Werewolf

Werewolves are a supernatural species of shape-shifter and are the primary protagonists within the Teen Wolf Universe.

Appearance

They usually appear in human form and can shift to varying degrees into a bipedal wolf-like creature with increased body hair, fangs and glowing eyes.

While most of the werewolves on the show remain in the "nearly human" form; Laura Hale, her mother, Talia Hale, and Derek Hale can look like a regular wolf when transformed. Peter Hale took on a monstrous giant wolf-like form.

The Alpha Twins could merge into one large creature but, while larger than normal, it retained a mostly human appearance.

Abilities

Heightened Senses: Werewolves can smell, see and hear far better than humans.

Accelerated Healing: Werewolves heal quickly from most injuries.

Enhanced Agility: Werewolves can jump, run, climb and react faster than humans.

Enhanced Strength: Werewolves are much stronger than humans.

Pain Transference: Werewolves can absorb and alleviate pain from other people/creatures and can "heal" in some cases.

Memory Transference: Werewolves can transfer (give or take) memories by inserting claws into nape of an individual's neck. This ability can establish mind-to-mind communication and, with practice, allow for memory manipulation or erasure.

NOTE: The above abilities are common to all three types of werewolves. Even in human form they appear to possess all of these abilities although there is evidence that the abilities are not always active and must be "turned on" to work. Healing, for instance, can be delayed by choice as long as the werewolf is conscious.

Unique Abilities

Some werewolves have shown the ability to sense illness and, in one case, the onset of an epileptic seizure. This seems to be due to a combination of their "Heightened Senses" working in concert on a subconscious level.

Some werewolves have so much mastery over their body that they can inhibit their scent. Making them undetectable to other werewolves.

Perks and Quirks

Becoming a werewolf can heal scars and cure chronic illnesses like asthma, epilepsy or even cancer.

Camera flashes and some video recording devices cause werewolves eyes to glow making them nearly impossible to photograph. They can apparently learn to control this effect.
In the dark, werewolf eyes seem to react to light like a regular canine with eyeshine. This was first seen in The Tell
Werewolves cannot become intoxicated by drinking alcohol. It is believed this is due to their enhanced healing ability.
Smelling chemo signals allows werewolves to know what someone is feeling.
Werewolves are able to control their healing ability to some degree, while they are conscious.

Aging

While not yet defined on the show, it is apparent that some werewolves have a somewhat altered aging process.

In Mexico, during the Dark Moon, Derek was somehow regressed physically from an adult to a teenager.

Satomi Ito looks the same now as she did in the World War II era episode The Fox and the Wolf.

It is unclear if this change in physical appearance (or lack thereof) is connected to the mastery of their bodies mentioned in the "Unique Abilities" section above or some other, heretofore, unexplained process.

Weaknesses

Major Weaknesses

Wolfsbane

The effects of Wolfsbane vary depending on the type, amount and delivery method. It can cause hallucinations, weaken, render unconscious or kill werewolves.

Mountain Ash

When used properly, Mountain Ash can form an impenetrable barrier to keep supernatural creatures in or out. It can also, according to Dr. Deaton, modify their behavior - keeping them from “causing trouble”.

Scott describes being surrounded by Mountain Ash at Eichen House as "like being sedated."

Lunar Eclipse

Werewolves are powerless during a total lunar eclipse.

Minor Weaknesses

Inexperienced werewolves are at the mercy of the full moon. Under its sway, they lose control and their homicidal tendencies increase. This can be controlled through force of will but bitten werewolves have a more difficult time with remaining in control.

Hecatolite can block the effects of the moon and disrupt the natural cycle of transformation.

Bites, scratches and other wounds inflicted by an Alpha will not heal as quickly as other injuries.

Intense pain or steady application of low amperage electricity can keep werewolves weak and in human form.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The weaknesses mentioned here are unique to werewolves. Other methods of death such as being cut in half or having one's skull crushed would also be fatal to humans and are therefore not specific "werewolf weaknesses". Fire is also mentioned often by fans as a "special weakness" for werewolves but, according to what we've seen on the show, fire harms werewolves significantly less than it does humans. For werewolves, even the worst burns will eventually heal.

Mistletoe

Main Article: Mistletoe

Mistletoe is a poison for both humans and werewolves.

It is unclear if the plant is to blame for the observed effects in Season 3.

It is likely that something in the way Jennifer Blake used the plant resulted in the various effects seen.

