Given how many marriage options there are in Skyrim, the choice might be hard for players to make. After acquiring the Amulet of Mara and receiving an explanation from Maramal concerning marriage, players can marry a number of NPCs who have affinity for them after completing quests.

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One way to make a good choice is to consider partners who complement the Dragonborn's character build. Archers in particular will pair up with a spouse that specializes in close range combat and who can tank a ton of damage. Here are the best husbands for stealth archers and any variants of the build.

10 Athis

Athis is one of the few Dunmer available as a spouse. He's a member of the Companions guild located in Whiterun, and in order to get on his good side the player needs to become a member as well. To join the Companions, simply head to Jorrvaskr in Whiterun.

Athis is a low-level Companion member, with a specialization in one-handed combat and heavy armor. He has a rather low level cap, which ranges from 5 to 25. In the early parts of the game he's a decent spouse for archers looking for a warrior.

9 Benor

For a strong brawler and warrior, head over to Morthal to meet Benor. An aspiring guard, he takes great pride in protecting the city from outside harm, to the point where he'll even want to prove his worth by challenging the Dragonborn to a fist fight.

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After defeating him, he can be married and hired as a follower for free. His level cap is only a bit better than the lowest members of the Companions, ranging from level 6 to level 30. He specializes mostly in heavy armor and two-handed combat, making him an underrated and strong husband.

8 Cosnach

Cosnach is very similar to Benor in style and personality. He'll want to challenge to Dragonborn to a brawl as well when he's met at the Silver-Blood Inn in Markarth. Once defeated, Cosnach will be available as a spouse and a follower.

Cosnach has the exact same level cap as Benor, ranging from 6 to 30, though Benor has a bit more health than Cosnach. Cosnach's specialty lies in one-handed combat and heavy armor, which makes him a decent husband for any ranged character.

7 Belrand

For a more unique husband who can also hold his own in combat and provide more than just a meat shield, there's Belrand. He's a mercenary by trade, which means marrying and hiring him requires the Dragonborn to pay him 500 gold.

He's among the more special followers due to his specialty in both magic and one-handed combat. The bonus with him is that he can cast strong Alteration spells on himself like Oakflesh and Stoneflesh, as well as summon creatures to help in the fight. Moreover, his level of effectiveness is between 10 to 40, which is higher than many other regular followers.

6 Calder

Housecarls can be a difficult option for a lot of players, since they require multiple quests to be completed before they become accessible as spouses and followers. Still, if one becomes the Thane of Eastmarch, they'll be rewarded with Calder.

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Calder's level is between 10 to 50, which is an incredibly high range. Moreover, he has a large health pool of over 600 health points at level 50. His specialty lies in heavy armor and one-handed, with a decent archery skill as well whenever needed. He's a nice option later on in the game, but difficult to get early on.

5 Argis The Bulwark

Argis the Bulwark is another fantastic Housecarl that complements any archery or ranged build. However, like with Calder, it takes time and effort to actually get him as a Housecarl. One first has to become the Thane of Markarth.

Argis has the exact same health pool at level 50 as Calder, with the same level range as well, capping at 50. He does best with one-handed combat while wearing heavy armor, so he's essentially the ideal meat shield for any ranged fighter.

4 Stenvar

If getting a spouse is of utmost urgency, it's best to forget about Housecarls for now and focus on other, easier to gain followers with higher stats. Stenvar, another mercenary, is a very solid choice. He can be found in Candlehearth Hall in Windhelm, and can be hired for 500 gold after which he can be married.

Stenvar caps at level 40, and at level 40 he has over 500 health points. His main weapon is a two-handed sword, which he has the highest skill level for as well. Put him in heavy armor, and he's a powerful spouse who will protect the Dragonborn from anything.

3 Vorstag

Vorstag is another great mercenary worth hiring for archers. He has the same level cap as Stenvar, and he can be found over at Markarth, usually at the Silver-Blood Inn. After hiring him for the regular 500 gold, he can also be married.

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Vorstag is a better option for players who prefer to have a one-handed specialist instead of a two-handed warrior like Stenvar. He's also talented in heavy armor and block skills, which allow him to move a bit swifter in combat than if he were a two-handed specialist.

2 Farkas

If doing a few easy quests early in for the Companions isn't a bother, it's really worth joining the guild as soon as the player makes it to Whiterun. That's because all of the members of the Circle of the Companions are stellar Companions with level caps as high as those of Housecarls.

Farkas is a solid option from the Circle. He has 590 health at his maximum of 50 levels, and a specialization in light armor despite being a heavy armor trainer. He's also incredible good at one-handed, making him more of a fast-paced warrior. To hire him, the entire Companions quest line must be completed, but this shouldn't be an issue early on in the game.

1 Vilkas

Vilkas has roughly the same stats as Farkas. Just like his brother, he can be hired and married after joining and completing the full Companions quest line. Vilkas differs from his brother by being a specialist in two-handed and heavy armor, so he's pretty much the ultimate tank.

Just like Vilkas, he caps at level 50, which is a good deal considering many of the Housecarls that take more effort to recruit have the exact same level up.

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