I've always had Lydia as my follower, so she would be mine, but I'm thinking of making a change and trying a new follower.Also, I really don't want to take any chances with Lydia dying.
I liked Lydia, just cause of the sarcastic way she says "I am sworn to carry your burdens"... it just gets me everytime. Unfortunately, she died.... so then I took Jordis on a quest, but she died. Now I am afraid to take any of the house carls out... as they just can't hang with the level of the creatures I am fighting anymore. I wish they would level up with you or something, after a while it seems the creatures just level up past your followers capabilities.
I don't wanna risk Lydia's death either, so I've got Marcurio as my apprentice/merc currently, to balance out the fact that I use absolutely no magic on my main character, beyond occasionally conjuring a familiar. Otherwise, I prefer Lydia and Jenassa (who put a hit out on me, so I dismissed her... ).
Ever since the Adoring fan, I've been weary of followers. I'm nervously waiting to one day find that companion that will go, "By Shor, By Shor, By Shor! It's the Champion of Skyrim! I will follow you and worship the ground you walk on. Lets go!"
I just love having J'zardo around - he's just too cute with his self-confidence and his greed for power. Of course, followers make the use of AoE-Magic rather difficult, but since I don't play my char in a way he can tank, i need any distraction i can get.
Kharjo. I love his ability to say no one will sneak up on us, because he will smell them, exactly one second before the scream of an Elder Dragon fills the skies. And he looks like a Challenger Main Battle Tank crossed with Rakshasa in all that Ebony my character gave him.
I reanimate people who I kill..the strong ones They do not talk much which is a good thing, I get annoyed otherwise. Those 2 master necro mages are still blasting everything away for me xD
Either Macurio or Onmund. Mages are great for melee players, IMO. They don't get in the way, and they never friendly fire at you. (And if, they deal no damage.) Perfect aiming system, IMO.
Cicero. That little jester always cracks me up, what with his cute ditties about snapping birds' necks and all. I just wish he'd tell me the rest of the joke about the horker. He only ever shares the punchline.
Hmm, tough question, my personal favourite is J'zargo because he's funny, competitive and he's a Khajiit mage, but I also like Iona since she's pretty hot.
Farkas. You go through enough quests with him prior to the point that he can be a follower that you feel like he's a friend to your character. Plus he's reasonably competent.
the dark brotherhood assassin follower. the only follower that will level up all the way with you and can't be killed. she will wear full nightingale armor - give her karliah's bow and you essentially have karliah's spirit with you. since she's a nord, high level nightingale armor means 100% frost resistance, letting you spam ice storm at her if you're a mage. also, her light armor means nightingale can reach the highest armor class in the game the easiest, if upgraded correctly, so you won't need to invest in smithing to keep her safe. she can use daggers - mehrune's razor will let her 1 hit kill dragon priests. can also use the giant club. since she can't be killed, if you want to play support, you can heal her and call to arms her. give her the windshear and she'll stagger people she hits, helping you protect yourself or your dog by redirecting their attention - without the need of a soul gem. the bow you give her will be equipped because she doesn't have one. a common bug is that followers use their own gear regardless of what you give them. can competently sneak. maintains a respectful dialog to you at all times.
the one from azuras shrine. as she told me that she doesn't know what to do now without azura talking to her, i just had to take her with me. and i do not regret it... that dmg.