Vilkas in Skyrim: Complete Guide to the Companions’ Fiercest Warrior

Vilkas stands as one of the most formidable followers in Skyrim, and for good reason. This Nord warrior isn’t just another face in Jorrvaskr, he’s a master trainer in Two-Handed combat, a seasoned member of the inner Circle, and one half of a legendary twin duo. Whether you’re looking to recruit a heavy-hitting follower, marry a battle-hardened spouse, or simply understand his role in the Companions questline, Vilkas offers depth that many NPCs lack.

But here’s the thing: most players overlook the nuances that make Vilkas distinct from his brother Farkas. From his sardonic personality to his superior training capabilities, Vilkas brings unique tactical advantages to your playthrough. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about recruiting, optimizing, and maximizing your relationship with one of Skyrim’s most reliable warriors.

Who Is Vilkas in Skyrim?

Vilkas’ Role in the Companions

Vilkas serves as one of the senior members of the Companions, Skyrim’s most prestigious warrior guild based in Jorrvaskr in Whiterun. Unlike the lower-ranked members who train in the yard, Vilkas belongs to the inner Circle, a secretive group that harbors the beast blood curse passed down from the founding members.

He functions as both a questgiver and mentor within the organization. After you complete the initial trial to join the Companions, Vilkas becomes one of the key NPCs who assigns radiant quests like clearing out bandit camps or retrieving lost items. His position grants him authority second only to Kodlak Whitemane, the Harbinger.

What sets Vilkas apart from other Companions is his role as a master-level Two-Handed trainer. He can train you all the way to skill level 90, making him invaluable for melee-focused builds. You’ll find him either in Jorrvaskr’s main hall or downstairs in the living quarters, often sharpening his blade or studying.

Character Background and Personality

Vilkas and his twin brother Farkas were raised in Jorrvaskr after their father, Jergen, died during a Companion mission. Kodlak Whitemane took them in, essentially becoming their surrogate father. This backstory explains Vilkas’ fierce loyalty to the Harbinger and his initial skepticism toward outsiders joining the Companions.

Personality-wise, Vilkas is the more cerebral and cynical of the twin brothers. He’s bookish, you’ll catch him reading in Jorrvaskr, and approaches problems with calculated strategy rather than brute force. His dialogue often carries a sarcastic edge, especially when you first meet him. He’ll question whether you’re “more than just a sharp tongue” and needs to see proof of your combat prowess before showing respect.

Even though his cold exterior, Vilkas shows genuine character growth throughout the Companions questline. He struggles with the burden of his beast blood and actively seeks redemption by the questline’s conclusion. This emotional arc makes him one of the more three-dimensional followers in the base game, contrasting sharply with more one-note NPCs.

How to Meet and Recruit Vilkas as a Follower

Joining the Companions Questline

You’ll first encounter Vilkas during the “Take Up Arms” quest, which kicks off the Companions storyline. Head to Jorrvaskr in Whiterun and speak with Kodlak Whitemane to express interest in joining. After receiving permission, you’ll be directed to Vilkas for a test of your combat skills.

Vilkas will challenge you to a sparring match. Don’t worry, you can’t actually lose this fight. Just land a few hits on him with any weapon (even your fists work). Once he’s satisfied, you’re officially a Companion and can begin taking quests from various members, including Vilkas himself.

Progress through the Companions questline by completing radiant quests for Vilkas, Farkas, Aela, and Skjor. You’ll need to finish several of these before advancing to the main story quests like “The Silver Hand” and “Blood’s Honor.” Pay attention to Vilkas during these missions, his dialogue reveals his internal conflict about the beast blood.

Unlocking Vilkas as a Follower

Vilkas becomes available as a follower after you complete the “Glory of the Dead” quest, which serves as the finale of the Companions storyline. This quest involves cleansing Kodlak’s spirit and offers Circle members the chance to cure their lycanthropy.

Once you’ve finished the questline and been named Harbinger, simply approach Vilkas and select the dialogue option asking him to follow you. He’ll agree without requiring any additional prerequisites. Unlike some followers who need specific reputation levels or completed favors, Vilkas’ follower status is tied solely to questline completion.

One crucial detail: if Vilkas has died during any quest (which is rare given his essential status during the main questline), he obviously won’t be available as a follower. Also, if you’re already traveling with another follower, you’ll need to dismiss them first before recruiting Vilkas.

