Table of Contents

Can You Have Lydia and Another Follower in Skyrim? Exploring Follower Dynamics

The direct and simple answer is: No, generally, you cannot have Lydia and another regular human follower simultaneously in the standard version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. However, the complexities of Skyrim’s follower system offer some nuances and exceptions to this rule, which we will explore in detail. While you can’t have two human companions at the same time, there are ways around this limitation using certain quests, creature followers, and, most commonly, modifications.

Understanding Skyrim’s Follower System

Skyrim’s follower system is based around a single ‘humanoid’ or ‘creature’ follower limit. This means you are typically restricted to one NPC follower who can carry your burdens, fight by your side, and provide companionship. This system is built into the base game to maintain balance and prevent the game from becoming too easy, as well as optimizing performance by limiting the number of NPCs actively loaded and participating in combat scenarios. However, the system is not completely rigid.

The “One Follower” Rule

The core of the limitation stems from the game’s coding, which registers one specific NPC as your ‘current’ follower. Recruiting another follower will usually dismiss your existing companion with a courteous, or sometimes reluctant, farewell.

Exceptions to the Rule: Quest-Specific Followers

Certain quests temporarily provide you with NPCs who follow you but do not count against your main follower slot. These NPCs are essential to completing specific objectives and are often dismissed automatically upon quest completion. Examples include escorting NPCs to a designated location or having characters accompany you during certain storylines, such as a temporary ally during a Thieves Guild or Dark Brotherhood quest.

Animal Companions and Summons

While humanoid followers are limited, you can often have an animal companion in addition to your regular follower. This typically applies to dogs acquired through certain quests, such as Meeko or Vigilance. You can also summon creatures using various conjuration spells. These summoned creatures will fight alongside you and your follower without conflicting with the follower slot.

Marrying Lydia

Marrying Lydia does not change her follower status fundamentally. Once married, Lydia will usually reside in your chosen home, but she can still be recruited as a follower, and the single follower limitation will apply. Choosing her as your spouse doesn’t grant you any special privileges allowing you to have another human follower along with her.

Bypassing the Limitations: Mods

The most common way to have multiple humanoid followers in Skyrim is through mods. The Skyrim modding community is extensive and offers numerous options for overhauling the follower system. Mods like “Amazing Follower Tweaks (AFT)”, “Ultimate Follower Overhaul (UFO)”, and “Extensible Follower Framework (EFF)” remove the single-follower limitation, allowing you to recruit a party of adventurers to accompany you.

What Mods Offer

These mods not only allow for multiple followers but also provide numerous features like:

Enhanced Follower Management: Easily manage your follower’s gear, combat style, and behavior.
Shared Storage: Share items and resources between followers.
Follower Commands: Issue more complex orders, such as positioning and attack strategies.
Customizable Follower AI: Adjust how followers react to different situations.
Romance Options: Some mods expand on romance options and relationships with your followers.

Potential Drawbacks of Using Mods

While mods offer great flexibility, it’s essential to be aware of potential drawbacks:

Instability: Mods can sometimes cause conflicts or crashes, especially if they aren’t compatible with each other.
Performance Issues: Having multiple followers can strain your system’s resources, leading to performance drops, especially on lower-end PCs or consoles.
Save Corruption: In rare cases, improperly installed or conflicting mods can corrupt your game save. Always create backups before installing new mods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to follower dynamics in Skyrim:

Can I have two human followers without using mods? No, the base game only allows for one human follower at a time.
Does using a mod to have multiple followers break the game? Not necessarily, but it increases the potential for bugs or performance issues, especially with a large number of followers.
If I have a quest-related follower, can I still recruit Lydia? Yes, quest-related followers don’t usually occupy your main follower slot. You can recruit Lydia as long as you don’t have another permanent follower already.
What happens if I try to recruit a new follower while I already have Lydia? Lydia will be dismissed from your service, and the new follower will join you instead.
Can I dismiss Lydia and then re-recruit her later? Yes, you can dismiss Lydia and find her again at Dragonsreach in Whiterun (or Breezehome if you have purchased it).
Can Lydia die permanently? Yes, Lydia can die permanently in the game, unless she is essential for a specific quest. Mods can also make followers essential.
Does Lydia level up with me? Yes, Lydia’s level scales with yours up to a certain cap, ensuring she remains a useful companion as you progress.
Can Lydia carry my burdens? Yes, Lydia, like other followers, can carry items for you, relieving you of encumbrance.
Can I give Lydia better armor and weapons? Absolutely, equipping Lydia with better gear is crucial for her survivability and combat effectiveness.
Are there any other followers besides Lydia who are easy to get early in the game? Faendal in Riverwood is another early-game follower option, obtainable by completing a simple quest for him.
Can I have a dog follower and Lydia at the same time? Yes, dogs like Meeko or Vigilance can accompany you alongside Lydia, as they don’t count against the humanoid follower limit.
What happens if Lydia gets lost or stuck somewhere? Followers will usually fast travel to your location if they are too far away or become stuck. If not, waiting for a few in-game days can sometimes resolve the issue.
Do different followers have different personalities and dialogue? Yes, different followers have unique dialogue and personalities, adding variety to your adventuring experience. Some followers offer unique quests.
If I use a mod to have multiple followers, can I still complete all the quests? Generally, yes, but some quests may experience unexpected behavior if they were designed with only one follower in mind. Testing is advised.
Are there any console commands to bypass the follower limit? Yes, console commands can be used on PC to force NPCs to become followers, but this can be unstable and is not recommended for long-term gameplay. Using dedicated follower management mods is a much safer and more stable option.

In conclusion, while the vanilla version of Skyrim restricts you to a single human follower like Lydia, the creative use of animal companions, quest-specific followers, and, most significantly, follower management mods, allows you to customize your adventuring party to your liking. Just remember to weigh the benefits against potential risks before diving into the world of modded followers!

Can you have Lydia and another follower?