Stop Making Companions Disapprove of Basic Game Mechanics

Juju_beans

Mirri doesn't like catching bugs and I always seem to catch the torch bugs flying around sky shards before the shard itself.

I did laugh though when I went into the thieves den and she said "Alright, what did you do now ?"

JemadarofCaerSalis

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I think Companion dislikes can be anything — as long as they're justified. For instance, Tanlorin doesn't like Mages Guild lorebooks because of their background with that guild. Bastian doesn't like seeing the player make cheese items because it makes him sick. Zerith-var doesn't like the player trapping souls because it goes against his beliefs.

So far, every Companion like and dislike is justified in some way. Honestly, I think it'd be fun to try to justify why a Companion would or wouldn't like certain things. Of course, it's a little challenging trying to work around those likes and dislikes when adventuring alongside them, but this is a video game.

My issue with this, and I have this same problem with people who do this in real life, is that, my making cheese doesnt' affect bastian. I am not forcing him to eat cheese. My reading books isn't affecting Tanlorin.

The trapping of souls is more believable because that is part of his religious beliefs. Just as I can accept that someone who is law abiding wouldn't like stealing.

it would be one thing if, say Bastian disliked it when you forced him (if you can) to eat a cheese product, or you forced Sharp (I think it is sharp) to change his outfit, but my making, or eating, cheese or changing my outfit should not be of any concern to them. If I were forcing Tanlorin to read them, or adhere to the mage's guild creed, then I would understand the issue.

People like that exist in real life, and I feel exactly the same way, I don't really want to be around them and they need to get over themselves.

Edit: Basically for me, it comes down to 'is this a deeply seated belief and does my action affect the companion?'

Mirri seems to like bugs, and so my catching bugs to use for fish bait or whatever would be disturbing to her, so I can understand that one.

Bastian not being able to eat cheese is understandable, but not his disapproving when someone else is making/eating it. I don't like coffee, but I still made my mother coffee when she was alive. I am allergic to perfume, but I would still buy someone who isn't and likes it perfume.

spartaxoxo

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

My issue with this, and I have this same problem with people who do this in real life, is that, my making cheese doesnt' affect bastian. I am not forcing him to eat cheese. My reading books isn't affecting Tanlorin.

The implication in the lore when you cook with a companion is that you are inviting them to try it. Mirri even thanks you for drinking with her, IIRC, when she writes her letter after you've crafted an alcoholic beverage with her out. The problem is that they don't show this so the companions with food bothering them just come out weird. I think that's why they made it clear that Azandar is bothered by even the smell of coffee.

The same is true of Sharp. He hates shopping for clothes so gets a little annoyed you take him to go clothes shopping, essentially.

A lot of these dislikes that don't affect them would be inconsiderate if we could see it from their POV but we can't.

No idea about Tanlorin as I can't play them yet.

Erickson9610

Companions will never be as nuanced as real-life people. They're fictional video game characters, and the Rapport system is designed to reward/penalize players for behaving in certain ways around them — both to simulate a long-term relationship with a character, and to add unique gameplay to each character.


So, it's okay for Companions to be a little bit dramatic or emphatic about what their likes and dislikes are. If you were to accidentally pick up a bug in real life (somehow) when with a friend who hates bugs, they probably would understand that it was an accident and that you're not trying to make them uncomfortable. Not so with ESO's Companions — the player's intention is never revealed to the Companions, so they have no idea whether you meant to pick up that torchbug or not.

Generally, a single torchbug isn't enough to drop Mirri's Rapport down a stage; it'd take a long history of picking up torchbugs to make her like you less. Likewise, your real-life friend (hopefully) wouldn't start hating you after you picked up a single bug.

The same thing goes with Companions who don't mind their own business. Azandar doesn't have to drink your coffee, just like your friends in real life don't have to have any of the coffee you make for yourself. But, the intention is lost with Companions, and they really want to vocalize what they do and don't like — because they're video game characters who want to clue you in to what their Rapport sources are.


Sure, it is a little annoying to deal with the Rapport system. I don't think it should go away, though — it's a clear way to add some form of gameplay (in the form of "rules" and a "score") to Companions, aside from the theorycrafting/combat system they already utilize. The fact that every Companion has different likes and dislikes (different "rules") makes every single one a different gameplay experience.

JemadarofCaerSalis

spartaxoxo wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

My issue with this, and I have this same problem with people who do this in real life, is that, my making cheese doesnt' affect bastian. I am not forcing him to eat cheese. My reading books isn't affecting Tanlorin.

