Do i Need Companions?

[Eldarmari]

here is a question for you guys about companions...do you even need to use companions? I haven't gotten really far into the game so far, but i didnt realize at first that you could get followers. It was strange how i stumbled upon it. I did the series of events backwards for the whole faegarth (name) and other dude who both love the chick that runs the shop in riverwood. I talked to sven (name) first, and he said to give the letter to her saying it was from the elf dude, but i went then to elf dude and told him sven was trying to muddy his name

 

but i had previously finished the dungeon with the golden 3 claw thing (before even coming to riverwood) so when i went into the shop to talk to the chick, it started the script for finishing/starting the quest (introductory then skipped right into finished it) and her brother the shop keep, kinda bugged out in a way since i had the claw, the game kinda skipped ahead in conversation points

 

so anyways, after that i went upstairs, and she was sitting there, and the elf dude came upstairs and sat next to us (totally love how npcs interact and move on thier own in this game!) and i had a conversation with the elf and her, but the elf seemed like he had no prior re-collection (spelling) that i had done the letter thing, and he was stuck in the script/dialogue. So i went back outside and down the street and i bump into the other dude, and a few clicks later it said something about i want you to come with me, it didnt say hey do you want to be my companion, the option was simply to follow me so i was like ehh? wth? so i went back into the shop and told him to wait...and he's still standing there waiting....

 

So i think i screwed up the series of events somehow, i wanted the elf dude as a follower, since my character is a wood elf and i wanted to keep that roleplay aspect...but it seems broken now, and i can only get other dude with me, even though the elf still talks to me like nothing has happened, but occasionally he says "you want to talk to me after everything you've done?" and then you click on him again and he's all friendly....so weird! is this glitched/bugged or what

 

So back to my question, do i even need companions? i do just fine doing exploring/quests/killing on my own..is a "follower" the same as a "companion" in whiterun at the inn there is a dark elf sitting in the corner that offers her services to you to come along and become a companion..i clicked no for now...but that wasnt the same as me talking to lover boy in riverwood, because with the elf chick it aucutally asked me do you want her as a companion? so...is there a difference here? i'm really confused lol

 

Do companions become mandatory later on? or is just to help out and adventure with someone not to feel so "by yourself" all the time?

[Smosh]

There will always be things "out there" that will kill you. A companion is a nice distraction for any enemies while you concentrate on staying alive.

Sometimes it's just nice to have someone with you as you set about discovering Skyrim.

[BarefootWarrior]

In my case, my companion Lydia was assigned to me by the Jarl. I did not expect this. But as I went with it, it turned out to be a nice feature of the game and makes it more interesting, especially while out exploring. I just wish they would stay out of the way when a fight occurs. I killed off poor Lydia I don't know how many times because she would rush in and get in my way. I'd just back up and try it again, but for the most part, she would get up and go at it again. I blew her off a bridge one time with a shout, she came back, yelled..." I'm on your side! " and continued fighting. I was skeptical at first, but now like the idea of having a companion. :biggrin: