Why Won’t Serana Wear Daedric Armor? Unraveling Skyrim’s Follower Quirks
The burning question on every Dragonborn’s mind: Why can’t I deck out Serana, arguably Skyrim’s most intriguing and powerful follower, in a full set of gleaming Daedric armor? The simple answer is that Serana’s armor choices are governed by a hidden system based on armor rating. She will only equip armor that has a better armor rating than her default outfit, the Royal Vampire Armor. While Daedric armor is objectively better than her default gear in terms of raw stats, Serana might not automatically equip it because the game internally compares the overall armor rating, and other hidden factors might interfere with her choice.
Let’s delve deeper into the mechanics that govern Serana’s equipment preferences, explore common misconceptions, and offer practical solutions to customize her appearance and combat effectiveness. We’ll also address other frequently asked questions regarding Serana and other followers in Skyrim.
Understanding Serana’s Armor Preferences
Hidden Mechanics and Armor Rating
Serana’s choice of armor is not simply based on the type of armor. It relies heavily on the armor rating. The game compares the armor rating of the item you give her to the rating of her current armor. If the new armor is a significant upgrade, she will generally equip it.
The base armor rating of Daedric armor is undeniably high. However, several factors can influence whether Serana will actually wear it. These include:
- Enchantments: Enchantments on her current gear might provide bonuses that indirectly contribute to her overall defense, making the game consider it superior despite the lower base armor rating.
- Bug/Glitches: Sometimes, these events may cause unintended character behavior. If a glitch is found you should attack her until she goes into bleedout (when she’s out of health and on one knee). She should be fixed when she gets back up.
- Hidden Stats: There might be hidden stats, scripts, or weight/attribute comparisons that influence her choice, preventing her from equipping the armor even if it appears to be superior.
Prioritizing Stealth
Serana tends to favor Light Armor, particularly if it is enchanted with effects like Muffle and Fortify Sneak. Her background and abilities align well with a stealth-oriented playstyle. Giving her heavy armor may not be effective if her AI prioritizes stealth over raw defense. Experimenting with light armor that has high armor rating and enchantments tailored for stealth will provide a greater opportunity for success.
Overriding the System (Console Commands and Mods)
For PC players, the easiest way to force Serana to wear Daedric or any other armor is through the console commands. Open the console (usually with the ~ key), click on Serana to select her, and then use the equipitem command followed by the item ID. For example, to equip Daedric armor with ID 0001396B, you’d enter: equipitem 0001396B.
Alternatively, mods offer more elegant and permanent solutions. Numerous mods are available on the Nexus Mods website that allow for greater control over follower outfits and behavior. These mods can remove the restrictions on Serana’s armor choices, allowing you to customize her appearance as you see fit. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores how video games impact learning and engagement, showing how these tools can modify user behaviour.
Frequently Asked Questions About Serana and Followers
Can Serana wear different armor?
Yes, Serana can equip different armor. But it must have a higher armor rating than her default Royal Vampire Armor for her to automatically equip it. Mods can bypass this restriction.
What kind of armor does Serana prefer?
Serana seems to prefer Light Armor, especially if enchanted with stealth-enhancing effects.
Why won’t Lydia wear the armor I give her?
Lydia, like Serana, has a hidden default armor set. She will only equip new armor if its armor rating is higher than her default armor.
Why won’t Serana trade with me?
Serana has a weight limit on the amount she can carry, just as you do. Enchant Fortify Carry Weight items and give them to her so she can carry more items.
Serana won’t take items? Here’s how to fix it.
There can be a glitch where Serana won’t take items. Try attacking her until she goes into bleedout (when she’s out of health and on one knee). She should be fixed when she gets back up.
Why can’t you marry Serana?
Without mods, you cannot marry Serana because she is a vampire. The game prevents marriage to already-vampiric characters if the player is also a vampire. However, many mods remove this restriction.
How do I fix the Serana glitch in Skyrim?
The most common fix is to attack Serana until she goes into bleedout. This often resets her AI and resolves various glitches.
Can I revive Lydia if she dies?
On PC, you can use console commands to revive Lydia. Open the console, click on her body, and type “resurrect”. Her inventory may reset.
What happens if Lydia dies in Skyrim?
If she dies, she dies permanently unless you use console commands (on PC) to revive her.
Can Lydia become a blade?
Yes, Lydia can be recruited into The Blades. She can be brought to Delphine at Sky Haven Temple after completing the quest Alduin’s Wall. Her default armor will be replaced with Blades Armor.
Will Serana follow you as a werewolf?
Yes, Serana will follow you throughout the Companions questline, even as a werewolf.
Can you cure Serana after messing up?
Yes, if you side with the Dawnguard, you can convince Serana to cure her vampirism after completing the main Dawnguard questline and leaving Volkihar Cathedral.
Can Serana give you vampirism?
Yes, Serana can turn you into a vampire. She offers to do this when you need to enter the Soul Cairn.
Is Serana good or bad?
Serana is a complex character and cannot be easily categorized as good or bad. She leans towards Chaotic Neutral to Lawful Good but will never lean towards the far spectrum of Evil.
What is Serana’s level cap?
Serana’s level caps at 50. She is a powerful necromancer and uses both spells and melee weapons.
By understanding these nuances and employing the solutions provided, you can effectively manage Serana’s equipment and enjoy a more customized gameplay experience.