Does anyone like Companions?

Asardes

I geared Mirri as healer and it heals about as much as Resolving Vigor, therefore I can save that bar slot and run Deadly Cloak which results in a slightly faster clear for public dungeon trash packs - I've been grinding those for companion XP and gear. Also bosses drop faster once she casts her ultimate. I tried bringing her to normal COA1 but the bosses focus her and she dies pretty fast, even with all those heals over time on.

I haven't tested Bastian but I don't think it's better. From what I've seen on youtube when you spec him as tank his blocking is buggy and he takes way more damage than he should. Maybe they will fix the AI at some point to make him more useful.

Wolfenbelle

I'm using Bastian and I like him. He had never died once for me. Temporarily I have him set up as a DD in random green gear with a lightening destro staff. He's at level 10 at the moment, so I only have 4 skills on his bar, two of which are healing. He does help with trash mobs and even helps a bit with bosses. I plan to eventually try him as a healer.

The only thing I don't like is the rapport system. My rapport bar has never moved even though I've tried to do things he supposedly likes. I understand games like this have a lot of grinding in them, but this rapport thing is ridiculous.

phbell

I have been at this game since release and when I first heard of the Companion idea i was skeptical. Yut the idea has come out better than i expected. I see Companions to be like a pet, only configurable, and am having fun with it.

Of course, like other features ZOS has added to the game (antiquities, housing), if you don't like it - don't do it.

Didgik

Does anyone have a Mirri bonus working for an extra reward in the chests?

ErMurazor

See lots of soloers like them. I mean who even starts to play an MMO and intend to play solo? LoL

biminirwb17_ESO

"I mean who even starts to play an MMO and intend to play solo?"

Er Me

priestnall.andrewrwb17_ESO

As someone who has 5 trade guilds and only ever PUGs… and mostly hates people. Yeah Bastian is my only friend, my Bastian is special.

kelticfuryub17_ESO

ErMurazor wrote: »

See lots of soloers like them. I mean who even starts to play an MMO and intend to play solo? LoL

Probably more people than you think.
I end up doing everything solo because I don't have the time to keep up with all the stuff you need to stay on top of to be a valuable teammate.
I love the game so i always come back for expansions/dlc but I don't try to maintain social relations because I don't even know how long, or even if, I can play from day to day.
Meh, it is what it is.

Alurria

ErMurazor wrote: »

See lots of soloers like them. I mean who even starts to play an MMO and intend to play solo? LoL

This is not a typical MMO and yes I like companions. If you don't like them don't use them.

Rowjoh

my fully maxed and geared companion makes it easier and quicker to solo vet dungeons, world bosses, public dungeons. (especially useful when farming leads for Mythic items!)

Also makes it easier/faster to solo Skyreach if you cant find a buddy to grind with you.

etc etc..

Having a companion is not compulsory ! so don't run with one if you are 'hater'. The rest of us meanwhile will progress and farm at a more efficient rate

Khenarthi

ErMurazor wrote: »

See lots of soloers like them. I mean who even starts to play an MMO and intend to play solo? LoL

I need to be able to drop whatever I'm doing at a moment's notice and that means inconvenience to other people I may be grouped with. Having a companion makes adventuring less lonely.

Also, bear in mind that many players came into this game because of the Elder Scrolls lore/title, and could not care less that you are "supposed" to group play in an MMO.

Galbsadi

Companions have some issues that need work, but overall, I'm a fan.

The Good:
- I enjoy having the character that can occasionally help in combat
- I like the idea of being able to build up a rapport with companions
- This likely makes things more manageable for less skilled players

The Bad:
- Companions are pretty weak. Nearly anything I can do with a companion, I can do solo as well.
- The rapport system is pretty ridiculous in how much it doesn't progress. Mirri likes books, you say?! Get 1 rapport every 5 minutes. Oh, she doesn't like bugs, you say?! Don't be a fisher, or lose 1 rapport every 3 seconds. (I understand having a timer on one, but if one has a timer, the other should, too.)
- Companions have bugs (Mirri [who is eternally cordial for my alts] randomly vanishes every now and then. Yes, she can be immediately resummoned, but that's an extra step, ESPECIALLY if someone was a newer player that might not properly understand quickslots, etc.)
- Companion threat for their level of DPS is ridiculous. You should not need to taunt/chain a mob to pull threat off something that hit it after you and is doing less than 25% of your DPS.

Other improvement opportunities:
- Let companions help with gathering. The idea isn't new (SWTOR has done it for a decade now, and FFXIV allows a similar form of passive gathering [via retainers]). One great way this could happen could be by giving a companion a copy of a survey receive from a crafting writ and assigning a timer it would take them to complete (even if it was like 30m-1h, way longer than it would take a player).
- Allow for more opportunities rather than 'like/dislike' in a companion. For an example here, in SWTOR, a companion's tastes might change over time (hence LIght/Dark Jaesa).

