Companions & Followers
While Oblivion is largely a solo adventure, there are opportunities to recruit companions and followers to aid you in your quests. These allies can provide valuable combat support, carry some of your loot, and even offer unique dialogue and insights. Understanding how to find and manage followers can sificantly enhance your adventuring experience.
Followers in Oblivion can be found in various places. Some are associated with specific guilds, such as the Fighters Guild or the Dark Brotherhood, and may join you as part of a questline. Others can be hired from taverns or encountered randomly in the world. Certain unique characters might also become available as followers after completing specific quests or meeting certain conditions.
The primary benefit of a follower is their combat prowess. They can engage enemies, draw aggro, and deal damage, making challenging encounters more manageable. Some followers are skilled in specific combat styles, such as archery or melee, while others may possess magical abilities.
In addition to combat, followers can help with inventory management. They have their own carry weight, allowing you to offload some of your excess loot onto them. This is particularly useful when exploring dungeons or engaging in extensive looting.
Managing your followers involves a few key considerations:
- Recruitment: Identify potential followers and understand the conditions for them to join you. This might involve completing a quest, paying a fee, or gaining their trust.
- Combat Behavior: Followers will generally engage enemies automatically when combat begins. You can sometimes issue basic commands, such as 'wait here' or 'follow me'.
- Inventory: You can access a follower's inventory to give them items to carry. Be mindful of their carry weight limit.
- Dismissal: You can usually dismiss a follower at any time. They will typically return to their original location or a desated safe spot.
- Loyalty: Some followers may have specific loyalty conditions or may leave if you perform certain actions.
While Oblivion doesn't feature an in-depth companion system like some other RPGs, the available followers can still be a sificant asset. Carefully choose your companions based on their skills and how they complement your own character's strengths.
Some notable potential followers or companion types include:
| Type of Follower | How to Acquire | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Guild Members | Quest progression (Fighters Guild, Dark Brotherhood) | Combat support, quest-specific assistance |
| Hired Mercenaries | Taverns, specific NPCs | Combat support, can carry loot |
| Unique Characters | Quest completion, specific events | Varies, often powerful combatants or unique abilities |