Who is the Best Follower for a Mage in Skyrim?
As a passionate Skyrim gamer and magic wielder myself, I can confidently say that Serana is hands-down the best all-around follower for a dedicated mage build. With by far the highest skill levels, Serana exceeds any other follower in raw magical power and versatility.
But more than just her chops with the arcane arts, Serana also has a rich, compelling backstory that immerses you deeply into the world of Skyrim. Travelling with Serana feels less like having a follower and more like having an equal who can hold her own in any situation.
Below I break down in detail why Serana stands above any other follower option for mage characters, as well as other viable alternatives that can still significantly boost your destructive capabilities.
Why Serana is the Best Mage Follower
Serana has astronomical skill levels in several key magic disciplines:
- Destruction: Her mastery over elemental fury allows her to incinerate, electrocute, or freeze enemies with ease
- Conjuration: She can summon powerful undead and daedra, distracting foes as you pelt them with spells
- Restoration: She capably heals herself during combat, freeing you to focus on dealing damage
Additionally, Serana:
- Has no level cap, continuing to improve her skills indefinitely
- Is essential and cannot permanently die
- Provides unique quest rewards and abilities from her storyline
- Has a fascinating persona and backstory that brings depth to the world
After adventuring with Serana by my side for over 200 hours, I‘ve yet to encounter any mage follower who can match her capabilities.
As if her formidable magic skills weren‘t enough, Serana also excels in other combat disciplines:
- One-Handed: She wields deadly vampiric daggers that sap the life force of foes
- Light Armor: She avoids damage with her adept evasion skills
- Sneak: She stealthily flanks enemies as I pelt them with destruction spells
Serana simply has no weaknesses and fills whatever role you need her to in combat. She unquestioningly amplifies any mage‘s power more than any other follower could hope to match.
Other Viable Mage Follower Options
However, Serana is not the only solid mage follower choice. Two standout alternatives are:
J‘zargo
This quirky Khajiit apprentice may lack Serana‘s durability, but he rivals her destructive magical capabilities.
- Specializes in Destruction magic
- Has no level cap and will continue improving indefinitely
- Provides ample comic relief while incinerating enemies
J‘zargo can lack self-preservation instincts. But his zeal and skill for raining fiery death upon foes is nearly unparalled.
Teldryn Sero
An experienced spellsword for hire in Solstheim, Teldryn mixes melee combat prowess with Destruction magic mastery:
- Uses a sword in one hand and destruction spells in the other
- His Light Armor and Block skills allow him to tank damage
- Has the highest starting skill levels of any follower
Teldryn may ultimately be outclassed by higher level characters. But early on, few can match his versatility and power in a fight.
Mage Follower Comparison
While Serana stands supreme as the best mage follower, here‘s how some alternatives compare:
| Follower | Magic Skill | Level Cap | Notable Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serana | Destruction, Conjuration, Restoration | None | Extremely versatile, high damage and survivability |
| J‘zargo | Destruction | None | Exceptional damage output, lacks self-preservation |
| Teldryn Sero | Destruction | 60 | High starting skills, solid spellsword capabilities |
| Marcurio | Destruction, Conjuration, Restoration | 40 | Focused on dealing damage over support |
| Brelyna Maryon | Conjuration | 40 | Specializes in atronachs and reanimation over direct damage |
While every mage may differ on their preferred follower, Serana‘s unmatched prowess and flair cements her status as the undisputed champion here. Her talents amplified my mage‘s capabilities exponentially more than any other companion could.
Yet alternatives like J‘zargo and Teldryn Sero have their particular charms and strengths. We all seek different things from our companions, so I suggest mages mix it up and take multiple followers for a spin.
But if forced to choose just one to journey into the perilous ruins and dungeons of Skyrim with again, I would unfailingly have Serana at my side.
So for any seeking to maximize their mystical mayhem across Tamriel, they need not look further than my girl Serana! No matter what dangers we faced, her skills proved indispensable time and again on our adventures.