Vilkas’ Combat Abilities and Stats

Weapons, Skills, and Fighting Style

Vilkas is specced as a pure melee warrior with impressive base stats. He caps at level 50, which keeps him relevant through most playthroughs but means he’ll eventually be outscaled in late-game content or high-difficulty runs.

His primary skills include:

• Two-Handed: 100 (maxed from the start)
• Heavy Armor: 100 (maxed)
• Block: 98
• Archery: 75
• One-Handed: 72

Vilkas defaults to wielding greatswords, favoring two-handed weapons that capitalize on his maxed skill. He starts with a leveled greatsword (typically Steel or Orcish depending on when you recruit him) and wears a full set of Wolf Armor, the signature gear of the Companions’ inner Circle.

His AI prioritizes aggressive melee engagement. Vilkas will charge directly at enemies, using power attacks frequently thanks to his high stamina pool. He doesn’t employ ranged tactics unless absolutely necessary, though his decent Archery skill means he won’t be completely useless if you hand him a bow.

One underappreciated aspect: Vilkas has perks in the Two-Handed tree like Champion’s Stance and Great Critical Charge, making his damage output legitimately competitive, especially in early-to-mid game content where his level 50 cap isn’t a limitation.

Beast Form Transformation

As a member of the inner Circle, Vilkas possesses the beast blood, the lycanthropy curse that allows transformation into a werewolf. But, his werewolf form is only accessible during specific scripted moments in the Companions questline, not during regular gameplay as your follower.

During the quest “The Silver Hand,” you’ll witness Vilkas transform into beast form after discovering what the Silver Hand has done to his fellow Companions. This cutscene showcases his werewolf abilities, but once he’s your follower, he fights exclusively in human form.

There’s an important narrative choice here: after completing “Glory of the Dead,” you can help Vilkas cure his lycanthropy by bringing a Glenmoril Witch head to Ysgramor’s Tomb and performing the cleansing ritual. If you do this, Vilkas will permanently lose his beast blood. This choice is purely narrative, it doesn’t affect his combat capabilities as a follower since he never transforms during regular gameplay anyway.

Some players prefer to cure Vilkas for roleplay reasons, viewing it as honoring Kodlak’s final wish. Others leave him as a werewolf to maintain the Companions’ traditional power. The mechanical impact is zero, so choose based on your character’s philosophy.

Vilkas vs. Farkas: Key Differences Between the Twin Brothers

The twin brothers may look identical, but their stats, personalities, and utility differ significantly.

Combat Specialization:

• Vilkas excels in Two-Handed combat with maxed skill and relevant perks
• Farkas has lower Two-Handed skill but slightly higher health, making him marginally tankier

Both cap at level 50 and wear Wolf Armor, so their survivability is nearly identical. The DPS edge goes to Vilkas thanks to his superior weapon skill.

Training Capabilities:

This is where the biggest practical difference emerges. Vilkas trains Two-Handed up to level 90 (master trainer), while Farkas trains Heavy Armor up to level 90. Depending on your build, one brother becomes objectively more valuable. Greatsword warriors will camp out at Vilkas’ training sessions, while tanks prioritizing damage reduction will gravitate toward Farkas.

Since both are followers, you can exploit the follower-training gold loop with either: train with them, then access their inventory to take your gold back. This makes leveling Two-Handed or Heavy Armor essentially free.

Personality Differences:

Vilkas is the smart, brooding twin who values intellect and strategy. His dialogue includes references to reading and thinking tactically. Farkas is the simpler, more straightforward warrior who admits he’s “not the brains” of the duo. If you’re into roleplay, Vilkas suits a more thoughtful Dragonborn, while Farkas fits a “hit things hard” playthrough.

Marriage Eligibility:

Both brothers can be married after completing the Companions questline, so neither has an advantage here. Your choice comes down to whether you prefer the sardonic intellectual or the friendly bruiser as your spouse.

Bottom Line:

For pure optimization, pick based on which training skill you need. Melee DPS builds should stick with Vilkas. Everyone else can choose based on personality preference since their combat performance is nearly identical.

Marriage and Relationship Options with Vilkas

How to Marry Vilkas

Vilkas becomes a marriage candidate after you complete the “Glory of the Dead” quest and become Harbinger of the Companions. You’ll also need to be wearing an Amulet of Mara, which you can purchase from Maramal in Riften for 200 gold or occasionally find as loot.

