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Lycans

In the films, they have the ability to transform into quadrupedal creatures. They are a variation on werewolves and the term Lycan is derived from the Greek "lycanthrope" or lycanthropy. In the films, Lycans are opposed by "vampires", again a variation on the traditional vampires.

Powers and abilities

In the Underworld films, Lycans display a number of greatly enhanced physical attributes. As with their rivals, the vampires, Lycans are immortal (William survived over 800 years of captivity with no food or water in hibernation). They possess enhanced strength, speed, durability and regenerative abilities superior to that of most vampires. As with wolves, Lycans also possess superior tracking skills, a highly sensitive sense of smell and are able to sense Vampires in close proximity to themselves.

Their bite releases the lycan virus, which can aggressively overtake a normal human's physiology, causing them to become a Lycan as well. As explained by Selene in the first Underworld film though, a bite by either a Lycan or Vampire is typically lethal, suggesting that the majority of those bitten die rather than transform into either immortal race.

Similar to vampires, Lycans have the ability to easily survive falls from great altitudes by landing on their feet. Newly turned Lycan Michael Corvin displayed this ability in the first film, as well as several newly turned Lycans in the prequel film. Unlike Vampires though, Lycans possess the ability to crawl along walls and ceilings swiftly and easily for extended periods of time. This also allows Lycans to be able to scale tall walls and barriers with ease.

Generations

William Corvinus's form of lycanthropy is the most primitive, and also the most powerful. He has the most lupine features, with a long muzzle and pointed ears giving him a marked resemblance to a real wolf. He is also far larger than his offspring. William is the most savage Lycan seen (with an insatiable appetite for rampage, according to Andreas Tanis), and also cannot revert to his human form. Unlike later Lycans, he has a full pelt of fur all over his body. It should also be noted that while every other Lycan seen in the films has black or gray fur, William's is mostly white with a blue color to it. He also has solid white eyes. It is unknown if William would have gained his human form back had he become a lycan-vampire hybrid.

1st generation

These Lycans were created after being bitten (or being killed then coming back to life as Lycans) by William. Similar to William, they are complete savages and thought to have no control over themselves and the inability to revert to a human form. Physically, they are more humanized facially, with a shorter snout (although still longer than the second-generation Lycans) and a lack of pointed ears. They have less fur than William, but more than their second-generation Lycan descendants, with more fur around the neck and arms. They were also never able to take human form again unless by death.

First-generation lycans shown in Underworld Evolution. Note the physical similarities but with more fur compared with second-generation lycans.

Their progeny, though, seems to produce second generation Lycans as shown with Lucian's birth.

In the era of Lucian's early adulthood they seemed to gain a lot more of their original rational/human way of thinking. After several attacks by the Death Dealers, they began to create traps to better help them defeat the vampires and strategize. When members of the first generation Lycans first came into contact with the grown Lucian (in his Lycan form), they were able to tap into even more of their previously forgotten humanity. When he outright confronted them during a Vampire attack, roaring loudly, they retreated. Later when Lucian came into their main den in human form, the older Lycans inspected him and understood that he was a Lycan. They even accepted him into their pack and aided him when needed against the Vampires. During this aid, they came into contact with even more second generation Lycans in human form and seemed to understand that they were their brethren. They then lived together with the second generation Lycans in peace, aiding them in their battles against Vampires throughout the centuries. It seems by the 21st century only a few were left, most were likely wiped out by Death Dealers.

2nd generation

These are modern (as of the first film) Lycans descended from either being a progeny of first generation Lycans (i.e. Lucian) or by being infected via a bite from other second generation Lycans. Being less animalic than the first generation, Viktor allowed Lucian to propagate more of this type.

A Second-generation lycan shown in Underworld. Note the physical similarities but lack of fur compared with first-generation Lycans.

First generation lycans seem to recognize them as their brethren rather than human beings even when untransformed due to their scent.

They are able to transform back to their human forms, and change into lycan form when the moon is full. Elder Lycans have learned to transform at will. They resemble 1st generation Lycans, but their faces are shorter, and the least wolf-like in appearance. They also have far less fur than the first-generation Lycans - they are mostly hairless, aside from a thin mane of fur running down the center of their backs.