The implication in the lore when you cook with a companion is that you are inviting them to try it. Mirri even thanks you for drinking with her, IIRC, when she writes her letter after you've crafted an alcoholic beverage with her out. The problem is that they don't show this so the companions with food bothering them just come out weird. I think that's why they made it clear that Azandar is bothered by even the smell of coffee.

The same is true of Sharp. He hates shopping for clothes so gets a little annoyed you take him to go clothes shopping, essentially.

A lot of these dislikes that don't affect them would be inconsiderate if we could see it from their POV but we can't.

No idea about Tanlorin as I can't play them yet.

Ah, I hadn't realized that about the cooking, because I cook it and ship it off to people and then sell the rest.

I still think it would be better to just have the companion say 'no thanks, I can't eat cheese' in that instance instead of the disapproval.

I hadn't done any coffee writs around Azandar so I didn't know that, but I can sort of see being bothered by the smell causing disapproval, because that is affecting him.

I think it would help if they made some of these dislikes more clear instead of just a 'I looked at a piece of cheese and lost rapport with Bastian' or 'I passed by an outfit station and Sharp objected'

Ultimately these are inconsequential, I just get tired of hearing the grumbles all the time.

fizzylu

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

Bastian not being able to eat cheese is understandable, but not his disapproving when someone else is making/eating it. I don't like coffee, but I still made my mother coffee when she was alive.

I actually stopped using Bastian because of the cheese thing similar to the way I stopped dating a vegan who always had something to say whenever I ate cheese or meat.

M1SHAAN

Re: cheese and Bastian, some cheese smells quite strongly. I wouldn't be surprised if the intention was to imply the smell was enough to make him feel sick, like with Azandar and coffee.

spartaxoxo wrote: »

The same is true of Sharp. He hates shopping for clothes so gets a little annoyed you take him to go clothes shopping, essentially.

Now I want to see fanart of Sharp sitting dejectedly in one of those depressing chairs in the mall outside a Forever 21 or something (or maybe it would be more apt for it to be a Forever 2E582....)

spartaxoxo

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

I think it would help if they made some of these dislikes more clear instead of just a 'I looked at a piece of cheese and lost rapport with Bastian' or 'I passed by an outfit station and Sharp objected'

Ultimately these are inconsequential, I just get tired of hearing the grumbles all the time.

I agree 100%. I think things would come off a lot better if they went back to some of the older companions and added new dialogue that better explains these dislikes. It's not at all clear and that is part of the problem.

spartaxoxo

M1SHAAN wrote: »

Now I want to see fanart of Sharp sitting dejectedly in one of those depressing chairs in the mall outside a Forever 21 or something (or maybe it would be more apt for it to be a Forever 2E582....)

OMG I need it 🙏 🤣🤣 Too funny.

Necrotech_Master

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

spartaxoxo wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

My issue with this, and I have this same problem with people who do this in real life, is that, my making cheese doesnt' affect bastian. I am not forcing him to eat cheese. My reading books isn't affecting Tanlorin.

The implication in the lore when you cook with a companion is that you are inviting them to try it. Mirri even thanks you for drinking with her, IIRC, when she writes her letter after you've crafted an alcoholic beverage with her out. The problem is that they don't show this so the companions with food bothering them just come out weird. I think that's why they made it clear that Azandar is bothered by even the smell of coffee.

The same is true of Sharp. He hates shopping for clothes so gets a little annoyed you take him to go clothes shopping, essentially.

A lot of these dislikes that don't affect them would be inconsiderate if we could see it from their POV but we can't.

No idea about Tanlorin as I can't play them yet.

Ah, I hadn't realized that about the cooking, because I cook it and ship it off to people and then sell the rest.

I still think it would be better to just have the companion say 'no thanks, I can't eat cheese' in that instance instead of the disapproval.

I hadn't done any coffee writs around Azandar so I didn't know that, but I can sort of see being bothered by the smell causing disapproval, because that is affecting him.

I think it would help if they made some of these dislikes more clear instead of just a 'I looked at a piece of cheese and lost rapport with Bastian' or 'I passed by an outfit station and Sharp objected'

Ultimately these are inconsequential, I just get tired of hearing the grumbles all the time.

funny thing is, looting cheese ingredient doesnt bother bastian, only cooking food that has cheese as an ingredient lol

SteveCampsOut

Until they give companions actual AI personhood with non-scripted dialogue, we're stuck with scripts.

