I miss Ember

Tornaad

I finally got Ember leveled and am now going back and leveling Isobel. Originally, I started leveling Isobel, and then switched to Ember after I got tired of being lectured by Isobel for taking things out of chests left out in the middle of nowhere. Ember is awesome! She is by far my favorite companion. And my wife even misses her. However, I did figure out a great way to power level a companion. Get a really good build and then take them through Dragon Star Arena. With a good XP scroll you can sometimes 4k xp per round of enemies, and you can that several times per level.
I really want to get Isobel leveled so I can get Ember back.
I am tempted to not level Isobel, but I have all the other companions maxed out.

Tornaad

If there are any Dev's out there looking for ideas for new things to implement, please add system to actually let you race your companion. Ember has been begging to race for a long time. I would so love to give her that opportunity.

SilverBride

Leveling the companions is a tedious grind at best because they only gain experience from direct combat. I believe that if my companion is with me and helping me complete my quests they should get quest experience, too.

MidniteOwl1913

I like using the last bit of the Atoll of Immolation (the bit before the boss) for leveling companions. With good XP scrolls it goes pretty quickly and I get some good items to sell from drops and chests. For Isobel it also provided rapport.

It is the leveling of rapport that I think is the real grind. No matter what I do it never really seems to move.

gameswithaspoon

Just take Isobel along during zone events as she loves fighting world bosses. I leveled her to max just through the High Isle chapter quest line and then farming the high isle event last summer.

AzuraFan

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

It is the leveling of rapport that I think is the real grind. No matter what I do it never really seems to move.

I have the opposite experience. I always hit max rapport before max level. I've played through High Isle and Firesong and until a few months ago, I played at least two hours every day, and I still haven't gotten Ember or Isobel to max level. I alternate between them and they're both at level 14 right now.

SilverBride

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

It is the leveling of rapport that I think is the real grind. No matter what I do it never really seems to move.

Rapport will barely move unless you do the daily quests that the Companions like.

This guide shows which activities they each like:

https://alcasthq.com/eso-companions-rapport/

spartaxoxo

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

It is the leveling of rapport that I think is the real grind. No matter what I do it never really seems to move.

The stuff they like or dislike are mostly just for flavor to give them personality. They have barely any effect on their rapport. As Silver Bride pointed out, their positive rapport mostly comes from quests. Those give big chunks.



Anyway, rapport is actually fairly quick if you're hitting quests. If you want them to hate you, you're better off doing the things they hate on cooldown, you can largely ignore their dislikes.

Path

I have yet to max any companion. I still adore them.

Supreme_Atromancer

Ember is a very well-done companion, no doubt about it.

But I prefer Isobel. A knight, sworn to my main's service. A follower of Stendar. Moral, but human. She has a strong, recognisable character concept, and absolutely flawless VA.

Ember was cool, but opposite of OP, I couldn't wait to get back to Isobel. Also, such a finnicky complaint-I know- but I was unreasonably triggered by DOING SOMETHING WITH MAGICKY??

REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I'll level future followers, explore their stories, but Izzy is my main companion now.

ZOS, thank you for the companion system. They are such a fantastic addition to the game, and have made BEING IN TAMRIEL a richer experience. You brought it one step closer to a pure TES experience *for me.*

There's definitely more functionality I wish for with the followers, but I'm just absolutely stoked you made them a thing. Keep 'em coming!

Kisakee

Zuboko wrote: »

I finally got Ember leveled and am now going back and leveling Isobel. Originally, I started leveling Isobel, and then switched to Ember after I got tired of being lectured by Isobel for taking things out of chests left out in the middle of nowhere. Ember is awesome! She is by far my favorite companion. And my wife even misses her. However, I did figure out a great way to power level a companion. Get a really good build and then take them through Dragon Star Arena. With a good XP scroll you can sometimes 4k xp per round of enemies, and you can that several times per level.
I really want to get Isobel leveled so I can get Ember back.
I am tempted to not level Isobel, but I have all the other companions maxed out.

Why do people always think that Dragonstar Arena is a good way to level up something or someone? It's so bad, taking forever and half the time you're just standing there and listen to text. There are so many better ways:

1. Blackrose Prison - There's a special wave where you can kill enemies till only the boss is left, just die when the ads are dead and start all over.
- Pro: Extremely fast leveling (like 20 times faster than DSA)
- Con: It's not easy to do this on your own for most people

2. NPC Mass Murder - Get a character you never intend to play and just kill NPC's, Skywatch on Auridon is the best way to do this.
- Pro: Easy to do on your own (like 15 times faster than DSA)
- Con: You need to learn to deal with Guards or you won't have any fun

3. Skyreach Caverns (Craglorn, enclosed 4 player dungeon) - Go to the first floor, pull half of it, kill it, get the other half, repeat.
- Pro: Nobody will ever disturb you, not even Guards (like 10 times faster than DSA)
- Con: You need a group to reset the dungeon after every run / Many loading screens

Stop using DSA for leveling, it's just slow.

spartaxoxo

Kisakee wrote: »

Stop using DSA for leveling, it's just slow.

