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Companions: a Breakdown of the New Feature by Rich Lambert
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Kolzki✭✭✭✭✭Who are the first set of Companions we meet in this Chapter?
For now, there are two companions who players will get to know: Bastion and Mary.
The companion is called Bastion? Oh dear. Any chance I could get a free name change token for my magblade?
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Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭I am fine with a companion as long as they give me Dwemer autmanon ,Pahmar-raht
That's an unusual choice considering they want to make it a romance thing
poodlemasterb16_ESO wrote: »There are enough brightly coloured people in my dungeons already. They swarm about the place while I'm trying to solo them, and kinda *** me off. More losers will not help my mood at all.
Your dungeons?
@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire9 -
Wolf81✭✭✭All sounds pretty good except the last part of using them if you down a party members in a group instance...couldn't this lead to having group members intentionally kicking someone to use a companion?6 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭NotaDaedraWorshipper wrote: »
With a Pahmar, maybe. At least you can talk to them. But with a Dwemer automaton? Sounds dangerous... too dangerous. But maybe I'm just not adventurous enough.
@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire1 -
Skullstachio✭✭✭✭✭You know who could make it as a Companion? (Particularly Necromancers.) Ulliceta gra-kogg. She wanted to learn about manninarco, and by indirect extension, Necromancy. The perfect companion for any Necromancer practicing the dark arts.If you see me anywhere. Know that I am sitting back with a bag of popcorn, watching as ESO burns the goodwill of its player base with practices that only disrespects the players time like it did to me and many others...
If a game does not respect your time, best thing to do is move on from it and find something else.1 -
Luke_Flamesword✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭I read in some interview with Rich Lambert something about companions and there is official confirmation for:
* companions take players slot in dungeons nad trials. He said that companions are obviously less inteligent than players so they will not perform as good as good player (he didn't see a success for them in vet trials, but in normal one should be ok). It's option for players who want to play, but are short of players and personally I think that's awesome option.
* there will be no attack of the clones - they will use similar system, which is already used at quest with unique companion for example Lyris - you see "your" Lyris and other players with random NPC. So it looks like other companions will be "masked".PC | EU | DC |Stam Dk Breton5 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Luke_Flamesword wrote: »there will be no attack of the clones - they will use similar system, which is already used at quest with unique companion for example Lyris - you see "your" Lyris and other players with random NPC. So it looks like other companions will be "masked".
Aren't those replacement npcs all looking the same?@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire6 -
Luke_Flamesword✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭
Maybe there was no need to make them more unique for such a rare occasion like some quests - with companion almost everywhere all the time, I think they will put some effort to make less repeating.Aren't those replacement npcs all looking the same?PC | EU | DC |Stam Dk Breton0 -
emilyhyoyeon✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭I wonder if I'm the minority in this, but I would really rather have a blank slate companion. I'm interested in companions as an rp feature, but I don't want them to already have their own stories.
I don't want an imperial servant named Bastion or a dunmer assassin named Mary. Neither of them make any sense to have relationships with my characters. Obviously they will be adding more but chances that they'll suit what I'm looking for are low.
I can always PRETEND they're different but I already have to pretend so many things for rp reasons already, I'm not interested in more pretending.IGN @ emilypumpkin
Zirasia Firemaker, imperial fire mage & sunbather
Deebaba Soul-Weaver, argonian ghostminder & soul gem collector
Tullanisse Starborne, altmer battlemage & ayleid researcher
BLACK HAIR FOR ALTMER PLEASE (hair color cosmetic pack)9 -
Scardan✭✭✭✭✭The boring part of first companions for me is that they are humanoid. I hope to see some beasts in future.
Edited by Scardan on February 1, 2021 3:04PMLet's be extremely precise in our use of terms.6 -
Olauron✭✭✭✭✭
✭
Dunmer are not humans.The boring part of companions for me is that first two are humans. I hoped to see some beasts.The Three Storm Sharks, episode 8 released on january the 8th.