Syldras

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I think Companion dislikes can be anything — as long as they're justified. For instance, Tanlorin doesn't like Mages Guild lorebooks because of their background with that guild.

The main problem I have with this is that, while these books count towards the Mages Guild skill line, by their topics they aren't special "Mages Guild books", but completely normal books about a variety of common and random topics. One is a travel guide about Mournhold, another one a book about Ashlander poetry, some are about Redguard history, there's even a few cookbooks, and even the Argonian Maid is amongst them. You can view the full list here:
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Shalidor's_Library
How utterly stupid is it to get upset about another person reading a cookbook?!

Then again being afraid of books and starting to screech whenever someone else tries to read in peace it probably a very good reason to be disowned by an Altmer family. I'd do the same. Although as I Dunmer I would probably sell off my worthless progeny to some far away Dres farm. And buy even more books from that gold.

Erickson9610 wrote: »

So, it's okay for Companions to be a little bit dramatic or emphatic about what their likes and dislikes are. If you were to accidentally pick up a bug in real life (somehow) when with a friend who hates bugs, they probably would understand that it was an accident and that you're not trying to make them uncomfortable. Not so with ESO's Companions — the player's intention is never revealed to the Companions, so they have no idea whether you meant to pick up that torchbug or not.
Generally, a single torchbug isn't enough to drop Mirri's Rapport down a stage; it'd take a long history of picking up torchbugs to make her like you less. Likewise, your real-life friend (hopefully) wouldn't start hating you after you picked up a single bug.

She doesn't hate bugs, it's the opposite: She loves them. That is the reason she hates is that the player character harvests/kills them. Which is entirely different to just picking up a bug, letting it live and showing it to someone who might be afraid of it.

Erickson9610 wrote: »

The same thing goes with Companions who don't mind their own business. Azandar doesn't have to drink your coffee, just like your friends in real life don't have to have any of the coffee you make for yourself.

It's the smell that makes him nauseous. He states that quite clearly.

M1SHAAN wrote: »

Re: cheese and Bastian, some cheese smells quite strongly. I wouldn't be surprised if the intention was to imply the smell was enough to make him feel sick, like with Azandar and coffee.

His houseguest dialogue states that he's lactose intolerant and gets an upset stomach when eating it.

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Mirri even thanks you for drinking with her, IIRC, when she writes her letter after you've crafted an alcoholic beverage with her out.

Which letter? The max rapport one? I think that's only about the family heirloom that she gifts the player character.

spartaxoxo

Syldras wrote: »

Which letter? The max rapport one? I think that's only about the family heirloom that she gifts the player character.

I don't remember at this point. It might not even be Mirri. I thought it was but maybe I'm wrong since I don't see it on UESP. Do they send multiple letters? I just remember one of the companions at one point recalls the times you've had together and that included sharing drinks.

Erickson9610

Syldras wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I think Companion dislikes can be anything — as long as they're justified. For instance, Tanlorin doesn't like Mages Guild lorebooks because of their background with that guild.

The main problem I have with this is that, while these books count towards the Mages Guild skill line, by their topics they aren't special "Mages Guild books", but completely normal books about a variety of common and random topics. One is a travel guide about Mournhold, another one a book about Ashlander poetry, some are about Redguard history, there's even a few cookbooks, and even the Argonian Maid is amongst them. You can view the full list here:
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Shalidor's_Library
How utterly stupid is it to get upset about another person reading a cookbook?!

Then again being afraid of books and starting to screech whenever someone else tries to read in peace it probably a very good reason to be disowned by an Altmer family. I'd do the same. Although as I Dunmer I would probably sell off my worthless progeny to some far away Dres farm. And buy even more books from that gold.

The implication when picking up those lorebooks is that we're handing them over to the Mages Guild. That's what we're asked to do when we join the Mages Guild.

Tanlorin doesn't like that we're working for the Mages Guild, which is completely understandable given their history with that guild.

Syldras

Erickson9610 wrote: »

The implication when picking up those lorebooks is that we're handing them over to the Mages Guild. That's what we're asked to do when we join the Mages Guild.

Can someone test on PTS whether the rapport loss also triggers if a player character has not joined the Mages Guild?

spartaxoxo wrote: »

I don't remember at this point. It might not even be Mirri. I thought it was but maybe I'm wrong since I don't see it on UESP. Do they send multiple letters? I just remember one of the companions at one point recalls the times you've had together and that included sharing drinks.

No, only one.

