I'm ashamed to say that I still don't have Dawnguard or Dragonborn (One day...)

So, which follower is the 'best' and why? I know different followers have different traits, so I'll split it up.

Which follower is the best with magic?

Which follower is good for stealthy players?

Which follower is a good companion for a warrior?

Thanks

I think the companions are best. I just like em.

best mage- J'zargo
best stealth thingy- probably Aela or Annekke
best follower if player is a warrior- any tank or mage

Where can I find a 'tank'?

they are followers that like to run in to battle like mindless barbarians and take the damage while you deal damage to enemies.

Edit: they can be found all over Skyrim.

Serana prob the best (Dawnguard) but also the most buggy.

Jenassa for stealthy

Best mage? Marcurio. Illia's very good, too, but bugged, although if you are on PC, the Unofficial patch fixes this.
Best stealthy follower? Jenassa.
Best tank? Any of the housecarls.

Mjoll the Lioness, she's essential AKA immortal and uses a battle axe if you take back Grimsever.

For a vanilla mage follower, the best I have tried is Marcurio. He comes with some nice mage perks and readily wields staves in battle. Since he claims to be an expert on Nordic history, he makes some interesting comments if you take him to Nordic ruins.

I also like Jenassa a lot. She's a very capable, dual-wielding ranger.

Of course, you can't go too wrong with any of the Companions as followers, especially if your character is a warrior.

I don't think it was necessary to be specific in the title. I doubt that the fan made ones are what first comes to mind when someone talks about followers.

I like to go exploring during the quests that make Farkas or Aela essential followers so I have a Shield sibling tag along that can't die.

With Farkas, in particular, I find that even if he's essential he's on his knees more often than a cheap...well, you get the picture! I just finished the quest where he follows you and he was crawling after me more often than walking.

I think thats because when you first meet the compainions you are low level... If you go to whiterun at a low level.
a few months ago I avoided whiterun until I reached level 100. Farkas was at his maximum level waaay before I reached level 100. He went down sometimes but not as much as if you first meet him at a low level.

Fan made? I said I didn't have the DLC's...

I've used Annekke Crag-Jumper and Jenassa. Both very good followers.

Depends on your style of play..

Mages will want a ranged follower or another mage due to friendly fire

Warriors may want ranged for long distance support or another warrior for a damage sponge

Stealthers, best to work solo

Excluding DLC? Hard to say considering they'll all not that different from one another. I'd say Erandur though for having a more important role with his involvement with Vaermina not to mention you even see a past vision through his eyes which I find to be pretty cool. Second to that is Cicero. One of the few followers with unique qualities (I don't have to explain as to why). What I really like about both of these characters is that they actually have a good backstory that is well written, not just "I used to be an adventurer you know". Besides that I find most other followers dull and boring.

Which follower is the best with magic? J'zargo if doing the College. Mauricio as a hireling. IIIia found on accepting a dungeon quest near Riften.

Which follower is good for stealthy players? None is best IMO. But the best is the Dark Brotherood initiate or Cicero if your doing that guild. Janessa as a hireling. Faendal on accepting his quest & ending it in his favor.

Which follower is a good companion for a warrior? Any really, depends if you want a mage/archer support with you as the tank or another tank/2h warrior helping you out.

Aside from Serana (Dawnguard), Ive only really used Mjoll during lower levels. She is an absolute beast, cannot be killed and will take the brunt of the damage regardless of what kind of character you're playing.

I can't remember her name but the priestess of Azura (The Black Star daedric quest) is a really good mage.

I don't think it was that--I was level 33 at the time.

I truly and honestly don't see the big deal about J'zargo. Yeah, he can wear heavy armor and has high health, but he only uses Sparks and won't use staves you give him. How is that good if you want a magic-using companion? Actually, his advantages would seem to make him a better tank than mage.

Not to insult anybody's choice of favorite colleague, but I truly don't understand.

J'Zargo has the highest level cap, and will level up with you until level 81. Most of them cap out at 20, 30 or 40 etc...

I've only had two ordinary followers: Lydia and Erandur. I know I should trade in Erandur in order to try someone new, but I love his dialogue and would really miss him if he weren't around. Since followers talk so much, I value the dialogue higher than any skills they may have. Having said that, Erandur is great in a fight.

Aela but damn in the Vanilla game with Dlc′s Serana wins the prize! if you have mods then Vilja wins them all!

Personally I like Mjoll