Which Followers Can’t Be Killed in Skyrim? The Essential Guide to Immortal Companions

Ah, Skyrim. A land of dragons, magic, and, of course, companions! Venturing through the harsh landscapes of Skyrim is much safer (and more fun) with a trusty follower by your side. But let’s face it, some of those companions are more durable than others. Are you tired of your favorite follower catching a stray arrow or falling off a cliff one too many times? Then this guide is for you! We’ll explore the world of essential followers – those valiant souls who simply cannot be killed in Skyrim.

So, who are these unkillable heroes? Several followers in Skyrim are flagged as “essential” characters, meaning they can’t permanently die. When their health reaches zero, they’ll simply collapse and recover after the battle. Here’s a list of some of the most notable immortal followers:

• Mjoll the Lioness: This Nord warrior from Riften is known for her unwavering loyalty and powerful combat skills. Prior to finishing the Companions questline, she is flagged as essential.

• Serana: The vampire daughter of Lord Harkon. Her mastery of Destruction, Conjuration, and One-Handed skills makes her a formidable ally. She is an essential character throughout the Dawnguard DLC questline.

• Frea: Found on Solstheim. Frea is a skilled warrior who can be a valuable asset in combat. She is integral to the Dragonborn DLC storyline and, therefore, cannot die.

• Derkeethus: This unique Argonian follower is found in Darkwater Pass. While not as powerful as some other followers, his essential status makes him a reliable companion, especially early in the game.

• Barbas: Okay, so he’s not exactly a humanoid follower, but this talking dog plays a crucial role in a Daedric quest and is invincible for the duration.

• Cicero: The jester. While your feelings about Cicero might be complicated, there’s no denying his usefulness in combat, particularly for stealth-based characters. During the Dark Brotherhood questline he can be an essential character.

Delving Deeper: Essential vs. Protected Followers

It’s important to distinguish between essential and protected followers. Essential characters are flagged in the game’s code to be unkillable, regardless of difficulty settings or player actions. Protected followers, on the other hand, are generally non-essential NPCs who are temporarily protected from death during specific quests or under certain conditions. They can still die if the player directly kills them, unlike truly essential followers.

The Benefits of Choosing Essential Followers

Why choose an immortal follower? The advantages are obvious:

• Risk-Free Adventuring: No more worrying about your follower getting killed by a stray dragon or a particularly nasty bandit.
• Strategic Advantage: Knowing your follower can’t die allows you to use them more aggressively in combat, drawing enemy fire and providing a constant source of damage.
• Quest Completion Assurance: Some quests require followers to survive certain encounters. Essential followers guarantee you won’t fail a quest due to their untimely demise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Immortal Followers in Skyrim

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further expand your knowledge about unkillable followers in Skyrim:

1. Can essential followers still be knocked down?

Yes, even though they can’t die, essential followers can still be knocked down when their health reaches zero. They will recover after the fight.

2. How do I know if a follower is essential?

The easiest way is to observe their behavior in combat. If they collapse and then get back up, they’re likely essential. Alternatively, you can use console commands (on PC) to check their status directly.

3. Can I make any follower essential using console commands?

Yes, on PC, you can use the console command “setessential [base ID] 1” to make any NPC essential. Remember to replace [base ID] with the NPC’s base ID.

4. What happens if an essential follower gets “lost”?

Essential followers usually reappear eventually, either by teleporting to your location or returning to their original location.

5. Are all members of the Companions essential?

No, only some members of the Companions, like Aela prior to completing the Companions questline, have an essential status. The others can die.

6. Does difficulty level affect the essential status of followers?

No, difficulty level does not change the essential status of followers. They remain unkillable regardless of the difficulty setting.

7. Can I marry an essential follower?

Yes, you can marry some essential followers, like Mjoll the Lioness.

8. Who is the strongest essential follower in terms of combat ability?

Many players consider Serana to be the strongest essential follower due to her high skill levels in Destruction, Conjuration, and One-Handed combat.

9. Can essential followers be affected by diseases or poisons?

Yes, essential followers can still be affected by diseases and poisons, even though they can’t die from them.

10. Are there any downsides to using essential followers?

Some players find that using essential followers makes the game too easy, as it removes the risk of follower death. It can detract from the sense of challenge.

11. Can I turn off the essential status of a follower?

Yes, on PC, you can use the console command “setessential [base ID] 0” to remove the essential status from an NPC.

12. Do essential followers still take damage?

Yes, essential followers still take damage. It just doesn’t lead to their permanent death.

13. Are hirelings essential?

No, hirelings are generally not essential and can die permanently. Teldryn Sero is a powerful mercenary and a great companion.

14. Which followers are good for stealth?

For stealth-oriented characters, the Dark Brotherhood initiates and Jenassa are excellent choices.

15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Skyrim followers?

For deep dives into game mechanics and follower behavior, explore resources like the UESP Wiki and forums dedicated to The Elder Scrolls series. Exploring resources, like the Games Learning Society can also give players insights into the design and impact of companions in video games.

Final Thoughts: Choose Your Immortal Companion Wisely

Choosing an essential follower is a great way to enhance your Skyrim experience, providing a reliable and powerful ally who will always have your back. Whether you prefer the unwavering loyalty of Mjoll the Lioness or the dark magic of Serana, there’s an immortal companion out there for every Dragonborn. Just remember to consider the gameplay implications and choose a follower that complements your play style. Now go forth, Dragonborn, and conquer Skyrim with your invincible friend by your side!