This is mainly about a player who was bit by a Werebear recently. He wants to embrace being a Werebear and he's a Human Variant Fighter (GWM Feat) with 17 Strength. Being a Werebear he gains a Strength of 19, but he asked if his Variant Stats still apply.
Does a player character cursed by Lycanthropy still retain racial boosts to the same ability score? i.e. Human Variant gives +1 Strength, so 20 Strength overall?