Summary

• Essential followers in Skyrim cannot be killed, making them valuable companions in tough battles.
• Characters like Aela the Huntress, Barbas the talking dog, and Cicero offer unique skills and immortality, making them powerful assets to any player's journey.
• Some essential followers require that players complete quests or make certain choices in order to recruit them.

Not all followers in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim are created equal, and there is no better proof of that fact than the existence of essential followers. These NPCs are internally marked as significant characters, usually due to their involvement in important quests. As a result, they are impossible to kill by any means; bringing their health down to zero will only temporarily incapacitate them. While other followers can perish (rather easily) in their service to the Dragonborn, Skyrim's essential followers will stick by the player's side through the toughest battles, and that makes them some of the best company.

Indeed, Skyrim takes a far different approach to story-important NPCs than Morrowind did. In Morrowind, every character was capable of dying, regardless of whether it rendered the main quest line unfinishable. On one hand, this made the RPG feel more immersive - but on the other hand, it could prove frustrating for players who weren't aware of the consequences in advance. Thankfully, in the latest mainline Elder Scrolls title, players no longer need to worry about their companion's mortality, provided they keep Skyrim's essential followers around.

12 Aela The Huntress Is A Powerful, But Temporary Companion

Recruited During The Companions Quest Line

Aela the Huntress is one of the best wives to marry in Skyrim, but she's also one of the strongest followers the Dragonborn can adventure with, given her status as an essential follower. Indeed, the loyal Companion and passionate member of the Circle can't be killed, allowing players to take advantage of her archery and one-handed weapon skills at all times. Aela also offers to bestow some powerful, but transformative, abilities on the Dragonborn near the end of The Companions quest line. It's up to them whether they accept, but they'll have to do so to complete the quest line.

However, quest line completion may not be all it's cracked up to be. It's important to note that Aela is only marked as an essential follower prior to finishing the Companions quest line. In order to have an immortal Aela by their side for the long run, the Dragonborn will need to forgo completing that particular story arc.

The final quest in the Companions line is called "Glory of the Dead." Aela will remain available until its very last step is completed, so simply starting the quest shouldn't prevent players from adventuring with her.

11 Ahtar Is The Only Recruitable Redguard

Recruited In Solitude

Any Dragonborn who has stepped foot in Solitude will be familiar with Ahtar, the executioner who delivers a memorable killing blow to Roggvir upon arrival. Ironically, the Redguard's penchant for death doesn't extend towards himself, as Ahtar is also an essential follower incapable of dying in Skyrim. Ahtar is the only recruitable Redguard follower in Skyrim. Ahtar is a melee fighter who uses two-handed swords and wears heavy armor. He makes an excellent tank, and can serve as a front line fighter while a stealthier player takes potshots from a distance.

In order to recruit Ahtar, players will first need to eliminate Captain Hargar, the leader of a bandit camp located in Broken Oar Grotto. Ahtar grants this quest himself, so the Dragonborn can simply speak to him after the execution, or find him later at Jala's House, The Winking Skeever, or the Castle Dour dungeons.

10 Barbas Is Skyrim's Best Boy

Recruited Near Falkreath

Being one of the most iconic recurring characters in The Elder Scrolls, Barbas the talking dog is impossible to forget - and he's impossible to kill, too, if the Dragonborn plays their cards just right. Barbas should approach the Dragonborn before or after their first visit to Falkreath. He'll grant them the quest "A Daedra's Best Friend," which they must progress to recruit the dog. Upon retrieving the Rueful Axe for Clavicus Vile, the Daedric Prince will try to convince players to slay the dog in exchange for the powerful relic.

Refusing Vile's offer will earn them the loyalty of Barbas, who then becomes an essential follower. Barbas has a powerful bite, which already makes him one of the most powerful followers in Skyrim. In addition, not only is he undying, but he's also one of the few Skyrim followers who aren't burdened with a level cap, meaning that Barbas will scale with the player's level indefinitely.

