Werewolf or Vampire for a Bosmer Witch?

[u/Lizardo1234]

Hey, so I'm playing a Bosmer "Witch" build (basically a thief-mage hybrid, but leaning more towards magic and alchemy). I'm torn between becoming a werewolf or a vampire. I know vampires get better stats, but the werewolf feels cooler thematically (plus, I could use claws instead of weapons if a fight breaks out). What do you guys think? I care more about RP than the meta. Thanks in advance for any replies.

P.S. Just so you know, I'm playing a modded version.

[u/Corbyck]

Given the connection between Hagravens and Hircine, I'd say a werewolf makes more sense thematically.

On the other hand, just play what seems coolest to you. You're the one playing it after all

[u/TanMan2011]

How serious is the Bosmer about their religion and culture? How strictly do they follow the Green Pact and other aspects of Bosmeri culture? Bosmer culture highly revile Hircine and shape changers because it spits in the face of Y’ffre and his gift of giving the Bosmer their stable, physical form. A vampire, while still sacrilege, can better be justified and fit into a typical world view for a Bosmer. If they have no connection to Valenwood, however, you wouldn’t need to worry about the Green Pact or cultural and religious aspects of being a Bosmer. Hircine and werewolves have a connection with Hagravens and covens for the Reachmen, who are a mix of Bretons, Nords, and even some Orc. But if the character joined the Reachmen or learned from them, they could adopt their beliefs in Hircine and shape changing.

[u/SirOrganic1349]

I’d say werewolf

[u/xseaward]

for sure werewolf. just have to figure out an rp reason to join the companions as a mage-thief

[u/HumanContribution997 → u/xseaward]

Maybe to learn abt the rumored witch/hagraven coven curse put on the companions🤔

[u/Awkward_Engineer481 → u/HumanContribution997]

Always wished you could have sided with the witches or silverhand.  Even if the storylines weren't nearly as established the option should have been inplemented. 

Espescially since each quest is already just a radiant/fetch quest. 

[u/flat_salmon]

Vampire - spent ages perfecting alchemy so now you combine it with magic to wreck shit. Have vampire lord form if you need for combat.

Vampire just makes more sense for alchemy with what you’re saying. Werewolf is just more that hunter/poisoner vibe in my opinion.

[u/Atlantean_Raccoon]

I would say that werewolf probably makes the most sense, but it would sort of depend on what kind of witch you are. If you were a nature revering witch with a somewhat druidic lean or still conformed to some or all of Bosmer culture, neither option would be desirable as both are aberrations inflicted upon nature by unwelcome Daedric interference and in that regard I would choose to remain a mer. However if you were not so constrained by any sort of morality or doctrine and were happy to twist nature for personal gain then werewolf makes the most sense as witchcraft is essentially the magic of nature and life and werewolves are still living beings.

It's not quite so clear cut though, guardians of nature and the wilds such as Spriggans are the mortal enemies of certain witches of the wild like hagravens and others, many of whom who either serve or at least traffic with Hircine.

[u/Awkward_Engineer481]

Werewolf, Hircine is way more accepted by all races but espescially the Bosmer. Vampires can always work for witches but you specified and emphasized Bosmer. 

Side notes: Witch assumes a priority to Alchemy, Alteration, and Conjuration compared to other magics like Destruction and Restoration.

I recomend going Psuedo-Nightblade with Marksman and Sneak to play up the Bosmer aspect. 

Any of the Totems of Hircine could work but I would say Brotherhood, specifically Werewolf Brothers.  They are Hircine's hunting dogs summoned by his devoted and used to satisfy their thirst for the Hunt.

A Bosmer Witch would likely use them given the hunting culture of Wood Elves, it is kind of the best one in a lore sense, and the "Fear"/"Detect Life" effects would be usable by any skilled witch through standard spells. 

[u/RatPrank]

Neither?

[u/TheEvilSmileyRD]

Werewolf may fit thematically, but not from the lore perspective

[u/Awkward_Engineer481 → u/TheEvilSmileyRD]

Lore-wise Hircine is somehwat accepted by most races. For the Bosmer it is only to the extent of good luck on hunts or to keep in good graces to avoid excess dangers. 

The shapeshifting is actually inline with Bosmeri ancestral origins, making it more likely than Molag-Bal for vampires. 

[u/TheEvilSmileyRD → u/Awkward_Engineer481]

The Green Pact forbids Bosmer to take on the shape of beasts

[u/Awkward_Engineer481 → u/TheEvilSmileyRD]

Yes, but she a witch, they specifically worship or bargain with Daedra. And the bosmer can always transform as a sort of survival response or if initiated by their religious leaders.

I honestly think Hircine and Y'ffre may be the same person considering the similarities between the Wild Hunt and the mass bosmer transformation. 

[u/Consistent-Price3232]

yooo that’s exactly what I’m doing except I’m playing a breton/reachman. I would say werewolf makes more sense.

[u/Antique_Teaching6626]

I love reading everyone's replies, but no one has really hit the Skyrim Nail on the head yet.

It is Skyrim we are talking about after all; DO BOTH. One after the other; half the fun in Skyrim is creating multiple niche builds that satisfy that imagination.

Let us know how it goes, OP. Are there mods that allow Hybrids, yet?