Followers in Skyrim
Companions are an integral part of the Skyrim experience, offering assistance in combat, carrying capacity, and even unique questlines. Whether you seek a loyal warrior to stand by your side or a skilled mage to provide magical support, Skyrim offers a diverse cast of followers to accompany you on your adventures. Choosing the right follower can sificantly enhance your gameplay and survivability.
Finding and Recruiting Followers:
Followers can be found in various locations throughout Skyrim:
- Cities and Towns: Many followers can be hired from inns, taverns, or found wandering the streets of major settlements like Whiterun, Solitude, and Riften.
- Quest Rewards: Some followers are unlocked as rewards for completing specific quests, often tied to factions or personal stories.
- Companions Guild: Members of the Companions, particularly after progressing through their questline, can become followers.
- Player Homes: If you own a Hearthfire home, you can recruit up to two stewards and potentially ass them as followers.
- Unique Followers: Certain characters, like J'zargo or Serana (from the Dawnguard DLC), have unique recruitment methods or are integral to their respective questlines.
Types of Followers:
Followers generally fall into a few categories based on their combat style and skills:
- Warriors: These followers excel in melee combat, often wielding two-handed weapons or one-handed weapons with shields. They are excellent for tanking damage and dealing physical blows. Examples include Farkas, Vilkas, and Aela the Huntress.
- Archers: Skilled with bows, these followers can provide ranged support, picking off enemies from a distance. Examples include Marcurio and J'zargo.
- Mages: These followers specialize in various schools of magic, offering offensive spells, crowd control, or healing support. Examples include Aranea Ienith and Illia.
- Stealthy Followers: Some followers are adept at stealth and can assist in ambushes or provide support from the shadows. Examples include Jenassa and Erik the Slayer.
Managing Your Followers:
Once recruited, you can issue basic commands to your follower:
- Follow Me: The default command, keeping them close.
- Wait Here: Instructs them to stay put until you return.
- Trade Items: Allows you to give them items to carry or take items from them. This is crucial for managing your inventory weight.
- Use Different Gear: You can equip your follower with different weapons, armor, and even spells. Ensure they have good gear to maximize their effectiveness.
- Dismiss: You can dismiss a follower at any time, and they will usually return to their original location.
Important Considerations:
- One Follower Limit: Generally, you can only have one active follower at a time. Some exceptions exist through specific quests or mods.
- Perks and Skills: Followers have their own skill sets and perks, which influence their combat effectiveness.
- Health and Death: Most followers are essential or protected, meaning they cannot permanently die. However, they can be knocked unconscious and will recover after a short period. Some unique followers may be killable.
- Quest Interactions: Some followers have their own personal quests or can offer unique dialogue and insights related to your current activities.
Choosing and managing your followers effectively can greatly enhance your Skyrim experience, turning a solo journey into a shared adventure.