9 Cicero Is Annoying, But Unkillable

Recruited After The Dark Brotherhood Quest Line

Unpredictable and insolent Cicero may not be to every Dragonborn's taste - especially if they've crossed paths with him in a dark, yet entirely missable Skyrim side quest - but those who find it in their hearts to spare him at the end of the Dark Brotherhood quest line will have their pacifism handsomely rewarded. In this lengthy story, the Dragonborn joins a secret society of assassins-for-hire, and Cicero's scheming is at the center of the conflict.

If spared, a grateful Cicero offers to join the Dragonborn as a companion, and he'll pull his weight. The Night Mother's passionate Keeper is not only a lethal assassin who's incredibly skilled with a dagger, but he's also an essential follower, making him a true asset to any player's entourage. They'll have to endure his frequent quips and one-liners, of course, but it's a rather small price to pay for a companion so powerful.

8 The Dark Brotherhood Initiates Are Alternatives To Cicero

Recruited After The Dark Brotherhood Quest Line

If Cicero proves to be overwhelming, the Dragonborn need not fret, as the Dark Brotherhood still offers two additional options in the way of essential Skyrim followers. After slaying the Emperor of Tamriel, Titus Mede II, in the quest "Hail Sithis," and repairing the Dawnguard Sanctuary in a series of radiant quests assigned by Nazir, two Dark Brotherhood initiates become available as followers, eager to serve their new Listener. One is a man and the other a woman, but in voice lines and reliance on daggers, they're otherwise exactly the same.

However, the Initiates do have some unique considerations. Initiates must be regularly supplied with arrows, and won't have a seemingly infinite stock like other essential followers. They're also resistant to equipping armor with better stats than their default shrouded armor, unless it's ancient shrouded armor. For what they lack in personality, backstory, or unique dialogue, these NPCs redeem themselves in their immortality. Plus, just like Barbas, the Dark Brotherhood initiates will scale alongside the player's own level infinitely.

7 Derkeethus Is The Dragonborn's Personality Hire

Recruited At Darkwater Pass

Argonians may not receive much time in the spotlight during Skyrim, but the game's only reptilian follower almost makes up for the race's underrepresentation. Finding Derkeethus imprisoned by Falmer at Darkwater Pass triggers the quest "Extracting an Argonian." He can be rescued by picking the lock, or simply by finding the key inside a burial urn in his cell. The Dragonborn then has to escort Derkeethus out of the cave and back to safety.

Doing so will earn the Dragonborn Derkeethus' loyalty and friendship. From that point onward, the Argonian can accompany players on their journey. He's primarily a stealth archer, although he can hold his own with one-handed weapons as well. While the earnest miner may not be as skilled or tactful in combat as Skyrim's best followers, he's a more valuable asset than most NPCs because of his sheer undying nature.

6 Erandur Is An Invaluable Healer

Exclusive To The Dawnguard DLC

Erandur is a priest of Mara and former Vaermina loyalist, with whom the Dragonborn can unravel a dark mystery during the "Waking Nightmares" quest in Dawnguard. While the morality of this complex character is up for players to determine, it's impossible to deny that Erandur is indeed a resourceful ally. He's marked as an essential follower, and like all the other followers on this list, he can't be killed by conventional means.

In order to unlock the Dunmer spellcaster as an unkillable companion, the Dragonborn must refuse Vaermina's offer at the end of the quest, which means sparing Erandur and forgoing the Skull of Corruption. The Skull of Corruption is a unique staff that deals extra damage if it's used to collect dreams from sleeping NPCs. As tempting as the weapon may be, though, it pales in comparison to Erandur's service. Erandur specializes in fire spells, but can also heal in battle.

5 Farkas Is Skyrim's Greatest Deadpan Comedian

Recruited During The Companions Quest Line

Farkas is one of Skyrim's best marriage candidates, but even within the scope of a platonic, professional relationship, the hilariously blunt Companion is some of the best company to keep around. Not only does Farkas pack a serious punch in battle with his one-handed weapon expertise, but he's also a tank, considering his status as an invincible essential follower.

