Who is the Best Archer Follower in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide
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The Dragonborn needs allies in the vast and perilous world of Skyrim. While magic and melee combat have their place, sometimes you need a companion who can thin the herd from afar with deadly accuracy. So, who is the best archer follower in Skyrim? While personal preference and playstyle certainly matter, the crown arguably belongs to Aela the Huntress. Her high archery skill, coupled with her essential status (meaning she can’t die), makes her a reliable and powerful asset to any adventurer, particularly those embracing the stealth archer archetype. But don’t count out other worthy contenders! Read on to explore the nuanced world of Skyrim’s archer followers and find the perfect marksman to accompany you on your adventures.
Aela the Huntress: Queen of the Longbow
Aela isn’t just a good archer; she’s an iconic archer. As a member of the Companions, you’ll find her in Jorrvaskr, Whiterun. Her dialogue is fierce, her loyalty is unwavering, and her skill with a bow is unmatched among the standard followers.
Why Aela Stands Out:
- High Archery Skill: Aela boasts one of the highest initial Archery skills of any follower, making her effective right from the start.
- Essential Status: As mentioned, Aela is an essential character. This is crucial, especially at higher difficulty levels. You won’t have to reload after a stray dragon breath turns your companion into ash.
- Werewolf Transformation: Aela is a werewolf, and while she won’t transform randomly, you can ask her to become one, providing you with another form of backup in tough situations. This can be especially useful in tight quarters where archery isn’t optimal.
- Trainer: Aela is also an Expert level Archery trainer, allowing you to improve your own archery skills (for a fee, of course!).
- Marriage Potential: For those seeking a marital bond in Skyrim, Aela is a popular and capable choice. Having her as a wife provides additional benefits like home-cooked meals and a shop.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Morality: Aela’s alignment leans towards the less-than-lawful side. She’s a Companion, which means she’s okay with a little blood on her hands. If you’re playing a strictly good character, her tendencies might clash.
- Melee Preference (Sometimes): While Aela is an excellent archer, she sometimes prefers to switch to melee combat when enemies get too close. You can influence this with gear and tactics, but it’s something to be aware of.
Other Contenders for Best Archer Follower
While Aela takes the top spot, several other followers are skilled archers and worth considering based on your specific needs and preferences.
Jenassa: The Dunmer Ranger
Found in the Drunken Huntsman in Whiterun, Jenassa is a Dark Elf mercenary. She’s skilled with a bow and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Her biggest appeal is her moral flexibility, as she has no issue with illegal activities.
Mjoll the Lioness: The Stalwart Warrior
Mjoll, found in Riften, is a strong warrior who can also handle a bow. While not a pure archer like Aela or Jenassa, her tankiness and essential status make her a valuable asset. She’s a good choice if you need someone to draw enemy fire while you pick them off from afar.
Faendal: The Early-Game Trainer
Found in Riverwood, Faendal is a Wood Elf archer and an early-game follower. He’s also an archery trainer, making him useful for leveling up your skills. However, his stats are lower than Aela’s, so he’s best suited for the beginning of your adventure.
Dark Brotherhood Initiate: The Stealth Assassin
Joining the Dark Brotherhood provides access to initiates as followers. These hooded figures are skilled in stealth and archery, making them excellent for stealth archer builds. However, they have minimal personalities.
Optimizing Your Archer Follower
No matter which follower you choose, optimizing their gear and tactics will maximize their effectiveness.
Gear is Key:
- Bows: Equip your follower with a high-quality bow like a Dragonbone Bow or a Daedric Bow.
- Arrows: Give them plenty of arrows! Daedric Arrows are the best, but any high-quality arrows will do.
- Armor: Light armor is generally best for archers, allowing them to move quickly and avoid detection. Dragonscale armor is an excellent choice.
- Enchantments: Enchant your follower’s gear with enchantments that boost their archery skill, stamina, and resistances.
Tactical Considerations:
- Distance: Keep your follower at a distance from enemies whenever possible. This will allow them to use their bow effectively and avoid getting bogged down in melee combat.
- Positioning: Position your follower strategically. Place them on high ground or behind cover to give them an advantage.
- Commands: Use the follower command system to tell your follower where to go and who to attack.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What race is best for an archer follower in Skyrim?
There is no specific race requirement for a good archer follower, but Wood Elves (Bosmer), due to their natural archery skill, and Dark Elves (Dunmer), due to their combat skills, make excellent archer followers. However, gear and training ultimately matter more than race.
2. Can followers use enchanted weapons and armor effectively?
Yes! Followers will benefit from enchanted weapons and armor. Enchantments like Fortify Archery and elemental damage will significantly increase their damage output and survivability.
3. How do I give my follower better gear?
Simply trade with your follower and give them the items you want them to equip. They will automatically equip the best gear available to them based on their skills.
4. Can I train my follower’s archery skill?
No, you cannot directly train your follower’s skills. Their skills will improve as they level up alongside you. You can, however, indirectly improve their performance by providing them with better gear and enchantments.
5. What is the level cap for followers in Skyrim?
The level cap for followers varies. Some, like Aela, have no level cap, scaling with your own level indefinitely. Others have fixed level caps, meaning they will eventually stop improving. Research your chosen follower to understand their level cap.
6. Can followers die in Skyrim?
Most followers can die, but some are designated as “essential” characters and cannot be killed. Aela the Huntress is an essential character, making her a particularly resilient choice.
7. What is the best bow for a follower to use?
The best bow depends on your level and access to materials. Dragonbone Bows and Daedric Bows are generally considered the best, but even a well-enchanted Elven Bow can be effective.
8. What is the best armor for an archer follower?
Light armor is generally preferred for archer followers, allowing them to move quickly and quietly. Dragonscale armor is an excellent choice, offering a good balance of protection and mobility.
9. How do I dismiss a follower?
Simply talk to your follower and choose the option to dismiss them. They will return to their default location.
10. Can I have more than one follower at a time in Skyrim?
Without mods, you are limited to one human follower at a time. However, certain questlines or circumstances may allow you to have additional animal companions or temporary followers.
11. Do follower skills affect their ability to use bows effectively?
Yes. The higher a follower’s archery skill, the more damage they will deal with bows and the more accurately they will shoot.
12. Can followers use potions?
Followers will automatically use potions if they are injured, but they only use potions you give them. Make sure to provide them with healing potions to keep them alive in tough battles.
13. Do followers benefit from stealth perks?
Yes, followers benefit from stealth perks. Followers with high sneak skills and appropriate perks will be less likely to be detected by enemies.
14. Is it worth investing in follower gear if they can die?
Even if a follower can die, investing in their gear is still worthwhile. A well-equipped follower can significantly increase your combat effectiveness. Plus, if they do die, you can always loot their gear from their corpse!
15. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and how they impact learning?
The Games Learning Society has research and publications dedicated to understanding how game mechanics and design can be used for education. You can visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Conclusion: Choose Your Archer Wisely
Ultimately, the “best” archer follower in Skyrim depends on your playstyle, preferences, and needs. While Aela the Huntress stands out as a top contender due to her archery skill, essential status, and werewolf abilities, other followers like Jenassa and Mjoll offer unique strengths. By considering your options, optimizing your follower’s gear, and utilizing tactical positioning, you can create a deadly duo that can conquer any challenge Skyrim throws your way. Now go forth, Dragonborn, and find the perfect archer to join your ranks!