Farkas is one of Skyrim’s most beloved followers, a gentle giant with a massive greatsword and a surprisingly soft heart. Whether you’re looking to recruit him for combat, marry him for the homestead bonuses, or just understand his role in the Companions questline, this guide covers everything you need to know. From his werewolf abilities to the best gear loadouts, marriage requirements, and even the notorious bugs that can break his follower status, we’ll walk through every detail. If you’ve ever wondered whether Farkas or his twin brother Vilkas makes the better companion, or how to optimize his two-handed combat style for your playthrough, you’re in the right place.
Key Takeaways
- Farkas becomes a recruitable follower after completing the Companions’ main questline, specifically after finishing Glory of the Dead, and serves as a Heavy Armor trainer up to level 90.
- As a two-handed weapon specialist, Farkas excels as a front-line tank when equipped with endgame gear like Dragonbone or Daedric Greatswords and pairs perfectly with ranged or magic-focused player builds.
- Farkas is a marriage candidate who provides standard spouse benefits including 100 gold per day, daily Homecooked Meals, and shop services, while remaining available as a recruitable follower after marriage.
- His werewolf form is only available during scripted story moments like The Silver Hand questline, and players can optionally cure his lycanthropy after completing the Purity of Revenge quest.
- Farkas has notable weaknesses against ranged enemies and mages due to lacking magic resistance and ranged options, making him unsuitable for stealth builds but superior to his twin brother Vilkas in raw damage output.
- Common Farkas bugs include refusing to follow after quest completion, marriage dialogue not triggering, and disappearing after marriage, all of which can be fixed using console commands or the Unofficial Skyrim Patch.
Who Is Farkas in Skyrim?
Character Background and Personality
Farkas is a Nord warrior and one of the senior members of the Companions in Whiterun. He’s voiced by Popeye Vogelsang and shares a distinctive trait with his twin brother Vilkas: both are lycanthropes, cursed with the blood of the wolf. Even though his intimidating size and combat prowess, Farkas is soft-spoken, loyal, and surprisingly humble. His dialogue often reveals a lack of confidence in his intelligence, though he more than makes up for it with raw strength and dependability.
He’s not the strategist his brother is, but Farkas embodies the Companions’ core values of honor and courage. Players often gravitate toward him for his earnest personality, he doesn’t posture or boast, he just gets the job done. His character arc ties directly into the Companions’ struggle with lycanthropy, making him central to some of the faction’s most memorable quests.
Farkas’s Role in the Companions
Farkas serves as one of the Circle members, the inner group of Companions who know the secret of Jorrvaskr’s leadership: they’re all werewolves. He participates in key story moments, including the player’s own transformation into beast form. Farkas acts as a trainer for Heavy Armor (up to level 90, once you’re a member of the Companions), making him doubly useful if you’re running a tank build.
He’s also one of the quest-givers for radiant Companions missions after you’ve completed the main storyline. His presence in Jorrvaskr is constant, and his interactions with other members, especially his twin Vilkas, add depth to the faction’s internal dynamics. While Vilkas is the sharp-tongued strategist, Farkas is the muscle with a heart.
How to Meet and Recruit Farkas as a Follower
Joining the Companions Questline
You’ll first encounter Farkas when you join the Companions in Whiterun. Head to Jorrvaskr, the mead hall perched above the Wind District, and speak to Kodlak Whitemane or Vilkas to initiate the questline. Farkas appears early on, often accompanying you on training exercises or faction missions.
The Companions questline is one of Skyrim’s core faction storylines, and it’s required to unlock Farkas as a follower. You can’t skip ahead, you’ll need to work through the main quests, including Take Up Arms, Proving Honor, and The Silver Hand. Farkas plays a direct role in several of these missions, so you’ll get plenty of time to see him in action before he’s available as a permanent companion.
Unlocking Farkas as a Follower
Farkas becomes a recruitable follower after you complete the Companions’ main questline, specifically after finishing Glory of the Dead. Once Kodlak’s spirit is laid to rest and the faction’s leadership transitions, Farkas (along with other Circle members) becomes available for recruitment.
