Since Barbas is a quest character, he has the unique perk of being invincible until you complete his quest. To be fair, we probably should have guessed that when he started, you know, talking. Many people love the idea of a canine companion à la Dogmeat in Fallout 4, but it turns out Barbas isn’t actually a dog. This shape-shifter can be intensely frustrating as a follower, but the payoff is well worth it. As with Lydia, Aela will shoot unlimited higher-level arrows if you place a single one in her inventory. She becomes available as a follower after you’ve completed the Companions main quest-line. You can find her in the Companions Hall, Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun. Even as a follower or wife, Aela will offer expert-level archery training on the go, which is a handy way to spend all that extra coin. At her highest level, she has 509 health and expertise in archery, light armor, and sneak. More than anything, her skill with a bow helps Aela rise above her fellow Skyrim followers. She also tolerates stealing, pickpocketing, and trespassing, though she makes it clear she doesn’t approve. For players looking for a more brutal Skyrim experience, Aela won’t turn hostile after a casual murder spree. She is a favorite among players not only thanks to her high sneak and archery abilities, but also her low moral standards. 2) Aela the HuntressĪs a high-ranking Companion, Aela was a competent warrior long before the Dragonborn came blundering through Jorrvaskr. As with many other followers, if you place a single high-stat arrow in Lydia’s inventory, she will fire an unlimited number of them. Also, she is sworn to carry your burdens, so grab all the loot you desire to shrug off on her. She will be available as a follower and housecarl after you complete the “Dragon Rising” quest. You can find her in Dragonsreach, in Whiterun.
While slow and painfully, gratingly bad at sneaking, Lydia is the perfect choice for players who prefer a bloody charge. At her highest level, Lydia has an impressive 671 points of health, along with expertise in heavy armor, one-handed, and block. Her repetitive phrases are the templates for numerous memes, and there’s no player out there who hasn’t screamed at her to get “OUT OF THE DOORWAY, LYDIA” at least once.ĭespite her many, many flaws, Lydia is undeniably an excellent follower.
However, in part because of how quickly Lydia is available as a follower, she is perhaps the best-known. Also, she’s arguably the most-mocked Skyrim character of all time. It almost seems lazy to start a list about the best followers with one of the first characters available. Paying attention to their overall stats, as well as popularity among the fanbase and capability in the versatile world of Tamriel, here are the best Skyrim followers. Players trying their hand at a stealthy play-through will find themselves immediately frustrated by the brutish likes of Lydia or Vilkas, but these characters might be excellent options for players looking to smash their way through enemy ranks.īecause of this, no two Skyrim players are likely to agree on the best follower. For that matter, some followers seem like excellent options until they die the first time you face a Draugr Wight. Some sneaky and quick, others heavy-handed and powerful, it can be hard to decide which follower might be best for your play style. There are more than 70 potential followers across Tamriel. Skyrim followers come with their own advantages and disadvantages, so choose wisely. You’ll also want to select a companion to accompany you on your journey. You’ll need to choose which race is best for your adventures through this expansive world, find gear and ammunition that suits your play style, and select which factions you want to ally yourself with. There are a lot of decisions to make upon beginning a new game in Skyrim.