Who is the Sneakiest Follower in Skyrim?
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The vast, treacherous landscape of Skyrim demands cunning and stealth. For those who prefer to stalk their prey from the shadows, choosing the right follower can be crucial. So, who is the sneakiest follower in Skyrim? The answer, based on community consensus and in-game observations, points towards Jenassa. While several followers possess decent stealth skills, Jenassa’s proficiency in sneaking, coupled with her combat prowess, makes her the ideal choice for players who prioritize a stealthy approach. She consistently receives high praise for her ability to remain undetected, even in challenging situations. While other followers like Aela the Huntress are also cited as good, Jenassa is arguably the best for pure stealth.
Why Jenassa Excels at Stealth
Several factors contribute to Jenassa’s reputation as the sneakiest follower:
High Sneak Skill
Jenassa starts with a relatively high base sneak skill, which makes her more effective right from the start. This skill continues to develop as she levels up alongside the Dragonborn, ensuring that she remains a reliable stealth companion throughout your adventures.
Light Armor Specialization
Jenassa’s expertise in light armor is a significant advantage for stealth. Light armor is inherently quieter than heavy armor, making it easier for Jenassa to move undetected. This armor type also enhances agility, further improving her ability to sneak.
Combat Prowess
While she’s a master of stealth, Jenassa isn’t defenseless in combat. She’s skilled with both one-handed weapons and bows, making her a formidable opponent whether she’s striking from the shadows or engaging in direct combat. This versatility means she doesn’t compromise on combat effectiveness while prioritizing sneaking, a crucial benefit for a stealth-focused player.
Practical Application
In the game, players often report that Jenassa is exceptionally good at not breaking stealth while following. This comes from a combination of factors, but it translates to a follower who will not immediately run in and alert every enemy to the player’s presence. She also has a great ability to reposition, meaning she tends not to get in the way.
Alternatives to Jenassa
While Jenassa is a top contender, other followers also have stealth capabilities worth considering:
Aela the Huntress
Aela the Huntress, a member of the Companions, is another strong choice. She possesses good sneak and archery skills and is also an essential character, meaning she cannot be killed, making her useful in any situation. Her focus is slightly more weighted towards combat, however, which can affect her performance in certain stealth situations.
Dark Brotherhood Initiates
Dark Brotherhood Initiates are skilled in sneak and are often cited as competent followers for stealth-oriented gameplay. While they are not as versatile as Jenassa in terms of combat, their specialization in stealth makes them a good option for players who prefer a pure sneak approach.
Elysa (Possible Reference, Not Specific)
The article mentions “Elysa or something like that” as a possible stealthy magic user found in a hagraven tower. While this is not a specific character found within the base game of Skyrim, the point here is that a magic-using character can use spells that facilitate stealth. This could be illusion or conjuration spells to distract enemies or enhance the player character’s own stealth.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Follower
Choosing the right follower in Skyrim can significantly impact your gameplay. For a stealth-focused player, a companion who clumsily stomps through dungeons is a detriment. A stealthy follower like Jenassa not only avoids detection but can also provide essential support when combat is unavoidable. They allow you to execute strategic attacks, flank enemies effectively, and maintain the element of surprise. Ultimately, having a follower who complements your play style can make all the difference in your Skyrim adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can any follower be made into a good stealth companion through training?
While you can improve your followers’ stats to an extent, some followers are naturally better suited for stealth. Followers like Jenassa and Dark Brotherhood Initiates are innately better due to their starting skill levels and equipment. However, training them in sneak and providing them with lighter armor can improve any follower’s overall stealth capacity.
2. Are there any perks that specifically benefit follower stealth?
While there are no perks that directly affect follower stealth, investing in your own stealth perks will indirectly help by allowing you to be more hidden, which reduces the likelihood of enemies detecting your follower. Additionally, perks that affect enemy detection, like the Illusion perk Quiet Casting, are incredibly useful for stealth.
3. Does follower armor affect their stealth performance?
Absolutely. Heavy armor is much noisier than light armor, so equipping followers with light armor or even clothes will improve their ability to sneak effectively. The weight of the armor directly impacts the noise they make while moving.
4. Does the follower’s race influence their sneaking abilities?
Yes, to a small degree. While the follower’s initial race does affect their base skills (Khajiit start with a higher sneak skill), the impact is less significant than the specific skills and armor used. A Khajiit follower that is forced to wear heavy armor would be much less stealthy than a Nord follower in light armor.
5. Does the follower’s combat style affect their ability to remain stealthy?
Yes. Followers who favor aggressive, head-on assaults are less likely to be stealthy, even with high sneak skill. Stealthy followers like Jenassa tend to be more cautious, often staying behind the player and avoiding unnecessary confrontations.
6. Are there any followers that are bad at sneaking, no matter what?
Yes, certain followers, particularly those who are specialized in heavy armor or magic, tend to be less adept at sneaking, and no amount of training will overcome this inherent disadvantage. Followers like Lydia, who is heavily armored by default, struggle greatly with stealth regardless of their level.
7. Can followers trigger traps while sneaking?
Yes, followers are as likely to trigger traps as the player, even if they are attempting to be stealthy. This means that players must clear traps ahead of time or be careful of where their companions are standing.
8. Do followers have a ‘detection’ mechanic that is different from players?
Yes, followers have their own detection calculations, but these are not shown to the player. Their detection is impacted by a variety of factors, such as the distance to enemies, their line of sight, light level, the follower’s noise levels, and the follower’s sneak skill.
9. Can followers be told to be more stealthy?
While there is no direct command to make followers stealthier, you can manage their position, encourage them to keep a distance, and monitor their behavior to make sure they don’t run ahead into enemy territory.
10. Can a follower using magic get detected more easily?
Spells, especially those with loud effects or bright visuals, can easily compromise a follower’s stealth. Illusion magic, however, can be used to avoid enemy detection.
11. How can I better manage my follower during stealth?
Positioning is key. Keeping your follower close but out of direct line of sight with enemies can help you control their movements better. Additionally, using locations that are better suited for sneak will allow a follower to blend into the shadows.
12. Do any followers have specific stealth dialogue?
No follower has dialogue that is specific to sneaking. However, followers who are less stealthy may comment more on combat situations, which can detract from the feeling of stealth.
13. Is it worth investing in Sneak skills to improve my followers’ stealth?
While you cannot directly allocate skill points to your follower’s stats, improving your own stealth skill will improve the success of your own stealth gameplay, which has a knock-on effect that benefits your follower.
14. Can I give followers specific orders during stealth?
Skyrim’s follower command system is rudimentary, however, you can use the “wait” command to position them safely before continuing with a stealth strategy. This allows you to lead the charge and check for any threats without drawing your follower into the line of fire.
15. Are there any mods that can significantly improve follower stealth?
Yes, numerous mods enhance follower AI and stealth behavior. Mods like “Amazing Follower Tweaks” (AFT) or “Immersive Follower Framework” (EFF) can vastly improve follower stealth and customize the way followers interact with the game.