleashes the beast within.

The Companions are a warriors guild that view themselves as arbiters of honor. Although the soldiers-for-hire welcome people from all walks of life into their ranks, a sub-faction known as the Circle is comprised entirely of werewolves. The guild was introduced to lycanthropy by a coven of witches who promised them great power. They were not informed that the changes would be permanent, however, so some of the members view it as a curse. Aela the Huntress, in contrast, feels compelled to maintain the tradition. To that end, she initiates others in the Circle and even donates her own beastblood so the new recruits can become werewolves too! Her guild discourages her from using her wolf form, so she secretly goes out at night to enjoy the thrill of the hunt under the veil of darkness.

Fenrich is a werewolf demon known for his incredible speed and immense physical strength. His skills as a fighter earned him the nickname “Moonlight Fang,” and he is able to transform into a menacing wolf simply by absorbing the light of a full moon. Despite working as a mercenary and an assassin, Fenrich is not completely controlled by the almighty dollar. When he was assigned to assassinate a tyrant vampire named Valvatorez, he chose to abandon the mission and opted to live the rest of his life as his ever-loyal servant instead. He puts the will of his master above all else, but he’s often rude or downright disrespectful to others. Fenrich is often described as a tsundere and has a tendency to treat people with hostility before warming up to them, but this personality quirk seems oddly appropriate given the innate duality of werewolves.

After being afflicted with lycanthropy, Baron Konrad von Sabrewulf chose to live his life as a recluse in a remote mountain castle. He was a well-educated man who was born to venerable aristocrats, but he became prone to fits of rage after transforming into a werewolf. Shunned by society, Sabrewulf entered the Killer Instinct tournament in hopes of finding a cure. Unfortunately, he was badly beaten in battle and captured by a corporation who “repaired” him with a number of cybernetic implants. A subsequent procedure to remove these implants did little to help Sabrewulf reclaim his humanity, and he later developed an addiction to ancient medications that slowed his descent into savagery. In time, Sabrewulf learned to control his wild side and discovered that victory and triumph were key ingredients in feeling human again.

We can’t talk about Sabrewulf without mentioning the character that inspired him. Knight Lore follows the exploits of an adventurer named Saberman who has been afflicted with lycanthropy. To that end, he journeys into a wizard’s castle to find a cure. (Sabreman was hunted by a wolf in his first game, so it’s not without irony that he becomes one himself.) The game has a proper day-night cycle – a novelty in 1984 – and our hero is transformed into a werewolf at sundown. Ultimately, he’ll have to make use of both forms in order to complete his task. Although Sabreman jumps higher as a wolf, he also has a larger target on his back. Incidentally, some of the castle’s monsters don’t take kindly to werewolves. This list is largely focused on the benefits of being a werewolf, but Sabreman is a solemn reminder that lycanthropy is a curse.

The Bloody Roar series revolves around a group of warriors called “zoanthropes” who can transform into half-animal hybrid creatures. Each character has their own beast form, running the gamut from rabbits to tigers, so Yugo Ogami’s wolf transformation isn’t especially unusual. If anything, his wolf form is underplayed. An evil corporation hopes to use the zoanthropes as weapons, but Yugo refuses to live like an animal despite his impulsive nature. As the leader of the World of Coexistence, he works to ease the tensions between humans and zoanthropes. In battle, the professional fighter dazzles his opponents with his quick hands. When he transforms, he continues to use his boxing techniques instead of relying on his animal instincts. Who needs sharp claws when you have piercing jabs and powerful uppercuts in your repertoire?

Valkenhayn R. Hellsing is a loyal butler and trusted advisor who has served the Alucard family for generations. He’s known for being a consummate gentleman in all situations, but his courteous demeanor is a front for his savage side. As one of the Six Heroes who battled the legendary Black Beast during the Dark War, Hellsing is known for his incredible speed and immense physical strength. He has mellowed out with age, but he will still lose his temper when his loved ones are threatened. When pushed to the brink of anger, Hellsing employs a shockingly brutal fighting style. His mastery over his lycanthropy allows him to transform either partially or fully into a wolf in order to tear his opponents to shreds. His ability to morph between different forms at will allows him to set up spectacular combo attacks.

Father Gascoigne was a priest in his homeland, but he became renowned as a Hunter after moving to Yharnam. The residents of the decrepit city were afflicted with a plague that could transform them into horrific beasts. In response, Gascoigne joined the Healing Church and built a reputation by battling the Lovecraftian monsters. Sadly, he lost more and more of himself as he continued to fight, to the point that he forgot his family! In the end, he was not all that different than the abject horrors he had once hunted. After succumbing to the bloodlust, Gascoigne morphed into an imposing wolf-like creature. In this form, he became stronger, faster, and more aggressive. A glimpse of his humanity will emerge if he’s reminded of his family, but these moment are fleeting. If you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.

Jon Talbain is a martial arts master, but his flying kicks and nunchucku skills are overshadowed by his lycanthropy. Jon has been alone since childhood and has cursed his fate as long as he can remember. He travels the world in search of a cure for his condition, and he’s engaged in a constant struggle to keep the beast inside him at bay. His condition is not without its upside, however, and his sharp claws are especially useful in combat situations. If his martial arts training and beastial nature didn’t make him dangerous enough already, Jon can also channel energy through his body, summon giant dragons, or call forth packs of wolves to assist him in battle. Jon acts on the belief that his curse will be lifted when he reaches his physical peak, so he reluctantly pushes himself to his limits despite his disdain for his werewolf form.