The Hellhound is a powerful shapeshifter within the Teen Wolf universe appearing in Beacon Hills at the midpoint of Season 3. The Hellhounds seem to be tasked with tracking and capturing supernatural threats as well as keeping the wider human population from discovering the supernatural world.
The Hellhound appears to be an indestructible spirit-form creature that attaches itself to a human host at the time of the host's death. It is a match for strength with the much larger La Bête du Gévaudan and can burn through supernatural barriers created by Mountain Ash.
Since it is part of the Wild Hunt, the hellhound can be commanded by Ghost Riders even if those commands are in opposition to the will of its human host.
During an interrogation, one Hellhound suggested that Jordan Parrish was not its first host. This Hellhound claimed it went by many names which included Cerberus, Garmr, and Black Shuck.
Teen Wolf Myth
Lydia found a book that described a mythical Hellhound:
'“Woden’s Hunt, also known as the Wild Ride or Wild Hunt. A myth of devilish riders in the sky accompanied by black dogs, spectral beasts whose eyes glowed with fire... A Bearer of Death and Guardian of the Supernatural, the black dog is also known by its more common name, the Hellhound." '
Jeff Davis explained that these creatures inhabit physical bodies. The first Hellhound seen on the show is an entity inside Jordan Parrish after the man "died" in an explosion, however, he had no idea of his alter ego. Whenever the Hellhound took control, Parrish would black out and remember little to no details.
Examples
- Parrish attacks Deputy Haige after he tried to kill him by setting him on fire.
- Parrish began to cover up the supernatural by stealing the dead chimeras and placed them at the Nemeton.
Like the myth, the Hellhound is connected to the Wild Hunt. Parrish was able to understand the Ghost Riders language as well as cross over into their dimension unscathed, and a Ghost Rider was able to control the Hellhound spirit form. Garrett Douglas was also able to control the Hellhound through the nazi Löwenmensch's decades-long absorption of ghost rider power in the Dread Doctors lair.
Appearance
The hellhound's eyes glow orange/yellow and, like most shapeshifters, it has fangs and long claws.
The body is often covered with ash and soot from the the fire-like aura it produces.
Abilities
The Hellhound has strength and speed that can seemingly outmatch all other shapeshifters. It flipped Stiles' Jeep and ran as fast as The Beast of Gevaudan. It was also able to hold the beast while grappling in close-quarters combat in Season 5 suggesting the two are equally matched in strength if not in size.
Internal Fire
The Hellhound can generate flames and extreme heat around his body. It appears that its "internal fire" actually cracks Parrish's skin when activated and is used in different ways.
- They can burn through a Mountain Ash barrier thus making it ineffective. (Lie Ability)
- They can focus their fire to heat objects like guns and prison bars. (Status Asthmaticus, The Wolves of War)
- Parrish was able generate a blast of heat to force Corey off of him. (Lie Ability)
- It can use its fire to heal itself from wounds, heat and smoke emanate from the wound during this process.
- They appear to be able to make a hard shell encasing themselves in hibernation-like state. Halwyn places himself in this state until the Anuk-Ite is freed from the Wild Hunt. (Said the Spider to the Fly)
Durability
The Hellhound appears unaffected by Kanima venom and electricity.
It also can recover from a gunshot to the head provided the bullet is removed from the skull. (Genotype)
The Hellhound healing process included heating up its body. This can burn out foreign objects while other wounds seem to heal in a similar manner to the other supernaturals.
Other Abilities
Similar to a Banshee, the Hellhound senses death. When several of the chimeras died, Parrish knew where to find and retrieve their bodies. (Condition Terminal, Strange Frequencies, Status Asthmaticus)
A Hellhound was able to block a Banshee's scream by wrapping itself around her to absorb a portion of the shock wave. (Lie Ability)
Weaknesses
Hellhounds are susceptible to cold temperatures. Scott and Stiles use a spray of liquid nitrogen to stop the hound and bring Parrish back to his senses, the Argents used a cooling chamber to awaken the entity to speak with it through Parrish. (Riders on the Storm, A Credible Threat)
While the spirit form of the hellhound appears to be immortal, the physical body it inhabits can die incurable injuries. Halwyn was killed when he attempted to heal himself and instead melted fragments of a silver bullet which poisoned the host body. (Raw Talent, Genotype)
Known Hellhounds
Real World Myth
Editor’s Note: This section concerns itself with the real world conceptions of the Hellhound ONLY. Click here for information on real-world Hellhound.
Many mythologies have different interpretations of the supernatural dog, but most have the same background of glowing red eyes, black fur, and being assigned to guarding entrances to the underworld or hunting lost souls.
In European legends, seeing a hellhound or hearing it howl may be an omen or even a cause of death.
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