My companions didn't level and are weak as [censored]. Also every time I try to use them I keep blowing them up. Only way I could use them again is to make them wear crafted armor that makes them immune to magic.

I've only ever gotten them to use the weapons I give them. They won't equip the armor. ><

That's weird. Mine have equipped armour and enchanted jewellery. Maybe some will only use heavy or light armour. Have you tried giving them some of each type and seeing if they will only wear one?

Hrm.. that might be it.

This.

A companion will only equip what she is skilled in most over another.

Example....

Companion skilled with 2 handed: If you give her/him a 1 handed sword, he wont equip it.

Also make sure it's a better type of armour then they already have or ese they won't equip it. ie Lydia is already wearing Steel armour so she'll only equip armour of a higher grade or enhanced steel armour.

There's also some strange logic at work as far as which items are considered "better" than others.
For instance: Lydia equipped a glass dagger I found (dmg 16) over the cold-enchanted exquisite elven mace she had (dmg 31 +cold), presumably because glass is better than elven.

Got Lydia to wear upgraded forsworn armor. Generally your follower will use the highest base damage weapon.

I have Lydia in full Ebony armor with enchants on the armor. She also has enchanted one handers, bow, shield, and jewelry equipped.

Experiment and see what they will use and what they will not use.

Thanks guys! Did not know these things.

I just today got Lydia to wear a full set of Flawless Steel Plate, and she is using a one-handed axe I found (I forget which it is, but it is the first one-handed weapon I have gotten her to equip), with a Dwarven Shield with 17% magic resistance.

The Elven Bow with Shock damage is fun to get shot in the back with :wink_smile: