How You Should BUFF Werewolves D&D

Summary

The video proposes a homebrew approach to D&D lycanthropy centered on slippery control: a werewolf gains frightening power but risks losing control when hurt. The creator is less concerned with matching every historical interpretation of werewolves and more interested in portraying the struggle between power, fear, and self-control.

Critique of Existing Approaches

• The video argues that the 2024 D&D rules offer little middle ground: the DM may take over the character, or the character may gain benefits without a meaningful risk of losing control.
• Some alternative rules trigger random attacks with Wisdom saves. The creator says this can make a character attack allies immediately, especially since frontline characters may have poor Wisdom saves.
• The Grim Hollow werewolf rules are described as extensive and as protecting other player characters from being targeted, which the creator feels weakens the danger. The video stresses that this approach is intentionally harsh and will not suit every group.

Ways to Play a Werewolf Without Homebrew

• Beast Barbarian: Rage transforms the character and grants natural weapons.
• Shifter: A bonus action brings on a more bestial form, with temporary hit points and other benefits.
• Lupin: A dog-person species option.

Homebrew Lycanthropy Rules

• The character can assume a bestial form as a bonus action.
• In that form, they gain a finesse bite attack that deals 1d10 piercing damage. On a hit, it heals them for 1d6 + their proficiency bonus.
• If they fall below half their maximum hit points, they lose control, transform if necessary, and must attack the nearest creature with their bite. If no creature is in range, they must move closer to one.
• They regain control once their hit points rise above half their maximum.
• Worn-out exception: If they are reduced to 0 hit points and then healed but remain below half, they can maintain control. If they take damage while still below half, they lose control again.
• Silvered weapons trigger an unwilling shift into werewolf form and prevent the character from regaining hit points until the attacker’s turn ends. The creator applies this rule to other shape-shifters, including druids.
• A full moon automatically causes loss of control.
• Lycanthropy is treated as a curse, removable with remove curse after a spellcasting ability check. The DC is 11 + the number of days the character has been afflicted, so delaying treatment makes it harder to remove.

Training and Roleplaying

Training could lower the loss-of-control threshold over time—for example, from 50% hit points to 40%, then 30%.

The creator favors approaches based on managing fear rather than gaining control through violence. These might include spending time in werewolf form, using a prepared call-and-response with trusted companions, or practicing breathing techniques.

The central dramatic tension is that the character and party must manage the risk of the werewolf turning on nearby allies. Healing can restore control, while knocking the werewolf unconscious may not solve the problem if they wake up still below the threshold.

Featured Creators, Games, and Sources

• Bone Wizard — the video’s creator.
• Ishanekon: World Shapers — sponsor mentioned in the video.
• Dungeons & Dragons, including the 2014 and 2024 rules; Grim Hollow; and the Beast Barbarian, Shifter, and Lupin options.
• Media references used for inspiration: Darkstalkers, Killer Instinct, Spider-Man/Venom, Bleach, Berserk, Kingdom Hearts, and Dune.