How Many Pets Can You Have in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide to Skyrim Companions
So, you’re venturing across the snow-swept peaks and ancient ruins of Skyrim, and you’re wondering how many furry, scaled, or otherwise interesting companions you can accumulate. The answer, like many things in Skyrim, is delightfully complex: In the base game of Skyrim, without mods, you can have one personal pet follower (like a dog) and one animal pet brought home by your adopted children. That’s the simplest answer, but let’s delve deeper into the furry (and not-so-furry) details.
Understanding the Skyrim Pet Ecosystem
Skyrim’s approach to pets is split into two distinct categories: combat followers and household pets. While both add a unique charm to your game, they function differently and have different limitations. Think of it like this: one is your loyal adventuring buddy, and the other is more like…well, your kid found it.
Combat Followers: Your Loyal Adventuring Companions
These are animals that actively follow you on your adventures, assisting in combat and generally making the world feel a little less lonely. While you can encounter many animals in Skyrim, only certain creatures can be considered true combat-ready pets.
Household Pets: The Accidental Additions
These animals become part of your household through the Hearthfire DLC, provided you have adopted children. Your children can and will adopt stray animals they find, bringing them home to live in your Hearthfire homes. This adds a wonderful layer of immersion to the family life aspect of the game. But be warned: you don’t have much say in what they bring home.
The Two-Pet Limit: A Breakdown
Here’s a clearer picture of how that two-pet limit works:
- Your Personal Animal Follower: This slot is typically filled by a dog (like Meeko or Vigilance), but can also be taken by other compatible animals.
- Your Child’s Pet: This is a random animal that your adopted child brings home. It could be a fox, a skeever, a mudcrab, or something else entirely. The possibilities can be somewhat limited.
Expanding Your Menagerie: Mods and Other Considerations
Of course, the beauty of Skyrim lies in its modding community. Mods can dramatically alter the pet situation, allowing you to have multiple combat animal followers, more household pets, or even tame creatures found in the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Skyrim Pets
Can I own multiple dogs in Skyrim?
Officially, no. Even with multiple children, they will only adopt one animal. You can have a second dog, but that dog would need to be kept as your personal follower. You cannot have two dogs as household pets.
Can you have more than one pet in Skyrim?
Yes, you can have more than one pet in Skyrim. As previously mentioned, one can be your follower and the other can be brought home by your adopted child.
How many dogs can I own in Skyrim?
Realistically, one dog is the practical limit as a pet you can interact with at home, unless you get a mod that alters the limit for pets that your children bring home. You can bring a second dog as a follower.
What is the strongest pet in Skyrim?
The Steadfast Dwarven Sphere is a powerful pet with high hit points. You unlock this companion through completing the trials at Kagrumez on Solstheim. Another popular choice is the Death Hound, which you can obtain if you align with the vampires in the Dawnguard DLC. For more on the intricacies of game design and balance, resources like GamesLearningSociety.org offer valuable insights.
What is the rarest animal pet in Skyrim?
While not technically pets, some of the rarest creatures in Skyrim include the Dremora, Wispmother, Dragon Priest, and Dwarven Centurion. You cannot tame them, but spotting them is rare. As for actual pets that your children can adopt, the rarity is largely random. Some players have reported difficulties finding specific types of animals, like foxes.
Who is the strongest sidekick in Skyrim?
While not an animal, Serana is considered one of the strongest humanoid followers in the game, possessing a versatile skill set encompassing Destruction, Conjuration, One-Handed combat, and Light Armor.
Are dogs worth it in Skyrim?
Dogs as combat followers are useful in the early game. If you’re looking for a family pet, they add a nice ambiance to the game.
Who is the best child to adopt in Skyrim?
This is subjective, but many players adopt Sofie and Lucia from Windhelm and Whiterun respectively, due to their sad circumstances.
How do I adopt Meeko?
First, find Meeko’s Shack. Then, find Meeko and let him join you as a follower. Return to your home and you will have the option to keep him there.
Can you have a dog and a human companion in Skyrim?
Yes, you can have one humanoid follower and one animal follower (like a dog) at the same time.
Can I keep a dog at my house in Skyrim?
Yes, but in order for the dog to live at your house and be treated as a pet (rather than simply following you around), one of your children must ask to keep him.
How many animals can you tame in Skyrim?
Without mods, you cannot tame wild animals. The animals that your children bring home are essentially strays that they have befriended.
Can you keep Meeko at your house?
Yes! As mentioned previously, have Meeko follow you. Then, take him to your Hearthfire home and hope one of your children asks to keep him.
Can you have a Death Hound as a pet in Skyrim?
You can only have a Death Hound as a pet if you side with the vampires during the Dawnguard storyline. It acts as a combat follower.
What happens if my dog dies in Skyrim?
If your dog dies, he will not respawn. However, you can always find another dog (like Meeko) or adopt a stray.
Conclusion
While the base game limits you to two pets – one personal follower and one adopted by your child, the world of Skyrim modding can open up countless possibilities for animal companions. Whether you’re seeking a loyal canine companion for your adventures or a quirky critter to liven up your Hearthfire home, Skyrim offers a wealth of options for pet lovers. So go forth, Dragonborn, and build your perfect Skyrim family, furry friends included! Enjoy exploring the diverse and dynamic world of Skyrim!