# What can kill a werewolf? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 23, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572 "2005-10-23T23:18:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/41 "2005-10-25T02:28:55Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > **Soulmurk** > > On what do you base your assumptions? Without facts and evidence there is no reason to assume an Uzi would be effective against lycanthropes. Without facts and evidence, there is no reason to assume an Uzi would not be effective. As the condition is fictional, I guess we’ll never know. However, I base my beliefs on what facts do exist, namely that the myths were started and popularized in times when things like guns weren’t even imaginable. A typical peasant could have no hope of single-handedly taking down a werewolf, just as a typical peasant could have no hope of single-handedly taking down a wolf. What made the werewolves so fearsome was that, unlike a normal wolf, they were far more aggressive and hostile, they preyed on humans rather than avoided them, and they were the result of unexplainable, heretical magic. Suspending disbelief to assume that they do exist, and answering the question in that respect, I still believe typical modern day weaponry (or the aforementioned wood chipper or tractor trailer) would be effective. Again, no legends, to my knowledge, describes them as having a physiology that regenerates massive trauma. Thus, an automatic weapon ripping 30 holes through internal organs, or a large caliber weapon blasting huge holes in their hide should prove as fatal to a lycanthrope as it would any other living, breathing creature. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/42 "2005-10-25T02:32:00Z")
> [@HPL](#): > > And of course, lace them with posion or laxatives just in case it doesn’t work. Or rig up one of those hilarious rube goldberg devices where the werewolf eats the ribs and then through the most indirect method possible, has a cage dropped on him…or is dropped into a pit, possibly filled with punji sticks. No, no, for heaven’s sake, **NO!** The ribs must be fresh and \*thoroughly uncontaminated \* in order to effectively serve as a barrier to werewolves! The succulent aroma of their savory deliciousness releases specific chemicals which cause the werewolf to spontaneously evaporate, in some fashion. Everyone knows that! Any taint or impurity whatsoever would inevitably bring destruction and calamity down on you, your friends and loved ones, and your children even unto the seventh generation. For God’s sake, think of the children! Similarly, any sort of additional “trap” or “snare” in the vicinity of the sweet, sweet ribs is thoroughly unnecessary, and in fact could catastrophically affect the local _feng shui_, possibly resulting in plagues of poison arrow frogs or herpes. There’s no need to gild the lily. Trust the power of the ribs! \*“WUFF” is, of course, an acronym for “Werewolf Universal Fact Finder,” a title which certifies me as a professional authority on the subject of ribs. And werewolves. My expertise is therefore utterly unassailable. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/43 "2005-10-25T03:19:00Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > Lost me, is that in case we screw up and the Were Wolf gets us? At least he’ll die? That and for security reasons. I’d hate to have a rube goldberg device sabotaged by an inside job. Nothing personal. Everyone has to eat the chocolate for that kind of work. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/44 "2005-10-25T03:21:12Z")
> [@HPL](#): > > That and for security reasons. I’d hate to have a rube goldberg device sabotaged by an inside job. Nothing personal. Everyone has to eat the chocolate for that kind of work. Well it sounds better than a silver bullet being shot at me, but I can’t eat that much fudge, so I guess I am out. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/45 "2005-10-25T03:32:55Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > Well it sounds better than a silver bullet being shot at me, but I can’t eat that much fudge, so I guess I am out. Well, I’m sure we can derive some kind of alternate test that’s not so fudgy. I can’t think of one, but if you wan’t to suggest one, I’m all ears. Actually we could try a dog whistle. Hypotheically, it should work. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/46 "2005-10-25T03:45:57Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Not just British folklore. Well, pardon _me._ But, now that you bring it up—don’t get me wrong, I’m not doubting what you’re saying, but I don’t have the info on hand myself—how far _did_ the “fey hate Iron” tradition range? Western Europe? All o’ Europe? Worldwide since the dawn of man? ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/47 "2005-10-25T03:53:01Z")
> [@Terrifel](#): > > Similarly, any sort of additional “trap” or “snare” in the vicinity of the sweet, sweet ribs is thoroughly unnecessary, and in fact could catastrophically affect the local _feng shui_, possibly resulting in plagues of poison arrow frogs or herpes. There’s no need to gild the lily. Trust the power of the ribs! That and a .50 BMG set up in a blind with LOS coverage. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/48 "2005-10-25T06:28:40Z")
How about biological warfare? Like Canine Parvovirus, or rabies? (Granted, a _rabid_ werewolf wouldn’t be that great a thing to have around, but at least there’s the chance it might kill it. Maybe.) Failing that…how about chemical weapons? I’m talking nasty, heavy-duty, Hague Convention-banned stuff. Like a nice VX/Arsine cocktail with a sulfur mustard chaser. Or you could track down the werewolf’s human form, and bash with a rock. Not very theatrical, but hey, it’s not much worse than how Dracula died. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/49 "2005-10-25T06:36:49Z")
Another werewolf can usually do the trick. Motivating one to do the job, however, is an exercise left for the student. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/50 "2005-10-25T06:39:48Z")