To recruit him, simply speak to him in Jorrvaskr and select the dialogue option asking him to join you. He’ll agree without any persuasion checks or additional requirements. If you’ve already recruited another follower, you’ll need to dismiss them first, Skyrim’s vanilla follower system only allows one humanoid companion at a time unless you’re using mods.
One quirk: if you’ve married Farkas (more on that later), he can still follow you as a standard follower. Marriage doesn’t lock him out of adventuring, which is a nice bonus compared to some other marriage candidates.
Farkas’s Combat Style and Abilities
Werewolf Transformation and Beast Form
Farkas is a werewolf, and while he won’t transform into beast form during standard gameplay (followers don’t use transformation powers in vanilla Skyrim), his lycanthropy is central to his character and questline. In scripted sequences, like during Proving Honor and The Silver Hand, you’ll witness him shift into werewolf form, dealing massive damage and tanking hits like a champ.
If you’re playing with mods that enable follower transformations, Farkas can become an absolute beast (pun intended) in combat. His werewolf form has high health, damage resistance, and melee DPS, making him a top-tier tank for dungeon crawling. Without mods, though, you won’t see this ability outside of story moments.
Two-Handed Weapons Expertise
Farkas is a two-handed weapon specialist. His default loadout includes a Steel Greatsword, but he’ll automatically equip better weapons if you place them in his inventory. He has no level cap, scaling with the player up to level 50 in vanilla Skyrim (or uncapped if you have the Unofficial Skyrim Patch or Special Edition installed, which removes follower level caps).
His combat style is straightforward: he charges into melee range and swings for maximum damage. He doesn’t use ranged weapons or magic, so don’t bother giving him a bow. His AI prioritizes heavy power attacks, which can stagger enemies and interrupt casters. Pair him with a strong two-hander like a Daedric Greatsword or Dragonbone Greatsword, and he’ll cleave through most threats.
Farkas also wears Heavy Armor by default (usually Steel Plate or Wolf Armor), and he’ll equip better pieces if you trade them to him. His armor rating scales with his level, making him naturally tanky even without player intervention.
Strengths and Weaknesses in Battle
Farkas excels as a front-line tank. His high health pool, heavy armor, and two-handed weapon damage make him ideal for drawing aggro and dealing with melee-focused enemies. He’s especially effective against draugr, bandits, and wildlife, anything that fights up close.
His weaknesses? He struggles against ranged enemies and mages. Farkas has no magic resistance or ranged options, so he’ll often charge across open ground, taking arrow or spell damage along the way. He’s also not particularly stealthy, his heavy armor and aggressive AI make him a poor choice for stealth builds. If you’re running an archer or sneak-thief character, consider a different follower for dungeon infiltration.
Key Quests Featuring Farkas
The Silver Hand Questline
Farkas plays a major role in The Silver Hand, one of the most memorable Companions quests. After the Silver Hand attacks Jorrvaskr and kills Kodlak’s confidant, Farkas accompanies you on a revenge mission to Driftshade Refuge. This is where his werewolf nature takes center stage, during the dungeon crawl, he transforms into beast form to help you clear out the Silver Hand forces.
The mission is emotionally charged and gives Farkas some of his best dialogue. It’s also a turning point in the Companions’ storyline, setting up the faction’s internal conflict over lycanthropy. If you’re invested in character-driven quests, this one’s a highlight.
Purity of Revenge and Curing Lycanthropy
After Kodlak’s death, Farkas becomes eligible for the Purity quest, which allows him to cure his lycanthropy. If you’ve already completed Purity of Revenge (curing yourself), you can help Farkas do the same by retrieving another Glenmoril Witch Head and bringing it to Ysgramor’s Tomb.
Curing Farkas is optional, but it has role-playing implications. Once cured, he’s no longer bound by the curse, which some players find fitting for his character arc. Mechanically, it doesn’t change his combat effectiveness as a follower, since he doesn’t transform outside of scripted events anyway. Still, it’s a nice touch for completionists or players who want to give the Companions a clean ending.
