Name Your Best Companion

[Kohlar the Unkilled]

While adventuring yesterday, I lost my favorite companion in battle. R.I.P. Njada Stone Arm. Njada taught me how to block. She kept me on my toes, shouting "Watch it!" if I backed into her. She'd be quick to point out when things didn't smell quite right by proclaiming, "OH, something stinks!" It was me, Njada. It was me.

She was my favorite after Serana, of course, because Serana was a bit more advanced in her interactions with the enviroment. I've been helped through many an adventure by Lydia, and Jordis the Sword Maiden, in my prior playthrough, and Mjoll in my current one, (can you imagine?)

So name your favorite, or favorites, companion/s, and lets pay homage to these great warriors.

 

[Lucid]

I have different favourite followers for different playstyles.I have settled on 4 top picks:

I have a lot of love for Faendal - good sneaking and archery, great with staves, and always pleasant. But he caps at level 30 and he only likes light armor, so his use is limited to lower level characters who don't need a tank. Also, not all of my characters like elves.

Erik the Slayer is really, really great. He cracks me up all the time, and he hits like a bull with his 2H weapon kills. He has saved my ass more times than I can count. He seems to show genuine concern for the player character - in dwemer ruins he will say "Don't get too far ahead", if you have him wait somewhere he'll tell you to be careful. I truly enjoy time spent with him as an NPC.

Jordis is an unbridled killing machine. She roams with my ruthless elf and attacks and kills non-aggro NPCs every so often, sometimes guards. I suspect than easily 15 of the murders on that character were actually Jordis. I have no idea why, maybe it's a glitch, but she's my all time fave Housecarl because of it.

Then there's Marcurio. A dependable, smart-mouthed, armored Mage is fun to roll with. His love of Chain Lightning keeps you on your toes, because you'll never know who may attack you because he nailed them with it. He never yells at you for tresspassing or stealing and is more than happy to participate.

 

[Lucid]

R.I.P. Njada Stone Arm. Njada.

Companions are like Draugr in my games - they have trouble staying dead. Keep an eye out for her at Jorrvaskr, you may be surprised.

 

[ColleenG]

What a coincidence. Jarvac just tried to marry Njada. She won't marry him. Jarvac's heart is broken. BEST follower is not the same as favorite, with me. My favorite is Marcurio. My best is probably a tie between Validmar, Teldryn Saro, and Belrand.

 

[Lucid]

What a coincidence. Jarvac just tried to marry Njada. She won't marry him. Jarvac's heart is broken. BEST follower is not the same as favorite, with me. My favorite is Marcurio. My best is probably a tie between Validmar, Teldryn Saro, and Belrand.

You're very right about Best and Favourite being different.

I'm surprised to hear Belrand listed as a "Best". I've hired him twice, and both times he got killed quickly. The first time he fell to a single Falmer Nightprowler. I never feel bad when mercenaries die - except Marcurio.

 

[Chadonraz]

I really like Kharjo, although I've only used him once and it was months ago.

Erandur is great as well, except he's too talkative. If I hear "Windhelm is absolutely freezing. How can these people tolerate it?" one more time...

I very rarely use followers, and apart from Erandur it's been months since I last had a non-quest one.

 

[ColleenG]

What a coincidence. Jarvac just tried to marry Njada. She won't marry him. Jarvac's heart is broken. BEST follower is not the same as favorite, with me. My favorite is Marcurio. My best is probably a tie between Validmar, Teldryn Saro, and Belrand.

You're very right about Best and Favourite being different.

I'm surprised to hear Belrand listed as a "Best". I've hired him twice, and both times he got killed quickly. The first time he fell to a single Falmer Nightprowler. I never feel bad when mercenaries die - except Marcurio.

Whenever I take on a follower, I equip them in the best armor I have, and a circlet, a ring, and a necklace, all enchanted with their particular expertise in mind. It makes a big difference. I find the only time a follower dies is if I kill them (collateral damage) but I choose the black book perk to make my followers immune to my ineptitude as soon as possible, so that doesn't happen except early in the game.

