Who is the Most Overpowered Follower in Skyrim? The Definitive Answer

It’s a question that has plagued Dragonborns since the game’s release: Who reigns supreme among Skyrim’s vast array of followers? While strength is subjective and depends on your playstyle, the title of “Most Overpowered Follower” ultimately goes to Serana. Her versatility, essential status, and unique abilities make her an unparalleled asset to any player, regardless of their character build or preferred combat style. She brings a powerful combination of magic and combat skills and a compelling storyline that is unmatched by any other follower in the game.

Why Serana Stands Above the Rest

Serana’s superiority isn’t simply a matter of raw stats or high-level skills. Several factors contribute to her status as the most overpowered follower:

• Essential Status: Serana, being a central character in the Dawnguard DLC storyline, is flagged as essential. This means she cannot die, regardless of how much damage she takes. This alone puts her leagues ahead of many other followers who can fall in battle, requiring you to reload a save or leave them behind.

• Versatile Skillset: As highlighted in the provided text, Serana possesses high levels in Destruction, Conjuration, One-Handed, and Light Armor. This allows her to adapt to various combat situations. She can blast enemies with powerful spells, summon creatures to fight alongside you, engage in melee combat, and still protect herself adequately.

• Unique Abilities: Serana is a vampire, granting her access to vampire-specific spells and abilities. She can use Vampiric Drain to sap the life from enemies, cast powerful Raise Zombie spells to reanimate fallen foes, and even transform into a Vampire Lord (although she only does this during specific quests).

• No Level Cap: While not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, it’s important to know that like some followers, Serana has no level cap, which means she continues to grow in strength alongside you as you gain levels. Other followers have hard caps that limit their usefulness in the later stages of the game.

• Compelling Storyline and Dialogue: A follower’s usefulness isn’t just about combat prowess. Serana has a rich backstory, a compelling personality, and unique dialogue that evolves throughout the Dawnguard questline. Her interactions add depth to the game and make her a far more engaging companion than most generic followers.

While other followers might excel in specific areas, Serana’s combination of survivability, adaptability, and unique abilities makes her the most overpowered choice in Skyrim. Vilkas is a solid tank, Teldryn Sero is an excellent mercenary, and Frea is a competent combatant, but none offer the same well-rounded package as Serana.

Beyond Serana: Honorable Mentions

While Serana takes the top spot, it’s worth acknowledging other powerful followers who deserve recognition:

• Frea: As noted, Frea has no level cap and is essential, making her incredibly resilient. Her skills in Alteration, Light Armor, Restoration, and One-Handed make her a capable fighter and support character.

• Teldryn Sero: This Dunmer mercenary from Solstheim is a formidable mage-warrior. His versatility and willingness to fight for coin make him a popular choice for players looking for a reliable combatant.

• Vilkas: With high health and expertise in Two-Handed, Heavy Armor, and Blocking, Vilkas is a strong candidate for the tankiest follower. He can soak up damage and keep enemies focused on him, allowing you to deal damage from a safe distance.

• Cicero: While his personality might not be for everyone, Cicero’s essential status and high Sneak skill make him a surprisingly effective follower, particularly for stealth-based characters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Skyrim Followers

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about followers in Skyrim, designed to provide more in-depth information:

1. What exactly does “essential” mean for a follower?

An “essential” follower is a character that the game designates as crucial to the main storyline or significant questlines. Essential characters cannot be killed, regardless of how much damage they take. They will simply fall to their knees when their health is depleted, recovering after a short time.

2. Can I marry Serana?

Unfortunately, no. Serana is a key figure in the Dawnguard DLC, and Bethesda intentionally prevented players from marrying her, likely due to her unique backstory and ongoing role in the vampire/Dawnguard conflict.

3. How do I get a follower in Skyrim?

Most followers can be recruited by simply speaking to them and agreeing to let them join you. Some require you to complete a quest for them or pay a fee. For example, many followers from the Companions become available after you progress through their questline.

4. How many followers can I have at once?

Normally, you can only have one humanoid follower at a time. However, certain quests and situations allow you to have temporary additional followers, and some pets, like dogs, can accompany you alongside a regular follower.

5. What happens if my follower dies?

If your follower isn’t essential, they can die in combat. Their body will remain where they fell, and you can loot their belongings. You will then need to find a new follower. PC players can use console commands to revive them, as noted in the provided text regarding Lydia.

6. How do I dismiss a follower?

Simply speak to them and tell them that you want them to leave your service. They will usually return to their default location.

7. Do followers level up with me?

Some followers do, while others have level caps. Followers with no level cap, like Serana and Frea, become more powerful as you level up, making them valuable companions throughout the entire game.

8. Can I equip my follower with better gear?

Yes, you can give your follower better weapons, armor, and other equipment. Simply trade items with them, and they will equip the most appropriate gear based on their skills. Note that followers have individual preferences and skill sets that influence what they can use most effectively.

9. What are the best perks for followers?

Followers don’t benefit from perks the same way the player does. They have their own hidden perk trees that are determined by their class and skills. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about assigning perks to your followers.

10. Do followers affect stealth?

Yes, followers can affect your stealth. Some followers are naturally better at sneaking than others. Followers with high Sneak skill and light armor are generally quieter. You can also give followers commands to stay back or wait in a specific location to minimize their impact on your stealth.

11. Can followers carry items for me?

Yes, followers can carry a significant amount of weight for you, effectively increasing your carrying capacity. The amount they can carry depends on their Strength stat.

12. What are the best follower mods for Skyrim?

There are many excellent follower mods available on platforms like the Nexus Mods website. Some popular mods add new followers with unique abilities and backstories, while others improve follower AI and customization options.

13. How do I improve my relationship with a follower?

The best way to improve your relationship with a follower is to travel with them and complete quests together. Some followers also have specific preferences, such as favoring certain moral choices or types of quests.

14. Can followers get married to other NPCs?

No, followers cannot get married to other NPCs in the game. The marriage system is limited to the player character.

15. Where can I learn more about the impact of games on learning?

For more insights into the educational and cognitive benefits of gaming, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Games, like Skyrim, offer rich environments for problem-solving, strategic thinking, and narrative engagement, skills that are increasingly valuable in today’s world. The Games Learning Society explores these connections in depth.

Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Serana

Ultimately, while many followers offer unique benefits, Serana’s essential status, versatile skillset, compelling story, and lack of a level cap make her the most overpowered follower in Skyrim. She’s a reliable combatant, a fascinating character, and a valuable asset to any Dragonborn’s journey. Embrace her power, and conquer Skyrim together!