Keeping Barbas: Your Comprehensive Guide to Skyrim’s Canine Companion
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So, you’ve met Barbas, the sassy, shape-shifting Daedra who happens to look like a dog. You’re smitten. You want to keep him around. Who wouldn’t? But how do you actually manage to keep Barbas by your side in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?
The trick to keeping Barbas as a companion is simple, yet easily missed: do not complete the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend.” After initially speaking with Clavicus Vile’s statue in Haemar’s Shame, Barbas will join you on a quest to reunite with his master. The moment you enter the shrine and trigger the dialogue with the statue, Barbas becomes your temporary companion.
However, do not proceed to complete the quest’s final objective: either killing Barbas with the Rueful Axe or returning the axe to Clavicus Vile. If you do either of these things, Barbas will either die or be returned to Clavicus Vile, effectively ending his time as your furry (or not-so-furry, depending on his chosen form) sidekick.
Instead, simply… wander off. Ignore the quest marker. Forget that Clavicus Vile even exists. As long as you never complete the quest, Barbas will remain as your loyal, albeit somewhat annoying, companion.
Understanding Barbas’ Limitations
Before you get too excited, it’s important to understand Barbas’ limitations as a follower. He’s not exactly like Lydia or Aela the Huntress.
- No Carrying Capacity: Barbas, being an animal follower, cannot carry any items for you. He’s purely a combat companion.
- Limited Control: You can’t give Barbas specific commands, like telling him to wait somewhere or attack a specific target. He acts independently.
- Stealth is Ruined: If you’re a stealth archer, Barbas will be your worst nightmare. He doesn’t understand the concept of crouching and sneaking, so he will charge into combat, alerting enemies to your presence.
- Constant Barking: Yes, Barbas barks. A lot. It can get irritating, but some players find it endearing. Think of it as an early warning system for nearby enemies… maybe.
The Benefits of Keeping Barbas
Despite these limitations, there are several reasons why you might want to keep Barbas around:
- Unlimited Health: Barbas is essentially immortal. He can take an incredible amount of damage without dying, making him an excellent distraction for enemies. He can even tank dragons!
- Additional Follower: Barbas doesn’t count towards your follower limit. You can have him alongside a humanoid follower, giving you a small army of allies. He also works with summoned creatures, giving you a large party.
- Early Game Power: Barbas is especially useful in the early game when you’re still relatively weak. He can help you take down tough enemies and explore dangerous areas.
- He’s Kind Of Cute: Despite his annoying tendencies, Barbas has a certain charm. He’s a loyal companion who will always be there to back you up (even if he does get in your way sometimes).
Alternative Companion: Meeko
If the constant barking and limited control of Barbas don’t sound appealing, remember you can always find Meeko near Meeko’s Shack, another canine companion within the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Barbas
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide more insight into keeping Barbas as a companion:
1. Can I have Barbas as a pet without doing the quest?
Yes, you can. The key is to start “A Daedra’s Best Friend” by speaking with Clavicus Vile’s statue, but never complete the quest. As long as you don’t kill Barbas or return the Rueful Axe, he will stay with you.
2. Can you save Barbas and keep the Rueful Axe?
No, you cannot. To obtain the Rueful Axe, you must kill Barbas. If you spare him, you will receive the Masque of Clavicus Vile instead. Choosing between the axe and the masque is a pivotal decision in the quest.
3. Where does Barbas go if I dismiss him?
Without mods, Barbas isn’t designed to be permanently dismissed. If you tell him to stop following you, he will return to Haemar’s Shame, where you initially found him. You can then resume the quest if you choose.
4. What do I do if I lost Barbas?
If you’ve lost Barbas while on the quest, try waiting or resting for about a week in-game. This often resets follower behavior and can cause him to return to your location. If that doesn’t work, try revisiting Haemar’s Shame.
5. Is it worth killing Barbas?
Whether it’s “worth it” depends on your goals. Killing Barbas nets you the Rueful Axe, but it doesn’t count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement. Sparing him gives you the Masque of Clavicus Vile, which does count. Furthermore, many players simply find it morally reprehensible to kill a dog, even a Daedric one.
6. How do I get Barbas back if I accidentally advanced the quest?
If you’ve accidentally advanced the quest by killing Barbas or completing the quest for the Masque, you can no longer have Barbas as a permanent follower in that playthrough without mods.
7. Can I have other followers with Barbas?
Yes! Barbas doesn’t count towards your standard follower limit. You can have a humanoid follower (like Lydia or Serana) in addition to Barbas. You can also have conjured creatures, giving you a veritable party of adventurers.
8. Is Barbas affected by follower mods?
It depends on the specific mod. Some follower mods may recognize Barbas as a follower and allow you to control him to some extent, while others may ignore him entirely. Experimentation is key!
9. Does Barbas ruin stealth gameplay?
Absolutely. Barbas has no concept of stealth. He’ll charge into battles, alerting enemies to your presence. If you’re a stealth archer, keeping Barbas around will likely be more frustrating than helpful.
10. What kind of Daedra is Barbas?
Barbas is a shapeshifting Daedra who serves Clavicus Vile. He’s essentially a repository for half of Vile’s power, often appearing as a dog (though he can take other forms).
11. How do I stop Barbas from barking?
Unfortunately, there’s no legitimate way to stop Barbas from barking in the unmodded game. Some players have suggested using console commands (if playing on PC), but these are generally considered exploits and can potentially cause unintended consequences. The suggestions involving shouts and Parthurnaax mentioned in the original article is a joke.
12. Is the Masque of Clavicus Vile better than the Rueful Axe?
The “better” item depends on your playstyle. The Masque of Clavicus Vile offers bonuses to speechcraft, prices, and magicka regeneration, making it useful for social interactions and spellcasting. The Rueful Axe, on the other hand, is a two-handed weapon with decent damage, but it is slow. For the Oblivion Walker achievement, the Masque is essential.
13. Is Barbas evil?
While Barbas is a Daedra, he’s not necessarily evil in the same way as Molag Bal or Mehrunes Dagon. He’s more of a chaotic and mischievous entity who serves the often-unpredictable whims of Clavicus Vile. Many consider sparing Barbas to be the less evil route.
14. Can my children adopt Barbas as a pet?
No, children cannot adopt Barbas as a pet. While children can bring home various animals as pets, Barbas is a quest-related character and cannot be adopted.
15. Is keeping Barbas a bug or a feature?
It’s likely an unintentional consequence of the game’s design. Bethesda probably didn’t intend for players to keep Barbas indefinitely by simply not completing the quest. However, it’s become a well-known and accepted “feature” among Skyrim players. This can be seen within the fascinating lens of how games can become “alive” with players discovering unexpected patterns of play and interaction. The Games Learning Society explores these types of interactions. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.