How Many Followers Can You Keep in Skyrim? The Ultimate Guide
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The winds of Skyrim whisper tales of adventure, and every Dragonborn needs a trusty companion (or two… or more!). But just how many allies can you realistically drag along on your quest to defeat Alduin? The answer, while seemingly simple, has nuances depending on your platform, mods, and preferred playstyle.
The short and sweet answer is: In the vanilla version of Skyrim, you can have one humanoid follower and one animal follower at a time. However, various questlines and game mechanics can temporarily increase this number, and mods can drastically alter the limits.
Understanding the Follower System in Skyrim
Before diving into specifics, let’s break down the basics of Skyrim’s follower system. A follower in Skyrim is an NPC who actively accompanies you on your travels, assisting you in combat, carrying your burdens (literally!), and generally making the harsh lands of Skyrim a little less lonely. Followers aren’t just decorative; they contribute to your gameplay experience in several ways.
Types of Followers
Skyrim recognizes different “types” of followers, and this distinction affects how many you can have at any given time:
- Humanoid Followers: These are your standard companions – humans, elves, orcs, and other races capable of complex thought and dialogue. They can carry items, equip weapons and armor, and follow commands.
- Animal Followers: Dogs, armored trolls, and even some creatures summoned through magic fall into this category. They typically don’t carry items or wear armor (although some can!), and their AI is simpler.
- Quest-Specific Followers: Certain quests temporarily grant you an NPC who must accompany you to complete the objective. These followers usually don’t count towards your follower limit.
- Housecarls: Once you become Thane of a hold, you are assigned a Housecarl, a dedicated bodyguard who resides in your house. These function as normal humanoid followers.
- Summoned Creatures: Spells like Conjure Familiar or Conjure Atronach summon creatures to fight alongside you. These typically don’t count against your follower limit, but they are temporary.
The Vanilla Limit
As mentioned earlier, the default limit in vanilla Skyrim is one humanoid follower and one animal follower. If you already have a follower and try to recruit another, the game will prompt your current follower to leave your service. This limitation is intended to prevent overwhelming combat scenarios and maintain a degree of balance.
Exceptions to the Rule
While the one-humanoid and one-animal follower limit is the general rule, there are several exceptions:
- Quest-Specific Companions: Many quests require specific NPCs to accompany you. These NPCs usually don’t count against your follower limit, allowing you to temporarily exceed the standard number.
- The Companions Questline: This questline allows you to have a special “follower” in addition to your normal follower, during specific quests.
- The Dark Brotherhood Forever Quests: These radiant quests occasionally provide a temporary follower.
- Serana: During the Dawnguard DLC questline, Serana is a unique follower who doesn’t always adhere to the standard rules. Depending on where you are in the questline, she may or may not count towards your follower limit.
Using Mods to Increase Follower Count
For players who want to build their own personal army, mods are the answer. Numerous mods are available on PC and, to a lesser extent, on consoles that remove or increase the follower limit. These mods can significantly alter the gameplay experience, making battles easier and allowing for more complex party compositions.
Potential Drawbacks of Multiple Followers
While having a large group of followers can be fun, there are also potential drawbacks to consider:
- Chaos in Combat: Managing multiple followers in combat can be challenging. They may get in your way, trigger traps, or attack non-hostile NPCs.
- Inventory Management: You’ll need to manage the inventories of all your followers, which can be time-consuming.
- Game Performance: On older systems, having too many followers can negatively impact game performance, leading to lag and stuttering.
- Story Immersion: Some players find that having a large group of followers detracts from the game’s story and atmosphere.
Choosing the Right Followers
Selecting the right followers is just as important as knowing how many you can have. Consider these factors when choosing your companions:
- Combat Style: Do you prefer melee fighters, archers, or mages? Choose followers who complement your own combat style.
- Skills: Some followers have unique skills or abilities that can be helpful. For example, some followers are skilled at lockpicking or crafting.
- Personality: You’ll be spending a lot of time with your followers, so choose ones you find likable.
- Essential Status: Some followers are “essential,” meaning they cannot be killed. This can be a major advantage in difficult battles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about followers in Skyrim to clarify any remaining confusion:
1. Can I have more than one follower on Nintendo Switch?
No, the Nintendo Switch version of Skyrim adheres to the vanilla follower limit of one humanoid and one animal follower. Mods are not available to change this.
2. How do I dismiss a follower in Skyrim?
To dismiss a follower, simply speak to them and choose the dialogue option that asks them to leave your service. They will typically return to their original location.
3. Can followers die in Skyrim?
Yes, followers can die in Skyrim, unless they are marked as “essential.” Be careful in combat and provide them with good armor to increase their survivability.
4. How do I equip my follower with better gear?
To equip your follower, talk to them and select the dialogue option that allows you to trade items. Give them the weapons and armor you want them to use, and they will automatically equip the best items.
5. What are the best followers in Skyrim?
The best followers in Skyrim are subjective and depend on your playstyle. Popular choices include Lydia (your first Housecarl), Mjoll the Lioness (a powerful warrior), and J’zargo (a skilled mage). Serana (from Dawnguard DLC) is also very popular.
6. Can followers carry unlimited weight in Skyrim?
No, followers have a weight limit, just like the player. If they are carrying too much, they will become encumbered and unable to run.
7. Can followers use magic in Skyrim?
Yes, some followers are skilled mages and will use spells in combat. Ensure they have the necessary robes and staffs to maximize their effectiveness.
8. Do followers level up with me in Skyrim?
Yes, most followers level up with you to a certain extent, ensuring they remain viable throughout the game. However, some followers have a level cap, meaning they will eventually stop improving.
9. Can I marry a follower in Skyrim?
Yes, you can marry certain followers in Skyrim by wearing the Amulet of Mara and proposing to them.
10. Can I make a follower a steward in Skyrim?
Yes, with the Hearthfire DLC, you can appoint certain followers as stewards for your custom-built houses.
11. How do I get a dog follower in Skyrim?
You can get a dog follower by completing certain quests or purchasing them from specific vendors. Meeko and Vigilance are common examples.
12. Can I have multiple animal followers through summoning spells?
Yes, summoned creatures typically do not count against your follower limit, allowing you to have multiple summoned animals alongside your humanoid and standard animal follower.
13. Does the Unofficial Skyrim Patch affect the follower limit?
The Unofficial Skyrim Patch does not change the follower limit directly, but it fixes bugs and improves the overall stability of the follower system.
14. What are the console commands to manage followers on PC?
While console commands can be used, they are complex and can break your game. It’s generally safer to use mods to manage followers if you want more than the vanilla limit.
15. Are there any mods that let me customize my follower’s appearance?
Yes, numerous mods allow you to customize your follower’s appearance, including changing their hair, eyes, and even their race.
In conclusion, while the vanilla Skyrim experience limits you to one humanoid and one animal follower, there are exceptions and ways to circumvent this limitation. With the strategic use of quest mechanics and, more significantly, modifications, you can tailor your adventuring party to suit your unique vision of the Dragonborn’s journey. Remember to consider the potential drawbacks of a large group and choose followers who complement your play style for the most enjoyable experience. Happy adventuring!