Choosing the right companion in Skyrim can drastically alter your journey through Tamriel, whether you need a sturdy tank or a powerful spellcaster. With dozens of recruitable allies across the base game and expansions, understanding what each follower brings to the table helps you build the ultimate adventuring party.
The Essential All-Rounders and Invincible Followers
For many players, Serana stands out as the single best overall companion due to her rich backstory, unique interactions, and immortality. She excels in combat by reanimating fallen foes and using vampiric magic to distract groups of enemies. Similarly, Frea and Mjoll the Lioness offer incredible survivability because they cannot be permanently killed in battle.
These invincible followers are ideal for long dungeon crawls where accidental friendly fire might normally kill a lesser ally. Bringing along a follower who scales high in levels ensures your team remains competitive against endgame bosses.
Mage Companions for Offense and Utility
If your character focuses on physical combat, hiring a skilled spellcaster can balance your team's offense. J'zargo at the College of Winterhold is famous for having no level cap, allowing his stats to grow continuously alongside the Dragonborn. He deals heavy Destruction damage while holding his ground in close-quarters encounters.
Mercenaries like Marcurio and Teldryn Sero provide immediate, high-impact elemental damage in exchange for gold. Teldryn Sero is especially useful because he summons flame atronachs to draw enemy attention away from the player.
Frontline Warriors and Ranged Specialists
Melee characters like Vilkas, Farkas, and Lydia excel at absorbing damage on the front lines. Lydia serves as an accessible early-game housecarl who can carry heavy loads of loot through difficult dungeons. Vilkas offers incredible two-handed combat strength, making him a great companion for archers or sneaky builds.
On the other hand, ranged specialists like Aela the Huntress sit back and rain arrows on targets while you engage in melee combat. Aligning your companion's combat style with your character's build ensures seamless tactical coordination during fights.
Choosing the Best Companion for Your Playstyle
Ultimately, the best follower depends on what your character lacks in combat and roleplaying preferences. Players seeking rich dialogue often favor Serana or Cicero, while min-maxers prefer high-level spellcasters like J'zargo. Evaluating combat stats, essential status, and skill synergies will help you pick the perfect ally for your quest.
