Skyrim is a big, cold, dragon-infested place, and nobody should have to explore it alone. The game has dozens of followers – but they are far from equal. Some level up with you all the way to the end game, some cannot die, some will happily help you rob a house, and some will lecture you if you so much as pick up a sweetroll that is not yours.
This guide helps you pick the right companion for your character: our top picks for every playstyle, a full comparison table, and the basics every follower owner should know.
Top picks at a glance
Essential, powerful magic, tons of unique dialogue. Requires Dawnguard.
Destruction mage with no level cap – he keeps up with you forever.
Expert archer, levels to 50, and trains you in Archery too.
Heavy armor, two-handed – and essential, so she never dies.
Lydia comes free with Dragon Rising; Uthgerd only costs you a fistfight.
Spellsword with a level cap of 60. Requires Dragonborn.
Essential assassin who never minds your crimes. Spare him in the Dark Brotherhood questline.
Restoration and Conjuration, levels to 50, great against undead.
Free, loyal, and can travel alongside a regular follower.
Best followers by playstyle
Warriors and tanks
If you want someone in front of you soaking up hits, look at Mjoll (essential), Vilkas and Farkas (both level to 50 and train you), or the mercenaries Stenvar and Vorstag. Borgakh and Benor are solid mid-game options.
Mages
J’zargo is the stand-out thanks to his missing level cap. Serana is even stronger if you own Dawnguard. Illia is a brutal frost mage, Marcurio is a reliable hired destruction mage, and Erandur keeps you alive with healing.
Archers and stealth
Aela is the best archer in the game. Early on, Faendal in Riverwood is easy to get and trains Archery. Jenassa, Annekke Crag-Jumper and Derkeethus are good alternatives.
Thieves and assassins
Many followers turn on you or get upset when you commit crimes. Mercenaries such as Jenassa, Marcurio and Vorstag do not care, and Cicero positively enjoys it.
Followers who cannot die
Essential followers are knocked down instead of killed – perfect if you are tired of reloading. These include Serana, Mjoll the Lioness, Cicero, Frea and Barbas (who can only be hurt by the Rueful Axe).
Full comparison table
| Follower | Race | Style | Max level | How to recruit | Marry | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lydia | Nord | Warrior | 50 | Dragon Rising (housecarl) | Yes | Whiterun |
| Serana | Nord (vampire) | Mage | 50 | Dawnguard questline | No | Dawnguard |
| Aela the Huntress | Nord | Archer | 50 | Companions questline | Yes | Whiterun |
| Farkas | Nord | Heavy warrior | 50 | Companions questline | Yes | Whiterun |
| Vilkas | Nord | Two-handed | 50 | Companions questline | Yes | Whiterun |
| J’zargo | Khajiit | Destruction mage | No cap | J’zargo’s Experiment | No | College of Winterhold |
| Brelyna Maryon | Dunmer | Support mage | 30 | Brelyna’s Practice | Yes | College of Winterhold |
| Onmund | Nord | Destruction mage | 30 | Onmund’s Request | Yes | College of Winterhold |
| Mjoll the Lioness | Nord | Heavy warrior | 40 | Retrieve Grimsever | Yes | Riften |
| Uthgerd the Unbroken | Nord | Warrior | 30 | Win a brawl | Yes | Whiterun |
| Benor | Nord | Two-handed | 30 | Win a brawl | Yes | Morthal |
| Marcurio | Imperial | Mage | 40 | 500 gold | Yes | Riften |
| Jenassa | Dunmer | Archer | 40 | 500 gold | Yes | Whiterun |
| Belrand | Nord | Spellsword | 40 | 500 gold | Yes | Solitude |
| Vorstag | Nord | Heavy warrior | 40 | 500 gold | Yes | Markarth |
| Stenvar | Nord | Two-handed | 40 | 500 gold | Yes | Windhelm |
| Erik the Slayer | Nord | Barbarian | 40 | Convince his father, then 500 gold | No | Rorikstead |
| Teldryn Sero | Dunmer | Spellsword | 60 | 500 gold | No | Raven Rock (Dragonborn) |
| Frea | Nord (Skaal) | Warrior / healer | No cap | Dragonborn questline | No | Skaal Village (Dragonborn) |
| Cicero | Imperial | Assassin | 50 | Spare him (Dark Brotherhood) | No | Dawnstar Sanctuary |
| Erandur | Dunmer | Healer | 50 | Spare him in Waking Nightmare | No | Dawnstar |
| Illia | Imperial | Frost mage | 40 | Repentance | No | Darklight Tower |
| Faendal | Bosmer | Archer | 30 | A Lovely Letter | No | Riverwood |
| Sven | Nord | Bard | 20 | A Lovely Letter | No | Riverwood |
| Annekke Crag-Jumper | Nord | Archer | 30 | Kill a bandit leader | No | Darkwater Crossing |
| Derkeethus | Argonian | Ranger | 30 | Extracting an Argonian | Yes | Darkwater Crossing |
| Borgakh the Steel Heart | Orsimer | Heavy warrior | 30 | Pay her dowry / persuade | Yes | Mor Khazgur |
| Ghorbash the Iron Hand | Orsimer | Ranger | 30 | Persuade, pay or brawl | Yes | Dushnikh Yal |
| Kharjo | Khajiit | Heavy warrior | 30 | Return his Moon Amulet | No | Khajiit caravan |
| Barbas | Daedra (dog) | Melee | 45 | A Daedra’s Best Friend | No | Falkreath |
| Meeko | Dog | Animal companion | – | Find Meeko’s Shack | No | Meeko’s Shack |
Follower basics
- One at a time: you can normally have one humanoid follower plus one animal companion, such as a dog.
- Gear them up: trade items with your follower and they will equip better armor and weapons you give them. A follower in good gear is a completely different fighter.
- Level caps matter: followers level with you, but stop at their cap. A level 30 cap is fine early on, but late-game picks should go higher.
- Crimes: many followers will not help with – or will be upset by – stealing and murder. Mercenaries are usually more relaxed.
- Marriage: buy an Amulet of Mara from the Temple of Mara in Riften, wear it and talk to a marriage candidate. See all marriage candidates.
- Blades and stewards: after Alduin’s Wall, many followers can join the Blades, and with Hearthfire they can look after your homestead as a steward.
Want to browse them all? See every follower in Skyrim.