Can Cicero Become a Blade in Skyrim? The Definitive Answer and More!
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No, Cicero cannot become a Blade in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. While you can spare Cicero’s life and have him as a follower after completing the Dark Brotherhood questline, he is not eligible to join the Blades under Delphine’s command. He’s too… unique… for their tastes. So, if you’re aiming for a Blades recruit roster, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Understanding the Blades and Companion Eligibility
Before diving into the details, it’s essential to understand who the Blades are and what they’re looking for in a recruit. The Blades are a faction dedicated to serving the Dragonborn, primarily by hunting dragons and carrying out the Dragonborn’s will. They require loyal and capable warriors, but also individuals willing to dedicate themselves entirely to their cause.
Requirements for Becoming a Blade
The key requirements for a follower to become a Blade are:
- Being a permanent follower: Only characters who can permanently follow you are eligible.
- Not being a member of the Dark Brotherhood: Membership in the Dark Brotherhood is an automatic disqualifier.
- Not being Serana: Due to story reasons, Serana cannot become a Blade.
- Willingness: The follower must be willing to join the Blades. Most followers you can persuade will join.
Why Cicero Doesn’t Make the Cut
Cicero, while an incredibly powerful and entertaining follower, falls short on several fronts. Primarily, his deep connection to the Dark Brotherhood and his unwavering loyalty to the Night Mother makes him an unsuitable candidate for the Blades. His dedication to the tenets of the Dark Brotherhood is absolute, and he would never abandon their ways to serve the Blades’ agenda. Furthermore, his…eccentric personality and questionable sanity make him a difficult fit for the disciplined ranks of the Blades.
Alternative Blades Recruits
If you’re looking to bolster the ranks of the Blades, here are some excellent alternatives:
- Farkas: A member of the Companions.
- Aela the Huntress: Also a member of the Companions.
- J’zargo: A talented mage from the College of Winterhold.
- Illia: A mage you can find during a quest near Riften.
- Faendal: An archer from Riverwood.
These are just a few examples, but remember that most followers are eligible, barring the exceptions mentioned above.
The Role of the Games Learning Society
Understanding the nuances of Skyrim‘s character interactions and faction dynamics can be a deeply engaging experience, highlighting how games can offer rich narrative and character development. Organizations like the Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, explore the educational potential of games and how they can foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making skills. By analyzing games like Skyrim, we can gain insights into their design principles and the impact they have on players. The Games Learning Society can give us insights into the social and cognitive impacts of learning these complex systems.
FAQs: All About Cicero and the Blades
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the situation and provide more information:
1. Can I make Cicero leave the Dark Brotherhood and then recruit him to the Blades?
No, you cannot make Cicero leave the Dark Brotherhood. His allegiance is unwavering. Even if you could somehow remove him from the Dark Brotherhood (which you can’t), his personality and background would still disqualify him.
2. What happens if I try to take Cicero to Delphine to be recruited?
Delphine will simply refuse to recruit him. She will likely make a comment about his questionable mental state or his association with the Dark Brotherhood. The option to initiate the recruitment dialogue will not appear.
3. If I spare Cicero, will he always remain a follower?
Yes, if you spare Cicero during the Dark Brotherhood questline, he will eventually become available as a follower once you have completed the quest “The Dark Brotherhood Forever” (or after a few in-game days have passed). He will stay as a follower unless dismissed.
4. Is it better to kill Cicero or keep him as a follower?
This is a matter of personal preference. Killing Cicero gets you his unique outfit, while keeping him as a follower provides you with a powerful and entertaining stealth companion. He excels as a stealth follower due to his high One-Handed skill and lack of moral compunction.
5. How many followers can the Blades have at once?
You can recruit up to three followers to join the Blades. After recruiting three followers, you cannot recruit any more.
6. Do Blades recruits lose their unique skills or abilities after joining?
No, Blades recruits retain their unique skills and abilities. For example, if you recruit a follower who is skilled in archery, they will continue to be proficient in archery after becoming a Blade.
7. What are the benefits of having followers join the Blades?
The main benefit is having strong companions who will fight alongside you against dragons. They also contribute to the overall strength of the Blades and help to rebuild their order. Recruited Blades will also live at Sky Haven Temple.
8. Can I remove a follower from the Blades once they’ve been recruited?
No, once a follower joins the Blades, they are permanently dedicated to the order. You cannot dismiss them from the Blades or have them return to their previous lives.
9. Does becoming a Blade affect a follower’s relationship with other factions?
In most cases, no. Becoming a Blade does not negatively affect a follower’s relationship with other factions. For example, a Companion who joins the Blades will still be a member of the Companions.
10. Are there any mods that allow Cicero to become a Blade?
Yes, there are likely mods available on websites like Nexus Mods that alter the game and allow Cicero to become a Blade. However, using mods can potentially cause conflicts with other mods or game files, so proceed with caution.
11. What level does Cicero need to be to become a good follower?
Cicero’s level scales with yours, up to a maximum level. He is a powerful follower from early levels due to his high One-Handed skill, making him effective at any stage of the game.
12. Is there any dialogue that suggests Cicero might be interested in joining the Blades?
No, there is no dialogue that suggests Cicero would ever be interested in joining the Blades. His loyalty to the Dark Brotherhood and the Night Mother is unwavering.
13. What happens to Cicero after the Dark Brotherhood questline if I don’t spare him?
If you kill Cicero during the Dark Brotherhood questline, he will obviously be dead and cannot be recruited as a follower or become a Blade.
14. Can I marry a follower and then recruit them to the Blades?
Yes, you can marry a follower and then recruit them to the Blades. Becoming a Blade does not affect their marital status.
15. Does recruiting followers to the Blades affect the ending of the game?
No, recruiting followers to the Blades does not affect the ending of the game. It is purely a gameplay mechanic that provides you with strong companions for fighting dragons.
Final Thoughts
While the idea of Cicero joining the Blades is an amusing thought, it’s simply not possible within the vanilla game. His dedication to the Dark Brotherhood, along with his unique personality, makes him incompatible with the Blades’ mission. However, there are plenty of other worthy candidates to recruit, so don’t despair! Focus on finding followers who are loyal, skilled, and willing to dedicate themselves to the Dragonborn’s cause and the Blades’ agenda. Now go forth, Dragonborn, and rebuild the Blades!