So this is my first time recruiting for the Blades (last time I did the MQ to fast).

So far I have got:

Karjo

• Nice, friendly easy going manner
  
• Smart and stout follower
  
• Easier to locate now he is a blade

Mjoll

• A fine lass. Braver than most men and twice as hard
  
• Good attitude and good morals
  
• Good person to have in a desperate fight

And so my final slot is still empty. I have been looking over at the UESP and I think the best followers to choose from would either be.

Vorstag
Cosnach


I would really appreciate peoples opinions on these two as I have never had them follow me. And as we all know, some followers are smarter than others. Also, if you feel there would be a better choice than the above please offer your opinions as too why.

Criteria

• Must not be from a faction (companions, thieves, mages guild etc.)
  
• Must have Heavy Armour as a main skill (for obvious reasons)
  
• Ideally would be smart and not a kill blocker (stands in the way blocking! Lydia facepalm moments)

And please feel free to list your Blades and why!



p.s. Another good follower is Erik the Slayer. He isn't suitable for the Blades and he talks about being an adventurer waaayyy to much but in a close fight, he's your man.

Killed a Forsworn Briar Heart that was about to blind side me the other day. Awesome. All I heard was the commotion behind me, I was nearly dead at this point. Then the Briar Heart skidded between my legs face down in the dirt, I turn around to see Erik clutching his double handed sword like a true warrior.

Vorstag, he's a great follower imo and nord warrior way more useful than many others so he would be my first choice.

Thanks for posting.

From reading UESP thats the general impression I got. What's he like when he speaks to you? I hate the condescending followers like when Lydia says "I am sworn to carry your burdens".

Its like "Ow, I'm sorry love, you don't want some nice new ebony armour, enchanted to make you a tank. Granted the dragon bone and scales aren't much use but that's why I'm the Thane and your the housecarl. B***h"

I miss the adoring fans gratitude.

He's not as snarky and is more positive, he's my fav packmule.

Haha

I got Borgakh to join them. I figured an Orsimer woman, one of whose lines is "Until then, I train. My new home will need strength, and my new sisters will know I'm not weak when I arrive" is exactly the type of person who might stand up to Delphine. She's not your stereotypical Orc skullcrusher either, she knows the value of a bow, and can sneak, even with the heavy armour (similar to Kharjo).

Best line : "My blood's calm; I prefer it boiling."

Its been a long time Zen. Hope your well.

I will have to seek her out and have a chat. Although I'm pretty keen on Vorstag now. Who else did you recruit?

Sven, I figured a Bard would be nice to record additions to their history, and Onmund. A mixed bunch, but I thought a few new perspectives might do them good, with their somewhat intractable view on things.

[edit : where are my manners? Fine thank you. Life is good. Hope you are grand ]

Vorstag is an excellent follower - I'd definitely recommend him.
I personally put Uthgerd the Unbroken in. The Companions rejected her (well, she did KILL the boy she was fighting ...) but I have a feeling she'd do well in the Blades.

Do you know its funny, there are loads of things in Skyrim that people take for granted as common knowledge. Uthgerd for example. I have never spoken to her but that bit of back story leaves me itching for a convo.

Cheers.

Just read about her. She would have made an excellent addition to my Blades. Another chance at life. Still.

Ghorbash the Iron Hand.
He's just amazing.

Jenassa really looks the part decked out in Blades Armour.

I recruited Cosnach, Vorstag and Uthgerd the Unbroken.


You're really best recruiting people who specialise in one handed and heavy armor, seeing as that's what they'll be fighting in.

Also be aware you CANNOT recruit replacements if any Blades die during a fight.

I recruited erik the slayer, that chick who u fist fight in an inn in whiterun, and that priest dude up in dawnstar bc esbern getting a bit old and gonna need a replacement in theages department.

And those are solely on rp value. Ones given a chance and training, while the other two are given a second chance.

My three (most recently) were:
Torvar (member of the Companions)
Golldir (Hillgrund's Tomb quest)
Vorstag (merc from Silverblood Inn)

All three are male Nords with specializations in heavy armor, one-handed, block, and archery. I get that Torvar doesn't fit your bill b/c of the faction thing, but the other two should be ideal. And in the past I used Argis (male housecarl) from Markarth, b/c I didn't like the idea of another guy living in the house my wife, Sylgja, had moved into.

And BTW, all housecarls are excellent candidates, b/c they all have the aforementioned specializations.

You can see more thoughts on threads of the same topic:
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1364346-best-blade-members/page__fromsearch__1
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1350360-best-choices-for-blades-recruits/page__p__20363582__hl__blades%20recruits__fromsearch__1#entry20363582

I still can't kill Parth Naxty....

I generally only pick people who already use Heavy Armor because that's what they are going to be stuck with after they join.

Last time I had an all girl group:

Lydia
Mjoll (plus Aerin)
Borgakh
Iona

I generally only pick people that I want stowed away in Skyhaven Temple so I don't have to see them or hear from them ever again.

I've only rebuilt the Blades once, and I sent three housecarls that I wanted out from underfoot.

Lydia, because: Lydia. Irritating voice acting, don't want her as a follower, Breezehome was much too small for myself + spouse + actually useful follower + creepy annoying voyeur housecarl.

Iona, because: Honeyside was much too small for myself + housecarl, much less myself + follower + housecarl. Also, she is apparently unfamiliar with the concept of using an "inside voice."

Calder, because: muttonchops. Just because they look good on Wolverine doesn't mean they look good on everybody. Also, voice used just doesn't seem to "work" for this NPC, I don't know why. It's not a voice I dislike but on him it's just jarring for some reason.


That said, if I did the rebuilding thing again, I would probably not choose housecarls because I kind of like them as a status symbol, and I typically don't take them along as followers and don't use one of the smaller houses as a primary residence so all the previous issues aren't as big a deal. They all just hang around my homes in fine clothes and boots and one weapon at their waist in case some ne'er-do-well tries to break in and steal my stuff when I'm gone.

ROFL

This is exactly the reason why I'm thinking of sending Calder to the Blades!

Poor Calder.

I'm not sure if I will be recruiting to the Blades, but this time I at least made sure to talk to Delphine about it before she freaks out on me for refusing to kill Paarthy (there's no way any of my characters ever will kill Paarthy!). Missed that chance the last time (and had to take Lydia out to get "killed by giants" to get rid of her - this playthrough she's already dead, thanks to the Thalmor).