Aela was sneaky... decent with a bow... and teh gud to look at. Gave her (legendary) Forsworn armor and now I almost am HER thrall. I don't need her at all, but I still use her just to have that around me.

I concur... I have only used Lydia and her so far. I am a sneaking/Archer character, and she is darn good. Stays ranged most of the time. Dual wields staves like candy.

I may try Jordis, but I really don't need anyone, except to carry loot. I had Aela in the Armor of the Old Gods, but eventually gave her enchanted Dragonscale. I just wanted to protect her more (actually its my castoff stuff)

But Aela works for me. bit short tempered though, and won't pick up anything marked stolen!

Aela till i figured out how to make my own in the ck

I don't exactly enjoy having followers all the time. I spent about 70% of my playing time without a follower.

Faendal
Kind of hung outside the battles just pecking arrows from behind. Ditched him.

Lydia
Walked into every single Ice Storm I produced and managed to get an Ice Spike when it was well placed. She died in the end.

Marcurio
Keeps stealing the kills and wastes Magicka on Stoneflesh. He got irritating so I left him in some godforsaken forest and gave him the Mace of Molag Bal to let him kill himself if he couldnt live without me.

Aela
Me and her. Two archers. When she runs in with her enchanted ebony sword I gave her, she gets in the way trying to clobber the enemy and always gets the arrows to her head, shoulders, elbows, knees, etcetera. She's a Companion, so she's not silly enough to become a guard. So I ditched her as well.

I really like Vilkas so far. He is a capable warrior, rarely gets in the way, doesn't talk too much, and seems to appreciate going on adventure, unlike the likes of Lydia.

I don't really have a favorite haven't looked into companions as much as I wanted. Some that I enjoyed having around though were Aela the Huntress (she was my follower and wife in my very first playthrough as a male Orc warrior, leader of the Companions, and Stormcloak soldier), Vigilance (The dog outside of Markarth had him as a follower using my most successful and longest lasting character who I still use from time to time who is a female Nord, thief, assassin, and eventual Stormcloak soldier)

I will probably look more into followers during this playthrough and what I plan on being my next most successful character who is a female Dunmer assassin and mage.

Can't believe no one has mentioned Ahtar, the Solitude Executioner, so far. Who doesn't want a giant, badass axe-wielding Redguard headsman on their side?

I also have a soft spot for Mjoll, long time companion of my first ever character in Skyrim and Kharjo, the wise old kajiit who's been following my magic user around.

Annekke Crag-Jumper in Forsworn armor is pretty easy on the eyes. She tends to stay quiet and is deadly at ranged.

I kind of avoid Darkwater Crossing so her husband doesn't catch a glimpse of her hanging on my arm though...

I really liked Fandael (sp). I used him early on and trained my archery with him and then he let me take all my money back. He had no problem keeping up with me and even jumped down two ledges, instead of going around, to catch up with me. I let him go home (with a nice set of elven armor) after lvl 21 because he was getting weak against enemies. I'll miss taking him with me because he was always pleasant and didn't complain about carrying my burdens.

That is good to know. I will see what I can get him to wear.