Once you’re wearing the amulet and have completed the Companions questline, speak to Vilkas. A dialogue option will appear: “Interested in me, are you?” Select this to initiate the marriage conversation. Vilkas will accept your proposal, and you can then arrange the wedding ceremony with Maramal at the Temple of Mara in Riften.

The wedding takes place 24 hours after you set the date with Maramal. Show up on time or the ceremony will be canceled (though you can reschedule). Once married, Vilkas becomes your spouse with all the standard benefits.

One important note: Vilkas can still serve as your follower after marriage, and you can move him to any player-owned home by asking him to relocate. This makes him more flexible than some other followers who have fixed residences.

Benefits of Marrying Vilkas

Marrying Vilkas grants the standard spouse benefits that apply to all marriageable NPCs in Skyrim:

Homemade Meal Buff:

Vilkas will cook you one meal per day, which grants the Lover’s Comfort bonus: 15% faster skill leveling for 8 hours. This stacks with other XP buffs and is particularly valuable during power-leveling sessions.

Spouse Store Income:

If you move Vilkas into a home with a merchant option (like Proudspire Manor with the appropriate upgrades), he’ll open a general goods store that generates up to 100 gold per day in passive income. Not game-changing money, but it adds up over time.

Companion Benefits:

Since Vilkas is also a follower, marrying him doesn’t lock you out of his combat utility. You get a powerful follower who also provides all the marriage perks, a better deal than marrying a non-combat NPC.

Roleplay Value:

Vilkas’ character arc makes him compelling as a spouse for roleplay purposes. He goes from skeptical outsider to respected comrade, and his dialogue as a spouse reflects genuine affection. Lines like referencing you as his shield-sibling turned life partner add narrative weight that some other marriage options lack.

The main downside? Vilkas’ level 50 cap means he’ll eventually become underpowered on higher difficulties or with level-scaling mods. But for most vanilla playthroughs, he remains a solid combination of combat follower and spouse.

Training and Skill Development with Vilkas

Vilkas’ primary utility beyond combat is his role as a master-level Two-Handed trainer. He can train you from skill level 15 all the way to 90, covering the vast majority of your Two-Handed progression.

Training Costs:

Training fees scale with your current skill level. At lower levels (15-50), sessions cost between 50-500 gold. As you approach 90, individual training sessions can exceed 1,000 gold each. The exact formula uses your character level and skill level to calculate cost, so expect higher prices as you progress.

The Follower Gold Loop:

Here’s the exploit every veteran knows: once Vilkas is your follower, you can train with him, then immediately open his inventory and take back the gold you just paid. This effectively makes his training free and allows you to power-level Two-Handed without draining your coin purse.

The process:

1. Recruit Vilkas as a follower
2. Train with him (up to 5 times per character level)
3. Select “I need you to do something” → access inventory
4. Take back the gold you just spent on training
5. Repeat until you hit the 5-training-per-level cap

This works because follower inventory isn’t protected the way merchant gold is. Bethesda never patched it, so it remains available even in the Special Edition and Anniversary Edition versions.

Leveling Strategy:

Two-Handed is one of the slower weapon skills to level through combat alone since you typically kill enemies in fewer hits than faster-attacking weapons. Training with Vilkas significantly accelerates progression, especially if you’re trying to unlock high-level perks like Sweep or Warmaster.

Combine his training with combat practice: fight enemies while he’s your follower, then use your 5 training sessions per level to push through skill plateaus. This hybrid approach maxes Two-Handed far faster than either method alone.

Alternative Trainers:

Vilkas is one of only two master-level Two-Handed trainers in the base game. The other is Torbjorn Shatter-Shield in Windhelm, but Torbjorn isn’t a follower, so you can’t exploit the gold-loop with him. This makes Vilkas objectively superior for Two-Handed leveling.

If you’re running a greatsword, battleaxe, or warhammer build, Vilkas becomes an essential NPC for efficient progression. His training service alone justifies recruiting him even if you prefer other followers for combat.

Best Strategies for Using Vilkas in Combat

Optimal Equipment and Gear for Vilkas

Vilkas starts with Wolf Armor, which provides decent protection but becomes outclassed quickly. Since followers don’t suffer durability loss and benefit from any armor you give them (as long as it’s higher-rated), you should upgrade his gear as soon as possible.

Armor Recommendations:

• Daedric Armor (best heavy armor rating in base game)
• Dragonplate Armor (second-best, easier to obtain)
• Ebony Armor (solid mid-to-late game option)
• Steel Plate or Dwarven (budget options for early game)

Followers calculate armor rating but don’t benefit from your Smithing improvements the way you do. Give Vilkas the highest base-rating armor pieces you can find. He’ll automatically equip superior armor if you place it in his inventory.