Radiant Quests and Companion Missions
After completing Glory of the Dead, Farkas becomes one of the quest-givers for radiant Companions quests. These are repeatable missions, usually dungeon clears, animal exterminations, or intimidation jobs, that provide gold and faction reputation. They’re not particularly deep, but they’re a steady source of income and a reason to keep engaging with Jorrvaskr post-storyline.
Farkas also participates in some of these radiant quests as a temporary follower, even if you already have another companion recruited. This can create amusing situations where you’re adventuring with a party of three (Farkas, your main follower, and yourself), especially if you’re using follower-expanding mods.
How to Marry Farkas in Skyrim
Marriage Requirements and the Amulet of Mara
Farkas is a marriage candidate, but you’ll need to meet a few conditions first. Start by completing the Companions’ main questline, specifically, finish Glory of the Dead. Once that’s done, Farkas becomes eligible for marriage dialogue.
Next, you’ll need the Amulet of Mara. You can purchase it from Maramal in Riften’s Bee and Barb inn for 200 gold, or find it as random loot in dungeons. Equip the amulet and speak to Farkas in Jorrvaskr. If you’ve completed the questline, a new dialogue option will appear: “Interested in me, are you?” Select it, and Farkas will express interest in marrying you.
Once you’ve agreed to marry, return to Maramal in Riften to arrange the ceremony at the Temple of Mara. The wedding takes place 24 in-game hours after you set the date, so don’t fast-travel or sleep through it, you’ll need to attend. After the ceremony, Farkas becomes your spouse, unlocking several gameplay benefits.
Benefits of Marrying Farkas
Marrying Farkas grants the standard spouse benefits in Skyrim. He’ll open a shop wherever you choose to live, selling a rotating inventory of general goods and providing you with 100 gold per day as “store profits.” He’ll also cook a Homecooked Meal once per day, which grants a +25% health and stamina regeneration buff for 600 seconds, useful for extended dungeon crawls.
Farkas can move into any player-owned home, including Hearthfire houses like Lakeview Manor or Heljarchen Hall. If you’ve built a homestead, he’ll occasionally help with chores or comment on the surroundings, adding a bit of immersion. He remains a recruitable follower after marriage, so you’re not sacrificing combat utility for the spouse bonuses.
One downside: married followers like Farkas won’t move into Severin Manor (Dragonborn DLC) due to a scripting oversight. If you’re planning to make Solstheim your base, you’ll need to use console commands or mods to relocate him.
Best Strategies for Using Farkas as a Follower
Optimal Equipment and Gear Loadouts
Farkas shines when you kit him out with endgame gear. His default equipment is serviceable, but upgrading him makes a noticeable difference. For weapons, give him a Dragonbone Greatsword or Daedric Greatsword, both have high base damage and benefit from his two-handed perks. If you’ve enchanted a weapon with Absorb Health or Chaos Damage, even better: Farkas will make full use of it.
For armor, a full set of Dragonplate or Daedric Heavy Armor maximizes his survivability. Enchant each piece with Fortify Health, Fortify Heavy Armor, or Resist Magic to shore up his weaknesses. Don’t forget to improve the gear at a workbench, Farkas benefits from armor rating just like the player, and a fully smithed set can push his defense into the 600+ range.
He doesn’t use shields, so don’t waste inventory space on one. Stick to two-handed weapons and heavy armor, and he’ll perform optimally. If you’re running a mod that allows follower perks or equipment management, prioritize perks like Champion’s Stance (two-handed power attack damage) and Conditioning (zero heavy armor weight penalty).
Pairing Farkas with Different Player Builds
Farkas works best with ranged or magic-focused builds. If you’re playing an archer, mage, or conjuration specialist, Farkas acts as the perfect tank, he’ll hold the front line while you deal damage from range. His aggressive AI ensures enemies focus on him, giving you space to DPS safely.
For melee builds, Farkas is still viable, but you’ll both be fighting for positioning. Two melee fighters can crowd doorways or accidentally hit each other with power attacks, so be mindful of spacing. If you’re running a two-handed warrior yourself, consider using a follower with ranged capabilities instead, or embrace the chaos and enjoy the double greatsword carnage.