Calgrin

Not really sure what value they add to the game. Pretty weak "chapter" overall. Glad I didn't buy it.

DarcyMardin

Yes. They are more competent at staying alive than they were on the PTS. I find them fun and entertaining.

Dropstitch

I quite like having a companion around, but I wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there either. Largely indifferent.

Lugaldu

ErMurazor wrote: »

I mean who even starts to play an MMO and intend to play solo?

I didn't start ESO because it's an MMO, but because it's an Elder Scrolls title - that's all that matters to me and I have zero interest in group play or PvP.

davidtk

Yes, i like companions.
I iike Mirri, don't like Bastian hehehe.
But i looking forward if they bring use new companions...

Btw they should add some numbers to rapport. I didn't find option to turn it on. So i using addon.

ADarklore

ErMurazor wrote: »

Total waste of time, i will never unlock/lvl any companion. Im in a MMO to play with other ppl. And what i heard they are mostly useless. Too bad ZoS wasted time and money on this that could have been better spent elsewhere.

So do you believe everything you HEAR without finding out for yourself?!? Sounds like you believe what you WANT to believe, regardless of the reality that this thread is filled mostly with people that DO enjoy them and find them useful.

Second... you keep harping on 'MMO' but did you hear that internally ZOS considers ESO to be a 'online RPG with some MMO elements'? That comes from Matt Firor in an interview. Even Rich stated in an interview that when ESO was launched, it was a failure because the game had an identity crisis and wasn't appealing to the people who were mostly playing the game- players who enjoyed the Elder Scrolls series- not 'MMO' players. So it wasn't until One Tamriel that they found their groove, according to Rich.

Thus... the game will always be designed for 'online RPG' players and not group-focused MMO content.

Personally, I find Companions to be a lot of fun... do I need them... NO... but they're something new to the game that is stacked with solo quests that are now a bit more fun having a Companion tagging along. Also, I have NEVER had a Companion die as of yet... and I have Mirri spec'd for Healing and Bastian as a ranged archer.

Dysprosium

I am enjoying mine so far. This game has something for everyone but it doesn't mean everyone likes all the things in it. That's the beauty of it. You can play how you want, and other people can play how they want. Yes it's an MMO but there are story rich quests and delves for the solo player. Everyone has choices to enjoy or not enjoy the diverse content of this game and that is what I love the most.

Dropstitch

Dysprosium wrote: »

I am enjoying mine so far. This game has something for everyone but it doesn't mean everyone likes all the things in it. That's the beauty of it. You can play how you want, and other people can play how they want. Yes it's an MMO but there are story rich quests and delves for the solo player. Everyone has choices to enjoy or not enjoy the diverse content of this game and that is what I love the most.

While I agree that people can choose which aspects they want to play, being a Jack of all trades generally means you're a master of none, and resources allocated to companions could have been used elsewhere. I quite like having companions, but they feel slightly gimmicky. Perhaps when there are more choices and more customization options I may warm to them a little more, but currently I have a rather underwhelming sense of "meh".

alanmatillab16_ESO

irstarkey57 wrote: »

No, seriously. I, for one, donnnnnn’t. Can’t help but to think what could have been fixed, improved, added, developed with all the time it took them to bring us good ol Mirri and Bastion. I have yet to see them be any use in the game. All I’ve seen is a grind. The one positive is new life in the guild stores. Other than that, total meh for me. I’m sure people have different opinions though. Let’s hear it!

The companions have annoyances and some logical inconsistencies, for example: Why does Mirri get annoyed when I collect a bug for alchemy but goes on in great detail about cooking pupal scribs over a fire? why is she fine with me charging up to a bandit with my great axe but not ok with me stabbing him in the back with my blade of woe? its not like they are trying to make her out as the honourable warrior type, heck, she uses nightblade abilities herself. Also, who thought having companion ultimate and pet attack linked together was a good idea?

That said having a mini-healer following me around has been useful. It would have been nice for ZOS to let us know that Companion white quality gear can be bought from NPC armourers etc. It took a while for a companion resto staff to drop.

kernphysiker

It was always a pain for me, farming easy content with my main (tank) and without much damage. Now I have a nice damage dealer beside me and things getting a bit easier and faster.

But, for a short time MIrri starts saying something like "I really could need some help, my dear", whenever we are beginning a fight. If she keeps on bellyaching about me (: like some real players did before , I'll send here away again.

Xebov

I think the basic idea is good, the way they did it is not. It feels like many concepts where either rushed or not thought through. This creates an experience that doesnt feel smooth.

