Followers and companions in Skyrim are invaluable allies who can accompany you on your adventures, providing combat support, carrying capacity, and unique skills. These mercenaries, known as hirelings, can be recruited for a flat fee of gold and dismissed at will. Choosing the right companion to complement your playstyle is crucial for maximizing your effectiveness in combat and exploration.
Understanding Hirelings
Hirelings are mercenaries available for recruitment at various locations. They can be dismissed and rehired, though rehiring may incur the 500 gold fee again if too much time has passed. Each hireling possesses a unique combat style and skills that automatically level up with your character, making them adaptable companions.
Available Hirelings and Their Specialties
| Hireling | Location | Class | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belrand | Solitude | Spellsword | One-Handed, Light Armor, Destruction, Restoration |
| Vorstag | Markarth | Warrior | One-Handed, Heavy Armor, Archery, Block |
| Jenassa | Whiterun | Archer | Archery, Light Armor, One-Handed, Block, Sneak |
| Stenvar | Windhelm | Knight | Two-Handed, Heavy Armor, Archery, Block |
| Marcurio | Riften | Mage | Destruction, Restoration, Alteration, Conjuration, Sneak |
| Erik the Slayer | Rorikstead | Barbarian | Two-Handed, Light Armor, Archery, Block |
Strategic Companion Choices
- For a stealth-focused character, Jenassa is an excellent choice due to her Archery and Sneak skills.
- If you need a strong melee presence, Vorstag or Stenvar can serve as effective tanks.
- Mage players can benefit from Belrand's spellsword capabilities or Marcurio's pure magical offense.
One particular companion, who is a dual wielder, has a minimum level of 15, meaning his skills are inherently high. If you equip him with powerful weapons like an ebony/Daedric sword and a Forsworn sword, he can deal significant damage.