One mer to rule them all,
one mer to find them,
One mer to bring them all
and in the darkness bind them.12 -
Wildberryjack✭✭✭✭✭
✭This is interesting though I am wondering if once we engage them are we stuck with them all the time or can we call them only when we want them? Because often tag along NPCs just get in the way.The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. ~Pablo Picasso0 -
Cireous✭✭✭✭✭
✭
Would it be possible for you to drum up a link to this interview? In the few interviews I've seen or read where he discusses companions, I haven't seen either of these things mentioned, at least not exactly in that way. I'm interested in more information about companions.Luke_Flamesword wrote: »I read in some interview with Rich Lambert something about companions and there is official confirmation for:
* companions take players slot in dungeons nad trials. He said that companions are obviously less inteligent than players so they will not perform as good as good player (he didn't see a success for them in vet trials, but in normal one should be ok). It's option for players who want to play, but are short of players and personally I think that's awesome option.
* there will be no attack of the clones - they will use similar system, which is already used at quest with unique companion for example Lyris - you see "your" Lyris and other players with random NPC. So it looks like other companions will be "masked".
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Iccotak✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭Wildberryjack wrote: »This is interesting though I am wondering if once we engage them are we stuck with them all the time or can we call them only when we want them? Because often tag along NPCs just get in the way.
It’s an optional feature
1) you have two choices in companions for now with more down the road.
2) They can fill a slot in a dungeon
- so it’s pretty clear they’re not going to make you play with them.4 -
Kalik_Gold✭✭✭✭✭
✭Solo arenas (normal) should still be solo... IMOMain: (PvP & PvE)PS5/NA - Ras Kalik a Redguard Templar - Daggerfall Covenant • 1550+ Champion
Ras Kalik a Redguard Templar, the Vestige
PvP:
Aurik Siet'ka a Redguard Necromancer
Cacique the Sage of Ius a Redguard Warden
Jux Blackheart a Redguard Nightblade
Goliath of Hammerfell a Redguard Dragonknight
Kaotik Von Dae'mon a Redguard* Sorcerer
PvP: (Specialty)
Tyrus Septim an Imperial Lycan Sorcerer
Tsar af-Bomba a Redguard Vampiric Nightblade
Movárth Piquine a Nord Vampiric Necromancer
Uri Ice-Heart the Twin a Nord Vampiric Warden
PvE:
Cinan Tharn an Imperial Dragonknight
Bates Vesuius of Dawnstar an Imperial Dragonknight
Herzog Zwei the Genesis an Akavari* Templar
Tav'i at-Shinji a Redguard** Warden
Lucky Hunch the Gambler - a Redguard Nightblade
Leveling...
Zenovia at-Tura a Redguard** Sorcerer
Yesi af-Kalik a Redguard Templar
Voa a Priest of Sep a Redguard* Necromancer
======
Passives of another race used. (RP)
*Breton
**Imperial
__________________________Backstories:_________________________
Ras Kalik the Vestige, a renown Redguard warrior; He has been blessed to save Tamriel from Molag Bal’s destructive Planemeld while reuniting the Five Companions. His further accomplishments after defeating Molag Bal, has been to stop the destruction of Morrowind, the Clockwork City, return order to the isle of Summerset and create a new king in Wrothgar and a queen in Elsywer. These events have made him a living legend and continue to lead him into new adventures throughout Tamriel, as well as into the hearts of many ladies including the Elf Queen, Aryenn. Over many years of adventurous travels, Ras Kalik had become a loner, until he re-visited his homeland of Alik'r.
Alik'r and it's cities were overrun by the undead Ra-Netu and therefore he made an allegiance with Alik'r's own Ash'abah tribe. These Ash'abah with his help, cleansed the city of Sentinel in Alik'r desert and it's surrounding areas of the undead brought to life by the Withered Hand. After rescuing Sentinel from the undead zombies, King Fahara’jad’s personal bodyguard the Goliath of Hammerfell, who was given this name by Imperials in the region; was asked to assist the tribe after learning of the defeat of the Withered Hand to the Ash'abah. Kalik promised Goliath he would task him with fighting living enemies on the battlefield if he so desired. Goliath being a Yokudan warrior wields a massive sword in respect to the Ansei, a gift given by the Imperial, Cinan Tharn. Not many soldiers are able to wield double two handed weapons, but Goliath loves to get up and personal in a fight, so he also carries a giant maul, both weapons laced with magical flames.