Erickson9610

Syldras wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

The implication when picking up those lorebooks is that we're handing them over to the Mages Guild. That's what we're asked to do when we join the Mages Guild.

Can someone test on PTS whether the rapport loss also triggers if a player character has not joined the Mages Guild?

Mages Guild lorebooks you collect before you join the Mages Guild count toward your Mages Guild rank. I know it wouldn't make sense to get mad at the player before they ever joined the Mages Guild, but the fact is that those books belong to the Mages Guild, and those books are essentially handed over to the Mages Guild whenever they're collected.

I doubt the proc condition for the negative rapport checks to see if the player has actually joined the Mages Guild first. Regardless, a screenshot of Tanlorin's dialogue (with captions on) when collecting a lorebook should be enough to verify what about that action upsets them.

Syldras

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Mages Guild lorebooks you collect before you join the Mages Guild count toward your Mages Guild rank. I know it wouldn't make sense to get mad at the player before they ever joined the Mages Guild, but the fact is that those books belong to the Mages Guild, and those books are essentially handed over to the Mages Guild whenever they're collected.
I doubt the proc condition for the negative rapport checks to see if the player has actually joined the Mages Guild first. Regardless, a screenshot of Tanlorin's dialogue (with captions on) when collecting a lorebook should be enough to verify what about that action upsets them.

It's still a questionable decision from a roleplaying perspective, as some characters might never join the Mages Guild at all but can be very interested in reading lore books.

Also equating the act of reading a book as handing it over to some organization seems strange by itself (I just didn't care much about it before because it made no actual difference in the game). They should have made the books actually appear under quest items in our inventory and let the guild rank increase when handing them over to some guild npc (which wouldn't be that much of a hassle if they can be delivered in bulks every now and then). If they had made it like this and Tanrolin would lose rapport during the act of handing the books over, I wouldn't mind at all. But the way it currently is seems nonsensical to me.

Erickson9610

Syldras wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Mages Guild lorebooks you collect before you join the Mages Guild count toward your Mages Guild rank. I know it wouldn't make sense to get mad at the player before they ever joined the Mages Guild, but the fact is that those books belong to the Mages Guild, and those books are essentially handed over to the Mages Guild whenever they're collected.
I doubt the proc condition for the negative rapport checks to see if the player has actually joined the Mages Guild first. Regardless, a screenshot of Tanlorin's dialogue (with captions on) when collecting a lorebook should be enough to verify what about that action upsets them.

It's still a questionable decision from a roleplaying perspective, as some characters might never join the Mages Guild at all but can be very interested in reading lore books.

Also equating the act of reading a book as handing it over to some organization seems strange by itself (I just didn't care much about it before because it made no actual difference in the game). They should have made the books actually appear under quest items in our inventory and let the guild rank increase when handing them over to some guild npc (which wouldn't be that much of a hassle if they can be delivered in bulks every now and then). If they had made it like this and Tanrolin would lose rapport during the act of handing the books over, I wouldn't mind at all. But the way it currently is seems nonsensical to me.

That would be a huge hassle from a gameplay perspective, but it would be immersive from a roleplaying perspective.

I'm reminded of all of the museum piece hunts in the DLCs where each item took up an inventory slot and had to be retrieved somewhere in the world and delivered back to the museum...

Syldras

Erickson9610 wrote: »

That would be a huge hassle from a gameplay perspective, but it would be immersive from a roleplaying perspective.
I'm reminded of all of the museum piece hunts in the DLCs where each item took up an inventory slot and had to be retrieved somewhere in the world and delivered back to the museum...

That's why I said the books should be quest items that don't take inventory space (they could have done the same with the collectibles). I don't think then it would be much of a problem to collect the books while playing all quests and clearing all places of a zone and then handing all of them over afterwards. Or not even after every single zone, but whenever needed or if one walks past a Mages Guild anyway.

Elsonso

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I think Companion dislikes can be anything — as long as they're justified. For instance, Tanlorin doesn't like Mages Guild lorebooks because of their background with that guild. Bastian doesn't like seeing the player make cheese items because it makes him sick. Zerith-var doesn't like the player trapping souls because it goes against his beliefs.

So far, every Companion like and dislike is justified in some way. Honestly, I think it'd be fun to try to justify why a Companion would or wouldn't like certain things. Of course, it's a little challenging trying to work around those likes and dislikes when adventuring alongside them, but this is a video game.

So, Tanlorin gives a negative rapport for leveling up the Mage's Guild skill line? How lovely.

