Exploring the vast landscapes ofThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimcan be a lonely journey, with thecompanions in the base gamequickly becoming stale or repetitive.Skyrimhas a largecollection of weapons, armor, and quests, but doing it all alone can become a quiet affair. Thanks to the modding community, players can add new layers of entertainment toSkyrim, with mods adding newcharacter creation,lots more quests, and importantly, new companions.

With interesting personalities, unique features, and brand-new storylines, these companion mods will help a player immerse themselves in the game, as well as steer clear from some of the boring NPCs. These are the 10 best companion mods forThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.

Skyrim’s Aela and Lydia side by side in Skyrim.

BluePwnsU

Nexus Mods

Xelzaz is a lore-friendly Argonian follower that adds a refreshing depth and personality to the world ofSkyrim.Having 7,900 lines of dialogue, unique combat styles and a dynamic relationship system, this follower is one that will stay fresh regardless of the amount of hours a player will spend by their side. Xelzaz has been developed to focus on immersion, having a detailed backstory and lore. With this companion being a skilled cook and alchemist, he will cook the player meals, brew them potions, and read books aloud to them.

For players that want a follower that feels less like a bodyguard and rather a more involved companion, Xelzaz is a storyteller, traveling partner, and friend.He will offer the player both practical benefits, and a lore-rich personality. With his own additional quests, theme, and combat music, this companion is definitely one for players to travel with.

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Joseph Russell

Lucian is a charming choice for players that value a follower that feels both relatable and useful. Lucian Flavius, an imperial scholar, stands apart from other companion options, as he is completely new to adventure, with no combat skills when players meet him. However, what makes Lucian such a standout is his character arc:he grows in skill and confidence as he journeys alongside the player, evolving from an amateur into a hero over time.

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This companion offers over 5,000 fully voiced lines of dialogue, bringing Lucian’s unique personality and story to life. Lucian’s interactions, behavior, and skill will change with the players' choices, making him one of the most realistic and organic follower options inSkyrim. Lucian’s character is full of depth, making him the perfect companion to grow in skill and story.

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Emma Amgepo Lycanthrops

Originally made forThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, and now adapted forSkyrim,Vilja is a highly regarded companion mod.With a rich personality and an immersive story, she adds humor, depth and some unpredictability to a players’Skyrimexperience. Looking for the truth behind an inherited bottle from her grandmother that has been stolen, Vilja will look to the player for some help.

This young bard will fill a players' game with courage and curiosity, with Vilja interacting with the world around her independently.There is also a possible romancebetween the player and Vilija, adding another layer of immersion to the game and her story.

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The Circantolius Team

Thanks to the modding community,Shirley Curry(via YouTube), affectionately known as the SkyrimGrandma, has been added to the game. Known for captivating fans with their love forSkyrim, this mod adds some warmth to the game.Shirley has immersive lore-aligning dialogue, voice-acted by the YouTuber herself, making for a wholesome and engaging experience.

Shirley is a skilled fighter, offering some strong close quarter combat as well as some skilled shooting with a bow and arrow. As the player traverses the map,Shirley will tell tales and stories from the past, as well as comment on the world around her. This mod is great for fans of the YouTuber, as well as players that want a follower a bit different from usual.

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John Jarvis and Christine Slagman

Sofia is one of the most popular and entertaining mods that players can download,being the most highly endorsed follower on Nexus. Known for her wit, comedic timing, and often lewd comments, Sofia is an unfiltered companion that transforms quests into entertaining adventures. This follower is lighthearted, bringing a freshness to the interactions players face inSkyrim.

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A feature that enhances Sofia’s realism is her reaction to alcohol;if the player gifts her a drink, she will appear visibly drunkand engage in unique dialogue that is specific to those intoxicated moments. Sofia is also a capable fighter, jumping into action when the player needs them most. She is an ideal companion for players that like to travel extensively, as she is able to ride her own horse, effortlessly keeping pace with the player while providing entertainment along the way.

goredev

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Gore is a companion that stands out in the world ofSkyrim, with a passionate personality and skilled combat ability. He is incredibly useful to players, building camps and cooking food for those that travel by his side. With a tragic backstory,Gore is an endearing companion to grow close to, supporting players with all the main quests in the game, including those inSkyrim’s DLC expansions. With hundreds of new lore-friendly dialogue lines, Gore is an immersive addition toSkyrim.

