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What Armor Will Lydia Wear? A Comprehensive Guide to Lydia’s Gear in Skyrim

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Lydia, your steadfast Housecarl in Skyrim, is often the first companion many players acquire. Optimizing her equipment, especially her armor, is crucial for her survival and effectiveness as a follower. Lydia will wear the best armor you give her, prioritizing higher armor rating and conforming to her skill set. This means heavy armor is generally the best choice, and she’ll equip any piece you provide if it surpasses her current gear.

Lydia’s Default Gear and Skill Set

Before diving into armor recommendations, it’s essential to understand Lydia’s base stats and skills.

Default Armor: Lydia starts with a set of Steel Armor. This is a decent starting point, but can be quickly outclassed.
Skills: Lydia excels in Heavy Armor, One-Handed, Block, and Archery. While she can use archery, her close-quarters combat proficiency is her strength.
Leveling: Lydia levels up alongside the Dragonborn (the player), scaling her stats and abilities.

Knowing this allows for a targeted approach to equipping her. Focusing on Heavy Armor boosts her survivability considerably, allowing her to tank damage and protect the player.

Best Armor Choices for Lydia

Choosing the “best” armor for Lydia depends on your level, available resources, and playstyle. Here’s a breakdown of excellent armor options, categorized by game stage:

Early Game (Levels 1-20)

Steel Plate Armor: An upgrade from her initial Steel Armor, providing better protection without requiring high-level crafting skills. It’s relatively easy to find or craft once you gain access to the Steel Smithing perk.
Dwarven Armor: A solid choice if you’re exploring Dwemer ruins. Dwarven Armor offers good protection and is readily available in mid-game dungeons.
Orcish Armor: Slightly better than Dwarven, Orcish Armor can be found or crafted with the Orcish Smithing perk. Its distinctive appearance is also a plus for some players.

Mid Game (Levels 20-40)

Ebony Armor: A significant upgrade. Ebony Armor offers excellent protection and is craftable with the Ebony Smithing perk. Its dark and imposing look fits Lydia’s serious demeanor. It is quite expensive to craft though, requiring Ebony Ingots which can be scarce early on.
Blades Armor: Found during the main questline, Blades Armor is a unique Heavy Armor set with decent stats and is easily obtainable by most players progressing through the game.
Ancient Nord Armor: Found in ancient Nordic ruins and crypts, this armor is lightweight but looks cool and gives a nice bit of protection. Can also be acquired early on.

Late Game (Levels 40+)

Daedric Armor: The pinnacle of Heavy Armor, Daedric Armor offers the highest base protection. Crafting it requires the Daedric Smithing perk and Daedra Hearts, which can be challenging to acquire.
Dragonplate Armor: Another top-tier option, Dragonplate Armor requires the Dragon Armor perk and Dragon Bones/Scales. Some players prefer the look of Dragonplate.
Stalhrim Armor: Available with the Dragonborn DLC, Stalhrim Armor is a great option, offering good protection and a unique appearance. It can be crafted with the Stalhrim Smithing perk.

Enchanting Lydia’s Armor

Enchanting significantly enhances Lydia’s effectiveness. Focus on enchantments that improve her survivability and combat prowess:

Health Regeneration: Improves her ability to stay alive during prolonged fights.
Fortify Heavy Armor: Boosts the effectiveness of her heavy armor skill, increasing armor rating.
Resist Magic: Reduces incoming magic damage, making her more resilient against mages and dragons.
Fortify One-Handed: Increases her damage output with one-handed weapons.
Fortify Block: Enhances her blocking ability, reducing incoming damage and potentially staggering enemies.

Weapons for Lydia

While this article focuses on armor, choosing the right weapon is equally important.

One-Handed Weapons: Lydia excels with swords, axes, and maces. Choose a weapon that complements her heavy armor playstyle, such as a powerful mace for staggering enemies.
Shield: A shield is essential for maximizing her blocking ability. Choose a shield with a high block rating and consider enchantments that further enhance blocking effectiveness.
Bow (Situational): While she can use bows, prioritizing melee combat is generally more effective. Equip her with a bow and arrows only if you want her to provide ranged support or engage enemies from a distance before they close in.