Weapon Recommendations:

Vilkas defaults to greatswords but will use any two-handed weapon you give him. Since his Two-Handed skill is maxed at 100, he deals full damage with any weapon in that category.

Top choices:

• Daedric Greatsword (highest base damage: 24)
• Ebony Blade (absorbs health with kills, though it’s technically one-handed)
• Longhammer (unique warhammer with faster swing speed, found in Liar’s Retreat)
• Dragonbone Greatsword (requires Dawnguard DLC, 25 base damage)

If you’ve enchanted a weapon with powerful effects like Absorb Health or Chaos Damage (from Dragonborn DLC), give it to Vilkas. Followers benefit from weapon enchantments, making enchanted gear significantly more effective than un-enchanted alternatives.

Accessory Optimization:

Vilkas can wear rings and amulets, though he won’t equip them automatically. Use the console command (on PC) or mods to force-equip accessories. Good options include anything boosting health, stamina, or melee damage. The community-popular modding tools on Nexus Mods offer follower equipment management mods that simplify this process.

Combat Tactics and Playstyles

Vilkas functions best as a frontline tank and DPS hybrid. His aggressive AI means he’ll rush into melee range immediately, drawing aggro away from squishy mage or archer players.

Optimal Playstyles:

Stealth Archer: Vilkas works surprisingly well even though not being stealth-oriented. Let him charge in to break stealth while you pick off enemies from range. His heavy armor and high health pool keep him alive while you snipe. Just be careful not to hit him with arrows, follower friendly fire can turn him hostile temporarily.

Mage: Similar logic to stealth archer. Vilkas locks down melee threats while you cast from a safe distance. Avoid area-effect spells like Fireball that might damage him. Use single-target spells or summon Atronachs to add even more bodies between you and enemies.

Melee Warrior: This is where Vilkas shines least, ironically. Two melee fighters competing for the same enemies can lead to awkward positioning and blocked paths. If you’re running a two-handed build yourself, consider bringing a ranged follower like Aela instead. But if you want the fantasy of two Companion warriors fighting side-by-side, Vilkas certainly delivers thematically.

Command Tactics:

Use the follower command system to position Vilkas strategically. Tell him to wait at chokepoints or doorways to intercept enemies, then fight from behind him. This tactic works brilliantly in dungeons with narrow corridors where Vilkas can effectively block enemy advancement.

Healing Management:

Vilkas is flagged as essential during the Companions questline, but loses that protection afterward as a regular follower. He can die permanently on higher difficulties if you’re not careful. Keep healing potions in his inventory, he’ll consume them automatically when health drops below 25%. Stock him with at least 20-30 strong healing potions before difficult dungeons.

Alternatively, use Healing Hands or other restoration spells to keep him topped off during extended fights. His heavy armor gives him strong damage reduction, but his level 50 cap means his health pool won’t keep pace with late-game enemy damage on Master or Legendary difficulty.

Vilkas-Related Quests and Storylines

Vilkas plays a central role throughout the Companions questline, appearing in multiple main quests and offering numerous radiant missions.

Main Questline Appearances:

“Take Up Arms” – Your introduction to the Companions. Vilkas administers the combat trial that grants you entry to Jorrvaskr. This establishes his role as gatekeeper and evaluator of new members.

“Proving Honor” – Though you typically do this quest with Farkas, Vilkas may provide commentary or assign similar radiant quests testing your worth to the Circle.

“The Silver Hand” – Vilkas takes center stage here. After discovering the Silver Hand has desecrated Companions’ tombs and killed members, Vilkas transforms into beast form in one of the questline’s most dramatic moments. You’ll fight alongside him as he tears through Silver Hand operatives in Gallows Rock. This quest cements his character development and reveals his emotional depth.

“Glory of the Dead” – The questline finale where you cleanse Kodlak’s spirit and optionally cure the beast blood. Vilkas participates in the assault on Ysgramor’s Tomb and can be cured of lycanthropy afterward if you choose. His dialogue during this quest reflects on honor, redemption, and what it means to be a true Companion.

