While sneaking arround the rocks and checking out a fort with Lydia I let go of my first arrow, killing the first watchman while slowly moving closer arround the perimeter looking for ym next victim....since the first kill was instant i had not been detected so could just get into position for my next kill....only that good old Lydia has gone all Braveheart on me and was charging the fort by herself "ah shucks let her face a bit of the music" I thought, as half a dozen baddies started running after her, while she cleaved the head of the first guy who reached her. While melee fighters engaged her head on I picked the archers arround her and the odd magic user....as the quick battle ended she finished off a couple of the archers and headed back towards me while I approached the bodies to check out their valuables....all seemed cool to me...until I realized that somehow along the way on this particular encounter she was the actual "hero" and I was the sidekick
Since finding Lydia my sneaky type archer has been crusing pretty easily lately, while it is cool that my leveling has slowed down considerably (quite nice btw) since I dont have to kill everybody, and she is quite handy for packing up extra gear for sale, I just realized that if you are not playing a straight up melee type our companion is actually the one that sorts that out....When I played a heavy armored type I didnt realize this but not only is she cramping up my style by charging in like a dumb Teletubby and blowing my sneaking but she is actualy doing most of the heroing herself! This is not an issue on dragon attacks since I can use the help but I am seriously considering dumping followers, or al least looking for snaeky type like myself who will sneak arround like me, shoot a bow and then let ME kick some butt
What do you guys do, and who would you suggest for what I have in mind?

I only ever play solo unless Im forced to take a follower for a quest. I just dont see the point of letting other people kill the stuff I need to for leveling up.

Most of the times solo , sometimes 2-4 followers as task force.

Depends on the character. Some are lone wolves, while others tend to be team fighters. Just choose what suits your character best.

Exactly.

I get mad at my followers because they always go down during a fight, so they're pretty useless to me other than being a distraction.

I always take a follower. I like the company.

My followers rarely go down. I equip them with the best and make sure they're leveled.

Er solo I normally accidentally kill my followers with the mace of molag bal when they get in the way of weapon swings during a fight.

I feel since I'm an assassin-ish person, I don't need a follower.
In fact, they have proved quite the nuisance during my roleplay, so I'd have to vote solo unless forced.
Exception: Serana is quite an obedient follower and she gets what I'm doing. I hope when DG comes out for PC she behaves the same way as on xbox.

That's why you need to gather a group !

I like to take a follower with me because every time I go nearly empty handed on a questIi always come back overloaded with.... stuff.... so I need a follower with me..
I dont know why but i like to collect stuff...
Also its nice to have some company when going into a creepy crypt or a cave full of the undead which I don't really like seeing... yeah
Sometimes followers annoy me alot with getting into my way but they can be a great help to me at times.. especially when it comes to carrying my garbage lol XD

Pft. Groups are overrated. Though seeing a bunch of people doing that kneeling thing would be fun.

That's why i organize my forces , for two I get bows ( me too ) the other two are melee based.

How in Oblivion did you manage to do that?

Solo! I cannot stand having a follower! I feel like a babysitter.

As a thief/assassin who sneaks, I don't use followers. But when I'm a warrior, I use them all the time. If you really need a follower for your sneaky character, I would say don't use one, but if you must, find one such as faendal (in Riverwood).

There's a mod for that
It completely fixes ALL the companions issues , and lets you organize them as you like.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14037

Usually travel alone. I don't like followers much because I find them annoying at times. My character uses stealth from time to time, and I don't want followers getting me detected. But after be forced to use one in Dawnguard, I am started to grow fond of some company. Very helpful.

Solo. Game is already easy enough alone, and follower Ai is about as smart as the rest of the Ai in the game.

*peers at signature* Well aren't you a cheerful person.

With it's help I am able to establish full task forces.

I still doubt they can do more than my two Draemora Lords. >

Yeah I think I might have to solo it this time, Lydia is nice and all but I rather be the hero this time hehe I might go pick her up for a dragon fight or two...thanks for the responses guys!