Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-187.22.238.221-20150810184156/@comment-92.111.179.243-20151002102348

1- Utility

Not sure what you mean by this. As far as things that followers can do for you go, they're all pretty much the same. Except of course that the lower their morality, the more severe crimes they are willing to commit.

2- Chance to Glitch

As it has been stated, Kharjo is very likely to glitch. As far as travelling goes, he falls behind very often and it takes him a long time to catch up to the Dragonborn. Aranea and Marcurio on the other hand were always right behind me whenever I turned around.

3- Personality

Serana is of course number 1 when it comes to personality and AI in general. She interacts with her surroundings far more than other followers and usually has some unique dialogue for most locations.

Erandur and Cicero have quite well rounded back stories as well.

Mjoll and Marcurio frequently share personal thoughts on all kinds of things. Makes for more entertaining travelling in my opinion.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Aranea has always been a favourite of mine. At the end of Azura's quest, the Daedric prince stops giving her visions, as her fate has been fulfilled and she's quite broken up about it.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Farkas is great in this regard as well. As far as 'friends' go in this game, he's probably the closest thing one will get. He's wary of the Dragonborn in the beginning but quickly warms up to him/her over time and is always quick to state what a good friend he/she has been to him. Also his vouching for the player’s loyalty as a shield brother at the end of 'Proving Honour' is heart-warming. Pity he's so useless in combat.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">4- Easiness to Obtain

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Faendal is probably number 1.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Hirelings too, if one can spare the 500 septims.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Farkas can be obtained before joining the Companions by dropping a piece of armour in front of him while he's sitting in the courtyard of Jorrvaskr (he usually does so from morning until noon). Although I do believe that unless the armour in question is better than what he's already wearing, he'll only give it back to the player without asking if he can keep it. A way around this is to drop any helmet, since he doesn't own one by default. Note though that he will only start to offer Heavy Armour training AFTER one has joined the Companions.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Lydia and Serana will be available by simply following two main questlines (the Skyrim main and the Dawnguard main).

<p style="margin-top:12pt;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">5-  Abilities

<p style="margin-top:12pt;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">This one is tough, as it depends on how one plays. But generally followers who favour ranged combat seem to be more popular than tanks, as the latter have a tendency to get in one’s way which can easily result in the player killing them.

<p style="margin-top:12pt;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Aranea is a very capable mage and doesn't get 'killed' easily. She seems to have very high magicka as well, as I have hardly ever seen her draw a weapon. With a bit of generosity in terms of apparel on the Dragonborn’s side, she can be one of the best followers in the game imho and I think she's absolutely worth choosing the White Star over the superior Black Star.

<p style="margin-top:12pt;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Marcurio is a good mage as well and I have got the impression that he has higher AI than most followers since he seems to adjust his school of magic depending on which foe he's facing. E.g. Against dwemer robots he often uses fire. It’s a pity I had to kill him.

<p style="margin-top:12pt;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Jenassa if one wants a ranged non-mage. She's a good markswoman and can easily stand her ground.

<p style="margin-top:12pt;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">Serana is very good too and of course she comes with the benefit of being essential. That's a bit of a necessity, since she has a tendency of getting in the way (at least in my game). But she makes up for it by being familiar with very strong spells.

<p style="margin-top:12pt;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">

<p style="margin-top:12pt;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">To sum it up: Aranea is my favourite. If one absolutely WANTS the Black Star (which really is better than the white one) then go for it. But if one is unsure about it (as most players seem to be) I’d readily recommend choosing the White Star and therefore obtaining her as a follower.

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<p style="margin-top:12pt;line-height:16.5pt;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">P.S. If one plays as a thief, I’d recommend not taking a follower at all. Almost all of them will get one detected (save for Cicero and the DB initiates perhaps) and for role-playing purposes alone, a thief would probably prefer doing things on his own anyway. If a thief WANTS a follower anyway, I’d suggest following the Dark Brotherhood questline at least until the Spectral Assassin power can be obtained. Lucien may not be able to carry one’s stuff, but he’s good in combat and sneaking.