Radiant Quests:

Like other Companions, Vilkas assigns repeatable radiant quests:

• “Family Heirloom” – Retrieve a stolen item from bandits
• “Escaped Criminal” – Hunt down a fugitive
• “Trouble in [Hold]” – Clear out a location of enemies

These radiant quests are mechanically identical regardless of who assigns them, but completing them for Vilkas builds your relationship and unlocks progression to later questline stages. You’ll typically need to complete 3-5 radiant quests between major story beats.

Purity Quest:

After completing “Glory of the Dead,” you can undertake the optional “Purity” quest for Vilkas. Bring a Glenmoril Witch head to Ysgramor’s Tomb, and Vilkas’ wolf spirit will emerge. Defeat it to permanently cure his lycanthropy. This is a quiet, personal quest with minimal rewards beyond the narrative satisfaction of fulfilling Kodlak’s vision.

Some players appreciate how this quest ties up the thematic threads of the Companions storyline. Those who favor character builds focused on role-playing elements often prioritize this quest for its narrative weight rather than mechanical benefits.

Common Issues and Bugs with Vilkas

Like many Skyrim NPCs, Vilkas suffers from several well-documented bugs that can disrupt gameplay.

Marriage Bug:

Occasionally, the marriage dialogue option won’t appear even after completing “Glory of the Dead” and wearing the Amulet of Mara. This typically happens if you triggered the romance dialogue before officially becoming Harbinger.

Fix: Complete additional radiant quests for the Companions, then wait 48-72 in-game hours before speaking to Vilkas again. If that doesn’t work, use console commands (PC only): resetquest RelationshipMarriage followed by setstage RelationshipMarriage 10.

Training Unavailable:

Some players report Vilkas refusing to offer training even though he’s supposed to be a master trainer. This usually occurs if you complete certain quests out of order or if he’s hostile for any reason.

Fix: Check your bounty in Whiterun Hold, any active bounty makes Companions refuse services. Pay it off, then try again. If that doesn’t work, try the console command setrelationshiprank player 3 while targeting Vilkas to reset his relationship rank.

Follower Won’t Follow:

Vilkas may refuse to follow you if he gets stuck in a quest-related state or if you dismissed him during certain questline stages.

Fix: Fast travel to a different location and wait 24 in-game hours, then return to Jorrvaskr. If he’s still bugged, use console commands: target Vilkas and type resetai. For persistent issues, disable followed by enable (wait 5 seconds between commands) forces a complete reset.

Combat AI Freezing:

Vilkas occasionally freezes in combat, standing motionless while enemies attack. This is a general follower AI bug, not specific to Vilkas, but it’s particularly noticeable with melee followers.

Fix: Command him to wait, then immediately tell him to follow again. This resets his AI package. For preventive measures, comprehensive guides on Game8 offer detailed follower management strategies that minimize AI issues.

Death and Resurrection:

If Vilkas dies permanently (after losing essential status post-questline), there’s no vanilla way to bring him back. Console players are out of luck, but PC players can use console commands:

1. Click on Vilkas’ body
2. Type resurrect 1 (the “1” prevents the dead-eye bug)
3. He should revive with all his original stats and inventory

Unofficial Patch:

Many of these bugs are addressed in the Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP), available on Nexus Mods and Bethesda.net. This community patch fixes hundreds of bugs, including several Vilkas-specific issues. It’s considered essential for most modded playthroughs.

Anniversary Edition Considerations:

The Anniversary Edition (2021) didn’t introduce new Vilkas-specific bugs, but general Creation Club content can occasionally conflict with Companions questline triggers. If you’re experiencing unusual bugs on AE, try disabling Creation Club content temporarily to isolate the issue.

Conclusion

Vilkas represents one of Skyrim’s most well-rounded follower options, combining strong combat stats with useful training services and genuine character development. His level 50 cap and maxed Two-Handed skill keep him relevant through most playthroughs, while his master-level training makes him invaluable for melee builds. The fact that he’s marriageable, offers free training through the follower gold loop, and actually has personality beyond generic dialogue lines puts him a cut above many companions.

Whether you’re drawn to his sardonic wit, his redemption arc through the Companions questline, or simply need a reliable tank who can also teach you how to swing a greatsword properly, Vilkas delivers. Just remember to upgrade his gear, keep healing potions in his inventory, and maybe bring that Glenmoril Witch head if you want to honor Kodlak’s memory.

For players optimizing their Skyrim experience, don’t sleep on the benefits of equipping Vilkas with powerful enchanted gear like the magical rings scattered throughout Skyrim. Paired with proper equipment and tactical positioning, he’ll serve you well from Jorrvaskr to Sovngarde and everywhere in between.