One of the stand-out features of Gore is his camping and health potion abilities. Gore will set up camp for players, with his gathering and cooking changing depending on the environment the player is in. As well as this,Gore will offer a flask for five charges. Each time the player uses it, they regain 50% of their health.

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DavisionByZero and KiaraRedVA

Similarly to Lucian, Melana the War Maiden is a follower that grows and progresses while adventuring with the player. Starting off as a timid maid when the player meets her, she can grow into a powerful and confident worrier.Not only will her power and combat ability grow, but her dialogue and voice will too. This makes for a rewarding and entertaining experience, especially for players who are bored with the usual battle-hardened followers available in the base game.

Melana has been captured by a group of bandits, but once rescued,players can train her up to be a powerful fighter. With a strong spirit and lots of determination, Melana adds some color to the player’s adventures. This mod is fantastic for players that are doing a long playthrough, and for those that value realism.

LivTempleton

Kaiden is an immersive follower for the Dragonborn, whether the player keeps them as a friend, or chooses to develop the relationship into lovers.He is physically strong, offering tank-like abilities in combat, and therefore, is a reliable companion option. Though his selling point lies in Kaiden’s romantic abilities, with the player being able to have a dynamic relationship with him and to get married.

Players have the option of whether to trigger the romantic side of Kaiden, where having him wear the Amulet of Mara triggers the romantic quests and story.This companion has been completely revamped since the original version, with 1,200 lines of dialogueand several mini-quests. Players will learn his backstory as they get closer to Kaiden, making the companion one that adds several layers of depth to the game.

Hothtrooper44

Hoth stands out as a unique companion with a rugged, intimidating aesthetic and a brutal combat style. An adventuring bounty hunter, Hoth can fight with two-handed weapons or a bow. This follower can be recruited to assist the player in the harshest of fights, leaning into the brutal side ofSkyrim. Unlike other companions, Hoth has no moral compass,attacking and killing what he needs to, and even wearing parts of his toughest kills.

For players that want a fierce and intimidating follower, Hoth is for them;giving a no-nonsense approach to combat. Hoth will also offer the player new quests in the form of bounty hunting contracts. This changes depending on the location, meaning the player won’t run out of things to do, or get bored with fighting alongside of Hoth.

Smartbluecat

Inigo is a fully voiced and immersive Khajiit follower with over 7,000 unique lines of dialogue. Celebrated for his quick wit, depth of personality, and captivating interactions, Inigo is a deeply relatable and entertaining follower. With well-thought-out features, like avoiding traps and staying quiet while sneaking, Inigo will add new dimensions to the adventures ofSkyrim.

Inigo is one of the most recognizable and loved follower mods that players download, which is mainly down to his rich personality and humor. Conversations with Inigo will be memorable, with his wit shining through even in the most tense moments. His skills in archery, sneaking, and one-handed combat, mean that he is useful when navigating the wide array of fights and battles inThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.

Sources: Nexus Mods (BluePwnsU,Joseph Russell,Emma Amgepo Lycanthrops,The Circantolius Team,John Jarvis and Christine Slagman,goredev,DavisionByZero and KiaraRedVA,LivTempleton,Hothtrooper44,Smartbluecat),Shirley Curry/YouTube

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the multi-million-selling fifth entry in the Elder Scrolls franchises created by Bethesda Softworks. Set two hundred years after The Elder Scrolls IV; players will embark on a quest in the north of Tamriel as they come into their own as a Dragonborn, a being of immense power that has the ability to save the world. Players will travel the land of Skyrim with their own created character as they take on various quests and battle many foes on their way to stop Alduin the World Eater, a Dragon destined to destroy the world.