Wow, this is great stuff. I’d always heard that silver was the surefire way to kill it, and therefore assumed (wrongly, I see) that it was the ONLY way to kill it. Mmm, ribs. Would buffalo wings do in a pinch? Or if it’s a young werewolf? ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/51 "2005-10-25T06:52:27Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > Failing that…how about chemical weapons? I’m talking nasty, heavy-duty, Hague Convention-banned stuff. Like a nice VX/Arsine cocktail with a sulfur mustard chaser. Why go to the extremes for finding such deadly concoctions? If a werewolf is vulnerable to silver, and that vulnerability includes touch, the most effective chemical agent, I’d think, would be a super-soaker, with silver nitrate in it. And a few waterballoons for area defense. Whenever possible, wouldn’t it be better to use a defense that does minimal damage to oneself, or requires minimal precautions, than go for wizard weapons? ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/52 "2005-10-25T07:48:11Z")
> [@Roland Orzabal](#): > > In the White Wolf universe: another werewolf, 20 lucky-ass vampires (but 18 of 'em are still going to bite it), a few highly pissed-off demons in apocalyptic form, those indescribably huge and nasty genetic freak things created by Pentex, or Deus Ex Gamemaster. If none of those is handy, you’re out of luck.[/size] You forgot about the mages. A mage with the right spheres and who can withstand some Paradox backlash can deal out some nasty effects: Forces: your basic D&D-style fireball or lightning bolt, or lasers or high-energy plasma if you are a tech-oriented mage Matter: conjure up a bunch of acid or silver on the spot, both of which do aggravated damage Life: turn the werewolf into a frog, make him weak and slow, or at high levels just attack the life force directly Time: cancel the werewolf’s extra Rage turns, or give yourself extra turns, or even both ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/53 "2005-10-25T08:33:59Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#): > > Why go to the extremes for finding such deadly concoctions? Hey, the OP seemed to be asking about _other possible_ ways to kill a werewolf—not just the _best_ or _most efficient_ way. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/54 "2005-10-25T09:52:13Z")
Lob a five-foot neutronium sphere at it and cackle with glee as it plates itself evenly over the surface of something with a few kilo-G’s of surface gravity. (The mechanics of the actual lobbing is left as an exercise for the student.) Spray it with antimatter and disassemble it sub-atomic particle by sub-atomic particle. Anything that can destroy a General Products hull will chew up a werewolf and burp appreciatively. Tangle it up in loops of shadow square wire or Sinclair monofilament and cut it into a million pieces. Shoot it with a Slaver digging tool or a flashlight laser set to high and narrow. Point a tnuctip total-conversion beam at it, preferably from an adjacent horizon. Why yes, I have read a lot of Larry Niven. Is it obvious? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/55 "2005-10-25T10:28:25Z")
> [@Love Rhombus](#): > > Would buffalo wings do in a pinch? Or if it’s a young werewolf? Hmmm… might could work. There are definite chemical similarities. It’s certainly worth a try, although I suspect that a mixture of buffalo and teriyaki wings in a 3:1 ratio might give slightly better results. And a side order of mozzarella sticks couldn’t hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/56 "2005-10-25T10:33:04Z")
> [@HPL](#): > > That and a .50 BMG set up in a blind with LOS coverage. Sigh. Some people just do not understand werewolf hunting. When your frogs start complaining of cold sores, don’t say I didn’t warn you. ---
**Author:** ![TPWombat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TPWombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TPWombat)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/57 "2005-10-25T11:01:16Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > I should also mention that in D&D you have be sure you’re fighting a werewolf (man who turns into a wolf) and not a wolfwere (wolf who turns into a man.) wolfwere’s natural resilience is bypassed by cold iron, not silver. In D&D you can just cast **cure disease** on them in either case, then just use conventional weapons. At least you could in ver 2 rules. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/58 "2005-10-25T14:53:57Z")
> [@TPWombat](#): > > In D&D you can just cast **cure disease** on them in either case, then just use conventional weapons. At least you could in ver 2 rules. In 3rd, that only works within 3 days of infection, and only with a 12th level cleric. Otherwise, you need remove curse or break enchantment during the full moon, and the werewolf must WANT to be cured. (it can voluntarily fail it’s saving throw if it wants to stay infected.) Plus that only works on infected werewolves. There’s also the natural kind, which aren’t diseased at all. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/59 "2005-10-25T18:55:39Z")
**Ranchoth** It wasn’t ‘The Sidhe hate iron’ in other regions, just ‘Iron is a defense against the unnatural’. **Sturmhauke** Re Mages I haven’t read any of the new books, but back before the world ended werewolves did not trigger paradox. You also left out my favorite sphere, Mind. Mind- The werewolf is your friend and doesn’t want to attack you. The werewolf wants to attack your enemies. The werewolf forgets how to use any of his powers. The werewolf forgets he’s a werewolf. The werewolf suffers from psychosomatic blindness or loss of other senses. The werewolf just stands there and sings Werewolves Of London. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572/60 "2005-10-25T23:16:52Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > **Ranchoth** > It wasn’t ‘The Sidhe hate iron’ in other regions, just ‘Iron is a defense against the unnatural’. That’s fine and good, but I need bloody _details,_ man! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-kill-a-werewolf/327572.md?page=4)