Should I Keep Lydia in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide to Skyrim’s First Housecarl

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The question of whether to keep Lydia in Skyrim is a complex one, deeply entwined with your play style, character build, and overall goals for your Dragonborn. The short answer is: it depends. For new players, she’s a valuable asset – a tanky companion that can soak up damage and carry your burdens. However, as you progress and refine your character, Lydia’s limitations become more apparent. Ultimately, deciding whether to keep Lydia boils down to weighing her benefits against her drawbacks and finding a follower that better complements your Dragonborn’s journey through Skyrim.

Lydia: Friend or Foe? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Lydia, the first housecarl you receive in Skyrim, is a familiar face to almost every player. She’s gifted to you upon becoming Thane of Whiterun, and for many, she’s the first companion they ever have. But is she worth keeping around for the long haul? Let’s examine the pros and cons.

Pros:

Early-Game Utility: Lydia excels in the early game. Her heavy armor and proficiency with one-handed weapons make her a decent meat shield. She can take a beating, allowing you to focus on offense or support.
Burden Bearer: Let’s face it, inventory management in Skyrim can be a nightmare. Lydia’s ability to carry your excess loot is invaluable, especially when you’re just starting out and don’t have access to player homes or strongboxes.
Ease of Access: She’s readily available right after completing a relatively early questline. No need to travel across Skyrim to recruit her.
Basic Protection: Having someone watch your back, even if they aren’t the strongest warrior, provides a degree of safety, particularly when exploring dangerous dungeons.
Wife Material: For some players, roleplaying is key. Lydia is a viable marriage option, offering unique dialogue and a sense of companionship (despite her often-stoic demeanor).

Cons:

Not Stealthy: Stealth archers, beware! Lydia is about as subtle as a rampaging giant. Her heavy armor and lack of stealth skills will blow your cover every time.
Limited Level Cap: While she’s useful early on, Lydia’s level cap means she won’t scale to become a truly powerful companion in the late game. Other followers can reach much higher levels and possess stronger skills.
AI Issues: Lydia has a notorious habit of getting in your way, blocking doorways, and triggering traps. Her AI can be frustrating at times.
No Specialization: While proficient in a few areas, Lydia doesn’t specialize in anything. This means she won’t significantly boost your combat effectiveness in any particular play style.
Not Essential (Initially): This is a double-edged sword. While her mortality makes battles feel more consequential, it also means you can permanently lose her if you’re not careful. (You can make her essential using console commands on PC, however.)

Alternatives to Lydia: Exploring Your Options

Skyrim boasts a vast roster of potential followers, each with unique skills and personalities. Here are a few alternatives to consider, depending on your play style:

For the Tank Role: Mjoll the Lioness is a resilient warrior who, like Lydia, favors heavy armor and one-handed combat. However, she levels higher, making her a stronger choice for the late game.
For Stealth Archers: Aela the Huntress is a skilled archer and stealth expert. Her archery prowess and silent movement make her an excellent choice for stealth-based characters.
For Magic Users: Serana, from the Dawnguard DLC, is an incredibly powerful vampire mage. She’s arguably the strongest follower in the game, capable of dishing out significant damage and even raising the dead.
For Unique Perks: J’zargo, from the College of Winterhold, is a mage with unique dialogue and powerful Destruction spells. He doesn’t level with you, but his early-game power is considerable.

Mastering the Game: Seeking Guidance

The Games Learning Society is a great website to learn more about Skyrim. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores learning through games and game design.

FAQs: Lydia and Beyond

Is Lydia essential in Skyrim?

Unfortunately, Lydia is not an essential follower, meaning she can die permanently. This is a major drawback for some players.

Is Lydia useful in Skyrim?

Yes, particularly in the early game. She’s a decent tank and can carry your burdens. However, her usefulness diminishes as you level up and unlock stronger followers.

Is Lydia a good wife in Skyrim?

That’s subjective! Some players appreciate her stoicism and sense of duty. She’s a devoted spouse who will cook meals and open a shop for you. She also has unique dialogue options.

Does it matter if Lydia dies?

Yes, in the sense that she’s gone for good (unless you reload a save or use console commands). You’ll lose her carrying capacity and her presence in combat.

Can you bring back Lydia if she dies?

On consoles, the only option is to load a previous save. PC players can use the console command “resurrect” to bring her back.

Can Lydia beat Skyrim?

Not on her own! But with your guidance and a decent set of gear, she can certainly contribute to your Dragonborn’s success.

Is Lydia immortal in Skyrim?

No, she’s not immortal by default. However, PC players can use console commands to make her essential.

How to make Lydia immortal?

Open the console (usually with the tilde key ~), click on Lydia, and type “setessential a2c8e 1” (without the quotes). This will make her essential, preventing her from dying.

Should I turn Lydia into a vampire?

Turning Lydia into a vampire is a risky choice. She becomes vulnerable to sunlight, and restoration magic won’t work on her. While she gains some vampiric abilities, the drawbacks might outweigh the benefits.

Is Lydia dead forever if she dies?

Yes, unless you load a save or use console commands on PC.

Can you turn Lydia into a vampire?

Yes, you can turn followers like Lydia into vampires through the Dawnguard DLC questline.

Who is the most loving wife in Skyrim?

That’s a matter of personal preference! Aela the Huntress is a popular choice, but Lydia is considered a devoted and caring spouse by many players.

Who is the strongest companion in Skyrim?

Serana, from the Dawnguard DLC, is widely considered the strongest companion due to her powerful magic and unique abilities.

Why won’t Lydia marry me in Skyrim?

There might be a bug preventing the marriage dialogue from triggering. Using the console command “addfac 19809 1” (without the quotes) might fix the issue.

How do I know if Lydia died in Skyrim?

The easiest way to tell is if you can recruit another follower. If you can, Lydia is dead. Her body (or ashes if she was killed by certain effects) can often be found where she fell, or her urn will appear in the Hall of the Dead in Whiterun.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to keep Lydia is a personal one. Consider your play style, your character’s build, and what you value most in a companion. There’s no right or wrong answer, so experiment and find the follower who best suits your needs. After all, that’s part of the joy of Skyrim!