Hey everybody,

So I started playing Skyrim on Xbox 360 a few weeks ago, and now I'm level 50. I've finished the Dark Brotherhood questline (I can have the initiates follow me now) and am also Archmage of the College of Winterhold. I also have 100 conjuration, so I can use Dead Thrall in addition to having a follower. (Side question: Are potent atronachs much different in terms of effectiveness than a dead thrall with the +100HP perk?)

Anyway, I am trying to understand who the *best* follower is. I've read that its either one of the Dark Brotherhood Initiates, because they can't die and level with you (are the male and female's stats identical?). Is this accurate? I almost have 100 smithing, and have all perks on the heavy armor side except dragonbone/dragonscale, and around 85 enchanting. If they are the best, how should I equip them? Is giving them a set of Legendary Ebony armor going to make them better than their original shrouded? Or should I get the dragon smithing perk and make them some legendary dragonscale armor? My understanding is that they're "skilled" in light armor, though I don't fully understand what that means. As far as weapons, should I give them two swords? A bow? Both? Something else? Also, how should I enchant their gear?

Also, do followers need more than one arrow if they have a bow? If they have an enchanted weapon or staff, does it run out of charges?

Finally, please feel free to post any other advice think would be useful; the sky(rim)'s the limit.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide,
DerekB

"Best" isn't solely determined by level or essential status -- the initiates lack perks and combat styles, so their combat efficacy is lacking.

Cicero is technically the better follower; he has a higher minimum level and his higher health offset ensures that he has better stats until the player is level 56 or higher.

Male and female initiates are functionally identical.

"Skilled" indicates that they have a high value in that skill; all NPCs have a class that, in conjunction with their level, determines their skill value.

All followers save the Dark Brotherhood followers and Serana will prefer to use an unplayable hunting bow; on the plus side, they will never consume arrows while using this bow.

Followers that use staves or enchanted weapons will need to have them periodically recharged.