However, just like with Aela, players should avoid completing the Companions quest line if they wish to preserve Farkas' invincibility. Like Aela, he also leaves after "Glory of the Dead," so players should stop working on The Companions quest line as soon as they begin this step. Farkas has a twin brother, Vilkas, who's also recruitable as an essential follower.

4 Frea Is A Combat All-Rounder

Exclusive To The Dragonborn DLC

Living in the ice-cold Skaal village in Solstheim, Frea is only available to players who've purchased the Dragonborn DLC - but those who have the opportunity to gain her acquaintance should absolutely not hesitate to do so. Frea's utility in battle cannot be understated, as she's highly proficient with light armor, can dual-wield weapons, doesn't have a level cap, and is even skilled with magic, using powerful Restoration spells to heal herself in the midst of combat. She may not need the healing to survive per se, but it's hard to come by a more stable, self-sufficient follower in Skyrim.

Frea becomes recruitable after finishing the final quest in the Dragonborn DLC, "At the Summit of Apocrypha." She's also one of many NPCs who can join The Blades in Skyrim, a shattered faction of dragon hunters that Delphine attempts to reassemble. Thankfully, the two options aren't mutually exclusive - Frea is still available as a follower after signing on with The Blades.

3 Mjoll The Lioness Is A Paragon Of Virtue

Recruited In Riften

As Riften's most outspoken idealist and self-appointed vigilante, Mjoll the Lioness is a diamond in the rough, and her being an essential follower only adds to her impressive resume. In order to gain the Nord warrior's favor, players will have to ensure that they keep on Mjoll's good side, showing disdain for corrupt organizations like the Thieves' Guild and being charitable to the citizens of Riften.

If the Dragonborn has already gained Mjoll's favor, but she's not yet offering her quest, they can come back after leveling up to accept it.

Once they've garnered Mjoll's approval, the Dragonborn will also need to accept her quest, "Grimsever's Return." This has them delving into the Dwarven ruins of Mzinchaleft to retrieve her old sword, the titular Grimsever. Once they've gained her trust and friendship, she'll be happy to accompany the Dragonborn on their adventures. Mjoll wields both one-handed and two-handed weapons, and will occasionally regale the Dragonborn with tales of her adventures as they travel over hill and dale.

2 Serana Is The Only Vampire Follower In Skyrim

Exclusive To The Dawnguard DLC

Although she deserved to be a marriage candidate in Skyrim, Serana is still one of the game's most interesting and lovable characters - and given that she's an ancient pure-blood vampire, it actually makes quite a lot of sense that she'd be an immortal, essential follower. Being an integral part of the Dawnguard DLC and its main quest line, players will need to put in a considerable amount of work if they wish to recruit Serana permanently; however, her loyalty is well worth the effort.

Serana is more than willing to put her masterful vampiric powers to use - and she can even turn the Dragonborn into a Vampire Lord if they so desire. After completing the Dawnguard main quest line, Serana will ask the Dragonborn to help her find a cure for her vampirism. It's their choice whether they do, but even if the player decides to cure her, she still packs a serious punch with her necromancy abilities.

1 Vilkas Boasts Brain And Brawn

Recruited During The Companions Quest Line

Farkas' twin brother and the thoughtful Master at Arms of the Companions, Vilkas can also join the player's party as one of Skyrim's essential followers, so long as the player takes care to make the right decisions. As an expert in two-handed combat, and with a large health pool to match his battle prowess, he's a fantastic companion for any Dragonborn to keep by their side - but if they avoid completing The Companions quest line in its entirety, they'll get to employ Vilkas' talents without having to worry about petty mortality.

Non-essential followers are all well and good: they often have powerful abilities of their own, and can certainly prove valuable allies. However, their mortality means they pale in comparison to essential followers. Able to stick with the Dragonborn for the entirety of the game, and often with character development and personal quests of their own, essential followers are the best companions available in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.

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