Erickson9610

Elsonso wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I think Companion dislikes can be anything — as long as they're justified. For instance, Tanlorin doesn't like Mages Guild lorebooks because of their background with that guild. Bastian doesn't like seeing the player make cheese items because it makes him sick. Zerith-var doesn't like the player trapping souls because it goes against his beliefs.

So far, every Companion like and dislike is justified in some way. Honestly, I think it'd be fun to try to justify why a Companion would or wouldn't like certain things. Of course, it's a little challenging trying to work around those likes and dislikes when adventuring alongside them, but this is a video game.

So, Tanlorin gives a negative rapport for leveling up the Mage's Guild skill line? How lovely.

Yes, because Tanlorin dislikes the Mages Guild. They're not the only Companion to dislike the Mages Guild, either — Azandar, for instance, hates when you bring him to Eyevea.

But that's not the most annoying negative rapport source Tanlorin has. They don't like when you kill gryphons or indriks. If anything, I'd be more worried about killing the wrong enemy types around Tanlorin.

Despite that, I still think it's justified, as annoying as it may be. Tanlorin expresses a love for gryphons and indriks. As far as I know, Tanlorin is the first Companion to hate when you kill a specific enemy type — but, that also means that perhaps Tanlorin is better suited for a player who doesn't go around Summerset slaying mythical creatures.

Justosay

Honestly..? I don't understand the problem of the author of the topic.
CONPANIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED!!!
And we played for a long time without them at all. All companions are just a nice addition to make your fights a little easier (so you can "solo" some group content) and add ... flavor.. to your journey. Do you disagree? Don't use them

BlueRaven

One more thing, what they “dislike” would not be such an issue if doing things they “like“ would be much easier and faster to do than now.

Syldras

BlueRaven wrote: »

One more thing, what they “dislike” would not be such an issue if doing things they “like“ would be much easier and faster to do than now.

In case of Azandar, coffee and mushrooms both give -1, while killing a mudcrab, ogre, troll, nix-ox and many other creatures give +1, brewing or drinking tea or reading a book give +5, and visiting Brass Fortress, Fargrave or the Hollow City give +10.

JemadarofCaerSalis

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I think Companion dislikes can be anything — as long as they're justified. For instance, Tanlorin doesn't like Mages Guild lorebooks because of their background with that guild. Bastian doesn't like seeing the player make cheese items because it makes him sick. Zerith-var doesn't like the player trapping souls because it goes against his beliefs.

So far, every Companion like and dislike is justified in some way. Honestly, I think it'd be fun to try to justify why a Companion would or wouldn't like certain things. Of course, it's a little challenging trying to work around those likes and dislikes when adventuring alongside them, but this is a video game.

So, Tanlorin gives a negative rapport for leveling up the Mage's Guild skill line? How lovely.

Yes, because Tanlorin dislikes the Mages Guild. They're not the only Companion to dislike the Mages Guild, either — Azandar, for instance, hates when you bring him to Eyevea.

But that's not the most annoying negative rapport source Tanlorin has. They don't like when you kill gryphons or indriks. If anything, I'd be more worried about killing the wrong enemy types around Tanlorin.

Despite that, I still think it's justified, as annoying as it may be. Tanlorin expresses a love for gryphons and indriks. As far as I know, Tanlorin is the first Companion to hate when you kill a specific enemy type — but, that also means that perhaps Tanlorin is better suited for a player who doesn't go around Summerset slaying mythical creatures.

The thing is, Eyevea is more reasonable, because that is the mage's guild 'place' *sorry, mind went blank on the word I actually wanted).

To me, eyevea is like the companions that don't like you going into a thieves den.

Even the killing of gryphons or INdriks isn't as bad as the mages' guild books, because I can run past those creatures, and usually do as they normally take too long to kill when I am on my way somewhere (ie 2 seconds compared to 1 :P). But, if I want to get completion on the mage's guild collection, I need to read the books.

I don't think that particular one is that bad, because there are other companions that gain rapport when you kill various types of creatures, so it is natural there would be ones who dislike it. Just as said, Mirri's dislike of people harvesting bugs is natural, because she likes bugs.

I think my problem is that Tanlorin's hatred of the mage's guild spilling over to someone just reading the books (as again it is easy to miss that you are technically supposed to be handing them over to the mages guild) reminds me too much of certain types of people in real life, who make a point to let you know that they have a problem with something, and no one else should enjoy that something. Period.

ellmarie

But what does happen in the game if your companion is all the way negative to the left? Do they just not do anything for you? I don't see how this adds character to the game if the game isn't really based on decisions. I'll basically just be companionless majority of the time only to pull out a tank for WBs or fishing with Sharp.

