5 min read · Oct 15, 2023
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Of the many mythological and fantastical creatures that are most well-known, few can compare to the Werewolf and its lesser-known counterpart, the Lycanthrope in fame.
However, with the everchanging world of modern media, the lines between the two have blurred to the extreme, with their names being nearly interchangeable in the modern era, losing the uniqueness that each creature holds in their own myths and stories.
Additionally, the Lycanthrope has largely been replaced by the universal term of “Werewolf” meaning that some Werewolves you may have seen are actually Lycanthrope!
Physical Characteristics
Werewolf — The Werewolf has three forms commonly associated with it, the human form, wolf form, and hybrid form.
When not transformed, the Werewolf typically appears as a human, with very little differences being detected (if any), meaning that it is very hard, if not impossible, to tell the difference between a normal human and a Werewolf in its human form.
However, some stories state that a Werewolf in human form is more likely to be hairy, have a unibrow, or even long ears.
In wolf form, the Werewolf appears as a normal wolf, with some exceptions varying by story. Some of these stories state that a wolf form Werewolf has the eyes of a human.
The hybrid form is what the Werewolf mostly appears as, a heavily muscled, fur-covered man with the features of a wolf. They stand on their back legs but are capable of running on all fours as well, with sharp claws, a tail, the muzzle of a wolf, and apposable appendages. Its fur and skin are extremely tough, meaning most common weaponry cannot penetrate it.
Lycanthrope —
The Lycanthrope is identical in the fact that is possesses a wolf and human form that appear nearly the same as a normal human or wolf.
The hybrid form of the Lycanthrope (Lycan for short) is largely the same as a Werewolf, except it tends to be a bit more muscular than a Werewolf but are not much stronger physically.
Powers and Abilities
Werewolf — A Werewolf’s main power is the ability to transform, as this is what allows it to use all of its other abilities. This transformation changes based on the story, as some Werewolves cannot transform except under a full moon, while others are freely able to transform, but are forced to do so under a full moon. Often, a full moon prevents a Werewolf from turning into a human until it is over.
A Werewolf also possesses a great deal of physical strength, which wavers depending on which form the Werewolf is in, with the human form gaining a slight benefit, while the hybrid form is granted supernatural strength.
Heightened senses and ability are a main feature of the Werewolf, as they have far superior vision and smell than a human or wolf. They also have greater precision, coordination, and supernatural speed, the mix of which allows them to have immense agility. These features are typically stronger in the hybrid form, but some stories state that their human and wolf forms have heightened abilities as well.
Werewolves have increased lifespans but are not often depicted as being truly immortal like a Vampire, rather they may simply live a few hundred years, instead of forever.
The hybrid form of the Werewolf possesses minor invulnerability, rending most weapons useless against it, and any harm done will typically heal very quickly. Neither the human nor wolf form possesses these abilities, making the Werewolf far more vulnerable in those forms.
Finally, it is said that Werewolves are able to infect others with a bite, however, whether this is an infection or curse is often blurred, meaning it is quite difficult to identify how Werewolves do this.
Lycanthrope —
Much like a Werewolf, Lycans use transformation as their main power, however, Lycans are far freer in their transformations, and have little to no limitations for when and how they transform.
A Lycanthrope possesses a supernatural strength, which differs based on the form the are in, however, all the forms strengths are enhanced. In addition, Lycanthropes have all of the powers of enhanced senses, coordination, and speed giving them similar abilities of agility.
Lycanthropes also possess increased lifespans; that are comparable to the Werewolf in terms of lifespan.
The hybrid form of the Lycan possesses quite impressive fur and skin, giving it a high amount of invulnerability, and any harm that is done will be healed quite quickly. Depending on the story, A Lycan may have similar abilities in their other forms, but the power being more subdued.
Unlike Werewolves, Lycan possess heightened intellect in all of their forms, giving them the ability to be less bestial, even in there more beastly appearances, and allowing them to outsmart humans.
Lycanthrope are depicted as being resistant to magic, however, this is an exceptionally rare ability.
A Lycan cannot infect others with a curse or infection in most stories, rather Lycans are typically created through magic ritual.
Weaknesses
Werewolf — Much like the Vampire, a Werewolves have a variety of weaknesses that change depending on the story and context from which the Werewolves come from.
Perhaps the most well-known weakness that they have is their weakness to silver, as silver completely negates their invulnerability and regeneration, meaning a silver bullet through the head or chest would kill a Werewolf instantly.
Wolfsbane is another common weakness that is used to repel them, and even cure them in some variations.
A “weakness” that is much more common in modern tales, is that Werewolves may not be able to control themselves while in their non-human forms, making them mindless berserkers that rely on instinct.
Lycanthrope -
For the most part, Lycanthropes have all the same weaknesses that Werewolves do, with some extraordinary exceptions.
The largest advantage that a Lycanthrope has over Werewolves is that they are not weak to silver, as their bodies will continue to regenerate, even when in contact with Silver.
Lycanthropes are vulnerable to holy symbols, as the more magical nature of Lycanthropes are connected to witchcraft, thus crosses, holy water, and similar items are easily able to repel them.
In Conclusion, both of these fantastical beasts are unique and strong in their own ways but are often confused for each other.
But, what about you, dear reader? Do you have a preference for either one? What fact most surprised you?