Jux Blackheart is a master thief that masquerades as a Bard at the Sisters of the Sands inn, with his younger sidekick Lucky Hunch for pilfering and gambling during this time. Jux was known to infiltrate any towns bank vault he came across and even delved into Ayelid ruins without detection. Kalik can vividly recall the night he met the famed thief. Jux found himself rummaging thru a slightly inebriated Kalik’s pocket for too long, on a full-mooned night and because of his greed and the glimmer of his golden armor in the moonlight. He lost his left pinky fingertip as a lesson! But in return, he gained a new friend, as it was his first time since a child being caught red-handed...
Upon arrival back in the Alik'r after many moons of adventuring, Ras Kalik ventures to Bergama. Visiting The Winking Jackal, he runs into Jux Blackheart, who introduces him to the coin game Crowns vs Forebearers (Heads vs Tails) and Golden Dwemer (RBG).... Jux constantly takes gold from the unfortunate thru theft or gambling, his biggest gambling victim is actually his partner in crime known as Lucky Hunch the Gambler. Lucky doesn't mind losing any gold coins to Jux... as Jux saved him from Altmer slavers in Summerset, by stealing a key and sending him on a boat to the mainland years prior. Lucky spent years in slavery with Khajiits in Summerset and picked up the art of subterfuge, using illusion magic disguises and stealing there.
Kaotik Von’Daemon an outcast, and a half-caste between a Breton mother and a Redguard father. Kaotik become a pariah due to his conjuration of Daedra pets. He was taught healing magic during his childhood years by his Breton mother. His father due to Redguard customs exiled him from the desert, sending him by wagon caravan to be a soldier in the war in Cyrodiil. He happened to meet Kalik while traveling from Alik'r, during this long caravan ride the caravan he was in was ambushed in Bangkorai by a group of bandits. Kalik by chance was also traveling thru this area on his Auridon Warhorse (which was bestowed to him by his friend, Darien Gautier). During this ambush, Kalik was able to rescue five hostages from the bandits. Kaotik was the first rescued, and Ras Kalik also recruited him to be in the Ash'abah tribe. These core Ash'abah tribesmen may never be seen together in travel as they partake in their own adventures but they always know what each other is doing; as they frequent a hideout in northern Bankorai. Their hideout an old Orc castle ruin, is kept watch by Nuzhimeh and she passes messages written between them, and frequently they also enjoy her company and her bed.
The other men rescued were a Dunmer banker, an Imperial mercenary and two other soldiers, an Imperial and a Breton Knight, stating proudly he was an Akavir descendent. One of the Imperials, Cinan, claimed to be related to Abnur Tharn the Battlemage of the Imperial Elder Council (One of Ras Kalik's mentors in the Five Companions). Cinan Tharn was really Abnur's drunkard treasure hunting illegitimate son. He was caught smuggling artifacts out of the Ayleid ruins in Cyrodiil and the elder of the two Imperials was Tyrus Septim a retired Imperial navy battle-mage (now a Lycan mercenary living in the city of Rimmen) and guard to the Tharn family. As much as Abnur Tharn hated his half-sister Euraxia, he dislikes his bas†ard son Cinan more. Tyrus now a ruffian and privateer had been paid by Abnur Tharn to watch over Cinan as much as possible. Cinan Tharn a drunkard, loves to drink at least a quarter barrel of Nord mead before he raids various delves and dungeons for relics to sell on the black market. Cinan also plans to one day, run an illegal gambling ring... which he thinks will net him more gold for his wares.
The Dunmer captive shackled to the Imperials looked familiar to Kalik from his time in Morrowind.... and he recognized him as Tythis Andromo a House Telvanni slave-owner and banker from Vvardenfell. During a rough interrogation to Tythis, Ras Kalik learnt why the bandits accosted him. The racist Dunmer was providing slaves as soldiers for the Three Banner War. The bandits were trying to negotiate a lucrative ransom for Andromo and the Imperials.... Kalik did not need any of this gold and he could never set Tythis free as he did with the two Imperial soldiers. His past involvement with slavery and war crimes, made Kalik's blood boil. He chose not to execute Tythis, as he figured the worse punishment for this former rich and opulent slave owner, is to now be an imprisoned servant for Ras Kalik and the tribe.
Herzog Zwei the Genesis a reknown Imperial/Akavirri battle-mage. His roots going back to Akavir through his mother’s bloodline. (His mother is descended from the Akaviri, through Versidue-Shae, and his Imperial father met her in Hakoshae, while traveling) Herzog earned the nickname "the Genesis" from his father as a child, as he was his mother's first born child, and last, as she tragically died in child-birth.
