Lost Your Loyal Sidekick? A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Companions in Skyrim

So, you’ve been traversing the snow-swept peaks and draugr-infested dungeons of Skyrim, and suddenly realize your trusty companion is nowhere to be found. Don’t panic! Losing a follower is a common occurrence in the vast and often buggy world of Skyrim. Here’s a step-by-step guide to tracking them down:

First, retrace your steps. If you dismissed them or told them to wait, they should be exactly where you left them. The game isn’t always perfect, so they might be stuck on some terrain feature nearby. If that doesn’t work…

• Fast Travel: This is your next best bet. When you fast travel to any location, your companion should automatically appear with you. This is the simplest and most reliable method to regroup.

• Consider Dismissal: If you dismissed your companion, they will return to their original location. For example, Lydia, the most common starting companion, will return to Dragonsreach in Whiterun, or Breezehome if you’ve purchased it.

• The Three-Day Rule: If you instructed your follower to leave, they won’t immediately teleport back to their origin. Instead, there’s a cooldown period of roughly three in-game days. After this time, you’ll receive a notification that “Your follower tires of waiting and leaves“, and they’ll return to their designated home.

• Check Their Home: Every follower has a designated home. This is usually where you first recruited them. Common examples include:

  • Lydia: Dragonsreach (or Breezehome, if purchased) in Whiterun.
  • Housecarls: The hold’s keep, or your home in the associated city (if you own one).
  • Other Followers: Their respective inns, halls, or faction headquarters.

• The Console Command (PC Only): If you’re playing on PC, the console is your ultimate tool. Open the console by pressing the tilde key (~). Then:

  1. Type prid <follower's RefID> and press Enter. (Lydia’s RefID is 000A2C94).
  2. Type moveto player and press Enter. This will instantly teleport your companion to your location.

• Is Your Follower Dead?: There are things that kill your followers.

  • Your own attacks. Be careful of swinging your weapon at your followers.
  • An enemy that is doing damage over time.
  • An attack that was meant for you.

• Consider Bugs and Glitches: Skyrim is notorious for its glitches. Sometimes, companions simply disappear due to unforeseen circumstances.

If all else fails, try loading a previous save. It’s always a good idea to have multiple saves in case of such issues. You may want to consider if your follower is dead and you did not notice!

FAQs: All About Skyrim Companions

Here are some frequently asked questions about companions in Skyrim, designed to help you manage, maintain, and find your loyal allies.

How do I recruit a new follower if I already have one?

You will need to dismiss your current follower first. Simply tell them that it’s time for them to part ways. They will then return to their default location. Once they have left your party you can now recruit a new follower.

Where does Lydia go when I dismiss her?

Lydia will return to Dragonsreach in Whiterun, or to Breezehome if you have purchased it. She will stay there until you ask her to join you again.

Can followers die permanently in Skyrim?

Yes, but only under specific circumstances. They can only be killed by your attacks, persistent damage effects at low health, or attacks indirectly caused by you. If they die from enemy attacks, they will usually just become incapacitated. If you are on PC you can use a console command to resurrect them.

How do I equip my follower with better gear?

Simply talk to your follower and select the option to trade items. You can then give them new weapons, armor, and other equipment. For them to equip it, the items must be better than what they are currently using. You can equip them with other items as well.

What is the strongest follower in Skyrim?

Serana is widely considered the strongest follower due to her powerful magic abilities and essential status, preventing her from dying. Another powerful follower option is Frea.

How long does it take for a dismissed follower to return to their home?

It takes approximately three in-game days for a dismissed follower to return to their default location. You will receive a notification when they leave your service for good.

Can I have more than one follower at a time in Skyrim?

Normally, no. However, some quests or specific game mechanics can temporarily allow you to have multiple followers. Mods are a way to add more followers too.

What happens if I get arrested while I have a follower?

Your follower will usually wait for you outside the jail. Once you are released, they will rejoin you. However, there is a chance they may wander off due to bugs or glitches.

My follower is stuck! What should I do?

Try fast traveling to a new location. This usually fixes most follower-stuck issues. If not, try instructing them to wait and then returning to their location after some time has passed. If all else fails, use the console command (on PC) to teleport them to you.

How do I teleport Lydia to me using console commands?

Open the console (~) and type the following:

1. prid 000A2C94 (Lydia’s RefID) and press Enter.
2. moveto player and press Enter. Lydia will instantly teleport to your side.

What if I accidentally hit and kill my follower?

If you accidentally kill your follower, there’s no way to bring them back (unless you load a previous save or use console commands on PC). Be careful with area-of-effect spells and attacks!

Where does Lydia go if I don’t own Breezehome in Whiterun?

If you don’t own Breezehome, Lydia will reside in Dragonsreach in Whiterun. She can usually be found near the Jarl or in the main hall.

How can I prevent my follower from dying in combat?

Equip them with the best possible armor and weapons. Healing spells or potions can also help keep them alive. Be mindful of your own attacks and avoid friendly fire.

What happens if my follower gets a disease or poison?

Followers are generally immune to diseases and poisons. However, they can still be affected by certain status effects from mods.

Can I marry my follower in Skyrim?

Yes, many followers are eligible for marriage. You’ll need to wear an Amulet of Mara and speak to them to propose.

Remember to always check your surroundings and be mindful of where you last saw your companion. With a little patience and these tips, you should be reunited with your loyal ally in no time. Good luck, Dragonborn! Consider visiting Games Learning Society to learn more about gaming. You can also use the URL: GamesLearningSociety.org