 

[Lucid]

Whenever I take on a follower, I equip them in the best armor I have, and a circlet, a ring, and a necklace, all enchanted with their particular expertise in mind. It makes a big difference.

I do the same for my followers. When Belrand croaked early in the cave I grumbled openly about having to retrieve and carry all of the enchanted Dragonplate armor and ebony weaponry I had given him, which prevented me from properly looting anything else.

 

[AS88]

I have different favourite followers for different playstyles.I have settled on 4 top picks:

I have a lot of love for Faendal - good sneaking and archery, great with staves, and always pleasant. But he caps at level 30 and he only likes light armor, so his use is limited to lower level characters who don't need a tank. Also, not all of my characters like elves.

Erik the Slayer is really, really great. He cracks me up all the time, and he hits like a bull with his 2H weapon kills. He has saved my ass more times than I can count. He seems to show genuine concern for the player character - in dwemer ruins he will say "Don't get too far ahead", if you have him wait somewhere he'll tell you to be careful. I truly enjoy time spent with him as an NPC.

Jordis is an unbridled killing machine. She roams with my ruthless elf and attacks and kills non-aggro NPCs every so often, sometimes guards. I suspect than easily 15 of the murders on that character were actually Jordis. I have no idea why, maybe it's a glitch, but she's my all time fave Housecarl because of it.

Then there's Marcurio. A dependable, smart-mouthed, armored Mage is fun to roll with. His love of Chain Lightning keeps you on your toes, because you'll never know who may attack you because he nailed them with it. He never yells at you for tresspassing or stealing and is more than happy to participate.

This is a good list, but I'd have to add two others.

Ghorbash the Iron-Hand, purely because he once killed a vampire that had got me to 8 health and no potions, from about 100ft away with an arrow that skimmed my shoulder. Best NPC kill I think I've ever seen.

And of course, Kharjo. This guy is underrated I think, and offers a little more fun and charisma to the tank followers.

 

[Kalin of High Rock]

Derkeethus, of course. My soft spoken argonian sidekick. A true friend from the day I rescued him from the falmer.

He's not very chatty, but whenever I need him he puts down his mining pick, pulls on his enchanted armor, picks up his bow and sets off for adventure! With little more than a "Well we are in this together, right?" Or a "To oblivion and back, as they say."

He's skilled with light armor and archery and isn't afraid to bring it in close with one handed weapons. Who would guess that a humble miner in the middle of no where would be one of the brave companions of the Dovahkiin. And in spite of the simple life he chooses, he's adventured father and deeper into Skyrim than many of the greatest nord heroes.

 

[Kaelbu]

I really like Vilkas. From an objective standpoint, I've heard in follower reviews that he is one of the best warrior followers. He's also pretty pleasant. From a non-objective standpoint... I really like Vilkas.

This playthrough, I became Thane of Windhelm (first time, actually) so I have Calder accompanying me. So far I like him. He does lag behind a lot though.

Of course, Serana is great. The only thing about her I don't like is the inconsistent comments on the environment.
*overcast outside*
"This must be that beautiful Skyrim weather I've always heard about. Let's get indoors or in a cave-- anywhere, just out of this."
* approaches cave*
"I've had enough of caves."
*stays outside, sun comes out*
"It's so bright, I don't know how you can stand it!"
*goes indoors*
"(Something to the effect of) I want to get out and see the world!"

 

[Daelon DuLac]

Annekka. Period. Annekka.

Of course there's also Marcurio if you want a little taste of magic too!

And, of course my all time favorite is the trio of Reiklings I had on a prior game. Little blue wild-men!

 

[Kohlar the Unkilled]

The truth is, Njada got in front of me....... and my swing killed her..AAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

The pain remains.

To Njada, the unmentioned. I''ll always remember your valor...

