Who Is The Best Follower In Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of the “best” follower in Skyrim is a hotly debated topic, often sparking passionate discussions amongst players. However, after considering combat prowess, utility, story integration, and personal preference, Serana emerges as the most compelling choice for the best follower in Skyrim. Her unique dialogue, essential status, and potent magical abilities make her an invaluable asset to any Dragonborn, especially during the Dawnguard DLC.
Why Serana Stands Out
Serana isn’t just a strong fighter; she’s a fully realized character with a compelling backstory and intriguing motivations. Her dialogue is extensive and changes based on the player’s actions and quest progression. This dynamism makes her feel like a true companion on your adventures.
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Essential Status: Serana is an essential character, meaning she cannot die. This takes the pressure off of the player to protect her constantly, allowing them to focus on their own survival and combat strategy.
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Powerful Magic: Serana is a powerful vampire mage, wielding a variety of spells including Conjuration, Necromancy, and Blood Magic. Her ability to raise the dead and conjure powerful creatures provides excellent support during combat.
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Compelling Story: Her involvement in the Dawnguard DLC adds significant depth to the storyline. Her personal struggles with her family and her own vampiric nature resonate with players, fostering a deeper connection.
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Unique Dialogue: Serana’s dialogue is well-written and engaging. She provides insightful commentary on the world around her, and her conversations with the Dragonborn are often witty and thought-provoking. This sets her apart from many of the more generic followers.
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No Level Cap: Serana doesn’t have a level cap and will continue to grow with the player, ensuring that she remains a relevant and potent companion throughout the entire game.
While other followers may excel in specific areas, Serana’s all-around strengths and unique qualities make her the best follower in Skyrim for many players.
Top Alternatives to Serana
While Serana is the generally accepted “best” follower, several others deserve recognition for their own unique strengths:
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Frea: An essential and un-level-capped follower found in the Dragonborn DLC. Frea is skilled in one-handed combat, light armor, and restoration magic, making her a versatile and durable companion.
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J’Zargo: A Khajiit mage from the College of Winterhold, J’Zargo boasts the highest HP of any follower and is a powerful spellcaster. However, some find his personality less engaging than Serana’s.
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Teldryn Sero: This Dunmer mercenary found in Raven Rock is a skilled spellsword, adept at both melee combat and magic. His unique skills and backstory make him a popular choice for players exploring Solstheim.
Skyrim Follower FAQs: Deep Dive
To help you find the best follower for your Dragonborn, here are some frequently asked questions about followers in Skyrim:
1. Which followers in Skyrim don’t have a level cap?
Several followers do not have a level cap, allowing them to scale with the player throughout the game. Notable examples include Serana, Frea, and some of the Dark Brotherhood Initiates. This ensures they remain powerful companions even at high levels.
2. Which followers in Skyrim can’t be killed?
Essential followers in Skyrim are marked as significant characters and cannot be killed. These characters are vital to the game’s story and quests. Examples include Serana, Aela the Huntress, Barbas (the talking dog), and Cicero. They can still be downed in combat but will recover.
3. Who is the best mercenary follower in Skyrim?
Teldryn Sero, found in the Retching Netch Inn in Raven Rock, is widely considered the best mercenary follower in Skyrim. He is a skilled spellsword with a unique backstory and a hefty but worthwhile hiring fee.
4. Who is the strongest follower in Skyrim, according to Reddit?
Many Reddit users agree that J’Zargo is objectively the strongest follower due to his high HP and powerful magic. However, some find his personality lacking, leading them to prefer other followers like Serana or Frea.
5. What makes Serana the best follower in Skyrim?
Serana’s strengths include her essential status, powerful vampire magic, compelling story, and unique dialogue. Her involvement in the Dawnguard DLC and her dynamic interactions with the player elevate her above other followers.
6. Who is the most loved and hated character in Skyrim?
According to player surveys, some of the most loved characters include Paarthurnax, J’zargo, and M’aiq the Liar. Conversely, Nazeem, Cicero (for some), Heimskr, and Maven Black-Briar are frequently cited as the most hated characters.
7. Who is the strongest entity or enemy in Skyrim?
The Ebony Warrior is often considered the ultimate human enemy in Skyrim. He only appears once the player reaches level 80 and has maxed out their skills, making him a formidable opponent.
8. What is the rarest creature or enemy in Skyrim?
Some of the rarest creatures and enemies in Skyrim include the Dremora, Wispmother, Dragon Priest, and Dwarven Centurion. Encounters with these enemies are infrequent and often challenging.
9. Which follower has the highest HP in Skyrim?
J’Zargo has the highest HP stat of any follower in Skyrim. This makes him incredibly durable and difficult to kill, even though his armor skill is not particularly high.
10. Who is the main antagonist in Skyrim?
Alduin, also known as The World-Eater, is the main antagonist of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. He is the Nordic God of Destruction and poses a significant threat to the entire world.
11. What are considered the worst crimes a player can commit in Skyrim?
The worst crimes in Skyrim include betraying Saadia, sacrificing friends to Boethiah, becoming a vampire, killing the Emperor, eating people, and killing Paarthurnax. These actions often have significant consequences within the game’s world.
12. Who is considered the smartest NPC in Skyrim?
Characters like Paarthurnax, Septimus Signus, Arngeir, and the Psijic Monks are often considered the most intelligent NPCs in Skyrim. They possess vast knowledge and a deep understanding of the world and its mysteries.
13. Who are some other permanently essential followers in Skyrim, besides the well-known ones?
Aside from Aela the Huntress, Barbas, and Cicero, other permanently essential followers include Ahtar, Derkeethus, Erandur, and Farkas.
14. Which is the most challenging encounter in Skyrim?
Skuldafn (past level 45) is arguably the toughest encounter in all of Skyrim due to enemy scaling and challenging combat scenarios. Other difficult encounters include fighting Karstaag, Voslaarum and Naaslaarum, and Ahzidal.
15. What is the strongest animal enemy in Skyrim?
The Mammoth is the strongest animal enemy in Skyrim. They are large, powerful, and can easily overwhelm unprepared players. Sabre Cats and Snow Bears also pose a significant threat.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best follower in Skyrim is a personal decision. Consider your play style, your Dragonborn’s skills, and the type of companion you desire. But if you’re looking for a well-rounded, engaging, and powerful follower who adds depth to your Skyrim experience, Serana is an excellent choice. She may even inspire further exploration into the Games Learning Society‘s work on how games foster character development, and can make an excellent case study! Games Learning Society is working to improve society. Access to GamesLearningSociety.org will bring new awareness to the community.