How Many Housecarls Can You Get in Skyrim?
Direct Answer: There are five Housecarls that can join you in Skyrim.
Background
In Skyrim, the Housecarls are a special group of protectors dedicated to serving each of the nine holds and the cities of Skyrim. They are skilled warriors trained to fight for their jurisdictions and uphold the laws and traditions of their respective jurisdictions. But how many of these dedicated warriors can join you in your adventures across the Frozen North?
Multiple Housecarls – Yes!
One often-asked question among Skyrim players is whether there is more than one way to recruit Housecarls. And the answer is yes! Yes, there are multiple opportunities to add Housecarls to your party, though each may require specific prerequisites and procedures.
Five Housecarls – and How to Get Them
Here is a list of the five Housecarls you can have in your party:
1. Lydia from Whiterun
Recruitable by completing "Prophet" and "First Lessons"
- Essential Ability: Fighting on the player’s side for a time
- Availability: 24/7
2. J’zargo from Winterhold
Recruitable by completing "The Wabbajack" and choosing not to take the Elder Knowledge
- Essential Ability: Summoning a frost zombie to aid in combat
- Availability: 6 AM to 6 PM
3. Caldric from Solitude
Recruitable by becoming the Bannerman of Solitude
- Essential Ability: Fighting in the player’s party during the Imperial Occupation
- Availability: Various times based on the Jarl’s schedule
4. Farkas from Riften
Recruitable by siding with Riften’s Queen and convincing her to let him stay
- Essential Ability: Fighting skills and increased HP
- Availability: Unpredictable, based on Farkas’s state (i.e., sometimes when following the Jarl, he may come to you seeking help)
5. Bruvelle Marcell from Morthal (Valdimar)
Recruitable by completing the "Black Star and the Elder scrolls" quest
- Essential Ability: Increased combat expertise and potion-making skills
- Availability: Unpredictable, based on circumstances (you may encounter them in town or in special situations)
Other Key Points:
- Although there are multiple Housecarls you can recruit, each comes with unique attributes, perks, and stories making them well worth having as companions on your journey!
- There are no limit constraints on adding Housecarls to your party; with each being a distinct protector, having multiple can improve your survivability and expand your roster of abilities.