Finding the Perfect Arrow-Slinger Sidekick: A Skyrim Archer’s Guide to Followers

Choosing the right companion in Skyrim can be the difference between a swift, decisive victory and a frustrating, drawn-out battle. For an archer, this is especially true. You need someone who can cover your flanks, draw enemy fire, and complement your ranged attacks, not just another warm body to soak up damage. Aela the Huntress stands out as an excellent choice due to her proficiency in archery, her essential status (making her unkillable), and her willingness to engage in melee combat when necessary. However, the “best” follower is subjective and depends on your playstyle, preferred race, and overall character build. This article dives deep into the world of Skyrim companions, highlighting options beyond Aela and offering insights to help you choose the perfect partner for your archery-focused Dragonborn.

Understanding the Archer’s Needs

Before we delve into specific followers, let’s consider what an archer needs in a companion. As a ranged attacker, your primary goal is to maintain distance and deliver precise shots. A good follower should:

• Tank Effectively: Drawing enemy attention and surviving the onslaught is crucial.
• Engage in Melee Combat: Distracting enemies while you rain down arrows from afar.
• Be Versatile: Adapt to different combat situations and enemy types.
• Possess Complementary Skills: Whether it’s healing, magic, or stealth, their skills should enhance your strategy.

While Aela excels in a few of these areas, other followers may be better suited depending on your specific needs. For example, a follower with high health and armor is great to act as a tank and take all of the heat off of you.

Top Follower Choices for Archers

Here are some of the top follower choices in Skyrim that can greatly aid archers.

Aela the Huntress: The Obvious Choice

As mentioned earlier, Aela the Huntress is a top contender. Here’s why:

• Archery Skill: She is proficient in archery and can assist with ranged attacks.
• Essential Status: Being unkillable, she can’t permanently die, ensuring consistent support.
• Werewolf Transformation: While not directly related to archery, her werewolf form offers powerful melee offense when needed.
• Marriage Potential: For those seeking a long-term companion, she’s a popular and powerful choice for marriage.

Serana: The Necromantic Powerhouse

Serana from the Dawnguard DLC is a strong contender due to her unique abilities:

• Necromancy: Raising dead enemies to fight alongside you provides valuable distractions and additional damage.
• Vampiric Drain: Her vampiric drain ability damages enemies while healing herself.
• Essential Status: Like Aela, she is essential and cannot be killed.
• Versatility: While primarily a mage, she can switch to melee weapons when necessary.

Mjoll the Lioness: The Stalwart Warrior

Mjoll the Lioness is a resilient and honorable warrior who can tank effectively:

• Heavy Armor Proficiency: Her heavy armor makes her a durable tank, drawing enemy fire away from you.
• Two-Handed Weapon Skill: She excels in melee combat, providing strong offense and defense.
• Moral Compass: If you prefer a morally upright companion, Mjoll fits the bill.
• Essential Status: Mjoll is also marked as essential, so she cannot die permanently.

Illia: The Magical Support

Illia is a mage found at Darklight Tower who provides magical support:

• Destruction Magic: She can cast powerful offensive spells, augmenting your ranged damage.
• Restoration Magic: Illia can heal you in battle, ensuring your survival.
• Ranged Focus: She prefers to stay at a distance, complementing your archery playstyle.
• Useful for Specific Builds: Especially strong for archers who want to focus solely on damage output.

Faendal: The Early Game Trainer

Faendal, found in Riverwood, can be your first follower in the game:

• Archery Trainer: Can train you in archery early in the game.
• Decent Archer: Can provide support during early game combat, especially against wild animals.
• Stealth Skills: Faendal is sneaky and can provide assistance with distraction.
• Early Availability: Perfect to get a quick start in the game as a ranger.

