Who is the Strongest Housecarl in Skyrim?
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The answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as simply looking at base stats. While pure damage output is a factor, the “strongest” housecarl in Skyrim depends heavily on your playstyle, desired role for the follower, and access to DLC content. However, if we must pick a single, all-around champion, it’s Valdimar from Morthal, especially if you have the Hearthfire DLC. His versatility, access to magic, and flexible equipment options give him the edge in most situations. However, let’s delve deeper into why he’s a top contender, and examine other housecarls who excel in specific areas.
Ranking the Housecarls: A Detailed Analysis
While Valdimar takes the top spot for versatility, let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of each housecarl to help you decide who best suits your Dragonborn’s needs.
1. Valdimar (Hjaalmarch/Morthal)
- How to Obtain: Become Thane of Hjaalmarch by aiding the citizens of Morthal and purchasing the land (and building a house) at Windstad Manor.
- Strengths:
- Battlemage Potential: Valdimar is unique in that he possesses a variety of skills, including Light Armor, One-Handed, Archery, Destruction, and Restoration. This allows him to function as a battlemage, supplementing his weapon attacks with spells.
- Equipment Flexibility: The Hearthfire DLC gives Valdimar the most flexibility in terms of equipment. He can wear light armor and use a steel mace, making him adaptable to your preferred fighting style. You can equip him with staves and armor as you see fit to make him even stronger.
- Spellcasting: His access to Destruction and Restoration magic offers valuable offensive and healing support in combat.
- Weaknesses:
- Lower Health Pool: Compared to some other melee-focused housecarls, Valdimar might have a slightly lower health pool, making him more vulnerable to heavy physical damage if not equipped properly.
- Requires Hearthfire DLC: If you don’t have the Hearthfire DLC, you can’t obtain him.
2. Jordis the Sword-Maiden (Haafingar/Solitude)
- How to Obtain: Become Thane of Haafingar by aiding the citizens of Solitude and purchasing Proudspire Manor.
- Strengths:
- Heavy Armor Proficiency: Jordis is skilled in Heavy Armor, One-Handed, Block, Archery, making her a reliable tank.
- High Health and Stamina: She has a high health pool and stamina, allowing her to withstand significant damage and maintain combat endurance.
- Traditional Warrior: She excels at close combat, providing consistent melee damage and drawing enemy aggro.
- Weaknesses:
- Lack of Magic: Jordis doesn’t possess any magical abilities, limiting her utility in certain situations.
- Less Equipment Flexibility: While she can wear heavy armor, she lacks the versatility in weapon and spell selection that Valdimar offers.
3. Iona (The Rift/Riften)
- How to Obtain: Become Thane of the Rift by aiding the citizens of Riften and purchasing Honeyside.
- Strengths:
- High Health Pool: Iona boasts one of the highest health pools among the housecarls, making her incredibly resilient in combat.
- Heavy Armor Proficiency: Like Jordis, Iona is skilled in Heavy Armor, One-Handed, Block, Archery.
- Consistent Melee Damage: She is a reliable melee fighter, providing consistent damage output in close-quarters combat.
- Weaknesses:
- Lack of Magic: Iona has no access to magic, limiting her versatility.
- Similar to Jordis: Her skill set largely overlaps with Jordis, offering little unique advantage.
4. Calder (Eastmarch/Windhelm)
- How to Obtain: Become Thane of Eastmarch by aiding the citizens of Windhelm and purchasing Hjerim (note: this may require completing specific quests related to the civil war or a murder investigation).
- Strengths:
- Heavy Armor Proficiency: Calder is another tank-oriented housecarl with skills in Heavy Armor, One-Handed, Block, Archery.
- Reliable Melee Fighter: He is a consistent melee fighter, capable of dealing decent damage and withstanding considerable punishment.
- Weaknesses:
- Lack of Magic: No magical abilities.
- Personality: Some players find Calder’s personality off-putting.
- Prone to Complaining: He is generally prone to complaining.
5. Lydia (Whiterun/Whiterun)
- How to Obtain: Appointed as your housecarl after becoming Thane of Whiterun. This is a very early-game achievement and can be obtained by following the main quest line of the game and doing several quests for the Jarl.
- Strengths:
- Early Availability: Lydia is one of the first housecarls players encounter, making her a valuable companion in the early game.
- Heavy Armor Proficiency: She is skilled in Heavy Armor, One-Handed, Block, Archery.
