The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim followers guide

Companions

As you might expect, the companions make great company on your quest. All of these characters are warrior builds (except Aela,  an archer), so put a strong weapon in their hands and pile on the armor. If you’re a mage or an archer, these melee fighters can soak up enemy aggression while you focus on ranged tactics. All of the following characters can be found in or just outside Jorrvaskr (the Companion headquarters) in Whiterun. You’ll also need to be a member of the Companions before any of these warriors will join you. 

As pictured above, from left to right - 

Aela The huntress

Training: Archery, one-handed, sneak , light armor, speech.

Requirement: Complete the Companion’s main questline.

Marriage: Yes, after the Companions’ main questline.

Location: Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun.

Yay!: Aela is first and foremost an archer, seeing as she can train you in the art. She’s best at medium/long range, but her one-handed skill means she can also fight up close if necessary. As such, she’s a good all around choice. 

Athis

Training: One-handed, light armor, block, archery.

Requirement: Complete the Companion’s main questline.

Marriage: Yes, after the Companions’ main questline.

Location: Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun.

Nay!: Athis specializes in one-handed weapon fighting and light armor. This makes him a fairly poor choice, as he’ll get downed faster than other melee followers thanks to his combination of aggression and low defense. We don’t recommend him. 

Farkas

Training: One-handed, heavy armor, smithing, speech.

Requirement: Complete the Companion’s main questline.

Marriage: Yes, after the Companions’ main questline.

Location: Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun.

Nay!: His one-handed skill allows him to dish out a fair amount of damage while his heavy armor skill allows him to take plenty in return. The only issue is that he does not specialize in block, meaning his shielding will be weak. Unless you plan on using his smithing skills, we suggest picking someone else. 

Vilkas

Training: Two-handed, heavy armor, block, archery.

Requirement: Complete the Companion’s main questline.

Marriage: Yes, after the Companions’ main questline.

Location: Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun.

Yay!: Vilkas is a pure damage dealer. We recommend him because he’s the best two-handed warrior the Companions have. 

Njada

Training: One-handed, block, speech.

Requirement: Complete the Companion’s main questline.

Marriage: Yes, after the Companions’ main questline.

Location: Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun.

Nay!: Njada would be a decent follower if she specialized in any kind of armor whatsoever. As a melee warrior, she suffers greatly from the low defense. Stay away.

Ria 

Training: One-handed, heavy armor, block, archery.

Requirement: Complete the Companion’s main questline.

Marriage: Yes, after the Companions’ main questline.

Location: Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun.

Yay!: Ria is essentially the same as Torvar, only female. 

Torvar

Training: One-handed, heavy armor, block, archery.

Requirement: Complete the Companion’s main questline.

Marriage: Yes, after the Companions’ main questline.

Location: Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun.

Yay!: Torvar is a fantastic choice. His skill set makes him perfect tank, soaking up all the enemy aggression while you fight from safety. He’s even got some archer skills for ranged combat. 

Members of the College of Winterhold

There are a few mages hanging around the college that are willing to follow you if you do them a favor. If you’re a warrior build, you should join the college just to have access to these followers. You must be a member of the college before any of these mages can join you. 

Brelyna Maryon

Training: Conjuration, illusion, alteration, sneak.

Requirement: Join college, complete the “Brelnya’s Practice.”

Marriage: Yes - join college, complete the “Brelnya’s Practice.”

Location: College of Winterhold

Yay!: It definitely comes in handy to have a support mage with you who can conjure antorachs. However, since Brelyna has no training in weapons, armor, or offensive magic, she’s better suited to accompany melee warrior builds. 

J’Zargo

Training: Destruction, One-handed, heavy armor, illusion.

Requirement: Join college, complete the “J’Zargo’s Experiment.”

Marriage: No

Location: College of Winterhold

Yay!: We’d recommend him based solely on his name, but his destruction skill makes him a great damage-dealer, and his melee and armor skills allow him to survive close encounters with no problems.

Onmund

Training: Destruction, One-handed, heavy armor, illusion.

Requirement: Join college, complete the “Onmund’s Request.”

Marriage: Yes - join college, complete the “Onmund’s Request.”

Location: College of Winterhold

Yay!: Onmund has the same skill set as J’Zargo. His fetch quest requirement is a bit more difficult than J’Zargo’s though, meaning lazy gamers may want to avoid him.