TES IV: Oblivion had a DLC called Knights of the Nine. In KotN, you had a Armor/Weapon display that when a piece of Divine Crusader equipment was placed on it, it would automatically re-level the piece to the version that matched your current level. For example, if you got the Sword of the Crusader at Lvl 11 (19 Base Damage), and you placed it on the display stand at Lvl 23, it would re-level the Sword to it's max version, which is Lvl 21+ (25 Base Damage). This feature should've been implemented to the Weapon Racks/Armor Mannequins in Skyrim, but wasn't. They need to implement this function in a patch or DLC.

Secondly, in Skyrim, when you enter an area with a NPC that is a potential follower, it locks their Level to your lvl at the time. For instance, if you go to the Pelagia Farm and see Aela/Farkas/Vilkas at Lvl 6, they're permanently locked at Lvl 6. Which means if you become the Harbringer 30 levels later at Lvl 36, they're still Lvl 6, and practically worthless as a follower in combat, considering most of the enemies have scaled to your lvl. The only way to "fix" this, is if you're on PC and open the console, then click on the NPC and type "Disable" then "Enable". Console players are screwed with it. This needs to be fixed. One way, is to make it that when you order a companion to sleep on a bed, it re-levels them to your current lvl. This too, needs to be implemented in a patch or DLC.

Anyone else agree with me about what i just discussed?

Follower levelling, yes, but the first no, unless it's some kind of unique armour.

Yes on both.

i didn't realize followers have a level lock on them: absolutely ridiculous.

i say no to number 2, as well.

The followers need to level but I don't know about leveling up armor, I think that takes away from the game. What the game needed was some more variations of armor, like Master Blades Armor (an ebony level) or some sort of other unique, higher level items. If you can simply dump it on a doll and get it leveled up its a bit lame. Maybe a variation of designs available for the different metals/leathers but thats it.

I wouldn't mind leveling gear if it was part of a quest.

That's what i mean. For instance, most players will get the Dragonbane sword long before it's max level version (46+), it has a unique enchantment (Extra damage to Dragons, Shock Damage to others). I'm not talking about throwing Iron Armor onto a Mannequin and having it turn into Steelplate Armor. Only Unique equipment, like Artifacts and Quest Rewards. A real good example, is the Nightingale Set. It is leveled. If you get it at a low level, it becomes crappy at later levels, which is a real shame, considering how bad ass the set looks.
Unique Quest Rewards having leveled versions and being locked to the level that you recieved them at was one of the big complaints that people had about Oblivion. A lot of people intentionally avoided doing such quests until Lvl 25+, just so they could get the max version of the reward, and not some reward that was just gonna be outdated in 2 levels.

Things like Iron armor, are not Leveled items. Leveled item are items that will have base armor/damage and enchantment strength based on your character's level when obtained. I think it's rather dumb that someone should have to hold off on doing a quest until they are a higher level just so they can get the highest tier of that gear. I think it takes away from the game when you have to do that. I think it takes away from the game when you do the quest with one character early and have to replace the item because it's too weak later on, and do the quest with another character who can forever use the gear because it's max tier and will never become too weak to use.

So I agree.

I understand why it was done. They want the reward to be useful to the character but at the same time, they don't want to have to give a low level character really powerful gear that will make them godly just so it's still useful later on. I think it would've been cool if they just made it so the gear, no matter when you get it, actually levels with your character. Leveled items tend to be quest rewards and are rather unique (Nightingale).

I'd be okay with graduated leveling. Ie. followers and unique items that level slower than the player. I don't have a problem with outgrowing things, but it would be kind of cool if followers learned something from their experiences. You could justify leveling unique items as the player learning how to better access its inherent qualities.

This means that Lydia is like lvl 4? Oh my. I'm in favor of what the OP suggests.

I find it absolutely ridiculous that Beth could make these simple mistakes yet again, but i am becoming less surprised by them in each incarnation...

Windhelm's house has a weapons' rack and mannequins.

Wait, I thought that followers were only locked at the level you/they were at when you get them to start following you and only as long as they followed you. I have heard it said that a follower could be leveled up by (1) releasing them from service and then (2) immediately re-hiring them. Can anybody with console skills check this out and see if it's correct?

Anybody know if this is true or not? I don't have the understanding of the console to check it out myself.

Yeah, this is why I just got myfollower when I hit level 50, The argonian derkeethus he is in a cell underground surrounded by falmer, so you can avoid him all together no problem until appropriate level.

agree with both
and about the followrs yea they're locked at the level they first spawn, the only followers that level correctly as of now are the dark brotherhood initiates , so if you want a good follower that you dont have to wait to hit lvl 50 for you're forced to join the brotherhood.

So they're locked at their starting level, even if you dismiss them then rehire them?