Who is the Best Thieves Guild Companion in Skyrim?
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The best Thieves Guild companion isn’t necessarily who you’d expect based on combat prowess alone. While raw power has its place, the ideal companion for the discerning thief blends practicality, stealth, and a certain… disregard for the law. Taking all factors into consideration, Karliah emerges as the superior choice. She provides vital quest-related insight, possesses effective archery skills for silent takedowns, and has a compelling backstory that adds depth to the Thieves Guild narrative. While other characters might offer more direct combat support, Karliah’s unique skill set and quest relevance make her the most valuable ally for a Dragonborn focused on mastering the art of thievery.
Why Karliah Stands Out
Stealth and Archery Prowess
Karliah is a skilled archer, making her ideal for stealth-focused players. Her ability to silently dispatch enemies from a distance allows the Dragonborn to maintain a low profile during heists and infiltration missions. She complements a thief’s playstyle where discretion is valued above open combat.
Quest Relevance and Lore
Karliah is integral to the Thieves Guild’s storyline. Her involvement in the initial quests not only provides valuable context but also unlocks essential information about the Guild’s history and current predicament. She offers insights into the betrayal by Mercer Frey and the restoration of the Guild’s reputation. This quest relevance is unmatched by other potential companions.
Strategic Advantage
Karliah provides information and support during critical missions. She isn’t just a follower blindly charging into battle. Her knowledge of the Guild and its enemies gives her a strategic advantage that proves invaluable.
Character Depth
Beyond her skills, Karliah’s character is compelling. Her story of betrayal and redemption adds depth to the Thieves Guild storyline, making her a more engaging companion than many other generic mercenaries. This emotional connection enhances the overall gameplay experience.
Alternative Considerations
Brynjolf: The Initial Contact
While not a permanent follower, Brynjolf is the gateway to the Thieves Guild. He’s charismatic and provides initial training, but his role diminishes after the initial quests. He remains an essential part of the Guild’s management but doesn’t offer ongoing companionship.
Other Potential Followers
While certain followers excel in combat or magic, their skills often clash with the Thieves Guild’s ethos of stealth and subterfuge. A heavily armored warrior charging into a room isn’t exactly conducive to a successful burglary. While characters like Serana, mentioned in some sources, are powerful followers in general, her vampiric nature and affiliation are outside of the realm of the Thieves Guild and would not be the best option.
FAQs: Thieves Guild Companions
1. Can I marry someone from the Thieves Guild?
Yes, while the text indicates that most guild members aren’t “the marrying type,” marriage options aren’t strictly limited by guild affiliation. You can marry NPCs regardless of their membership in the Thieves Guild, provided they are marriageable. The key is completing their associated quest lines and wearing an Amulet of Mara.
2. Who betrays the Thieves Guild in Skyrim?
Mercer Frey is the one who betrays the Thieves Guild. He murdered Gallus, framed Karliah, stole the Skeleton Key, and embezzled the Guild’s wealth. This act of betrayal is the central conflict in the Thieves Guild questline.
3. Is joining the Thieves Guild evil in Skyrim?
Joining the Thieves Guild involves engaging in criminal activities, such as stealing, pickpocketing, and burglary. While this aligns with morally gray or evil actions, the game allows you to make choices within the Guild’s quests. It will impact the Dragonborn’s reputation with certain characters. Your choices affect the overall narrative and your character’s moral alignment.
4. Can Lydia join the Thieves Guild?
Lydia cannot officially “join” the Thieves Guild in the sense of becoming a ranking member. However, she can accompany you as a follower while you undertake Thieves Guild quests. Her adherence to the Guild’s principles depends entirely on your actions. She is not inherently predisposed to criminal behavior.
5. What happens if I get caught stealing while in the Thieves Guild?
Getting caught stealing has similar consequences whether you’re in the Thieves Guild or not. You’ll incur a bounty in the hold where you committed the crime. You can pay the fine, go to jail, or resist arrest. The Thieves Guild may offer ways to reduce or eliminate your bounty, depending on your standing within the Guild.
6. Is it possible to become the leader of the Thieves Guild?
Yes, you can become the Master of the Thieves Guild. By completing the Thieves Guild questline, you will restore the Guild to its former glory and be officially crowned as its leader by Brynjolf.
7. Are there any essential (unkillable) members of the Thieves Guild?
While many NPCs can be killed in Skyrim, some are marked as essential for quest purposes. Karliah, for example, is essential during the Thieves Guild questline. Other essential characters may be involved in radiant quests, but their essential status may change after specific quests are completed. As the article mentioned, essential followers in Skyrim are marked as significant characters and cannot be killed, making them valuable companions in tough battles.
8. Does Aela the Huntress approve of joining the Thieves Guild?
Based on the information presented, Aela the Huntress won’t judge the Dragonborn for joining the Thieves Guild, nor witnessing them stealing, or doing other illegal actions, but may not approve of having to do these actions. However, she is not specifically tied to or against Thieves Guild actions. Her focus is more on the Companions and her own moral code.
9. Can I be a werewolf and a member of the Thieves Guild at the same time?
Yes, you can be both a werewolf (through the Companions questline) and a member of the Thieves Guild. There are no inherent conflicts between these affiliations. You can freely switch between your werewolf form and your thieving activities.
10. Is Teldryn Sero a good choice for the Thieves Guild?
Teldryn Sero’s versatility as a “spellsword” could be useful for overcoming obstacles during Thieves Guild quests. However, his reliance on Destruction magic might attract unwanted attention, conflicting with the stealth-based nature of the Guild. He is still one of Skyrim’s best mercenaries, though!
11. Who is the best follower overall in Skyrim, regardless of the Thieves Guild?
As mentioned in the article, Serana is often considered the best follower overall due to her combat prowess, unique abilities, and compelling backstory. However, her vampire status and story outside the Thieves Guild makes it a difficult choice for a Thieves Guild focused playthrough.
12. Can I make a follower immortal in Skyrim?
Yes, you can use console commands on PC to make a follower immortal. By using the setessential command followed by the NPC’s base ID and the value “1,” you can prevent them from dying.
13. Where can I learn more about the lore and characters of Skyrim?
You can explore the lore and characters of Skyrim through in-game books, dialogue, and quests. Online resources like the GamesLearningSociety.org offer in-depth analyses and discussions of the game’s narrative and mechanics. The Games Learning Society website has more information on the game and its characters, including a comprehensive analysis of the Thieves Guild.
14. Does my choice of race affect my ability to succeed in the Thieves Guild?
While certain races have inherent skill bonuses that might be advantageous for thieving (e.g., Khajiit’s stealth bonus), your choice of race ultimately has a minimal impact on your success. Skills can be leveled up through practice, and any race can excel in the Thieves Guild with the right build and playstyle.
15. What are the best skills to level up for a Thieves Guild playthrough?
The best skills to focus on for a Thieves Guild playthrough include:
- Sneak: Essential for avoiding detection.
- Lockpicking: Necessary for opening locked doors and chests.
- Pickpocket: Allows you to steal items and plant evidence.
- Speech: Useful for persuading guards and merchants.
- Archery: Provides a ranged option for silent takedowns.
- Light Armor: Offers protection without sacrificing stealth.
By mastering these skills, you’ll be well-equipped to thrive in the shadows and become a master thief.
Ultimately, choosing the best Thieves Guild companion depends on individual playstyles and priorities. While raw combat power has its appeal, Karliah’s unique blend of stealth, lore, and quest relevance makes her the most valuable asset for any Dragonborn seeking to dominate the world of thievery.