In the province of Skyrim, if the player helps a number of people within a specific hold, the Jarl bestows them with the title of Thane. Though it's mostly honorary, but there are several perks included with this status, including the appointment of a housecarl.
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Guardians of their employer's safety and property, housecarls fight alongside the player and will protect their homestead from threats. For the most part, all housecarls have the same skills and similar dialogue. However, there are a few details that set some of them a cut above or below the rest. Here's a ranking of the Dragonborn's potential housecarls, from worst to best.
Updated July 18 by Demaris Oxman: Skyrim's staying power is evident to this day, with fantasy-loving gamers still flocking to the title. Exploring in Skyrim never gets old, but it's always better with a companion — which is why the game's housecarls remain important. Each of these brave, bold warriors will protect the Dragonborn with their life, and make stalwart companions in battle. To help players on their journey, this list has been updated to include a few key tips on how to maximize each housecarl's potential.
8 Argis The Bulwark of Markarth
After becoming Thane of the Reach, the Dragonborn can move into Vlindrel Hall with Argis as their housecarl. Like any of the others on this list, he's a powerful ally in battle; however, his dialogue is pretty bland compared with some other followers in the game.
Argis is also the only housecarl in Skyrim who cannot become a steward for the player's homestead. Additionally, if the player is married to Stenvar, Argis will frequently fight with him (possibly due to a glitch). These limitations place Argis low in the housecarl ranking.
Tips & Tricks
As with almost all housecarls, Argis' main skills include One-Handed, Block, Heavy Armor, and Archery. Offer to trade items with him, and equip him with high-ranking gear compatible with these skills to allow him to unleash his fighting potential.
7 Jordis The Sword-Maiden of Solitude
The Dragonborn receives Jordis' housecarl services after becoming Thane of Haafingar. Like Argis, though she's a valiant protector, her dialogue has no character to it. Furthermore, there are a couple of odd details (again, most likely bugs) that make her a less effective follower.
Occasionally, Jordis will disappear from the Dragonborn's service, to be found back at Proudspire Manor wearing her default armor. She also won't equip certain bows even if they are much stronger than her default weapon, such as the Nightingale Bow. These details make Jordis a bit frustrating to adventure with.
Tips & Tricks
Equip Jordis with gear similar to Argis; however, if the player notices she is not using her strongest bow, remove it and give her a different one. If Jordis teleports back to Proudspire, the player can speak to her and ask to trade items; removing one item from her inventory will cause her to re-equip the gear she had when she disappeared.
6 Gregor, Nord Warrior From Dawnstar
There's not much to say about Gregor, housecarl to the Thane of the Pale, and that's why he ranks here. Like all housecarls, he can hold his own in battle, but he doesn't have any distinct fighting features or anything interesting to say.
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Despite having a higher One-Handed skill, his default weapon is a two-handed steel greatsword, making him an initially less effective fighter. Of course, this can be circumvented by giving him one-handed weapons. Overall, though, Gregor is a generic Nord fighter with very little personality, and thus ranks low among Skyrim's housecarls.
Tips & Tricks
First things first: give Gregor a one-handed weapon such as a sword, mace, or axe to let him take advantage of his higher fighting skill. Other than that, strategies for this housecarl are more or less the same as the rest. Give him a shield to make use of his Block skill, heavy armor to defend himself, and a powerful bow to deal with dragons.
5 Iona, Nord Warrior From The Rift
Housecarl to the Thane of the Rift, Iona tends to be a bit sharp towards the Dragonborn. Even as a spouse, her dialogue is strident and seems almost forced. She's an effective follower, but just not very fun to be around.
She takes the job of protecting the house very seriously, as she'll attack the player mercilessly if they kill a chicken in the Honeyside garden — even though the Dragonborn owns that house. Iona is just as strong as any housecarl, but there's nothing that sets her apart except her stiff demeanor.
Tips & Tricks
As with most other housecarls, Iona is at her best when equipped with a shield and one-handed weapon, as well as a bow for ranged attacks. Aside from that, just be sure to leave Honeyside's chickens in peace.
4 Calder, Nord Warrior Of Windhelm
Like most of the others, the housecarl to the Thane of Eastmarch doesn't have much particular flair when it comes to fighting. He's a typical Nord warrior; however, his dialogue has a little more personality to it than some of the other housecarls.
Most of his dialogue is similar to his peers, but he makes the occasional remark about haunted Dwarven ruins or cracking a giant's head like a walnut. This extra flavor makes him a more entertaining adventuring partner, in addition to a strong protector.
Tips & Tricks
Calder is a standard warrior, with few quirks or distinctions. He has the same top skills as most of the other housecarls: One-Handed, Block, Heavy Armor, and Archery. Give him high-level gear that's compatible with these, and he'll fight tooth and nail alongside the Dragonborn.
3 Rayya, Redguard Warrior Of Falkreath
Rayya protects the Thane of Falkreath, and is the only non-Nord housecarl to be assigned to the Dragonborn. Despite this distinction, her dialogue is more or less the same as all the other housecarls, making her personality a little lacking.
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However, Rayya ranks higher on this list because of a unique fighting strategy. Unlike many followers, she will dual-wield one-handed weapons without the player having to put a pickaxe or Forsworn weapon in her inventory. As a dual-wielder, Rayya is capable of dealing fast, devastating blows to enemies, making her one of Skyrim's better housecarls.
Tips & Tricks
Equip Rayya with two fast, powerful one-handed weapons such as swords or daggers, to take advantage of her dual-wielding prowess. Like most others on this list, she makes good use of heavy armor. Make sure to provide her with proper garb to maximize her defenses, as she can't block while dual-wielding.
2 Lydia, Nord Warrior Appointed In Dragonsreach
As most players' first housecarl, Lydia is one of the most popular followers in the game. Assigned to protect the Thane of Whiterun, she's a strong ally available early on, making difficult quests more survivable at lower levels.
Out of all the housecarls, Lydia is the most expressive, especially in the Dragonborn add-on. As she follows the player across Skyrim and Solstheim, Lydia has a lot to say about Dwarven ruins, the Tel Mithryn towers, All-Maker Stones, and more. Her dialogue makes her a more fun adventuring partner than some of her generic peers.
Tips & Tricks
Lydia's battle strategy isn't much different than most other standard housecarls, but that doesn't mean she's not a powerhouse in fights. Give her similar gear as the rest – one-handed weapons, heavy armor, bows, shields – and she'll be a brave, bold adventuring companion.
1 Valdimar, Nord Battlemage Of Hjaalmarch
While most housecarls are pure warriors, Valdimar's style is closer to that of a battlemage. The housecarl to the Thane of Hjaalmarch is proficient in one-handed weapons, but also in Destruction, Restoration, and Alteration magic. His use of Oakflesh and Stoneflesh, combined with his Restoration spells, make him almost unbeatable in combat.
This makes Valdimar an incredibly versatile follower. Unlike many housecarls, he can adapt his offensive style to different enemies; for example, using Turn Undead against draugr. Thus, his unique skillset places him a cut above the rest, as the best housecarl in Skyrim.
Tips & Tricks
Unlike most housecarls, Valdimar is more proficient in Light Armor than Heavy; equip him with a set of Dragonscale or Stalhrim gear to make him as tough as possible. If these pieces have enchantments that fortify his magical skills, so all the better. He makes good use of one-handed weapons, but make sure he has a free hand to sling his spells.