Specific Armor Set Recommendations

Early Game – Full Steel Plate Set: Easy to acquire, provides a significant upgrade.
Mid Game – Ebony Mail & Ebony Armor Combination: Ebony Mail grants a poison aura, damaging nearby enemies, while the rest of the Ebony set provides excellent protection. Requires completing the quest “Boethiah’s Calling” which could have moral implications for some players.
Late Game – Fully Enchanted Daedric or Dragonplate: The ultimate protection, customized with enchantments to maximize survivability and combat effectiveness.

Important Considerations

Weight: Heavy armor slows down movement. This can be mitigated with perks like Conditioning in the Heavy Armor skill tree, which makes wearing Heavy Armor weigh nothing.
Perks: Invest in the Heavy Armor skill tree for maximum benefit. Perks like Juggernaut, Well Fitted, Tower of Strength, and Conditioning dramatically improve Lydia’s survivability and effectiveness.
Mods: Numerous mods on PC and sometimes consoles enhance follower customization, allowing for even more personalized gear and behavior. Consider exploring mods that improve follower AI or provide access to unique armor sets.

Conclusion

Choosing the right armor for Lydia is a crucial step in optimizing her as a companion. By understanding her skills, considering your level and available resources, and focusing on Heavy Armor, you can transform her into an invaluable asset in your Skyrim adventures. Remember to enchant her gear and provide her with a suitable weapon and shield to maximize her effectiveness. With the right equipment, Lydia will be a loyal and formidable protector by your side.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will Lydia equip armor I give her?

Yes, Lydia will equip any armor you give her if it has a higher armor rating than what she’s currently wearing. This applies to individual pieces as well.

2. What’s the best early-game armor for Lydia?

Steel Plate Armor is a great early-game option. It provides a significant upgrade over her starting Steel Armor and is relatively easy to obtain or craft.

3. Can Lydia wear clothes instead of armor?

Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended. Clothes offer little to no protection, making her vulnerable in combat.

4. Does Lydia benefit from armor perks in the Heavy Armor skill tree?

Yes, Lydia benefits from the Heavy Armor perks in the same way the player does. Invest in perks like Juggernaut, Well Fitted, and Conditioning to improve her effectiveness.

5. Can I improve Lydia’s armor with smithing?

Yes, you can improve Lydia’s armor at a workbench, just like you would improve your own. Improving her armor significantly increases its armor rating.

6. What enchantments are best for Lydia’s armor?

Health Regeneration, Fortify Heavy Armor, Resist Magic, Fortify One-Handed, and Fortify Block are all excellent enchantments for Lydia’s armor.

7. Can Lydia equip unique armor?

Yes, Lydia can equip unique armor pieces, such as the Ebony Mail or the Savior’s Hide.

8. Does the weight of Lydia’s armor affect her movement speed?

Yes, the weight of her armor affects her movement speed and stamina consumption, just like it affects the player. The Conditioning perk can mitigate this.

9. Can Lydia use shields?

Yes, Lydia can use shields, and it’s highly recommended to equip her with one.

10. What kind of weapons should I give Lydia?

One-handed weapons (swords, axes, maces) are ideal for Lydia, complemented by a shield. Consider giving her a bow for ranged situations.

11. Does Lydia’s armor level up with her?

No, armor does not level up. You need to provide her with better armor as you level up.

12. What happens if Lydia dies?

If Lydia dies on “expert” and above difficulties, she will die permanently. On lower difficulties, she may go into a downed state and can eventually die if enemies focus on her.

13. Can Lydia be affected by paralysis?

Yes, Lydia can be paralyzed by certain spells and traps.

14. Can I make Lydia wear specific armor that she doesn’t want to wear?

Without using console commands or mods, no. Lydia will always equip the best armor according to her skills and base game settings.

15. Are there mods that improve follower equipment management?

Yes, there are many mods that improve follower equipment management, allowing you to customize their gear and behavior in more detail. Research Nexusmods.com or Bethesda.net for follower management mods for Skyrim.