Ulfhedinn are a type of werewolf only found around Skellige. They have stronger combat skills on their own, but unlike common werewolves can't summon wolves to their aid[1], and only appear during the night (after 10pm).
What makes the Ulfhedinn different from common werewolves?
Distinct from common werewolves, Ulfhedinn are found only in Skellige and are known for their superior combat skills. However, they lack the ability to summon wolves. They are nocturnal creatures, appearing only after 10pm. Their vulnerabilities include Moon Dust, Devil's Puffball, Cursed oil, and Igni.
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Why can Ulfhedinn only appear during the night?
Ulfhedinn, a werewolf variant from Skellige, manifests exclusively after 10pm. This night-time appearance is a species trait, not a limitation. In specific quests, daytime encounters occur within a magic tower where it's perpetually night, irrespective of the actual time.
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What is the significance of the Ulfhedinn in Skellige folklore?
In Skellige folklore, Ulfhedinn are unique werewolves known for their superior combat skills and nocturnal activity, particularly during full moons. Unlike common werewolves, they do not summon wolves for assistance. Skellige ballads commemorate those who have defeated Ulfhedinn, hailing them as heroes. The name Ulfhedinn originates from Icelandic, with 'Ulf' meaning 'wolf' and 'Heðinn' signifying a 'jacket of fur or skin'.
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What happened to Professor Artibus Joannes Rack during his expedition in Skellige?
Geographer Professor Artibus Joannes Rack disappeared while on a surveying expedition in Skellige. His disappearance is linked to an encounter with an ulfhedinn, a powerful breed of werewolf native to Skellige. These creatures, known for hunting humans due to Skellige's harsh conditions, are stronger than other werewolves. Historically, only a handful of Skellige warriors have successfully defeated an ulfhedinn.
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How can one add a bestiary entry for the Ulfhedinn?
To add a bestiary entry for an Ulfhedinn, one must read 'In Beast's Clothing'. The entry is also added when encountering Morkvarg at Freya's Garden main gate. Ulfhedinn, unique to Skellige, appear after 10pm, have superior combat skills but cannot summon wolves.
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Bestiary entry
Ulfhedinn? What's that, some kind of fish? – Professor Artibus Joannes Rack, geographer, disappeared during a surveying expedition in Skellige
Ulfhedinn are a breed of werewolf found mainly in Skellige. The harsh and barren conditions of the isles might explain why they primarily hunt men and are stronger than their continental brethren. Older and particularly dangerous ulfhedinn are called vorefs. Only a few daring warriors in Skellige history have managed to defeat an ulfhedinn, and each of them is commemorated in ballads as a hero to this day.
Unobtainable without reading the book:
Like werewolves, ulfhedinn and vorefs are active at night, particularly when the moon is at its fullest. Fast, strong, and amazingly resilient, these creatures kill with disturbing ease. Silver blades should be brought against them, as should Devil's Puffball. Take note that when near death the ulfhedinn becomes particularly dangerous and will attack with doubled fury, while calling on wolves to come to its rescue.[1]
Combat tactics
These breeds of cursed ones are some of the fastest and most lethal. They can leap great distances at such speeds that it can be a challenge defending against them. Yrden is of great use in avoiding these attacks. Counterattacks against a werewolf or ulfhedinn can be difficult to time. It is best to use footwork and evade them, using dodges and roles. When possible, use Igni.
Setting these foes alight can force cursed ones to stay still long enough to score critical strikes on their flanks. Fire, bleeding, and poison effects can be used to slow the regeneration of these creatures. Avoid fighting werewolves in tight spaces if at all possible, since the speed of their assault can quickly overwhelm even high skilled witchers. Werewolves have incredible reach, and you want to have space to work with while fighting them.
Exploding bolts for a crossbow can be useful at dealing fire damage, should the werewolf be caught at range. Watch for the dual overhead claw swipe; it cannot be parried and causes grievous wounds and bleeding. Near death, ulfhedinn become extremely dangerous, striking with increase strength. They can even call upon a pack of wolves for assistance.
In The Witcher, there exists a large wolf called Voref, which unlike other wolves is weak against silver.
There are only three ulfhedinn in the entire game and all are at quest locations as mentioned above. For unknown reasons, despite having a separate bestiary entry, they also all appear with the "Werewolf" label.
The first paragraph of the bestiary entry is also automatically added when Morkvarg is first seen, at the Freya's Garden main gate. Despite this however, Morkvarg himself is coded as a regular werewolf and not ulfhedinn.
Trivia
The name is probably the Icelandic name Úlfhéðinn, which derives from two names: Ulf, meaning "wolf" and Heðinn, meaning "jacket of fur or skin".
Historically, the Ulfheðnar (singular: Ulfheðinn) were Norse warriors who fought dressed in wolf clothes in a state of trance, after having ingested cocktails of beer and amanita muscaria. They were akin to the berserkers.
References
↑ 1.01.1The bestiary text says that they do, but ulfhedinn never summon wolves during gameplay.