Syldras

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

The thing is, Eyevea is more reasonable, because that is the mage's guild 'place' *sorry, mind went blank on the word I actually wanted).
To me, eyevea is like the companions that don't like you going into a thieves den.

Also, if one has a problem with a certain group of people and maybe especially with some individuals, one would avoid to run into them again. That's a risk that doesn't exist when it comes to just someone else reading a book.

The main problem indeed is that the rapport loss happens upon picking up or reading a random book, regardless of ever seeing it being handed over in game, or whether the player character even is a Mages Guild member or not.

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

Even the killing of gryphons or INdriks isn't as bad as the mages' guild books, because I can run past those creatures, and usually do as they normally take too long to kill when I am on my way somewhere (ie 2 seconds compared to 1 :P).

Also it's about killing a creature. I can understand that someone is upset about seeing a creature they like getting killed. No matter if it's bugs, indriks, dogs or people.

ellmarie wrote: »

But what does happen in the game if your companion is all the way negative to the left?

They'll whine even more if you talk to them, and of course it doesn't help since you have to max rapport at least once to get an achievement to unlock their special bonus permanently (after that it really doesn't matter anymore).

ellmarie

ellmarie wrote: »

But what does happen in the game if your companion is all the way negative to the left?

They'll whine even more if you talk to them, and of course it doesn't help since you have to max rapport at least once to get an achievement to unlock their special bonus permanently (after that it really doesn't matter anymore).

[/quote]

lol, true. I do have the max rapports already. I'll do it to be irritating I guess.

peacenote

coop500 wrote: »

BlueRaven wrote: »

I don't think it's "basic" mechanics that is the issue. It's more like innocuous mechanics. With the upcoming companions, one apparently does not like reading "purple" lore books. Of all the things to implement... Should eso players avoid reading about lore?

Stealing? Sure.

Assassinations? Ok, that makes sense.

Drinking alcoholic beverages? Ok, I guess.

But reading lore books?

I don't want to remember to unsummon a companion, before say, visiting a dye station, or picking a mushroom, or something dumb like that. It has to be something that makes sense, that a real person would not like, and not a random everyday thing.

This is basically what I was trying to say, yeah.
Things that make sense for someone to dislike is fine. Visiting an outfit station, picking a mushroom or reading a book? Leave me alone.

While it doesn't bother me that much either way, I do agree. I learned to become amused that Azandar didn't like riding, but his reactions to picking mushrooms has made me generally avoid them, as I now feel they are "bad" to pick. My brain associates them with "companions don't like them" as opposed to "Azandar" doesn't like them as I'm not always thinking about which one is out.

I agree with the fact that companions should have likes and dislikes to make them feel more real. I think what's annoying is when dislikes are assigned to things that are not only innocuous but also things that happen a lot. For me, it takes a long time to level the reputation and seeing those little -1's are frustrating. I don't mind the comments as much.

I'd like to see negative rapport only to things that make sense (stealing, killing innocents) or things that are unlikely to happen at a high frequency (maybe visiting a couple of locations), even if the negative impact is a higher number when it happens. It would also be cool if you could stumble upon quests where you could work with the companion to help them see your perspective on an activity, so they still make comments but the negative reputation hits stop.

Having a companion regularly react negatively to reading lore books seems like it will be horrible, to be honest. And that's coming from someone who laughs inside every time Sharp-as-Night complains about cities.

Necrotech_Master

Elsonso wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I think Companion dislikes can be anything — as long as they're justified. For instance, Tanlorin doesn't like Mages Guild lorebooks because of their background with that guild. Bastian doesn't like seeing the player make cheese items because it makes him sick. Zerith-var doesn't like the player trapping souls because it goes against his beliefs.

So far, every Companion like and dislike is justified in some way. Honestly, I think it'd be fun to try to justify why a Companion would or wouldn't like certain things. Of course, it's a little challenging trying to work around those likes and dislikes when adventuring alongside them, but this is a video game.

So, Tanlorin gives a negative rapport for leveling up the Mage's Guild skill line? How lovely.

its like -1 rapport, it hardly matters at all

doing 1 fighters guild daily and 1 daily alchemy writ gives enough rapport that would cover all of the loss from almost every mages guild book

its more annoying when they actually start running their mouths about the rapport loss than the actual rapport loss lol