Reviving Fallen Comrades: A Guide to Resurrecting Followers in Skyrim

Quick answer

This page answers How do you revive a dead follower in Skyrim? quickly.

AnswerTipsNext

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

• Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
• Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
• Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

• Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
• Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
• Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

So, your trusty companion has bitten the dust in the harsh lands of Skyrim. Whether it was a dragon’s fiery breath, a bandit’s sneaky arrow, or, let’s be honest, your errant fireball, the question remains: How do you bring them back from the brink? The unfortunate truth is, in the vanilla (unmodded) version of Skyrim, you generally cannot revive a dead follower permanently. However, there are a few exceptions and workarounds depending on your platform.

The standard game mechanics dictate that if a follower falls in battle due to enemy attacks, they will simply kneel and recover after the fight. It’s only when you deliver the final blow, accidentally or otherwise, that they are truly gone for good. This is a frustrating design choice, but one that adds weight to your actions and decisions.

Fortunately, for PC players, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Console commands provide a means of resurrection, though with potential caveats. Console commands can sometimes be tricky, so always be careful when using them. If your follower dies by your hand, then you need to act fast!

The Console Command Method (PC Only)

If you’re playing on PC, you can use console commands to resurrect your fallen follower. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Open the Console: Press the tilde key (`) or the grave accent key (~) on your keyboard. This will bring up the game’s console command interface.

2. Identify the Follower’s RefID: Every NPC in Skyrim has a unique RefID (Reference ID). You can find the RefID for most followers on the UESP (Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages) wiki. For example, Lydia’s RefID is 000A2C94.

3. Target the Body: In the console, type prid <RefID> (replace <RefID> with the actual RefID). For Lydia, you would type prid 000A2C94 and press Enter. This targets the dead body. Alternatively, and more intuitively, you can open the console and click directly on the body of your deceased follower. This automatically selects them.

4. Resurrect: Type resurrect and press Enter. This command will bring your follower back to life.

5. Close the Console: Press the tilde key (`) or the grave accent key (~) again to close the console.

Your follower should now be back in the land of the living, ready to continue adventuring.

Important Considerations when resurrecting a follower:

• Inventory Reset: Sometimes, resurrecting a follower can reset their inventory. Be prepared to re-equip them with their gear. To prevent this, you can try removing all their items before resurrecting them and then giving them back afterward.
• Potential Bugs: While console commands can be life-savers, they can also introduce unintended bugs or glitches into your game. Save your game before attempting any console command, so you can revert if something goes wrong.
• Mods: Several mods on sites like Nexus Mods offer more robust resurrection options, including restoring inventory and ensuring proper follower behavior after being brought back to life. Look for mods that specifically address follower management and resurrection.

While the vanilla experience in Skyrim makes losing a follower permanent, PC players have options. Console commands offer a way to bring back fallen comrades, though it’s essential to be aware of potential drawbacks and take precautions. For console players, learning to avoid friendly fire and equipping followers with the best possible gear is the key to keeping them alive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do dead companions respawn in Skyrim?

No, in the standard, unmodded version of Skyrim, dead companions do not respawn. Once they are gone, they are gone for good, unless you use console commands (PC only) or a mod that allows resurrection.

2. What happens if you lose Lydia?

If you simply lose track of Lydia and haven’t dismissed her, she will eventually return to Breezehome in Whiterun. However, if she dies, she is permanently dead unless you use console commands (PC only) or a mod.

3. What followers cannot be killed in Skyrim?

Certain “essential” followers cannot be killed. These characters are crucial to the main questline or other important storylines. Examples include Aela the Huntress (before completing the Companions questline), Barbas, and Serana (during the Dawnguard DLC).

4. Why do my followers keep dying in Skyrim?

Followers can die from any damage, including friendly fire. They are more vulnerable to certain enemies like Chaurus and Falmer, whose poisons can deal damage over time even when the follower is downed. Ensure they have good armor and avoid hitting them with your own attacks.

5. What kills followers in Skyrim?

The primary cause of follower death is player-inflicted damage. While followers will “kneel” when their health is low from enemy attacks, they can be killed outright by a single, powerful attack from you.

6. Can you rehire a follower in Skyrim?

Yes, you can rehire a follower if you have dismissed them. Simply return to their usual location (e.g., their home or the inn where you first met them) and ask them to follow you again. Note that hirelings might charge you again if too much time has passed.

7. Can you get another Housecarl if Lydia dies?

Yes, but not another Lydia. Once Lydia dies, she’s gone. You can become Thane of another hold and obtain another Housecarl by purchasing a house in that hold. Each hold provides a unique Housecarl.

8. Who is the best follower in Skyrim?

This is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Serana (from the Dawnguard DLC) is often considered one of the best due to her unique abilities, dialogue, and essential status. Other popular choices include Aela the Huntress, Mjoll the Lioness, and the various hirelings.

9. What is the command to make a follower immortal?

Open the console, click on the follower, and type modav health 100000 and then modav healrate 1000. This makes them virtually immortal and prevents them from falling down due to low health.

10. How do I teleport Lydia to me?

Open the console and type prid 000A2C94 (Lydia’s RefID), press Enter, then type moveto player and press Enter. This will teleport Lydia to your current location.

11. Are followers invincible in Skyrim?

Only “essential” followers are truly invincible. Regular followers can die from any source of damage, including friendly fire.

12. Can you lose companions in Skyrim?

Yes, followers can be lost due to glitches, being told to wait in a specific location and being forgotten, or simply dying.

13. How many pets can you have in Skyrim?

You can have a maximum of two pets, but only after adopting children. Pets add ambiance to your home but do not offer significant gameplay advantages.

14. How do I get my companion back in Skyrim?

If you dismissed them, return to their usual location and ask them to follow you again. If you told them to wait somewhere, return to that location. If they are truly lost due to a glitch, use console commands (PC only) to teleport them to you.

15. Do the companions ever run out of quests in Skyrim?

The Companions guild quests are repeatable, so they do not technically run out. You can continue to accept radiant quests from the Companions indefinitely. For additional knowledge on video games and gaming, you can always check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.