i would have made a poll, but i've been sticking to just three followers thw whole game (three characters in)

1. Benor of Morthal. Why? he is the [censored] terminator, particulary with claymore. Ex. At level 15, I gave him an Orcish claymore (just something i picked up). Then we raided a bandit fort. Benor starting impaling bandits left and right. Every move was an instant kill. He was actually killing them faster than i could ( a dual wielding dragon born ). Later, at level 20 something, in draugr ruins, he owns. Draugr, draugr restless, warlords,. doesn't matter. Once a Draugr warlord, upon immediately rising (rather quickly), used unrelenting shout to push me out of the room. When i returned, Benor had taken a knee, but there were two dead draugr (not the regular draugr either), with three draugr (including warlord ) left. I must note that the warlord was wounded.

2. That guy from Riverwood. Why? good archer, He stays out of your way and apparentyl there is a glitch to recieve archery training, then pickpocket it out of him.

3. Lydia from Whiterun. Why? it's nice to have a female on those lonely journeys

Benor is the Boon of Skyrim

what say you?

None. Companions are useless and annoying.

i use the orc guy in the stronghold just east of markarth

I rly like mjoll cause of her nice sword and uthgerd cause she looks
badass in her armor.

Aela, because nothing says 'badass' like having a half-naked chick rain arrows on your enemies. Plus she stays out of my way (when I use her)

i use kharjo.

None- feels like cheating. If companions actually died in battle (aside from accidental friendly fire) I might use them.

yuh i have been considering her.

Janessa from Whiterun ain't bad either in a fight. She can wield two-handed, dual one-handed (i.e. a dagger in one hand and a sword in another) or a bow for ranged attacks. She also puts up with my occasionally hitting her by mistake.

Still going with Cosnach. My only companion since Lydia died and Erik ditched me, and i like him.

Pros: great fighter, loves to drink ale with you, loves to fist fight, doesn't complain, good guy.
Cons: He's kinda slow. I easly out-walk him.

if you're not there to get their back, the enemy will execute them. it's the most heartbreaking thing in skyrim. To see a downed companion cry "i yield!", only to be cut down by a sworm of enemies, whiling being preoccupied by other enemies. Brave Benor killed so many falmer before falling, but those damn archers came out of nowhere

they do die i went trugh 4 alredy, 1 bieng from accidentel friendly fire, thought he was a bandit in daedric , others by dragons, dragons priests, and draugr teams

Eola. Just something about her dietary choices and Foresworn armor.

Seriously? On my first playthrough Lydia only died once and that was from friendly fire. Any other time she would just kneel and then get back up after a minute. I didn't get far enough to face some of those mobs though.

My favriot is the khajit from winter hold college, he uses really high leveled mage attack's, and keeps his distance, so when i sneak it dosent effect me (im a archer)

If your facing multiple enemies at times they will execute your follower, when they get into yield position, if its 1-2 enemies they will go for the biggest threat, via avoiding your yielding follower

Oh cool, I'll have to reconsider using followers again.

Lydia is my favorite, but I've yet to try a lot of them.

Companions can definitely die, I lost several of them many times, definitely not friendly fire.

My first game I used Lydia, but was a bit annoying coz she would block doorways and not move. Later in the game I used Brelyna Maryon the mage student, she was very good. I started a new game this time with a female Breton, so far Faendal the Riverwood archer has been my side kick. I got a glitch in Whiterun where I don't get the dialogue from Proventus Avenicci, the Jarl’s Steward. I got it with my first hero but now I'm treated as someone passing through. I did the Bleak Falls Barrow quest and even the Jarl said I can now buy property in Whiterun. At the moment I have lots of gold and staying at Faendal's house in Riverwood, he doesn't mind sharing his bed and I can store loot in his containers. Anyway I can also use Uthgerd the Unbroken at the Bannered Mare but haven't yet.

I'm still using Lydia, although I'm getting tired of her "I'm sworn to carry your burden," everytime I make her carry stuff.

For those that haven't tried this yet, you can give your follower a ring and amulet to wear.

I recently noticed on my current run that you can ask Sven to follow you. Is he a possible companion?
Would be cool to have a traveling bard.

Aela the huntress - great AI, good skills, can teach you archery, carry your burden, marry you and give you quests.

Why doesn't Aranea get any love on this board? - if I'm feeling lazy, she mops up everything. Everything.

But I agree more with folks who say it's too much of an assist. I only played New Vegas once, but I was always dragging someone along, and I realized near the end that I didn't actually PLAY much =)

Was reading the wiki and it says their stats are fixed dependent on your level when you enter their zone? That kind of svcks. Guess you can only upgrade their gear.

Wanted to try one of the College of Winterhold followers, but if their skills/magicka are set at a lower level kind of takes away from them later in the game Guess by then you might not need them anyway.

She's the most powerful I have come across. Uses ranged destruction and summons. I don't use companions too often though. Maybe take them out on a fight or two and send them on their way.