Most Useful Skyrim Followers?

[Drakmorg]

I only ever used Lydia, and since I either play as a mage who rains atomic fiery death upon his foes, or a sneaky type who shoots people in the back I've just found her to be more of a liability than of any use.
Even when I kept her around before I got all the doom spells I only ever used her as a pack-mule anyway.
Now that I'm not desperate enough for money to try and haul all the fur and iron armor dropped by bandits I just keep her around my house and tell her she's doing a good job warding off thieves as I drop off all my dragon carcasses and dash out the door.

 

[velcrokidneyz]

I like being the bad ass and getting the glory so I don't bother with the followers. I liked them in New Vegas because they were characterized better.

 

[Flailing Escapist]

None of them because they keep running into my blades and magic spells all the goddamn time.

I like being the bad ass and getting the glory so I don't bother with the followers. I liked them in New Vegas because they were characterized better.

Oh my god. Yes

And they couldn't die. Live and learn ([small]from Obsidian of all places[/small]) Bethesda!

 

[scorptatious]

Do any of them have much of a backstory? I've just been using Lydia and I'm pretty disappointed.

Well there's Erandur. You help him out to get rid of a Daedra weapon that's causing the nightmares in Dawnstar. During the quest you learn about his past and why he is doing this. At the end of the quest, you can either kill him and get the weapon, or let him destroy it and have him as a follower.

And I'll say this, he was a damned good companion. I'll miss him.

 

[Smeggs]

I found that Marcucio or whatever his name is, the Destruction/Restoration/Whatever else Mage mercenary from Riften to be the most useful follower I've had. After grabbing the Diadem of the whateverthehellitis from the Dremora Conjurer in the Labyrinthian I stuck my Circlette of Destruction on him.

LIGHTNING BOLT SPAM EVERYTHING WITH MY NEW BEST FRIEND.

 

[DustyDrB]

Do any of them have much of a backstory? I've just been using Lydia and I'm pretty disappointed.

Well there's Erandur. You help him out to get rid of a Daedra weapon that's causing the nightmares in Dawnstar. During the quest you learn about his past and why he is doing this. At the end of the quest, you can either kill him and get the weapon, or let him destroy it and have him as a follower.

And I'll say this, he was a damned good companion. I'll miss him.

Yeah, I followed-up in this thread and said this:

Having played the game more, I have to say Erandur is my favorite. The quest where you team up with him is very cool AND he's voiced by the same fellow who did Joshua Graham in the Honest Hearts DLC for New Vegas. There is nothing more badass than having Joshua Graham as your follower.

So we're in agreement. He's the best so far even though he does have the same Skyrim NPC problem of repeating dialogue ad nauseum.

Go to the Shrine of Azura, just south of Winterhold.
Do the quest that you get given there.
Hire Aranea Lenith upon finished the quest.
Rape everything.

Then thank OnyxOblivion later for telling me about it so I can share this awesome follower with you. Here is the location of the shrine. [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111115081129/elderscrolls/images/thumb/4/4a/2011-11-15_00002.jpg/553px-2011-11-15_00002.jpg]
Have fun.

I've used her some as well and she's pretty good. I'd definitely recommend you go to Dawnstar and find Erandur, though. He's got the most backstory of any follower I've come across so far.

The Daedric quests have really been great so far (I've done five or so).

 

[SwagLordYoloson]

The followers I have had have all perished due to falling off of things xD

After the 4th one died I made an oath to never put the life of follower in my hands again, then bought the dog. It died. Is it just me or are the horses in this game the only ones you can rely on?

 

[danirax]

none, stealth kills and invisibility potions!

 

[])rStrangelove]

Lydia. She's teleporting back when i lost her somewhere, carries my booze, doesnt go shopping if i dont tell her to, she rarely speaks at all and is good looking. Perfect woman! ;D

/me takes cover

 

[The Pinray]

I constantly switch out among the Companions because I'm the boss like that. Of the Companions I'd say Aela is the best.

Farkas and Vilkas use their bows too much. They should be fighting like tanks. :/

Torvar is decent with a battleaxe.

Athis, the one-handed sword specialist, also mainly uses his damn bow. But I forgive him because he's a portable One-Handed trainer.

Ria is average. Meh.

Njada is a *****. But a portable Block trainer... So she has her uses.

 

[Elamdri]

I used the woman from the Azura's Star quest for a while, but I let her go for two reasons: 1st, companions LOVE standing in the doorway, and I got sick of it and 2nd, She had a tendency to run into my arrows.

 

[Tax_Document]

I've been doing great with Lydia. She's listed as essential, so she can't die, and she pretty much tanks enemies with no problem.
There's also that Dunmer mage from the College. She can dish out a lot of damage, but she's extremely vulnerable to physical attacks.

Wrong, she can die, excessive damage when she's kneeling will kill her.