Compagnion report decreases are linked to every day activities. Players gather, craft, steal or murder during their playtime. Having compagnions getting negative rapport is just creating micromanagement issues. Having compagnions should be fun and helpful, not create an extra layer of work to make them happy.

XP is bound to direct combat. Quests are completely ignored. The fun thing is that Bastian often refers to quests. This looks like an issue due to rushed development.

Gear drop rates are low and all ways to craft, print and upgrade are unused. Even green gear is more mare than player sets. This again is a sign for rushed development.

The clones problem is also a thing. Since no helmets can be used and the hair and face stay unchanged we now have a clone army moving around. Thats not so nice.

I think if these issues would be rooted out the experience would get way better and they would be enjoyable.

Alurria

Seriously, my guild completed a trial using companions there were 5 of us and guess what we made it through. At one point we decided to die to go back to the wayshrine and our companions kept us alive for quite a while. We tried to purposely die to a trash mob. Everytime I would get to 3000 hit points I would get healed. We had fun and we're pleasantly surprised. My companion is level 10 and has a mix of blue, green and white gear. He's ranged DPS and they did really well the 5 of us had a good time. And you know that is all that matters, we had a good time. If people don't like companions it's simple don't use them. It's that simple.

VaranisArano

Yes, with a great many caveats.

I really like the Companion Quests and I enjoy adventuring with a steady Companion. Many of my IRL friends have moved on to other games, and so I've been lacking in a roleplaying focus for a while. Mirri (in my imagination) is a fun foil for Varanis in a way that's been missing since my SO no longer plays their characters.

I haven't tried anything but basic overland quests. Mirri is more than adequate for that.


What I dislike, concerning roleplaying:
1. I hate grinding dailies. I haven't bothered grinding the dailies. We need more Rapport gain from doing Zone Stories with Companions, since they accompany us for important events that are far more consequential than closing 3 dolmens.

2. I hate that Companion content runs out. ZOS seems to have decided that individual Companions should have planned obsolescence for roleplayers. Once Mirri's quests are done and her rapport is maxed, there's nothing new left. She won't make fun comments when I finish up old base game quests or ever ask me to help her on another quest. ZOS seems to expect that I will drop her like a hot potato whenever the next set of Companions rolls out - and it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If there's nothing new to do with Mirri, why keep her around except as a Houseguest?

coop500

I like them a lot too, I like them more now than I did in the PTS, they were terrible! But now I feel they're better, the AI is better and I've grown to appreciate what they CAN do, VS ranting about what they CAN'T do.

And Bastian is adorable and I want to give him all the hugs!

AdventureGirl

I like them as a player who doesn't always play with the guild (different schedules etc). I'm mainly using Bastien but will switch to Mirri when I do Theives/Brotherhood DLCs.

I am currently doing the Caldwell questlines and then jumping into DLC/Expansions and just started CP (78 or so), so for me as a newer player it's been fun. I'm a Mag Templar so I don't already have combat pets or summons.

I did increase their dialogue to frequent so it feels a bit less wooden. Take that as you will , just my two cents.

ectoplasmicninja

I enjoy them, Bastian more than Mirri although she feels like she had way more attention paid to her in development. I like simply having the company as well as the personal roleplay value of having an adventuring partner. I have to imagine 99% of their conversations and relationship, but your bonds with NPCs in Elder Scrolls games are largely built up in your head anyway. It feels good for some of my lone wolves to have a friend, and they don't drop dead every fifteen seconds like they did on PTS so they've proven to be not useless.

I just wish they were more responsive. Why does Mirri care about the Vvardenfell scale model being completed but Bastian doesn't care about me joining the freaking Psijic Order? They don't care about going to Coldharbour - we are entering the realm of the Daedric Prince of Domination to heroically wrench mortal souls from his grasp and they don't even bat an eye! But Divines forbid you make a cheese plate, that just won't do.

ZigoSid

Neither bad or good, simply unnecessary, we could have got something else much more cooler.

New weapons (one hand + magic for mag, polearms for stam) or new skill lines for each classes (or at least one more skill per tree) etc.

starlizard70ub17_ESO

biminirwb17_ESO wrote: »

The first thing I did is swap armor, put light on Bastion and medium on Mirri.
Levelled Bastion as a healer got resto staff to 20, then swapped to destro staff now have healer or DD on tap.
Just unlocked Bastions Ult at lv20 before maintenance, will see how that works soon I hope.

As mainly a solo player they make things faster to clear especially for tanky builds. So far I like them.

I did more or less the same thing. I set Bastion up as a healer with light and some medium armor and Mirri became my mostly ranged DD in medium armor.