Because it's faster than questing and has absolutely no hassles for people who can kill stuff inside it relatively quickly. There's no bounties, groups, or constant resetting needed.

BretonMage

Zuboko wrote: »

She is by far my favorite companion. And my wife even misses her.

Take mine!

Kisakee wrote: »

2. NPC Mass Murder - Get a character you never intend to play and just kill NPC's, Skywatch on Auridon is the best way to do his.
- Pro: Easy to do on your own (like 15 times faster than DSA)
- Con: You need to learn to deal with Guards or you won't have any fun

Having dead NPCs all over town is really depressing and unsightly for the rest of us.

DreamyLu

SilverBride wrote: »

Leveling the companions is a tedious grind at best because they only gain experience from direct combat. I believe that if my companion is with me and helping me complete my quests they should get quest experience, too.

Coudn't agree more! Because of that, I have leveled up Bastian only and keep going with him...

Kisakee

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

Stop using DSA for leveling, it's just slow.

Because it's faster than questing and has absolutely no hassles for people who can kill stuff inside it relatively quickly. There's no bounties, groups, or constant resetting needed.

If you enjoy wasting a lot of time this way go for it, to each their own.

BretonMage wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

2. NPC Mass Murder - Get a character you never intend to play and just kill NPC's, Skywatch on Auridon is the best way to do his.
- Pro: Easy to do on your own (like 15 times faster than DSA)
- Con: You need to learn to deal with Guards or you won't have any fun

Having dead NPCs all over town is really depressing and unsightly for the rest of us.

And killing a gang of Bandits is any better because their names are red and they attack first? At the end it's just dead bodies, no matter what it was before.

SilverBride

Kisakee wrote: »

Why do people always think that Dragonstar Arena is a good way to level up something or someone?

Because I can solo it. I can't solo the others.

Kisakee

SilverBride wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

Why do people always think that Dragonstar Arena is a good way to level up something or someone?

Because I can solo it. I can't solo the others.

What kind of help do you need in killing neutral NPC's? Just take your weapon and ram it into them. 😅

SilverBride

Kisakee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

Why do people always think that Dragonstar Arena is a good way to level up something or someone?

Because I can solo it. I can't solo the others.

What kind of help do you need in killing neutral NPC's? Just take your weapon and ram it into them. 😅

I don't need help. It's just something I won't do.

deano469

Spell Scar in Craglorn is my favorite place to level companions. Endless supply of baddies.

Meiox

I learned my lesson with level Bastian after Mirri, so I leveled Isobel first to get it out my way, since I liked Ember more

Ulfson

Fun read all.
Just wanted to share how I level rapport.
The Rapport scale will move a lot doing certain daily quest.

Bastion: Mages Guild
Miri: Fighters Guild, Numani-Rasi relic daily Vvardenfell
Ember: Mages Guild, High Isle daily from Wayllod and Thieves Guild heist
Isobel: Undaunted daily from Bolgrul, High Isle daily from Plouff

I did the Thieves guild heist and Numa-Rasi on only a couple of toons as they have intro quests.
Happy Trails

Kisakee

SilverBride wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

Why do people always think that Dragonstar Arena is a good way to level up something or someone?

Because I can solo it. I can't solo the others.

What kind of help do you need in killing neutral NPC's? Just take your weapon and ram it into them. 😅

I don't need help. It's just something I won't do.

And yet you've played the Dark Brotherhood and killed innocent people before. There's no difference other than missing story plus the repeatable quests are also simple killing contracts. Be honest with yourself. 😁

BretonMage

Kisakee wrote: »

And killing a gang of Bandits is any better because their names are red and they attack first? At the end it's just dead bodies, no matter what it was before.

Actually, yes. They may be just pixels to you, but they're stories and characters to me. Also, towns are supposed to be and feel safe, as opposed to outside, where one will encounter predators and bandits. It's ridiculous to enter a town and see dozens of dead bodies everywhere.

And incidentally, I have not and do not intend to participate in the DB questline.

TaSheen

BretonMage wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

And killing a gang of Bandits is any better because their names are red and they attack first? At the end it's just dead bodies, no matter what it was before.

Actually, yes. They may be just pixels to you, but they're stories and characters to me. Also, towns are supposed to be and feel safe, as opposed to outside, where one will encounter predators and bandits. It's ridiculous to enter a town and see dozens of dead bodies everywhere.

And incidentally, I have not and do not intend to participate in the DB questline.

Me either - nor Thieves Guild questline. Not something I ever do on any characters. Mine are all goody two shoes....

