November 19, 2011 4:38 PM EST
I tend to sneak and snipe with a bow as much as poss and unfortunately lydia had a habit of running in my line of fire. I understand that companions rarely die unless you kill them.
But when you are chaining fire or trying to take out a boss from a distance before they unleash their augmented melee attacks, I found myself wasting Lydia far too often.
I've also done a dungeon today, Yokun I think, and there was a narrow passage with a trap. I kept losing my companion and then thinking I must have killed him. Turns out he couldn't get passed the trap...every time he tried he got hit with poison darts until he died.
So persevering at the moment...I can can see if you are a melee/warrior type you may do far better with companions than if you are a mage or rogue type yourself.
I do agree that for all her annoyance Lydia was by and large a good companion, just frustrating with her frequently dying and also I found her repeated moan about carrying equipment tiring after 50 or so hours. If I wanted sarky moans I would ask my wife!