Companions

[shu]

Are they really that useful? Not talking about the guild, but about fellow travelers. Ok, they can be used as mules (I'm guessing, don't have the game yet), but I suppose they get in the way quite often. And based on how they were in Oblivion, I guess they're quite useless. But I see lots of people talking about going around with them.

[Assassin540]

No there not you can dirrect them to kill someone or steal so that's a new thing

[OblivionDuruza]

Also, depending on your relationship with them, they can carry items for you, effectively increasing your Carry Weight as well as providing an extra blade against your foes.

[ThE cHoSeN oNe LDB3]

Also trading with them

[OblivionDuruza]

You can't take your Companion's starting gear if that's what you mean, but if you mean trading as in bartering, I'm fairly sure that's only with those that are merchants anyway. Still, it's a nice handy way to get ride of loot on the fly if possible, although I haven't actually done it. I've been limited to mainly Lydia.

[Utrechter]

I find my housecarl rather useful. She saved my arse multiple times already. :l

[Eltee]

Yeah, Lydia is pretty awesome. That Bosmer from Riverwood is also a good companion.
Faendal, that's his name.

[POMC S117]

Lt, is there another reason for you liking her?

[Eltee]

Lydia? Well... Let's just say we'll be paying our respects to Mara and Dibella. If no neccesarily in that order.

[POMC S117]

He he he... I had to settle for Camilla though.

[Eltee]

Camilla looks funny. And Sven and Faendal are already fighting over her. Why complicate things?

[POMC S117]

Because I'm the Dovakhiin. And Lydia's not interested in me!

[Eltee]

Hmm. Whaaatever, man. Per already chewed me out because, apparently, Lydia is his. Lying wench...

[shu]

As we've started talking about marriages, tell how the "moving in" works. I know your spouse will move in with you if you own a house, but what if you don't? Do you move in with them?

[FrostyInferno016]

As we've started talking about marriages, tell how the "moving in" works. I know your spouse will move in with you if you own a house, but what if you don't? Do you move in with them?

Yup..and that's tricky because they could have a nice grand house, or a simple little tent/bedroll in the middle of nowhere.

[Sonixboom]

Yeah, Lydia is pretty awesome. That Bosmer from Riverwood is also a good companion.
Faendal, that's his name.

those are the only 2 followers i have had so far.

Spoiler:

I did however have a companion go with me during a quest

-Sonix

[The Number None]

Do your companions level up and increase skill? Is there any way to see your companions skills?

[azuarc]

Not that I've been able to tell. In fact, I would guess that their skills might not increase...at least not all-around. Lydia used to not ruin my stealth approaches, but now enemies see her coming before I can get in close. (Not that I would expect her to necessarily work on sneaking; she's more of a stand-up fight type.)

[scribbane]

I've only had Lydia so far, and really like the system. I try to actually treat her like I imagine Housecarl would be treated, though she is actually becoming more of travel partner and true companion. I started off just running ahead of her and trusting her to catch up. Now I wait and we walk or run together. When I ride my horse and she accompanies me, I walk the horse so it seems as if she is more my bodyguard and not just a worthless servant. The only time I give her items anymore is to improve what she has, though for some reason she won't take a better bow. I do leave her on some quests, where I am afraid that I might get a bit to frantic, and accidentally hit her in the fray.

[shu]

As we've started talking about marriages, tell how the "moving in" works. I know your spouse will move in with you if you own a house, but what if you don't? Do you move in with them?

Yup..and that's tricky because they could have a nice grand house, or a simple little tent/bedroll in the middle of nowhere.

And what if you buy a house afterwards? Do they move in yours? And also in different cities?

[FrostyInferno016]

Yup, you just have to bring it up in conversation. They'll travel there once you ask them to.

[shu]

If I give a companion a two-handed weapon, a one-handed weapon, a shield and a bow will they change equipment intelligently according to the situation or not? And if they're low on health and I've given them some potions, will they use them?

[MaKo]

If I give a companion a two-handed weapon, a one-handed weapon, a shield and a bow will they change equipment intelligently according to the situation or not?

At least many of them. For example Farkas, which usually uses two-handed weapons, uses also bow in many situations (e.g. fighting against dragon or some wilderness creatures). Also, giving him better two-handed weapon, he immediately wields it. I have heard that they also use staves, and wear better armors if given.

And if they're low on health and I've given them some potions, will they use them?

AFAIK they have some sort of strange "fast recovery" ability, that is, they do not usually get killed by enemies and traps. They get on their knees, say the "last words", and after a while they get up again with full health. Some have said that it is only you that can make the final killing blow.

[Frogmander]

Oblivion followers: Annoying, got in the way, always killed.
Skyrim followers: A godsend, extra inventory space, they make comments about things, you can order them to do things, they sneak around and will fully support your every decision (You attack the town guard, they will stand by your side and fight with you, not try to kill you)

[MaKo]

Oblivion followers: Annoying, got in the way, always killed.

I fully agree.

Skyrim followers: A godsend...

I merely agree, although I tend to make things alone, as using unkillable companions make me feel like cheating. Anyways, they really work, at least most times. They mimic your acts, so if you go sneaking, they go sneaking, if you wield weapons, they wield weapons. Some of them have habit to rush to battle too early, if you are trying to make some stealth kills first, but luckily you can ask them to stay and do the preparative actions by yourself.

Even thought I don't use followers much, I really love that they have comments about the places you go. It won't take a long time to build relations to specific followers, for example, if I decide to use one, I almost always choose either Farkas or Aela.