Can someone tell me what the story is with followers and how they level, or lack of it.
I am sure I read that, once you meet them, that is the level they will stay for the duraion of the game. So if you use Lydia, usually you meet her near the start therefore she will be pretty poor.
Also I think I read that there is a way to force a follower to level up to the same level as you.
Starting a new game and I know which follower I want but dont want their level to be bad.

Cheers

v

Wabbajack. Hit them with Wabbajack and wait a minute until they change back to themselves. They should then be levelled up.

But if you're starting a new game, your not going to have Wabbajack, and levelling them up won't be necessary because you haven't levelled.....

And a tip: don't Wabbajack them in public or in your room/house - everything will get knocked off shelves/strewn about.