Types of Werewolves

There are three known types of werewolves in the Teen Wolf mythology.

Omega

An Omega is the “lone wolf”; existing without a pack and without an Alpha.

They have all the werewolf abilities mentioned above but are considered weaker than other types because they are not part of a pack.

Werewolves can become Omegas by choice or be forced out of a pack by the Alpha or by circumstance.

NOTE: The term "omega of the pack" has been used in reference to the lowest ranking member/members of a pack. This does not indicate a drop in actual werewolf status but is instead used as an insult.

Beta

Betas are members of a pack and, because of this association, they are considered stronger than Omegas.

They do not seem to have any special abilities beyond those mentioned above.

NOTE: Both Betas and Omegas will show various skill levels based on experience therefore a direct comparison of power levels is difficult.

Alpha

An Alpha is the leader of a pack of werewolves. It is the strongest, most powerful and so far the most lethal variety of Werewolf.

Becoming an Alpha

A Beta or Omega can become an Alpha by killing an Alpha.

True Alpha

A Beta or Omega can become an Alpha through strength of character or force of will alone. These are called “True Alphas” and are very rare.

Our understanding of the True Alpha status is evolving. We're told a True Alpha's status can only be taken by a Beta of his own making but this may not be the case.

Special Abilities

An Alpha’s bite can transform a human into a werewolf. The bite usually only has two outcomes - transformation or death although there are exceptions (See Lydia Martin and Kanima).
- It appears a scratch from an Alpha, if it goes deep enough, can sometimes be transformative. (See Kate Argent).
Alphas have limited telepathy and mental control over the betas that they create and some other shapeshifters (See Werecoyote).
Bites, scratches and other wounds inflicted by an Alpha will not heal as quickly as other injuries.
Alphas can heal the extremely ill with their pain transference ability but they give up part of the "spark" that makes them an Alpha. This can result in a loss of Alpha status.
Alphas can, by killing their own betas, become stronger. (See Alpha Pack)

Beast of Gevaudan

The Beast of Gevaudan is unlike any other werewolf seen on the show so far. It is larger than even Peter Hale's monstrous form from Season 1 and, instead of shapeshifting, the Beast creates a body composed of what appears to be black smoke or shadows around itself.

These differences stem from two potential sources -

Sebastien Valet became a werewolf after drinking rainwater from the paw print of a wolf. While this piece of werewolf lore has been mentioned on the show before, this is the only example of it actually working.

According to Teen Wolf Creator Jeff Davis, his form and transformation comes from how evil he already was when he became a werewolf.

The beast does not fit into any of the previously known categories of werewolf and was extremely powerful without the benefit of a pack or Alpha status.

Eye Color

An Alpha's eyes glow red.
Yellow is the most common eye color among Betas.
Some Beta’s have blue eyes as an indication that they have taken an innocent life.

Teen_Wolf_News_Quick_Click_Canon_Werewolf_Eyes_Explained — Teen Wolf News Quick Click Canon Werewolf Eyes Explained

Packs

Werewolves are social creatures and mostly operate within packs.

Characters have stated the following:

Werewolf packs are made up of one alpha (male or female) and a group of Betas
The Alpha is the one who leads and makes all decisions that the entire pack follows
Werewolves become physically stronger and more powerful once they join a pack. This is stated several times throughout the run of the show.
Pack membership is voluntary but failing to join most often leaves the werewolf without allies and therefore weaker (see Omega above)

While clearly stated, these rules seem flexible and ill-defined in practice during the early seasons of the show. It is not until Season 5 that we see Scott become physically stronger by bringing all his pack members back together (See A Credible Threat).

Pack Membership

There is still no precise definition of what makes up a "Teen Wolf Pack".

For example, the lineup of Scott's Pack has changed on a number of occasions, sometimes twice within the same episode, without any overt decision by Scott or any pack member.

Since there is no clear-cut definition, no ritual involved in becoming a member of the pack, we must judge pack membership based on observing character's actions.

Example for Illustration Purpose Only -

Based purely on observation Scott's primary pack in Season 3(b) was a mix of humans and werewolves -

Stiles Stilinski - Human
Lydia Martin - Banshee
Isaac Lahey - Werewolf
Derek Hale - Werewolf
Dr. Deaton - Druid
Allison Argent - Hunter

At the same time - there is a group of apparent non-members or Allies who, like the rest of the pack, fight at Scott's side and work to protect the group -