SilverBride

Kisakee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

Why do people always think that Dragonstar Arena is a good way to level up something or someone?

Because I can solo it. I can't solo the others.

What kind of help do you need in killing neutral NPC's? Just take your weapon and ram it into them. 😅

I don't need help. It's just something I won't do.

And yet you've played the Dark Brotherhood and killed innocent people before. There's no difference other than missing story plus the repeatable quests are also simple killing contracts. Be honest with yourself. 😁

I am being honest. These don't t give any more experience than grinding any of the hundreds of aggressive mobs in this game and I'm not comfortable with it.

LalMirchi

Well I don't miss Ember as she's always with my naughty cat. Khajiitii sticky fingers by habit and custom.

My good Templar runs with Isobel. Never steals or murders.

spartaxoxo

Kisakee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

Why do people always think that Dragonstar Arena is a good way to level up something or someone?

Because I can solo it. I can't solo the others.

What kind of help do you need in killing neutral NPC's? Just take your weapon and ram it into them. 😅

Why would I want to get a large bounty? Also I doubt a neutral npc gives more exp than DSA. You lose coin and depending on the companion, rapport, taking this option. And you have to wait for them to respawn, which wastes just as much time. Roleplay aside, killing neutral npcs is not better than DSA.

The good solo options are the denser public dungeons and nDSA. You get less exp but don't have to group with others. The good "group" options are Skyreach (to help reset instance) and for most people, nBRP. You get better exp but you'll probably want someone with you.

whitecrow

AzuraFan wrote: »

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

It is the leveling of rapport that I think is the real grind. No matter what I do it never really seems to move.

I have the opposite experience. I always hit max rapport before max level. I've played through High Isle and Firesong and until a few months ago, I played at least two hours every day, and I still haven't gotten Ember or Isobel to max level. I alternate between them and they're both at level 14 right now.

Same. I don't have any of the companions maxed in combat level (I think Ember and maybe Bastian are highest at 14) but they are all maxed in rapport, their personal quests completed.

Hamfast

The hardest time I have had with a companion is with Bastion, at the moment one of my characters has his standing down to -4100, and he leaves as soon as I do anything he dislikes, so it may take me a while to get him to the -5000 max... I did get a good laugh when after I murdered a dozen folks, picked a lot of pockets and stole a bunch of stuff, that Bastion got fed up when I did a crafting writ (Provisioning) that used cheese.

Maxing a companion's levels takes time and experience scrolls, do it on a max level character (they get more XP then lowbies do and can do more), now I am working on their skills with Armors and Weapons maxed out... for me, it is just something to do while I do what I do anyway...

I have never had any issues with opening chests out in the wilds with Isobel, unless it's a thieves trove... don't mix them up.

As for which I like best, I would say Ember is my favorite, Isobel is a close second. Next is Mirri who just seems to be grumpy, and Bastion hates cheese. All are level 20, all have at least 2 weapon types and armor types maxed as well...

And before you ask, yes, I have no life.

sorcmag01

Zuboko wrote: »

I finally got Ember leveled and am now going back and leveling Isobel. Originally, I started leveling Isobel, and then switched to Ember after I got tired of being lectured by Isobel for taking things out of chests left out in the middle of nowhere. Ember is awesome! She is by far my favorite companion. And my wife even misses her. However, I did figure out a great way to power level a companion. Get a really good build and then take them through Dragon Star Arena. With a good XP scroll you can sometimes 4k xp per round of enemies, and you can that several times per level.
I really want to get Isobel leveled so I can get Ember back.
I am tempted to not level Isobel, but I have all the other companions maxed out.

After I got Ember, there was no going back. She is special in so many ways, so I don't plan to ever replace her. Voice work is top notch imo.

Kisakee

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Kisakee wrote: »

Why do people always think that Dragonstar Arena is a good way to level up something or someone?

Because I can solo it. I can't solo the others.

What kind of help do you need in killing neutral NPC's? Just take your weapon and ram it into them. 😅

Why would I want to get a large bounty? Also I doubt a neutral npc gives more exp than DSA. You lose coin and depending on the companion, rapport, taking this option. And you have to wait for them to respawn, which wastes just as much time. Roleplay aside, killing neutral npcs is not better than DSA.

You have no clue what you're talking about and you can absolutely make money with that too, that's the main reason i started this. 100 - 200k in gold an hour is no joke but you need a highly specialised and full geared character for the job.

And no, i'm not talking about simply getting any sets and killing random NPC's anywhere but having a route that fits your kill speed, the correct sets, passives, CP and more. I put endless hours in perfecting this and i have five characters doing "The Thing" with a combined bounty of way over 300 million gold. That's making me some kind of expert i guess and if you're on PC EU you can join me for some rounds to see what it's all about.