 

[Manmangler]

Serena, when ou remember
- Give her Muffled boots
- Stay away Her "fireline"

Charge enemy, You hear her Ice spell sound.
NExt that You know, Your character lies on ground with very BIG ICE SPEAR through head.

So not good for melee character. She have killed me many times in legendary.

 

[Morgan]

Derkeethus. After him, Kharjo. Both amiable gents you could see camping and rambling with IRL (except for the tails, I guess).

 

[HappyFaceClown]

i rarely "if ever" use followers, if i had to pick my favorites tho it would be Serana and Cicero, the only 2 that never got on my nerves, Serana cause she was just cool as hell, and Cicero cause he's a psychotic maniac who seems to enjoy killing as much as i do.
there was another however who really grew on me awhile back, so much that i even made a glitched item to give him so he would never die.. can't remember his name for some reason, he was that one priest of mora guy who joins you after the nightcaller temple quest in dawnstar.. he was really cool.

 

[BG5150]

Jordis is an unbridled killing machine. She roams with my ruthless elf and attacks and kills non-aggro NPCs every so often, sometimes guards. I suspect than easily 15 of the murders on that character were actually Jordis. I have no idea why, maybe it's a glitch, but she's my all time fave Housecarl because of it.

Then there's Marcurio. A dependable, smart-mouthed, armored Mage is fun to roll with. His love of Chain Lightning keeps you on your toes, because you'll never know who may attack you because he nailed them with it. He never yells at you for tresspassing or stealing and is more than happy to participate.

I use these two lately. Though I haven't had any collateral damage from Jordis that I remember.

 

[Inquisitor Saken]

Despite him being bad in terms of stats, and not offering free archery training like his alternative, I simply adore Sven. He's been my follower on every character p much since time began. His cute "I don't think I like where this is going!" whenever something scary happens in a dungeon kills me.

Derkeethus and J'zhargo are favourites of mine, too.

 

[snapzit]

I have Erandur now, and I'm enjoying him. He's pretty good at sneaking, and won't rat you out while stealing. Marcurio would always say, "you shouldn't be in here", and refuse to take anything I tried to give him from looting inside a given building, but Erandur just takes it cheerfully and says "happy to help out", or some such. I loved J'Zargo, and laughed at his quips. He had quite a shock spell going on.

Early game, I like Lydia for her unabashed brutality. "Now you'll pay!"

I haven't tried that many of the followers, but Serana seemed to be the most sophisticated one of all the ones I have tried. Smart, cautious, skilled, and good looking. I'd ask for her help again.

 

[Lucid]

Jordis is an unbridled killing machine. She roams with my ruthless elf and attacks and kills non-aggro NPCs every so often, sometimes guards. I suspect than easily 15 of the murders on that character were actually Jordis. I have no idea why, maybe it's a glitch, but she's my all time fave Housecarl because of it.

Then there's Marcurio. A dependable, smart-mouthed, armored Mage is fun to roll with. His love of Chain Lightning keeps you on your toes, because you'll never know who may attack you because he nailed them with it. He never yells at you for tresspassing or stealing and is more than happy to participate.

I use these two lately. Though I haven't had any collateral damage from Jordis that I remember.

Yeah - I think there's something wrong with my Jordis. My first time out with her we encountered a dragon in the courtyard right outside of Solitude. We battled, I got the soul and looted the body, then heard Jordis' battle dialogue continuing over by the gate. I got there to find that she had killed three guards and all four members of the Kajiit caravan. I'm sure that something had been done during the dragon battle to make them go aggro but I didn't see what.

A few weeks ago I went into the inn in Dragon's Bridge and she wasn't there after the loading screen. I went back out and she was fighting a guard, with two dead ones nearby. No idea why, so I just went back inside. In Riften she stabbed Sapphire on the bridge outside the Bee and Barb. She has attacked me a few times in non-combat situations while yelling "I'll kill you, elf!". She always charges in on Impy-Stormie skirmishes we come across and kills them all (seems she's neutral in the CW). A reload will fix her for awhile, but I've come to enjoy her unexpected, violent outbursts.