Is Borgakh Steel Heart a Good Follower in Skyrim? A Deep Dive

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Is Borgakh Steel Heart a good follower in Skyrim? Absolutely! Borgakh is an excellent follower choice, especially early to mid-game. Her heavy armor proficiency, high health, and powerful melee combat skills make her a formidable tank, capable of soaking up significant damage and protecting the Dragonborn. Furthermore, her unique backstory and the fact that you can convince her to join you without a quest make her a compelling and readily available companion. However, like any follower, she has strengths and weaknesses that need to be considered based on your playstyle and character build.

Borgakh Steel Heart: A Detailed Look at Her Strengths

Borgakh truly shines as a robust and reliable follower. Let’s examine the key areas where she excels:

• Tanking Ability: Borgakh’s primary strength lies in her ability to absorb damage. Her heavy armor skill and high health pool make her a durable front-line fighter, capable of drawing enemy attention and surviving prolonged engagements. This is particularly useful for mages or archers who prefer to remain at a distance.

• Availability: Unlike many followers in Skyrim who require you to complete lengthy quests, Borgakh can be recruited relatively easily. By passing a Speech check, you can convince her to leave Mor Khazgur and join you on your adventures. This makes her accessible very early in the game.

• No Level Cap: Many followers in Skyrim have level caps, meaning they stop scaling with your character after a certain point. Borgakh, however, levels with you up to level 50, ensuring she remains a viable companion throughout much of your playthrough.

• Moral Compass: Borgakh has a fairly neutral moral alignment. She won’t object to minor crimes like picking locks (though she disapproves of murder and assault), making her a good choice for players who don’t want a constantly disapproving companion.

• Heavy Armor Proficiency: Borgakh’s expertise in heavy armor means she can effectively utilize some of the best armor sets in the game, further enhancing her tanking capabilities. Give her a set of Ebony Armor or Dragonplate Armor, and she will become an even more formidable force on the battlefield.

Borgakh Steel Heart: Considering the Drawbacks

Despite her many advantages, Borgakh is not without her drawbacks. Here’s what you should be aware of:

• Melee Focus: Borgakh is primarily a melee fighter. She’s not skilled in archery or magic, limiting her versatility in combat. If you need a ranged support character, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

• Stealth Limitations: As a heavy armor user, Borgakh is not a good choice for stealth-based playthroughs. Her heavy armor makes noise, alerting enemies to your presence and compromising your stealth efforts.

• Limited Dialogue: While she has some unique dialogue, Borgakh isn’t the most talkative follower. If you prefer a companion with extensive backstory and frequent interactions, you might find her a bit lacking.

• Morality Constraints: While fairly neutral, Borgakh does disapprove of certain actions, like committing crimes in front of guards or attacking innocent civilians. She’s not the best choice for players who want a follower who will unquestioningly follow their every whim, even if it involves committing heinous acts.

Maximizing Borgakh’s Potential

To get the most out of Borgakh as a follower, consider these tips:

• Equip Her with High-Quality Heavy Armor: Provide her with the best heavy armor you can find. This will significantly increase her survivability and effectiveness in combat.

• Give Her a Powerful Weapon: A strong two-handed weapon will allow Borgakh to deal significant damage to enemies. Consider enchanting her weapon to further enhance its effectiveness.

• Utilize Her as a Tank: Focus on drawing enemy attention away from Borgakh. This will allow her to effectively tank damage and protect you from harm.

• Complement Her Skills: Choose a playstyle that complements Borgakh’s strengths. Mages and archers benefit greatly from having a durable front-line fighter to protect them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Borgakh Steel Heart

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify Borgakh’s capabilities and suitability as a follower:

1. Where can I find Borgakh Steel Heart? Borgakh resides in Mor Khazgur, one of the Orc strongholds located in the Reach.

2. How do I recruit Borgakh as a follower? You need to pass a Speech check to convince her to leave Mor Khazgur and join you. The difficulty of the check depends on your Speech skill level. Alternatively, if you become Thane of the Reach, she will join you without a Speech check.

3. What are Borgakh’s skills and stats? Borgakh specializes in Heavy Armor, Two-Handed weapons, and Archery. Her primary focus, however, is melee combat.

4. Does Borgakh have a level cap? No, Borgakh levels with you up to level 50, making her a viable follower throughout much of the game.

5. What kind of armor and weapons should I give Borgakh? She excels with high-quality heavy armor and powerful two-handed weapons. Ebony Armor, Dragonplate Armor, and Daedric weapons are excellent choices.

6. Can I marry Borgakh? Yes, Borgakh is a marriage candidate in Skyrim.

7. Does Borgakh disapprove of criminal activities? While fairly neutral, Borgakh disapproves of serious crimes like murder and assault, especially in front of guards.

8. Can Borgakh carry my items? Yes, Borgakh can carry a significant amount of weight, making her a useful pack mule.

9. Is Borgakh essential? No, Borgakh can die in combat, so be careful to protect her.

10. Can I give Borgakh different outfits? Yes, you can equip Borgakh with different armor and clothing, as long as it is not quest-specific.

11. How does Borgakh compare to other heavy armor followers? Borgakh is comparable to other heavy armor followers like Lydia or Farkas, but her availability and lack of a required quest give her an edge early in the game.

12. Can Borgakh use magic? No, Borgakh is not skilled in magic. She is primarily a melee fighter.

13. Does Borgakh have any unique dialogue? Yes, Borgakh has unique dialogue related to her background as an Orc and her views on leaving Mor Khazgur.

14. Is Borgakh a good choice for a stealthy character? No, Borgakh is not a good choice for stealth-based playthroughs due to her heavy armor.

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Conclusion

Borgakh Steel Heart is a strong and reliable follower who excels as a tank. Her easy recruitment, high level cap, and heavy armor proficiency make her an excellent choice, especially for players who need a durable front-line fighter. While she has some limitations, such as her lack of ranged skills and limited dialogue, her strengths far outweigh her weaknesses. So, if you’re looking for a dependable companion to brave the dangers of Skyrim, Borgakh Steel Heart is definitely worth considering.