what do they do
You should drop Meeko as a follower once you're around level 25 or so because that's his vanilla game level cap and you'll start generating enemies that outlevel him after that increasing the chance of him getting killed with just a few hits.
He can die. I know it's just a game and he's only a pixel dog but I felt really bad the first time I looked around for him after a battle and saw his lifeless corpse lying there. I reloaded my last save and retired my live Meeko after that until I decided to raise his level cap. It's enough that between me, my Housecarl kitted out in full Daedric enchanted gear (sans helmet) and Meeko's higher health, he never draws enemy attacks long enough for him to die.I didn't think Meeko could be killed by enemies, only if you or a follower kill him. I have never had him die from an enemy, only when I accidentally hit him.
Barbas isn't essential, he's invulnerable, like Brynjolf is before completing the first quest of the Thieves Guild. An essential NPC can be dropped to one knee which is the equivalent of stunning them. An invulnerable NPC cannot be dropped to one knee no matter how much damage is inflicted on them.....he's still essential....
Yes, invulnerable, that's exactly what I meant, he can be killed at the end of his quest where you have a choice to either kill him and keep the Rueful Axe or spare him for the Masque. I know the pain in his pathing, he also tends to have a constant battle with gravity as well from time to time due to interacting with beds and walls. WARNING: Do NOT fast travel to Bard's Leap Summit with Barbas and someone else, as soon as you're there, you have no reaction time, you appear being shoved off and having to travel back the long way if you need to get up there.Barbas isn't essential, he's invulnerable, like Brynjolf is before completing the first quest of the Thieves Guild. An essential NPC can be dropped to one knee which is the equivalent of stunning them. An invulnerable NPC cannot be dropped to one knee no matter how much damage is inflicted on them.....he's still essential....
I forgot to mention a unique annoying trait regarding Barbas and that is that his pathing is bugged. Most NPC's will path to a spot near you when you stop moving. Barbas however tries to path to where you're standing which effectively means he's constantly pushing you when you aren't moving. He has been known to push many player characters to their deaths this way when they are standing by a cliffside or the edge of a tower (including me). Exercise caution accordingly regarding where you stop or you'll be like me the first time you're near a cliff, falling to your death shouting "STUPID DOOoog!" [splat]
He can die. I know it's just a game and he's only a pixel dog but I felt really bad the first time I looked around for him after a battle and saw his lifeless corpse lying there. I reloaded my last save and retired my live Meeko after that until I decided to raise his level cap. It's enough that between me, my Housecarl kitted out in full Daedric enchanted gear (sans helmet) and Meeko's higher health, he never draws enemy attacks long enough for him to die.I didn't think Meeko could be killed by enemies, only if you or a follower kill him. I have never had him die from an enemy, only when I accidentally hit him.