Finding a loyal ally in the frozen wastes of the North is a top priority for any adventurer. If you are looking to embark on the farever catch a companion quest, you need to understand that recruitment is more than just a simple dialogue choice. In Skyrim, your followers are your lifeline, acting as pack mules, meat shields, and tactical support during dragon encounters. Whether you are joining the elite warriors in Whiterun or settling a petty dispute in a small village, completing the farever catch a companion quest is about more than just a single mission; it is about building a bond that lasts throughout your entire 2026 playthrough.
In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the mechanics of obtaining followers, the benefits of specific questlines, and how to ensure you don't make mistakes that lead to permanent regret. From the early-game choices in Riverwood to the complex morality of the Dark Brotherhood, here is how to master your companion recruitment.
How to Start the Farever Catch a Companion Questline
The most iconic way to secure a permanent ally is by joining "The Companions," a faction of warriors based in Jorrvaskr, Whiterun. This group offers a structured series of missions that eventually allow you to recruit powerful members like Aela the Huntress, Farkas, and Vilkas. Starting this farever catch a companion quest path requires you to prove your worth in a series of trials.
| Quest Name | Objective | Primary Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Take Up Arms | Spar with Vilkas and fetch Eorlund's shield. | Membership in the Companions. |
| Hired Muscle | Complete a radiant quest (usually a brawl). | Gold and faction reputation. |
| Proving Honor | Retrieve a fragment of Wuuthrad with Farkas. | Access to Farkas as a follower. |
| The Silver Hand | Participate in the werewolf ritual. | Beast Form and Aela as a follower. |
馃挕 Tip: Before starting "Proving Honor," ensure you have decent armor. You will be locked into a dungeon with Farkas, and he will do much of the heavy lifting, but you need to survive the final ambush.
Early Game Choices: Faendal vs. Sven
One of the first dilemmas you will encounter regarding the farever catch a companion quest happens in Riverwood. You are tasked with helping either Sven the Bard or Faendal the Woodworker win the heart of Camilla Valerius. While both offer to follow you, the choice is not equal in terms of utility.
If you side with Faendal, you gain access to one of the most useful exploits in the game. Faendal is a Common-level Archery trainer. Since he is your follower, you can pay him for training and then immediately trade with him to take your gold back. This allows you to reach level 50 Archery almost instantly at the start of your 2026 journey. Sven, on the other hand, is a generic follower with lower combat stats and no specialized training skills.
Follower Comparison: Riverwood
| Follower | Primary Skill | Training Offered | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faendal | Archery | Yes (Level 50) | Recommended for early leveling. |
| Sven | Speech/Alchemy | None | Not recommended; low combat utility. |
The Cicero Dilemma: Loyalty Over Sanity
As you progress through the Dark Brotherhood storyline, you will eventually face a choice that many players regret: whether or not to kill Cicero. While he may seem deranged, Cicero is arguably the most loyal member of the Brotherhood. Unlike Astrid, who eventually betrays the tenets of the organization, Cicero remains true to the Night Mother.
If you spare him, he becomes available as a follower later in the game. He is widely considered one of the best companions because he has a maximum sneak stat, does not report crimes, and possesses unique, entertaining dialogue that keeps the long treks across Skyrim interesting. Choosing to kill him effectively ends your farever catch a companion quest for a Master-level assassin ally.
Managing Companion Gear and Scaling
A common mistake when pursuing the farever catch a companion quest is ignoring how items scale. In Skyrim, many unique weapons and followers have stats that are "locked in" based on the level you were when you first encountered them or completed their quest.
- Wait to Recruit: If you want a follower to have maximum health and stamina, try to recruit them after level 30.
- Equip Properly: Followers do not have infinite inventory space, but they will prioritize the best armor in their inventory. Always give them enchanted gear to supplement their weaknesses.
- Trade Often: Use the trade menu to take back items they pick up during combat, as they can become "over-encumbered," which slows down your travel time.
Warning: Be careful when giving followers powerful staves or AOE (Area of Effect) scrolls. They often have poor aim and may accidentally hit guards or friendly NPCs, causing a bounty to be placed on your head.
Advanced Strategies for Permanent Allies
Once you finish the farever catch a companion quest requirements for your chosen ally, you can further enhance their utility by using the "Steward" mechanic. If you own land (via the Hearthfire DLC), you can ask certain followers to become your Steward. This allows them to manage your property while still being available for adventuring.
Best Followers for Different Playstyles
- Stealth Archer: Choose Aela the Huntress or Faendal. They have high sneak and won't give away your position.
- Tank/Warrior: Choose Farkas or Mjoll the Lioness. They have high health pools and heavy armor proficiency.
- Mage Support: Choose J'zargo (from the College of Winterhold). He is one of the few followers who continues to level up with the player indefinitely, making him a powerhouse in the late game.
You can find more details on official community hubs like the Skyrim Steam Community to see how other players are optimizing their 2026 builds.
Avoiding Quest Regrets
When working through the farever catch a companion quest options, remember that some choices are irreversible. For example, if you decide to help the Nords retake Thirsk Mead Hall on Solstheim, you miss out on the opportunity to have a Riekling warrior follow you. Rieklings are unique because they can be recruited in addition to your standard follower, effectively giving you a three-person party. Many players find the Nords at the hall to be "lazy milk drinkers" and prefer the tactical advantages provided by the Riekling tribe.
FAQ
Q: Can I complete the farever catch a companion quest with multiple followers at once?
A: In the base game, you are typically limited to one humanoid follower and one animal companion (like a dog or an Armored Troll). However, certain quests allow temporary "quest-locked" followers to join you, potentially increasing your party size for a short duration.
Q: What happens if my companion dies during a quest?
A: Most "essential" followers (like those in the Companions or Dark Brotherhood) will only enter a "downed" state. However, non-essential followers can die permanently if they take enough damage while downed. It is always a good idea to save frequently when traveling with a non-essential ally.
Q: Is there a way to reset a follower's stats if I recruited them too early?
A: On console, you generally cannot reset them without using a previous save. On PC, you can use console commands to "disable" and "enable" the NPC, which often forces the game to recalculate their stats based on your current level.
Q: Who is the best overall follower for the farever catch a companion quest?
A: While subjective, Serana (from the Dawnguard DLC) and Cicero are widely considered the best due to their unique dialogue, essential status (they cannot die), and high-level combat scaling. For those looking for raw power, J'zargo remains a top contender due to his uncapped leveling.