This is the first time in any playthrough that I've used him (currently playing as a mage). I have to say that he rocks. You have to do a little work to "unlock" him, so I can see how there might be more than a few people that have never used him. Let this be a recommendation to anyone who might be looking for a follower that makes their game better instead of just being a frustration at times.

1.) He will only fight at range with the Ice lance spell. I have never yet seen him pull his hunting bow and iron arrows out one single time and procede to irritate the hell out of me. He uses this spell effectively, and most times he starts out a fight casting it, meaning he won't charge right into my LOS while im casting my own spells.

2.) He will use one handed weapons and tank for you when you want or need him to. I've never had to work hard to get him to do it either. Just seems his AI is beter somehow (or mabey he just always runs out of magika at the right time) and he just knows when the best time to charge into melee is. He also seems smart about using his "stoneskin" and healing spells as well. He is yet to use any health potion I have given him.

3.) I just saw him do the "deathblow" on a dragon were you jump on it's head and slash it in it's face. I can honestly not remember ever seeing a follower do that, and it was pretty friggin sweet. I'ts what made me post this.

Can't recommend him enough if your looking for a follower that WON"T EVER pull their stupid bow and arrows out it the middle of a tough fight and get your blood pressure up..

I don't remember him, is he in a mod?

He's added by Hearthfire. He's your housecarl when you become Thane of Hjaalmarch.

I didn't know he was that good in combat. I've really only seen him in combat when something's attacking my house and he happens to be outside.

I used him for the first time with my current character. Even though he is a Nord, he is the only magic oriented housecarl. I agree with the OP. He is a machine.