Herzog was seeking to purchase an artifact from Cinan Tharn, before their capture and was meeting Tyrus while in Rimmen, who introduced him to Cinan. This artifact being the Ayelid artifact; the sword Sinweaver. After their rescue and the exchange of gold to Cinan for the sword he decided to slip away before Ras Kalik could question who he was, and why the Akavir descendant really wanted that sword. Herzog was headed to Nagastani — An Ayleid ruin in eastern Cyrodiil. He had read in scrolls that the Sword would give him magical powers to meet his mothers spirit, if he performed an Ayleid ritual at an old shrine hidden there. Equipped with the artifact sword, he was off to start his own adventure but Ras Kalik, did indeed notice the sword however and instead sent a letter to Jux Blackheart (whom also was interested in Ayleid treasures), to attempt to find Herzog and acquire the sword. (*Azani Blackheart in Elder Scroll's Oblivion is Jux's descendant some 747 years later)
And so the Redguard, Imperial and Akaviri men parted ways ... While Ras Kalik went off to Elsweyr to encounter the latest threat to Tamriel, with Abnur Tharn and Sai Sahan - - DRAGONS!! Little did Ras Kalik know a few people were awaiting him in Senchal besides Sai. A necromancer survived his attack on the Withered Hand, while in Alik'r. The necromancer known as Auriek Siet'ka is also following him to the land of the Khajiits and Cacique the Sage of Ius a Shaman mystic who has become attuned spiritually with Tu'whacca (a Redguard God) and Ius (the Animal God), after being burned severely by the escaped dragons in Elsywer, is awaiting his arrival also. Aurik is a soldier of the Daggerfall Covenant that was introduced to necromancy while in the military, even though this magicka art is not spoken of openly by most of the Military leaders. He came to Alik'r and worked with the Withered Hand before Ras Kalik intervened on their plans. After the defeat of the Withered Hand, he aligned with the Worm Cult, and is constantly adapting and perfecting his necromantic arts.
After his journey to Rimmen, Kalik heads south to Senchal, in the southern regions of Elyswer. This new adventure will also put him on a path to meet a strange Redguard man. The stranger which was infected with an untreated Peyrite disease and also was the exiled from the Order of the New Moon cult, due to his sickness. He originally joined the cult to worship Laatvulon, the green dragon, mistakenly thinking it was the Daedric prince Peyrite. This confused and suffering cultist is known as Tsar al-Bomba and he is on a path to spread the disease. He was originally infected in Orccrest while recruiting members there. Can Ras Kalik and the shaman Cacique cure this poor soul, only time will tell. Little does Tsar al-Bomba know, that his infection is tied to Vampirism, and eventually the desire for blood will take over his mind. Senchal also offers Kalik his latest love interest... Aeliah. Whom he fondly led thru battles with the Dragonguard.
After the trek thru the heat, tropical and desert climate of Northern and Southern Elyswer, Ras Kalik heads north to the cold mountain range of Skyrim. His companion friend Lyris beckons for him with a letter sent by crow...
Movárth Piquine - a former vampire hunter (now infected), within the Fighter's Guild (and a secretive necromancer) was in Skyrim working with the Morthaal Guard. On a patrol mission he was caught in Frewien's ice curse outside of Morthaal with the frozen undead. Movárth's vampiric infection kept him from becoming an undead minion to the curse. He was able to use necromantic ice-magic to encase himself safely until he was freed with Freiwen, when the Vestige Ras Kalik broke the curse.
Uri Ice-Heart - brother of Urfon Ice-Heart. The twin sons of Atli and Oljourn Ice-Heart. The Ice-Heart family are originally from Markarth but now reside on the Jerall Mountain range near Cyrodiil, with their younger sister Araki. The twins had joined the Winterborn Reachmen while living in Markarth. Urfon pushed west to Orsinium with the Winterborn Clan, leaving his family behind. Uri stayed behind with his parents and sister to live in the family cabin for safety, avoiding the Vampire plague infiltrating the Reach. After news reaches him and he hears of Urfon's death... Uri leaves and heads home and is seeking vengeance. Meanwhile, his sister has also moved on to Windhelm to join the Fighter's guild. He will visit his sister, once before going to seek vengeance and she will craft him armor mixed with ice, called Stalhrim armor. Uri fearing death, after his brother's passing, falls victim to the convincing talk of Movárth at a Nordic tavern, and will also becomes a vampire.
