Skyrim: Stop Your Followers from Killing Innocents

Introduction

In the vast and immersive world of Skyrim, players often rely on followers to accompany them on their adventures. However, these followers have a tendency to attack innocent NPCs, which can lead to unwanted consequences and disruption of gameplay. This comprehensive guide will provide step-by-step instructions and insightful strategies to effectively prevent your followers from engaging in such actions.

Understanding Follower Behavior

To develop effective strategies, it's crucial to understand the factors influencing follower behavior. Here are some key considerations:

• Follower Alignment: Followers with a good alignment tend to avoid killing innocents, while those with an evil alignment may be more inclined to do so.
• Combat Settings: Followers follow specific combat settings set by the player. If the "Don't Attack Unless Attacked" setting is enabled, they will only attack if provoked first.
• NPC Aggression: Certain NPCs in Skyrim are naturally aggressive and may engage followers in combat without provocation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preventing Innocent Deaths

Follow these steps to minimize the risk of your followers killing innocent NPCs:

1. Choose Followers Wisely: Consider your followers' alignment and combat preferences when selecting companions. Good-aligned followers like Lydia and J'zargo are less likely to attack innocents.

   

2. Set Combat Settings: Enable the "Don't Attack Unless Attacked" setting by interacting with your followers and selecting the "Combat" option. This ensures that your followers will only engage in combat when necessary.

3. Monitor Follower Behavior: Pay attention to your followers' actions and intervene if they engage in unnecessary violence. Use the "Calm" shout or the "Pacify" spell to stop them.

   

4. Deal with Aggressive NPCs: If aggressive NPCs are causing problems, consider using the "Pacify" spell or sneaking past them to avoid confrontation.

   

Advanced Strategies

In addition to the basic steps, consider these advanced strategies for further control over your followers:

• Use the "Follower Protection" Mod: This mod allows players to set the potential for followers to attack innocent NPCs.

  

• Alter Follower AI: With the Skyrim Creation Kit, players can modify follower AI scripts to customize their behavior during combat.

Conclusion

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively prevent your followers from killing innocent NPCs, enhancing your Skyrim gameplay experience. Remember to balance protection with combat effectiveness and always consider your followers' alignment and motivations. May your adventures be filled with harmony and the avoidance of unnecessary bloodshed.