Skyrim followers add depth and personality to your adventures across Skyrim. This guide details the official list of followers available in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, helping you recruit, manage, and role-play with companions.
Whether you prefer stealthy archers, mighty warriors, or spellcasting mages, the game offers a diverse roster of characters who can join your journey. Understanding each follower’s strengths, preferences, and unique quests enhances immersion and tactical choices.
Companion Overview Table
A structured summary of key followers, their class focus, starter gear, and alignment in the official list of Skyrim followers.
| Follower | Primary Class | Starter Gear | Joins From | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aela the Huntress | Ranger / Archer | Elven Armor, Bow, Poisoned Arrows | Companions Questline | Animal Lover, Immune to Lycanthropy |
| Delphine | Stam Tank / One-Handed | Steel Armor, Longsword | Main Story - The Blades | Blade Skills, Block, Critical Strikes |
| Farkas | Two-Handed / Heavy Armor | Steel Armor, Battleaxe | Companions Questline | High Stamina, Lycanthropy Friendly |
| Lydia | Warrior / Shield Bearer | Iron Armor, Shield | After Buying House in Whiterun | Unshakable, Simple Dialogue, Heavy Armor |
| Serana | Spellsword / Archery | Dawnguard Armor, Crossbow | Main Story - Dawnguard DLC | Vampirism, Illusion Skills, High Speech |
| Sylvia | Mage / Destruction | Novice Robes, Staff | College of Winterhold Questline | Conjuration, Illusion, Low Health |
| Uthgerd the Unbroken | Berserker / Two-Handed | Steel Armor, War Axe | Various Quests | Battlecries, Berserker Rage, Heavy Armor |
| Vex | Assassin / Sneak | Thieves Guild Gear, Short Blade | Thieves Guild Main Quest | Evasion, Sneak, Chameleon |
Joining Companions in Skyrim
Joining followers in Skyrim typically involves completing specific questlines tied to factions or NPCs. Approach candidates in cities or camps, then complete their initiating quest to unlock recruitment.
Some followers join automatically at key story points, while others require you to visit their home or meet certain reputation thresholds. Timing and progression gates determine who walks beside you and when, shaping your playthrough experience.
Follower Behavior and Management
Understanding follower behavior helps maintain a cohesive party. Each companion has preferences for distance, tactics, and reactions to threats, which affect combat efficiency and role-play immersion.
You can issue simple commands such as Wait, Follow, and Assist, while managing equipment and leveling to keep your group balanced. Losing a follower temporarily or permanently can occur during story events, so choose backups when possible.
Unique Companions and Their Stories
The list of Skyrim followers includes characters with rich backstories tied to factions like the Companions, Thieves Guild, College of Winterhold, and Dawnguard. Their motivations range from honor and glory to redemption and survival.
Recruiting members from these factions unlocks专属 missions, romantic possibilities, and powerful synergy in combat. Exploring their quests often reveals hidden lore and impacts the broader civil war and dragon crisis narratives.
Mastering the Followers List in Skyrim
Use these insights to build a reliable party, preserve favorite characters, and enrich your journey across Tamriel.
- Review the companion table to match playstyle with class-specific followers.
- Complete faction questlines to unlock and recruit desired followers.
- Assign followers to Wait or Follow commands based on your tactical needs.
- Rotate active members to keep multiple companions available for story events.
- Prepare backup followers in case of death or permanent departure.
- Equip followers with appropriate gear to enhance survivability and damage.
- Engage with follower side quests to reveal hidden story arcs and rewards.
- Save before major story choices that may affect follower availability.
FAQ
Reader questions
Can I have more than one follower at a time in Skyrim?
You can typically have one active follower in the world at a time, though certain mods, exploits, or specific story phases may allow temporary stacking. Some followers may wait at home if dismissed or replaced.
What happens if my follower dies during a quest?
If a follower dies during a quest, they may remain unavailable until you progress the story or complete a resurrection ritual. Certain companions can be permanently lost depending on quest choices and event outcomes.
Can followers marry or gift items in Skyrim?
Several followers are romance-eligible and can move in with you after meeting specific conditions. Many followers also accept and gift jewelry, consumables, and unique gear that reflect their class and personality.
How do I dismiss or change my current follower?
You can dismiss your current follower by opening the console, selecting the character, and choosing Dismiss. Alternatively, many companions can be released at their home or after dialogue options during travel.