How to Revive a Follower in Skyrim: A Comprehensive Guide

Reviving a fallen follower in Skyrim depends heavily on whether you’re playing on PC or console, and whether they died due to your actions or an enemy’s. Generally, if a follower takes a knee after being damaged by an NPC, they will recover and rejoin you after the battle. However, if a follower dies definitively from an enemy’s attack, or especially from your own (accidental or intentional), things get trickier. Console players are largely out of luck and will need to reload an earlier save. PC players, however, can use console commands to bring their beloved companions back from the brink.

Reviving Followers on PC Using Console Commands

The primary method for resurrecting a follower on PC is through the console command. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Locate the Body: Find the deceased follower’s corpse.
2. Open the Console: Press the tilde key (~) on your keyboard. This will open the console command window.
3. Select the Follower: Click on the follower’s body with your mouse while the console is open. Their reference ID should appear on the screen.
4. Enter the Resurrect Command: Type resurrect (without the quotes) into the console.
5. Execute the Command: Press Enter.

Your follower should now be alive and well! However, there are a few caveats to be aware of:

• Inventory Reset: Some players report that the follower’s inventory may be reset after being resurrected. If this happens, you’ll need to re-equip them with their gear. This is a known issue and can be a minor inconvenience.
• Potential Bugs: While the resurrect command usually works flawlessly, there’s always a small chance of encountering unexpected bugs. Save your game before using any console commands to be safe.
• Alternative Commands: If the resurrect command doesn’t work, you can try the recycleactor command. This essentially respawns the follower, but it also resets their inventory and any progress related to them.
• Reference ID: An alternative resurrection command uses the specific reference ID, allowing to bypass the click-to-select feature. Use the player.placeatme [RefID] command. For example, to resurrect Lydia the command should read player.placeatme 000A2C94.

What About Console Players?

Unfortunately, console players (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) cannot use console commands. If your follower dies on a console, your only options are:

• Reload an Earlier Save: This is the most reliable method. Make sure you have a relatively recent save file to avoid losing too much progress.
• Accept the Loss: Skyrim has many potential followers. It might be time to find a new companion to adventure with.

Preventing Follower Death

The best way to deal with a dead follower is to prevent their demise in the first place. Here are some tips:

• Equip Better Gear: Give your follower the best armor and weapons you can find or craft. Tempering their equipment at a workbench will further improve their stats. Enchantments can also provide additional benefits.
• Healing Spells: As the Dragonborn, you have access to powerful healing spells. Use them to keep your follower alive during tough battles. Restoration spells will heal your allies (except for undead or Atronach followers).
• Avoid Friendly Fire: Be mindful of your attacks, especially when using area-of-effect spells or abilities. Accidentally killing your follower is a common mistake.
• Essential Followers: Some followers are marked as “essential” and cannot be killed. These are usually characters who play a significant role in the game’s story.
• Use the “Wait” Command: In particularly dangerous situations, you can tell your follower to wait somewhere safe while you handle the threat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about followers in Skyrim:

1. Can followers truly die in Skyrim?

Yes, followers can die in Skyrim. If they take damage from enemies, they’ll often kneel down to recover. But if they die from your attacks, or an enemy delivers the final blow, they’re gone for good (unless you’re on PC and can use console commands).

2. Does difficulty level affect follower survivability?

Yes, difficulty level directly impacts follower survivability. Higher difficulties increase damage dealt by enemies, making it more likely for your follower to die. Playing on easier difficulties gives your follower more survivability.

3. What happens if I accidentally kill my follower?

If you accidentally kill your follower, they are dead and gone. The only option to bring them back is to reload an earlier save (on all platforms) or use console commands (on PC). Be careful with area-of-effect spells!

4. How can I improve my follower’s combat abilities?

Improve your follower’s combat abilities by equipping them with better armor and weapons, tempering their gear at a workbench, and enchanting their items for additional effects.

5. Are there any immortal followers in Skyrim?

Yes, some followers are considered “essential” and cannot be killed. Examples include characters like Aela the Huntress and Cicero. Barbas the talking dog is also an immortal companion.

6. Can followers wear rings and necklaces?

Yes, followers can equip and benefit from rings and necklaces. These can provide valuable bonuses to their health, stamina, and other stats.

7. What is the level cap for followers in Skyrim?

The level cap for followers varies. Some followers, like Lydia, have a level cap of 50, while others, like those from the Dawnguard DLC, can level up alongside the player indefinitely.

8. What is the best armor for my follower?

The best armor for your follower depends on their skills and your play style. Generally, heavy armor offers the best protection, but light armor may be preferable for followers with high agility. Dragonplate and Daedric armors are popular choices.

9. Can followers use healing potions?

Yes, followers can automatically use healing potions when their health is low. Make sure to give them a supply of potions to keep them alive.

10. How many followers can I have at once in Skyrim?

Generally, you can have one humanoid follower and one animal follower at the same time. However, there are exceptions to this rule, especially with certain quests or mods.

11. What happens if I lose my follower?

If you lose your follower, they will eventually return to their original location. For example, Lydia will go back to Breezehome in Whiterun.

12. Can my follower become a vampire?

No, standard followers cannot become vampires in the base game. However, there are mods available that allow you to turn your follower into a vampire. Your spouse can become a vampire during “The Gift” quest.

13. Who is considered the best follower in Skyrim?

Many players consider Serana to be the best follower in Skyrim. She is a powerful vampire with unique abilities and a compelling backstory.

14. Can I marry my follower in Skyrim?

Yes, you can marry certain followers in Skyrim. To do so, you’ll need to complete their associated quests and wear an Amulet of Mara. Love is love in the land of Skyrim.

15. Where can I learn more about gaming and education?

You can learn more about the intersection of gaming and education by visiting the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.