I like to use companions, and recently have been using them on stealth builds. What puzzles me though, is... I will shoot a guy while sneaking. I'll back up and stay hidden whilst Lydia runs in and attacks them. The Eye is only partially open, I am still unseen by the enemy, yet I don't get sneak attack bonuses. Why is this?

When the eye is partially open, they are looking for you, but they have not found you yet. Lydia is seen, so she becomes the focus of their combat, but they are still looking for you. Lydia is not a Stealth Character, so she does not fight from a crouched position.

There are better followers for Stealth than Lydia. And, to be really Sneaky, you have to go alone.

Yea what CCNA said, the x3 Archery bonus and the x15 Dagger bonus (x30 with DB gloves) make up for the lack of follower very nicely. Add in an Invisibility potion (or Shadow Stone, or Shadowcloak of Nocturnal) for the off chance you get detected and your good.

Most companions have lower sneak than you.If you want a companion that is good at sneaking get Cicero, Dark Brotherhood Initiate or Aela. Muffleitem/enchant will help also. but usually I found myself having no problems sneaking with any of these 3 who are excellent sneakers (Aela being the weakest of those 3 at 97 sneak at lvl50)

I never took a companion with my stealthy character. I did pickpocketing to get the extra 100 carry weight perk and went solo. It worked just fine. You really don't need one because a good sneak character one shots everything and is hardly ever detected. If you are detected it's easy to use the stealth roll to get away and disappear or to pop an invisibility potion and disappear. I've used both with great effectiveness and never once have I missed having a companion.

From the recent 1.5 patch notes:


Has anyone noticed any difference yet?