10 Best Followers in Skyrim

Skyrim stands as the most widely enjoyed entry in The Elder Scrolls franchise. It’s not only one of the most beloved RPGs ever created, but also ranks as one of the most modded games in gaming history.

The game grants players extraordinary freedom of choice and exploration within an immense open world. You can roam on your own or share your journey with one of the numerous NPC companions scattered across Skyrim.

But which of these allies truly stand out? Who is worth having at your side, what makes them unique, and where exactly can they be found? Below is a ranked rundown of the top 10 Skyrim best followers you can recruit!

The Skyrim Phenomenon

Debuting on November 11th, 2011, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim instantly won over the global gaming community.

While Skyrim carried forward the foundation laid by earlier installments, its streamlined systems, removal of rigid class mechanics, and deeper quest integration quickly made it a chart-topping success.

So what’s the premise? Unlike Oblivion and earlier titles, Skyrim unfolds an entirely fresh narrative within the Elder Scrolls universe—though it still features nods to past lore. The plot is set around two centuries after Oblivion’s events.

As tradition dictates, the story begins with you in chains—a prisoner on the brink of execution. But destiny intervenes: a dragon suddenly appears, halting the beheadings. Soon, your character is revealed as the Dragonborn (Dovahkiin)—a mortal gifted with dragon blood and the power to harness the souls of these mighty beasts.

What’s The Deal With Companions?

Throughout most Elder Scrolls titles, players have been able to travel with companions. Sometimes these were quest-specific allies who guided you to certain areas or helped in battles. In other cases, they were mercenaries available for hire. Skyrim expands this by letting you recruit questline NPCs, duel victors, and housecarls awarded after becoming Thane in a hold.

Altogether, there are 66 potential followers across Skyrim! Beyond their combat support, they can haul loot for you and follow commands such as attacking, retrieving items, or activating levers. Some companions can even marry the Dragonborn, though not all are romanceable.

Skyrim Best Followers Ranked

1. Serana

Serana is a pure-blooded vampire, daughter of Lord Harkon and Valerica. She comes with the Dawnguard DLC (2012), not the base game. She first appears during the Dawnguard quest “Awakening” and becomes recruitable as her story unfolds.

With a level cap of 50, she carries 541 HP, 468 Magicka, and 148 Stamina. She excels at Sneak (100), necromancy, archery, and high-tier magic. Marriage isn’t possible with her in vanilla Skyrim, though mods can enable it.

2. J’zargo

This Khajiit apprentice mage belongs to the College of Winterhold. Available in the base game, he agrees to follow you after his personal quest “J’zargo’s Experiment” and general College tasks are complete.

He scales to level 81 and has one of the largest HP pools in Skyrim (717), plus 450 Magicka and 183 Stamina. His top skills include One-Handed, Heavy Armour, Destruction, Illusion, and Restoration, all maxed at 100. Unlike most mages, he can also handle melee combat effectively. He’s romanceable as well.

3. Teldryn Sero

Teldryn Sero is a Dunmer spellsword mercenary who resides at The Retching Netch inn in Raven Rock (Dragonborn DLC). You can hire him for 500 Septims.

He caps at level 60 with 616 HP, 322 Magicka, and 247 Stamina. His strongest skills are One-Handed, Light Armour, Destruction, and Conjuration. Notably, he insists on wearing his distinctive chitin helmet unless given a fully concealing hood such as the Nightingale Hood. He can also be romanced.

4. Mjoll The Lioness

A Nord warrior in Riften, usually found at the Bee and Barb or wandering the streets. She becomes a follower after the quest “Grimsever’s Return.”

Her level cap is 40 with 580 HP, 50 Magicka, and 180 Stamina. She specializes in Heavy Armour and Two-Handed combat, but also holds her own with One-Handed, Archery, and Block. Marriage is possible, though she always comes with her devoted friend Aerin—who will move into your home alongside her.

5. Lydia

One of the first companions many players obtain, Lydia becomes your housecarl after you’re made Thane of Whiterun. She can be found in Dragonsreach.

She reaches level 50 with 671 HP, 50 Magicka, and 214 Stamina. Proficient in Heavy Armour, Block, One-Handed, and Archery, Lydia is also competent with Two-Handed combat (skill 72). Several other housecarls—Argis, Calder, Iona, and Jordis—share her stats, with Jordis even looking nearly identical but blonde.

6. Cicero

This eccentric Imperial jester is the Keeper of the Night Mother. He appears multiple times during the Dark Brotherhood questline, and can become a companion if you choose to spare him.

Cicero’s cap is 50 with 558 HP, 132 Magicka, and 295 Stamina. He excels in Sneak and One-Handed, plus strong Light Armour (97) and Archery (97). He’s one of the most versatile followers in the game and, uniquely, is prone to breaking into little dances.

7. Aela the Huntress

A Nord werewolf and member of the Companions in Whiterun’s Jorrvaskr. She becomes available after completing the Companions’ storyline and taking leadership.

Aela maxes at level 50 with 509 HP, 50 Magicka, and 426 Stamina. Her mastery is in Light Armour and Archery (both 100). She’s also highly skilled in Sneak (97) and Speech (75). She can be married if desired.

8. Eola

A Breton cannibal tied to Namira’s cult. You first encounter her in Markarth’s Hall of the Dead after Brother Verulus tells you of strange noises underground. Recruiting her requires finishing the daedric quest “The Taste of Death.”

Eola’s stats include a level cap of 30, 291 HP, 147 Magicka, and 147 Stamina. She wields Destruction and Alteration spells, with Sneak and One-Handed as support. She isn’t marriageable, though she can serve as your Hearthfire Steward.

9. Illia

An Imperial sorceress residing in Darklight Tower, where she lives among witches and her mother. She becomes available after the quest “Repentance.”

Illia caps at level 40 with 425 HP, 310 Magicka, and 50 Stamina. She is highly skilled in Destruction, Restoration, Alteration, and Conjuration, while also relying on daggers when her Magicka runs out. Not romanceable, but she too can act as a Steward.

10. Jenassa

A Dunmer mercenary who waits in Whiterun’s Drunken Huntsman, available for 500 Septims in the base game.

Her cap is 40 with about 490 HP, 50 Magicka, and 245 Stamina. She’s trained in Archery, Light Armour, One-Handed, Block, and Sneak. Aggressive and fearless, Jenassa excels both in stealth missions and direct combat. She can also be married.

Summary

That concludes our list of the top 10 best followers in Skyrim! It’s worth remembering that beyond humanoid allies, you can also recruit pets—dogs, Rieklings, trolls, or even summoned Atronachs.

No matter your playstyle—be it mage, barbarian, or stealth archer—Skyrim ensures you’ll always find a companion that enhances your journey and makes adventuring across Tamriel even more enjoyable.