Ultimate Guide to Skyrim All Followers and Companions

Hey there, fellow Dragonborn! If you're diving into The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you know followers can make or break your journey. From tanky warriors to sneaky mages, Skyrim's all followers offer a ton of variety. In my opinion, they're not just meat shields—they're essential for immersive gameplay. I've spent countless hours recruiting and managing them, and honestly, nothing beats having a reliable companion shouting battle cries beside you. This guide breaks down every follower, how to get them, and some pro tips you won't find elsewhere. Let's get into it.

Understanding Skyrim Followers Basics

Followers in Skyrim are NPCs that join your adventures, fighting enemies, carrying gear, and sometimes providing unique dialogue. There are over 50 recruitable followers across the base game and DLCs like Dawnguard and Dragonborn. They level up with you, but their skills cap at certain points—something Bethesda balanced to keep things fair. In my experience, choosing the right follower depends on your build; a stealth archer pairs best with a melee tank. Remember, followers can die if you're not careful, unless you use console commands or mods.

How Followers Work Mechanically

Technically, followers use the game's AI system, pathfinding via navmeshes, and combat behaviors scripted in the Creation Kit. They have morale stats that affect aggression, and you can issue commands like 'wait' or 'attack' via dialogue. A unique insight: followers' inventory weight limit is 300 units, but you can exploit this by dropping items and ordering them to pick up—handy for hoarding dragon bones. Always check their default gear; upgrading it via smithing boosts their effectiveness exponentially.

Types of Followers in Skyrim

Skyrim categorizes followers into housecarls, mercenaries, quest-related, and creatures like dogs or atronachs. Housecarls, assigned after becoming Thane, are free and loyal. Mercenaries cost 500 gold but pack a punch. Quest followers often have unique perks, like Serana's vampiric abilities. Honestly, I love the variety—it keeps replays fresh.

Complete List of All Skyrim Followers

Here's a rundown of Skyrim all followers. I've organized them by category for ease. This isn't just a list; I'll include recruitment steps and why they're worth it. Data from the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP) shows there are 48 in the base game alone. Let's break it down.

Base Game Followers

Lydia, the iconic housecarl from Whiterun, is recruited after 'Dragon Rising.' She's a solid warrior with heavy armor skills. Farkas from the Companions joins during their questline—great for werewolf fans. In my playthroughs, I've found Aela the Huntress unbeatable for archery support. Others include Mjoll the Lioness (Riften) and Uthgerd the Unbroken (Whiterun Bannered Mare brawl).

DLC Followers

Dawnguard adds Serana, a vampire with necromancy spells—recruit her during the main quest. She's immortal, which is a game-changer. Dragonborn DLC brings Teldryn Sero, a spellsword mercenary in Raven Rock. Hearthfire lets you adopt stewards like Rayya. Unique tip: Serana can turn you into a Vampire Lord mid-combat if you're allied—super underrated for hybrid builds.

Best Followers for Different Playstyles

Not all followers suit every character. As a stealth player, I swear by followers who stay quiet. For mages, illusion experts like Illia shine. Let's analyze the top picks with some case studies from my games.

Top Picks for Warriors and Tanks

Lydia or Vilkas are beasts in heavy armor. In one run, Vilkas tanked a dragon while I healed—flawless synergy. Their high health pools (up to 500 at level 50) make them durable. Tip: Equip them with enchanted gear from Skyrim Enchanting Guides to boost resistances.

Followers for Mages and Archers

J'zargo for destruction magic or Faendal for archery training. Case study: Pairing J'zargo with a conjurer build doubled my summon output. External link: Check Bethesda's official Skyrim wiki for stats here.

How to Recruit and Manage Followers Effectively

Recruiting is straightforward but managing? That's where expertise comes in. Start by completing relevant quests. To manage, use the dialogue wheel for commands. Pro tip: Dismiss and re-recruit to reset their inventory—great for trading exploits.

Step-by-Step Recruitment Guide

1. Locate the follower (e.g., Lydia in Dragonsreach).
2. Complete prerequisite quests.
3. Initiate dialogue and select 'Follow me.'
4. Equip them via trading.
5. Monitor their health in combat.

Analysis: Followers' AI can glitch in tight spaces, so use 'wait' commands strategically.

Unique Tips and Mods for Enhancing Followers

Honestly, vanilla followers are great, but mods elevate them. Use 'Amazing Follower Tweaks' for multi-follower support. Unique insight: Train followers by sparring in safe zones to level their skills passively—something I discovered after hundreds of hours. For immersion, role-play with them; it adds emotional depth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't overload them, or they'll complain. Avoid friendly fire with area spells. In my opinion, the biggest error is ignoring their backstories—missed lore opportunities!

Can You Have Multiple Followers in Skyrim?

Yes, but vanilla limits you to one humanoid plus a dog or horse. Mods like 'Extensible Follower Framework' allow more. Quest-specific followers can join temporarily, stacking up to three in some cases.

Who Is the Strongest Follower in Skyrim?

In my experience, Ebony Warrior from Dragonborn DLC is the toughest, but he's not recruitable until level 80. For regulars, Serana's immortality and spells make her top-tier. Stats show her at level 50 with 541 health.

How Do You Revive a Dead Follower?

Use console commands like 'resurrect' on PC. On console, reload a save. Tip: Essential followers like Serana can't die permanently.

What Happens If a Follower Dies?

They're gone forever unless essential. Their gear drops, so loot it quick. Emotional note: Losing Lydia early game always hits hard—backup saves are key!

Are There Immortal Followers in Skyrim?

Yes, like Serana and some quest ones. Mods can make others essential too. Great for hardcore playthroughs.