The life of the Dragonborn can be a tiring and lonely one, and sometimes, it's a nice change to have a trusty companion for the road. However, the Dragonborn can't afford to go around befriending just anyone on their journey; a good follower needs to be strong and faithful. Luckily for players, Skyrim is full of NPCs to hire as a comrade to fight the good fight.

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While there are many different races in the land of Skyrim, it'd be remiss to ignore all the creatures and non-human followers that so diligently offer their services as well. These followers differ from humanoid ones as they are only able to obey basic commands and usually cannot hold items and act as pack mules.

Skyrim may pit players up against a vast array of fearsome foes, but it does offer plenty of friendly faces as well. Here are the top non-humanoid followers in all of Skyrim.

8 Meeko

Skyrim Meeko The Dog
  • Species: Dog
  • Location: Meeko's Shack
  • General Stats: Health: 100-250; Stamina: 65-140

Despite many of the dogs in Skyrim looking very similar (as they quite literally share a single model), it seems as if Meeko holds a special place in many players' hearts. Meeko is a dog many players run into on their way to Solitude for the first time. After following little Meeko to his shack in the woods, the Dragonborn then discovers that the dog's owner and only known friend has died.

After this encounter, Meeko is then available to recruit as a faithful follower. Although Meeko isn't particularly strong on the battlefield, he's a trustworthy (and adorable) companion to have by one's side.

7 Riekling

Skyrim Riekling Follower From Dawnguard
  • Species: Riekling
  • Location: Thirsk Mead Hall (Solstheim)
  • General Stats: Health: 130-325; Stamina: 120-188

Although most rieklings in Skyrim are aggressive and often foes, there is a particular quest that allows the Dragonborn to fight side by side with them as comrades. In the "Chief of Thirsk Hall" quest, the Dragonborn comes across the riekling chief and is tasked with helping the tribe plan an attack on the former owners of Thirsk Mead Hall. After completion, the Dragonborn is then free to recruit a riekling as a follower to aid them on their journey.

These rieklings are of different ranks depending on the Dragonborn and can also choose to aid the protagonist in random encounters in both Skyrim and Solstheim. Rieklings are also unique non-humanoid followers as their inventories can be accessed and can carry items in the event the Dragonborn is over-encumbered.

6 Steadfast Dwarven Spider

Skyrim Steadfast Dwarven Spider Follower Fixed
  • Species: Dwarven Automaton
  • Location: Kagrumez
  • General Stats: Health: 125-225; Stamina: 120-200

While many Dwarven Spiders found in Dwemer ruins are hostile, there is one in the depths of Kagrumez that is rather friendly. Originally, these Dwarven Spiders were created by the Dwemer population to repair any machines. However, this doesn't mean they can't put up a good fight.

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This little friend has decent stats and can level up with the Dragonborn. He can be found locked up in a chamber while completing the trials in Kagrumez. After being dismissed, the little guy will simply walk all the way home, back to his resting spot where he was first recruited.

5 Armored Troll

Skyrim Dawnguard Armored Troll
  • Species: Troll
  • Location: Dawnguard
  • General Stats: Health: 280; Stamina: 340

This particular non-humanoid follower isn't just a creature to befriend; he must be paid for his hard work. The armored troll is one of the few non-human followers in Skyrim that are like any mercenary and must be bought for their time. Perhaps the troll may not have any real use for gold, but vampire hunter, Gunmar, most definitely does.

Upon joining the Dawnguard and their mission to rid the nation of vampires, an armored troll may be hired as a follower from Gunmar. If the Dragonborn is leveled up enough, Gunmar may even offer an armored frost troll to hire instead.

4 Steadfast Dwarven Sphere

Skyrim Steadfast Dwarven Sphere Follower
  • Species: Dwarven Automaton
  • Location: Kagrumez
  • General Stats: Health: 315-619; Stamina: 170-301

Much like its counterpart, the Steadfast Dwarven Spider, the Steadfast Dwarven Sphere is found in the depths of Kagrumez. After the completion of the second trial, the sphere can be seen locked up in a chamber. It can then be approached and recruited as a useful follower. The sphere will contract into a ball to follow the Dragonborn when not in combat; once engaged in battle, it will return to its normal form to use its crossbow.

Don't fret if the sphere is slain in combat when fighting as a companion because it will respawn in its original location after a full day has passed.

3 Bran & Sceolang

Skyrim Bran And Sceolang Followers
  • Species: Dogs (Huskies)
  • Location: Dawnguard
  • General Stats: Health: 100+(player level-1)x10; Stamina: 100+(player-1)x5

The most unique dogs in the entirety of Skyrim as they don't share the stock model the others do (minus the fearsome death hounds), Bran and Sceolang are trusty companions to have for the road. Available for recruitment after joining the Dawnguard, these huskies are all armored up, ready to come on any adventure the Dragonborn has in mind.

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These adorable canine companions have the ability to level up alongside the Dragonborn, allowing them to get faster and stronger every step of the way.

2 CuSith & Garmr

Skyrim CuSith And Garmr Followers
  • Species: Death Hounds
  • Location: Castle Volkihar
  • General Stats: Health: 121; Stamina: 114

If the player so chooses the path of darkness and sides with the vampires in the Dawnguard quest, there are two fearsome death hounds that are more than willing to become the Dragonborn's partner for the road. After turning into a vampire, the Dragonborn is then welcomed into Castle Volkihar. There, they can find CuSith and Garmr; two death hounds that can be recruited as followers. Their stats aren't remarkably high, but they are very agile and make for great companions based on their unique looks alone.

As for those that still wish to aid the Dawnguard, don't fret, CuSith and Garmr can still be recruited. Simply join the vampires, recruit one of the death hounds, and then cure the Dragonborn of their vampirism. CuSith or Garmr won't leave after being cured. However, be wary, as once they are dismissed, they cannot be re-recruited afterward.

1 Barbas

Skyrim Barbas Follower
  • Species: Daedra (masquerading as a dog)
  • Location: Road outside of Falkreath
  • General Stats: Level: 15-45

Barbas is one of the most unique "followers" in Skyrim as he is technically not a follower like the other non-human candidates. Barbas, a Daedra, is only a follower as long as the "A Daedra's Best Friend" quest is active. While this quest is active, the Dragonborn can exploit Barbas' role as an essential NPC as he needs to be escorted to a specific location to complete his quest. Once completed, Barbas is no longer available as a follower.

Barbas, being essential to the quest, cannot die in battle. Barbas is strong enough to take care of weaker enemies and can take tons of damage without being slain. Not only this, but he is the only non-humanoid follower in the game that can speak! It's clear that this old dog knows some new tricks.

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