Can Your Favorite Skyrim Companion Become a Blade? Unveiling the Secrets of Blade Recruitment

The short answer is yes, with a few exceptions. Most of your permanent followers in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim are eligible to be recruited into the ranks of the Blades. However, there are some limitations and factors to consider before transforming your trusty companion into a dragon-slaying warrior. Understanding these nuances is crucial to strategically rebuilding the Blades according to your vision.

Rebuilding the Blades: Who Can Join the Ranks?

The questline involving the Blades becomes active during the main story, specifically after gaining access to Sky Haven Temple. Delphine and Esbern, the remaining members of the Blades, will task you with rebuilding their order. This involves recruiting new members from your pool of followers.

Eligibility Requirements

• Permanent Followers: The vast majority of followers who can permanently accompany you on your adventures are eligible for recruitment. This includes many of the characters you meet in taverns, complete quests for, or otherwise befriend.
• Exclusions: There are specific exceptions to this rule. Serana, the vampire princess from the Dawnguard DLC, cannot become a Blade. Followers associated with the Dark Brotherhood are also ineligible. This likely stems from their conflicting allegiances and the Blades’ historical role as a branch of Imperial Intelligence.
• Maximum Recruitment: You can only recruit a maximum of three followers into the Blades. This limitation forces you to carefully consider which companions you want to dedicate to the order.

The Recruitment Process

To recruit a follower, simply bring them to Delphine at Sky Haven Temple. Initiate a conversation with her, and she will prompt you to introduce your follower. After a brief interaction, the follower will be inducted into the Blades.

Consequences of Recruitment

• Loss of Followership: Once a follower is recruited into the Blades, they automatically leave your service as an active companion. However, they don’t disappear entirely.
• Continued Availability: You can still re-recruit Blades members as followers after their induction. Simply return to Sky Haven Temple and speak to them as you would normally to initiate a follower relationship.
• Equipment Change: Upon joining the Blades, the recruited follower will automatically be equipped with a full set of Blades armor and a Blades sword. This change is permanent, so consider this before recruiting a follower whose preferred armor and weapon you’d rather they keep.
• Dragon Hunting: Recruited Blades will participate in dragon-slaying expeditions alongside you, as assigned by Esbern. This adds a unique dynamic to your dragon encounters.

Strategic Considerations: Choosing Your Blades

The decision of who to recruit into the Blades should be based on several factors:

• Combat Prowess: Consider the combat skills and preferred fighting style of your followers. Choose those who excel at dragon combat or complement your own playstyle.
• Personal Preference: Select followers you genuinely enjoy adventuring with. While they will spend time at Sky Haven Temple, you can still take them on quests.
• Roleplaying: Consider the roleplaying implications of turning a specific character into a Blade. Does it fit their personality and backstory?
• Essential Followers: It’s a good idea to avoid recruiting your most essential followers in case you want to switch them in and out of your party in the future.

Remember, the Blades are not just soldiers; they are supposed to be protectors and advisors to the Dragonborn. Choose wisely, and you can create a powerful and loyal group of dragon slayers. To further enrich your gaming experience, explore the research and resources available at the Games Learning Society, which is dedicated to the intersection of games and education: GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Skyrim Companions and the Blades

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional valuable information:

1. Can Lydia become a Blade?

Yes, Lydia, your housecarl from Whiterun, is one of the most common and readily available followers and is eligible to join the Blades.

2. Can I turn Serana into a Blade?

No, Serana cannot be recruited into the Blades. She is explicitly excluded due to her vampire status and association with the Dawnguard DLC.

3. What happens if I dismiss a Blade member and then want them back?

You can always find them at Sky Haven Temple and re-recruit them as a follower, provided you don’t already have another follower.

4. Can I reverse the decision to make someone a Blade?

No, once a follower is inducted into the Blades, the decision is permanent. You cannot revert them to their previous status.

5. Do Blades members level up with me?

Yes, like other followers, Blades members will level up alongside you, ensuring they remain effective in combat.

6. Does becoming a Blade affect a follower’s skills or perks?

No, becoming a Blade does not alter a follower’s inherent skills or perks. It only changes their equipment and allegiances.

7. Can I give Blades members different armor and weapons?

Yes, you can equip Blades members with different armor and weapons, but they will always default to their Blades armor and Blades sword when you re-recruit them.

8. Do Blades members have unique dialogue options?

Yes, Blades members will have some unique dialogue options related to their role as a Blade, especially during dragon-slaying quests.

9. Can I marry a Blades member?

Yes, you can marry a Blades member if they were previously eligible for marriage before being recruited into the Blades.

10. Does recruiting followers into the Blades impact the game’s ending?

No, recruiting followers into the Blades does not significantly impact the game’s overall ending.

11. What if a Blades member dies while adventuring with me?

If a Blades member dies while they are your active follower, they are permanently dead. However, their death does not affect the Blades faction as a whole.

12. Are there any quests specifically for Blades members?

No, there are no quests specifically designed for individual Blades members. However, they will participate in dragon-slaying quests assigned by Esbern.

13. Can I recruit essential NPCs into the Blades?

Yes, you can recruit essential NPCs who are also eligible followers into the Blades. However, keep in mind that their essential status might be tied to other quests, so consider the implications before recruiting them.

14. Does the Blades armor offer any unique bonuses?

The Blades armor is a variant of heavy armor with decent stats, but it doesn’t offer any unique bonuses beyond its armor rating.

15. If I don’t recruit anyone into the Blades, does it affect the main storyline?

Failing to recruit anyone into the Blades will not stop you from progressing in the main questline, but it will mean you don’t get to do Esbern’s dragon hunting radiant quests.

Hopefully, this comprehensive guide helps you make informed decisions about who to recruit into the Blades and enhance your Skyrim experience!