Who is the Best Follower From Solstheim? A Deep Dive
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The windswept, ash-covered island of Solstheim, a land of ancient secrets, Skaal villages, and the looming presence of Miraak, offers a unique set of challenges and companions for the Dragonborn. When venturing through this harsh landscape, a reliable follower is invaluable. While several NPCs can join your cause, one stands head and shoulders above the rest: Frea, the Skaal shaman.
Why Frea Reigns Supreme
Frea isn’t just a follower; she’s an asset. Her strength lies not only in her combat prowess but also in her unique skillset and unyielding loyalty. Let’s break down why she’s the best follower Solstheim has to offer:
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No Level Cap: Unlike many followers in Skyrim, Frea has no level cap. This means she continually levels up alongside the Dragonborn, ensuring she remains a relevant and effective combatant throughout your entire journey. She won’t become outdated, unlike Lydia who has a level cap of 50.
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Essential Status: Frea is an essential character, which means she cannot die. While she can be knocked down in battle, she will always recover, preventing the frustration of losing a valuable ally to a stray arrow or a powerful spell. This is a HUGE advantage in Solstheim, where dangers lurk around every corner.
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Versatile Combat Skills: Frea is a capable warrior with a diverse skillset. She excels in One-Handed combat, Light Armor, Restoration, and Alteration. This blend of offensive and defensive capabilities makes her a well-rounded companion who can adapt to various combat situations. She can heal herself and you, buff her armor, and effectively engage enemies in melee combat.
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Lore Significance and Story Integration: Frea is deeply connected to the main questline of the Dragonborn DLC. She’s not just a random hireling; she’s a crucial figure in the struggle against Miraak, adding depth and meaning to your journey. Her dialogue provides valuable insights into Skaal culture and the island’s history.
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Easy Recruitment: While requiring the completion of a quest, recruiting Frea is relatively straightforward. After completing “The Fate of the Skaal,” you can persuade or bribe her to join you, making her accessible early in your Solstheim adventure.
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Moral Compass: In a world filled with morally ambiguous characters, Frea provides a refreshing sense of integrity. She is driven by a desire to protect her people and uphold the Skaal’s values.
Comparing Frea to Other Potential Solstheim Followers
While Solstheim offers other potential followers, none quite match Frea’s overall package:
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Other Skaal: While some other Skaal villagers might be recruited through mods or console commands, they generally lack the unique skills, essential status, and story integration that Frea possesses.
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Neloth (Technically): While you might argue you can “follow” Neloth on certain quests, he doesn’t truly become a standard follower. His AI prioritizes research and experimentation over actively supporting you in combat, making him a less reliable companion in the wilds of Solstheim. Plus, let’s be honest, he’s… Neloth.
In conclusion, Frea’s combination of combat prowess, unkillable status, unique skills, lore significance, and easy recruitment solidifies her position as the best follower in Solstheim. She is an invaluable asset for any Dragonborn venturing into the ashlands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Solstheim Followers
Here are some frequently asked questions about Solstheim followers, designed to further enhance your knowledge and understanding:
1. Can Frea die?
No, Frea is an essential NPC. She cannot be permanently killed in the game. She can be knocked down during combat, but she will always recover after a short time.
2. What level does Frea start at?
Frea’s level scales with the player’s level, but she typically starts around level 30 and can reach very high levels due to no level cap, making her a powerful ally at any stage of the game.
3. What are Frea’s best skills?
Her best skills are One-Handed, Light Armor, Restoration, and Alteration. She is a capable melee fighter and also provide healing support.
4. How do I recruit Frea as a follower?
You can recruit Frea after completing the quest “The Fate of the Skaal” on Solstheim. After the quest, speak with her and you will have a persuasion or bribe option to get her to join.
5. Is Frea a good choice for a stealth-based character?
While Frea can use light armor, her combat style is more suited for direct engagement. If you’re playing a stealth-based character, you might prefer a follower who focuses on ranged combat or has stealth-related skills. However, her essential status still makes her a valuable backup.
6. What is the best equipment for Frea?
Light armor with good enchantments that provide resistances and bonuses to her combat skills is ideal. A powerful one-handed weapon, preferably enchanted, will also enhance her damage output.
7. Can I marry Frea?
No, Frea is not a marriage candidate in Skyrim.
8. Can Frea carry my burdens?
Yes, like most followers, Frea can carry items for you, increasing your carrying capacity. Manage her inventory to optimize her effectiveness in combat.
9. Can Frea be affected by diseases?
Yes, like the player, Frea can contract diseases. However, her Restoration skill allows her to heal herself of most ailments.
10. Does Frea have unique dialogue?
Yes, Frea has unique dialogue related to the Dragonborn DLC’s main questline and her Skaal heritage. Talking to her regularly provides valuable insights and lore.
11. Who is stronger Frea or Serana?
This is a complex question and depends on the player’s build and the specific situation. Serana is a powerful necromancer and can raise dead enemies. Frea is a versatile warrior. Ultimately, both are among the best followers in the game, but they excel in different areas. For pure brute strength and survivability on Solstheim, Frea wins out due to her essential status and melee prowess.
12. Can I give Frea new spells to use?
No, followers in Skyrim use a pre-defined set of skills and spells. You cannot teach them new spells.
13. Who is the best follower in Skyrim in terms of overall utility?
There is no single “best” follower for every player and every situation. Different followers excel in different areas. However, followers like Frea and Serana who have no level cap and have essential status is a huge advantage over other possible followers.
14. Can you sacrifice Frea to Boethiah?
No, since Frea is an essential character, you cannot sacrifice her to Boethiah. Boethiah requires a mortal follower.
15. Why is having no level cap so important for a Skyrim follower?
Having no level cap is crucial because it ensures your follower remains effective throughout the entire game. Followers with level caps become weaker as you progress, making them less useful in later, more challenging encounters. A follower who levels alongside you, like Frea and J’zargo, will always be a valuable asset. Understanding the nuances of game mechanics is important for educational game design, which is supported by research from organizations like the Games Learning Society.