Factors to Consider When Choosing

Beyond specific followers, several factors should influence your decision:

• Your Playstyle: Do you prefer stealth, direct combat, or a mix of both? Choose a follower who complements your style.
• Your Race: Certain races synergize better with certain followers. For example, a Nord might prefer a fellow Nord warrior like Mjoll.
• Moral Alignment: Do you want a follower who shares your moral values? Some followers are more inclined towards good or evil.
• Questlines: Some followers are tied to specific questlines. Consider whether you want to engage with those quests.
• Essential vs. Non-Essential: While essential followers offer peace of mind, non-essential followers can add a layer of risk and consequence to your gameplay.

Tips for Managing Your Follower

Once you’ve chosen a follower, here are some tips for managing them effectively:

• Equip Them Properly: Provide them with good armor and weapons to maximize their combat effectiveness. Prioritize gear that complements their skills.
• Use Tactical Commands: Use the follower command system to position them strategically during combat. Tell them to engage specific enemies or hold their ground.
• Manage Their Inventory: Be mindful of their carrying capacity and equip them with items that benefit them.
• Avoid Friendly Fire: Be careful not to accidentally hit your follower with your arrows, especially in close quarters.
• Consider Their Personality: Understand their preferences and avoid actions that might displease them.

FAQs: Archer Followers in Skyrim

1. Can I improve my follower’s archery skills?

Yes, you can equip your follower with better bows and arrows to improve their archery skills. Fortify Archery enchantments on their gear can also help. However, you cannot directly train their archery skill like you can with your own character.

2. Are there any downsides to having an essential follower?

The main downside is that essential followers can sometimes disrupt immersion, as their invulnerability can make battles feel less challenging. Also, if an enemy targets an essential follower, that enemy might be locked in an un-killable state until the follower leaves combat, which can be annoying if you just want to quickly defeat all the enemies.

3. Can followers use enchanted arrows?

Yes, followers can use enchanted arrows if you provide them. This can significantly boost their damage output.

4. What is the best armor for an archer’s follower?

For a tanking follower, heavy armor with high armor rating is ideal. For a more agile follower, light armor can provide better movement and stamina regeneration.

5. How do I dismiss a follower?

You can dismiss a follower by speaking to them and selecting the option to part ways. They will typically return to their original location.

6. Can I have multiple followers?

Normally, you can only have one follower at a time. However, certain quests or mods may allow you to have multiple companions.

7. Can I marry any follower?

Not all followers are marriageable. Aela the Huntress, Mjoll the Lioness, and several others are potential marriage partners.

8. Do followers level up with me?

Yes, most followers level up with you to a certain maximum level. This ensures that they remain relevant throughout your playthrough.

9. What’s the best way to protect my follower from dragons?

Dragons are formidable opponents. Ensure your follower has strong armor, healing potions, and a powerful weapon. Using dragonrend can also help ground the dragon, making it easier for your follower to attack.

10. Can followers carry my burdens?

Yes, followers can carry items for you, increasing your carrying capacity. Just be mindful of their weight limit.

11. Can I teach my follower new spells?

No, you cannot directly teach your follower new spells. Their spell selection is predetermined.

12. Are there any followers who are also good at stealth?

Yes, some followers, like Faendal or those skilled in light armor and sneaking, can be effective stealth companions.

13. How do I keep my follower alive in difficult battles?

Equip them with the best gear, provide healing potions, use tactical commands to keep them out of harm’s way, and prioritize your own survival so you can support them.

14. Do follower skills affect the player character in any way?

No, follower skills do not directly affect your character’s skills. However, their combat support can indirectly enhance your effectiveness in battle.

15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of followers in Skyrim?

You can find detailed information about follower mechanics on the Elder Scrolls Wiki and other online resources. You can also research how games are used to educate players using the Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org.

The Final Draw

Ultimately, the best follower for an archer in Skyrim depends on your individual preferences and playstyle. Aela the Huntress provides a solid foundation with her archery skills and essential status. However, other followers like Serana, Mjoll the Lioness, and Illia offer unique strengths that can complement your archer build. Experiment with different companions and discover who best suits your Dragonborn’s journey. Remember to equip them well, use tactical commands, and enjoy the camaraderie as you conquer Skyrim together.