{time moves forward through the hour-glass}1 -
xinvidiousx✭✭i wouldn't mnd them for new players/characters. 2man leveling = not paying for skyreach runs anymore. if theyre anything like diablo's system they will be minimal help so not so much of an end game help but for players that need it. tbh cant see them making the equivalent of another actual player.1 -
Sylvermynx✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Snowstrider wrote: »So will they actually be useful? Will they know the mechanics in dungeons?
My feeling? Highly unlikely.3 -
Snowstrider✭✭✭✭✭Sylvermynx wrote: »Snowstrider wrote: »So will they actually be useful? Will they know the mechanics in dungeons?
My feeling? Highly unlikely.
Is this really the only new big feature of the chapter? For ESO to stay fresh the game need something more2 -
Iccotak✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭Snowstrider wrote: »Sylvermynx wrote: »Snowstrider wrote: »So will they actually be useful? Will they know the mechanics in dungeons?
My feeling? Highly unlikely.
Is this really the only new big feature of the chapter? For ESO to stay fresh the game need something more
I prefer ESO's approach to WoW who just make features that get abandoned in 1-2 years2 -
Iccotak✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭A New Article interview with Rich Lambert - who discussed part of why the team went with companions instead of another class or skill line.
https://www.mmorpg.com/interviews/companions-deadlands-and-avoiding-formulaic-updates-an-interview-with-elder-scrolls-onlines-creative-director-2000120920Balancing multiplayer and solo activities in ESO is par for the course for ZeniMax, and the MMO has certainly gotten better at balancing this for players over the years. Since its reveal in 2012, it felt at odds with those two identities, but over time the team behind the MMORPG has found its groove, especially as they’ve rolled out these yearly stories and chapter releases. However, that then begs the question: is it becoming too formulaic? For some, it might be approaching that territory, and the team is well aware of the feedback.
“I think you’re always gonna see that kind of feedback in games – especially games that have been around for a long time, that release content at a regular cadence. ‘Oh I know what’s coming.’ And then they go in and play it and they’re like, ‘Holy *** I didn’t actually know what was coming. This is way different than I thought.’ I think there is a bit of that in there, but it’s definitely something that we internally take a look at and try to be as mindful of as possible.”
Part of the ways the team can combat this is by the features they are releasing with the MMO every year – and ensuring they feel different enough to not fall into that “formulaic” trap. Antiquities with last year’s Greymoor release helped contribute to that, giving players an entirely new way to enjoy ESO. Companions is just another extension of that desire and push to give players more ways to play the MMO, instead of simply adding a new class, like Elsweyr’s Necromancer a few years back.
“For us, Companions was a lot more interesting and a lot more compelling than a new class. And so, you know, that’s what we’re focused on. You know, same thing with Antiquities. I really love the idea of exploring how to add new alternate activities to the game. That’s one of the ways that we try to solve the formulaic issue that you brought up, right? Where if we do things and we mix things up a little bit differently, or we give you an avenue to play ESO a completely different way, that’s really good. And that changes kind of how players play the game and what they can expect.”Edited by Iccotak on February 10, 2021 6:05PM6 -
Zorgon_The_Revenged✭✭✭✭✭A New Article interview with Rich Lambert - who discussed part of why the team went with companions instead of another class or skill line.
https://www.mmorpg.com/interviews/companions-deadlands-and-avoiding-formulaic-updates-an-interview-with-elder-scrolls-onlines-creative-director-2000120920
Did their website die? All I get is a loading screen.
Edit: Strangely, it works on other devices but not my PC.Edited by Zorgon_The_Revenged on February 10, 2021 2:43PM0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Zorgon_The_Revenged wrote: »A New Article interview with Rich Lambert - who discussed part of why the team went with companions instead of another class or skill line.
https://www.mmorpg.com/interviews/companions-deadlands-and-avoiding-formulaic-updates-an-interview-with-elder-scrolls-onlines-creative-director-2000120920
Did their website die? All I get is a loading screen.
Works fine for me.@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire1