- Decent Melee Fighter: Lydia is a capable melee fighter, providing support in close-quarters combat.
- Weaknesses:
- Limited Versatility: Her skill set is fairly standard, offering little unique advantage compared to other housecarls.
- AI Issues: Lydia is notorious for getting in the player’s way, especially in narrow corridors.
- “Sworn to Carry Your Burden”: Her repeated line can become grating.
Why Valdimar Stands Out
Valdimar’s key advantage is his battlemage potential. While other housecarls are primarily focused on melee combat, Valdimar can supplement his attacks with spells, providing additional damage, crowd control, or healing. This makes him more adaptable to different combat situations and allows him to support the Dragonborn more effectively. The flexibility the Hearthfire DLC offers also allows you to tailor his equipment to your specific needs, further enhancing his effectiveness. He brings a level of tactical depth that the other housecarls simply can’t match.
Honorable Mentions
While the core five housecarls are the most readily accessible, other followers can also serve as housecarls in your Hearthfire homes if you make them stewards. Some popular choices include:
- Brelyna Maryon: A mage from the College of Winterhold, offering powerful magical support.
- Illia: A mage found at Darklight Tower, with a strong focus on ice magic.
- Ahtar: The executioner in Solitude, a strong melee fighter with a unique background.
- Rayya: A Redguard warrior and housecarl introduced in the Hearthfire DLC.
Choosing a steward with specific skills can effectively create a customized “housecarl” tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the “strongest” housecarl in Skyrim is subjective and depends on your individual preferences and playstyle. However, Valdimar‘s versatility, access to magic, and equipment flexibility make him a top contender for the title. Consider your needs, experiment with different housecarls, and find the companion who best complements your Dragonborn’s adventures. The Games Learning Society can provide additional insights into character builds and gameplay strategies for those looking to further optimize their Skyrim experience. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you get another housecarl if Lydia dies?
Once your housecarl dies, they are dead permanently. You can obtain another housecarl by becoming thane of another hold and purchasing a house there. The new housecarl will be assigned to guard that specific house.
2. Is Lydia a good housecarl in Skyrim?
Lydia is a decent housecarl, especially in the early game, due to her easy accessibility and proficiency in heavy armor and melee combat. However, she can be somewhat limited in versatility compared to other housecarls.
3. How many housecarls can you get in Skyrim?
You can have five official housecarls: Lydia (Whiterun), Jordis the Sword-Maiden (Solitude), Calder (Windhelm), Iona (Riften), and Valdimar (Morthal).
4. Can you have 2 housecarls at the same time?
Yes, you can have multiple housecarls, one for each hold you become Thane in.
5. Can you turn a housecarl into a vampire?
Yes, it is possible for the Dragonborn to turn some NPC followers, including Lydia, into a vampire. However, be aware of the pros and cons, such as their increased vulnerability to sunlight.
6. Can you dismiss a housecarl?
Yes, you can dismiss a housecarl. They will stay at the home you own in the hold where they were assigned.
7. Who is the best housecarl to marry in Skyrim?
Iona is considered a good choice due to her slightly higher health pool compared to some other housecarls. However, the “best” spouse depends on your personal preferences.
8. Who should I make my steward in Skyrim?
A mage like Brelyna Maryon from the College of Winterhold can be a good choice, providing magical support and defense for your Hearthfire home.
9. How many times can you become a Thane in Skyrim?
You can become Thane of every hold in Skyrim, except for Eastmarch if the civil war is still ongoing.
10. Is Lydia the best wife in Skyrim?
Whether Lydia is the best wife is subjective. Some players appreciate her loyalty and early availability, while others prefer spouses with different skills or personalities.
11. Can Lydia become a Blade?
Yes, Lydia can be recruited into The Blades by bringing her to Delphine at Sky Haven Temple after the quest Alduin’s Wall. She will then wear Blades armor.
12. Who is the best follower in Skyrim?
Serana is often considered the best follower due to her powerful necromantic abilities, unique dialogue, and essential status (meaning she cannot die).
13. How to make Lydia immortal?
You can use the console command “setessential a2c8e 1” (without quotes) to make Lydia immortal. Note: Console commands are only available on PC.
14. Can you have both a housecarl and a steward?
Yes, you can have both a housecarl and a steward at your Hearthfire homes.
15. Can you change your housecarl in Skyrim?
You cannot directly change the housecarl assigned to a specific hold. However, if your Hearthfire home’s steward dies, you can hire another follower to be the new steward.