Some Dragonborn prefer to experience the game alone, but for those who enjoy a bit of camaraderie, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim‘s best followers can provide them with invaluable company and a helping hand in combat. Bringing one of these allies along while adventuring through Tamriel can help prevent getting too overwhelmed by swarms of enemies or even the occasional dragon.

Of the 66 characters who can tag along as companions in the game, there are vastly different personalities and abilities, with some friends being much more useful in Skyrim than others are.

Just like standard NPCs, every follower has individual strengths and weaknesses that set them apart. Some have a higher maximum level than others, whereas others might be more adept with a certain weapon or school of magic compared to their competition.

All of Skyrim‘s essential followers, who can’t be killed in battle thanks to their narrative significance, are inherently some of the strongest companions. However, not every one of Skyrim‘s best followers needs immortality to be considered the most powerful.

Marcurio Is Not A Pack Mule (But He Packs A Punch)

Imperial Spellcaster

Marcurio is a great companion to have along with you on your travels. Firstly, he’s a strong mage with destructive spells, favoring shock-type attacks. He has a useful undead spell when facing that specific type of enemy, but he’s also a strong backup in any situation that requires him to blast some enemies to smithereens.

Secondly, and more importantly, he’s just plain fun to have around. The sassy mage has something to say in any situation, and will complain endlessly (and hilariously) when you ask him to do anything. If you try to trade him, he will remind you that he’s an apprentice wizard, not a pack mule.

You can hire Marcurio to accompany you in Riften for 500 gold. He can also be married, at which point he’ll continue to remind you that he’s not a pack mule.

Ralis Sedarys Is Expensive, But Worth It

Dunmer Treasure Hunter

Ralis Sedarys is a treasure hunter found outside Kolbjorn Borrow. As befitting a treasure hunter, the potential follower is locked behind a huge sum of gold. To get him to follow you requires you to fund his excavation quest for a tidy sum of a total of 11,000 Gold.

However, this follower is well worth the steep price. At the end of his quest line, you’ll have the option to kill him. Sparing him is worth your time, as he’s one of the most powerful followers in Skyrim.

From a distance, Ralis defaults to a bow and arrow, which he also wields with high proficiency. But he really excels in melee combat thanks to his dual-wielded pickaxes and Dual Flurry skill, which allows you to attack faster for a deadly barrage of hits.

Mjoll The Lioness Is The Voice Of Justice In Skyrim

Nord Warrior In Riften

Mjoll The Lioness is best described as a fierce fighter with strong morals, and it shows in her actions and dialogue. She’s opposed to evil outfits like the Dark Brotherhood, and she possesses a strong sense of compassion and justice. She can be found near the Bee and Barb Inn within Riften. Some of the other companions do have better stats in combat, but Mjoll has a special charm that feels pure and honest.

Ingjard Doesn’t Judge As A Skyrim Follower

Nord Warrior Member Of The Dawnguard

In Skyrim‘s cold environment, Ingjard’s innate ability to have 50% resistance to frost helps, particularly when battling enemies who use ice powers. Ingjard is a part of the Dawnguard DLC for the game, and she will not be able to become a companion until after the “Prophet” quest for that DLC has been completed. It is a nice feature that she does not seem to be bothered if the Dragonborn chooses to be a vampire, which many would find to be a bit off-putting.

Ingjard doesn’t have a level cap, meaning she will grow as powerful as the player does while progressing through the game. Her only real downfall lies in that she prefers two-handed weapons, meaning that she can be easily taken down by enemies who attack quickly.

Erandur Is Skyrim’s Pettiest Priest

Dark Elf Priest Of Mara

Although Dawnstar is certainly not the most popular of cities in Skyrim, the possible companion that is found there in the Windpeak Inn, Erandur, is one of the most interesting and complex characters in the game.

He’s a stoic character who has the general appearance of a Disney villain, but his combat abilities can make Erandur one of Skyrim‘s best followers nonetheless. He harbors some solid magic skills in battle, and when things get up close and personal, he’ll even bust out a mace to defend himself.

Vilkas Is A Wise Companion In Skyrim

Nord Werewolf Of Whiterun

The brother of fellow lycanthropic Nord, Farkas, Vilkas is a master-level trainer in the art of two-handed weapons. He offers some in-depth dialogue options compared to his sibling and is considered the most intellectual member of the Companions, a group that possesses Skyrim‘s werewolf blood.

Vilkas does well in battle against foes, but is not as physically powerful as Farkas. That said, he is still quite effective in combat, and his chatty nature can keep the player company as they’re traveling through the wilderness.

Jenassa Is A Passionate Killer In Skyrim

Dark Elf Ranger In Whiterun

Not only is Jenassa one of the best companions in Skyrim, but she is also among the earliest that a player can get, as she is often found in Whiterun at the Drunken Huntsman. Despite having a fondness for mead, she has expert archery skills, which are useful in combat while adventuring. She is not the most approachable and friendly of NPCs, but she also does not seem to mind at all if the Dragonborn chooses to do illegal activities while she is tagging along.

Aela The Huntress Is A Fierce Skyrim Follower

Nord Werewolf In Jorrvaskr

Aela is a member of the Companions, a master of archery, and one of Skyrim‘s strongest followers. Being the most fanatical member of the Circle, she’s the only one who refuses to be cured of her lycanthropy. She constantly talks about being a werewolf—and all the bloodshed and hunting that it entails—with obvious passion. Aela is extremely capable and worthy of taking along on a trip or two.

Eola Is A Creepy Skyrim Cannibal

Breton Cannibal

Having a cannibal as a traveling companion is not that comforting of a proposition, particularly in the dangerous world of Skyrim. Eola doesn’t help to calm any fears either, as she is not a person of high morals or kindness, although she does try to convince the Dragonborn to join her cult and learn to enjoy cannibalism themselves.

If one can overlook these objectionable features, she is a good ally to have and is particularly proficient at sneaking. Her necromantic ability to resurrect corpses can be extremely unsettling when one considers that she also eats people, but it does prove useful in combat.

Teldryn Sero Is A Jack Of All Trades In Skyrim

Dark Elf Mercenary

Few characters are as versatile and tough as Teldryn Sero, and he continues to impress as a Skyrim mercenary who is actually worth hiring. Players will need to own the Dragonborn DLC to unlock this spellsword, at which point they can take advantage of his excellent combat prowess and tactical efficiency.

Sero wields Elven weapons and Chitin armor, which is an odd combination, but it clearly works. He can also wield magic alongside one-handed weapons, which is a bonus. Aside from his battle skills, he’s a chatterbox who can keep conversations going for a while.