Stealth builds should avoid Farkas entirely. His heavy armor clanks, his AI charges into combat, and he has zero sneak bonuses. If you’re playing a stealth archer or assassin, recruit a lighter follower like J’zargo or Cicero, or go solo. Farkas is built for loud, aggressive combat, not subtlety.
Many players running character build strategies find that pairing Farkas with summoning magic creates a devastating front line, conjure a Dremora Lord or Storm Atronach alongside Farkas, and you’ve got a three-unit wall that can handle most content in the game.
Farkas vs. Vilkas: Which Companion Should You Choose?
Farkas and Vilkas are twins, but they fill different roles. Farkas is the tank, high health, two-handed weapons, and a straightforward combat style. Vilkas is more of a hybrid: he uses one-handed weapons and a shield, making him slightly more defensive but less aggressive in dealing damage.
In terms of raw survivability, Farkas has the edge. His two-handed power attacks can stagger enemies, and his higher base damage output means he clears packs faster. Vilkas is better at blocking and absorbing hits, but his DPS is lower. If you want a follower who melts health bars, go with Farkas. If you prefer a follower who turtles up and outlasts enemies, Vilkas is your pick.
Personality-wise, Farkas is the humble, gentle giant: Vilkas is the sardonic, sharp-tongued intellectual. Your choice might come down to who you prefer narratively. Both are marriageable, both scale to high levels, and both are competent followers. You can’t go wrong with either, but Farkas is generally considered the stronger combat option due to his offensive playstyle.
Some advanced gameplay guides recommend recruiting Farkas early and switching to Vilkas later if you want to try both without replaying the questline. Since both are Companions, you can swap between them freely after completing the faction storyline.
Common Bugs and Fixes Related to Farkas
Farkas isn’t immune to Skyrim’s infamous bugs. One common issue: Farkas refuses to follow you even after completing the Companions questline. This usually happens if you dismissed him during a radiant quest or if another quest script is interfering. The fix? Try waiting 3–5 in-game days and returning to Jorrvaskr. If that doesn’t work, use the console command setrelationshiprank 0001A694 3 to reset his relationship status, then talk to him again.
Another bug: Farkas gets stuck in werewolf form during scripted transformations. If this happens, reload a save from before the transformation. If you’re on console and can’t use commands, you may need to revert to an earlier save, there’s no reliable in-game fix without mods or console access.
The marriage bug is also worth mentioning. Occasionally, Farkas won’t trigger marriage dialogue even after completing Glory of the Dead. This is often caused by incomplete quest stages. Use setstage C00 10 to manually advance the marriage quest, or install the Unofficial Skyrim Patch, which fixes dozens of marriage-related bugs.
If Farkas disappears after marriage, check your home’s interior. He sometimes spawns in odd locations, behind furniture, in basements, or clipped through walls. Fast-travel away, wait 24 hours, and return. If he’s still missing, use prid 0001A694 followed by moveto player to teleport him to your location.
For players who prefer modding solutions, the community on modding platforms has released several fixes specifically targeting Companions follower bugs, including patches for Farkas’s dialogue and AI behavior.
Conclusion
Farkas is one of Skyrim’s most reliable followers, a loyal tank with a heart of gold and a greatsword to match. Whether you’re recruiting him for his combat prowess, marrying him for the spouse benefits, or just enjoying his role in the Companions’ storyline, he’s a character that earns his place in your party. His two-handed damage output and heavy armor make him ideal for front-line combat, especially if you’re running a ranged or magic build. And while he has his weaknesses, no ranged options, vulnerable to magic, terrible for stealth, his strengths more than compensate.
From his transformation scenes to his optional lycanthropy cure, Farkas offers both mechanical utility and narrative depth. If you’re torn between him and Vilkas, remember: Farkas is the damage dealer, Vilkas is the wall. Choose based on your playstyle, or just pick the twin whose personality you prefer. Either way, you’re getting a Companion who’ll stand by you through dragon fights, dungeon crawls, and everything in between.
