Hi everyone,

regarding the question whether followers develop together with the main character (that means level up etc.) I read quite contradictory things. Some state that followers level normally, comparably to the main characters. Others related to some bugs. What is really the case?

I almost suspect that there is indeed some issue. For example, when I received Lydia as my follower (I am quite still in the beginning) I was level 13 and she fought quite fierce during battles (including these neat finishing moves). Currently I am 19 and she dies much quicker. So, using the console command "getavinfo health" I was comparing level 13 (I reloaded; and level 19. And indeed it gave me the same information (current health 216). Am I maybe interpreting something wrong?

Another question relates to follower tactics in battle: many times I can′t hold back my follower (for strategic adjustments). So for example I summon a fire rune on the ground. Instead of waiting with me behind she runs right over it. Is there some way to control follower behaviour during battle?

Best regards,

lead

Followers and housecarls are locked to the level you are when you first meet them. So your follower will forever be lvl 13 if you was lvl 13 yourself when you met. ONLY HIRELINGS LEVEL UP WHEN PLAYER DOES. It would be nice to give orders for your follower such as "charge" or "snipe the enemy". They just have small differences in styles they prefer. Some like to rush into battle their head first, some with sneak skill most likely stay behind you if you start sneaking and so does the follower.

Don′t worry,there′s a lot of housecarls and followers so you can get a new one every 10 - 20 levels if you want to. Just remember to remove the equipmet before you send them away or to their death or whatever.

Also, if you want and have it, the Wabbajack can be used to update your followers level. Just save before you use it on your follower. It′s possible your follower turns into a rabbit for example and when you puch it when in rabbit form, it′ll change back to itself with the level you are. I read this from UESP Wiki.

Thanks for your good replies. On the one hand I agree with you: certainly there will be other followers and I definitely have the intention to rely on very different followers during the game. However, I must confess, especially in a fantastic game as Skyrim you build up certain "emotional bonds" with your follower (which is part of the authenticity). So, for example in that specific case (my first follower, Lydia), I don′t wanto to discard her entirely for the rest of the game.

Regarding your second thought - that sounded indeed quite interesting: could you maybe specify a little more - what exactly is a Wabbajack?

Thanks!

Are you playing on PC? There are loads of mods can do that for you..like followers gain levels as you progress, and/or get a detailed character sheet about what he/she can do.

You say Lydia's health at your level 13 is 216. If it is the same at your level 19, she has not leveled up with you. If you are playing on a PC the easiest way to bring her up to snuff is with the console setclass command.

I don't believe in using the console if I don't have to...close to never, for all intents and purposes. But as I understand it, followers were meant to level up with you but the mechanics of that leveling is glitched. Lydia can buff up to level 50, IIRC. Why give her that cap unless she is meant to hit all the levels in-between?

Wabbajack is a magical staff. I′ve only read about it, haven′t found it myself. Check Google or UESPwiki for more accurate info.

As for controlling the way a follower moves, I'm not sure it's a good solution but I have found two things that help: first sneak. Your follower (Lydia, at least) will tend to hold back until actual combat is engaged if she's crouching.

Second, make her "wait here", she'll obey that order until you're actually in danger. At which point she completely disregards your instructions and will rush in. Sometimes, I take her where she can't see the battle and make her wait. She'll still disobey but less quickly.

Thanks for the marvelous hints.

@ MacSuibhne: very nice, I will try exactly that!

@ MacSuibhne and Dante49: Yes, I am playing at the PC (which, by the way, I highly recommend - with a good monitor + high texture pack the game looks amazingly fantastic). So there is a console command that removes this bug and gets Lydia on "actual level"? How exactly do I have to do that?

Doesn't "fix" anything--you have to repeat it every time you level up (or every couple of times).

Simply walk up to Lydia like you're going to talk to her. Hit the tilde key for console. Put your cursor on Lydia and click. Her id will be entered into the console field (usually centered, IIRC)

Then enter SETCLASS 13176. That's it. No fireworks or music. Exit the console.

If you want to test this, use the console, select Lydia as before and enter GETAVINFO HEALTH and GETAVINFO ONEHANDED and GETAVINFO BLOCK before you use the SETCLASS command. Write down the stats on each item.

Then do SETCLASS 13176 and when done, check all the GETAVINFO stats again.

You may be amazed.

Since I hit level 33 and keep Lydia buffed up, there's lots of times I just sit back and let her deal with the bad guys...she's actually a bit more fearsome than I am even though we're at the same level. I'm a bit of a klutz when it comes to power bashes and sidestepping when needed.

In solitude there should be a poor looking guy thats talking about his master leaving him... thats the one. Follow that quest, its a Deadric Artifcat, and a pretty interestesting quest too. O' and have with Sheogorath, and his cheese.... O' THE CHEESE!!!!

I do understand it man, I am also fond of my followers, they saved my Raksha so many times... Kharjo getting bear off my tail or Shavari conjuring atronarch between me and some charging bandit - after adventures like this it's hard to not feel emotional bonds with them

I also recommend trying multiple followers. I have 3 and I love it

Hey, if I'm not wrong. Isn't there max level for NPC's? I read it in UESPWIKI. For example all houscarl have maximum level 50, and cannot level up further than that. Does SETCLASS command can affect this?
Thanks in advance.

I don't know...I haven't got that far.

I can understand the emotional relationship. At a time, I felt I couldn't play without Lydia. Then, her constant "I'll take an arrow for the enemy!" attitude got irritating as I found myself reloading more often than playing.

I finally ditched her, and have been playing alone since. It's been a blessing, too, because when I sneak, the last thing I want is the enemy spotting my follower, forcing them to charge and alert every other enemy in the area. Some places have been challenging, but not to the point I feel I need a follower to get through the challenge. Just a change in bows usually suffices.

As for the follower assist: it's not required to potion up a follower. Just give them potions, and they'll take them without an order.

Now that I just read the Wabbajack hint, I may have to try that. Never did find a good use for this ridiculous thing, but if it'll level up Lydia... time to remove it from my trophy wall and take it for a spin.