The new Companions are both Male, but...

BretonMage

FrancisCrawford wrote: »

Dumbledore with a bit of a clownish side sounds a lot like Gandalf, at least the way Gandalf presents himself when he visits the Shire.

I don't know, Gandalf was never clownish as far as I recall. He had a light-hearted side, and could play a magical joke or two, but was almost always quite composed. This reveal had the Arcanist stumbling about with books falling around him, that's not quite a Gandalf thing. But that's just 2 seconds of the reveal video, who knows what he's really like.

amig186

Araneae6537 wrote: »

amig186 wrote: »

Good, now that the sex ratio is balanced, next year they can add a ruggedly handsome Nord man for the ladies and an Altmer *** for the blokes.

Ugh, I hope not! We’ll now have THREE human companions and when they do add a Nord companion, they should be female for the ratios. Not that I really care about the ratio, except that I really want a handsome Altmer companion —someone like Count Verandis would be perfect. No beady-eyed oafish Nord, please!

I’m surprised they didn’t create an Altmer arcanist as that would seem fitting, but going against types isn’t a bad thing. I just don’t know what to make of the Redguard companion from the description, especially a comparison to Willy Wonka…

The Argonian sounds like he will be an interesting companion.

How about a handsome bosmer with a cockney accent then?

Jaimeh

I think companions are all over the place in terms of a connection between their backgrounds and their class--the only exception is Isobel, being a templar and a knight, and her personality fits those two things well, imo. For the other companions I think there is a dissociation between their personalities and their classes, also, in Bastian's case I don't understand why he wasn't made a Breton, since he is pretty much one for all other intents and purposes. I just think there is a lot of seeming randomness in companion design. I also wonder if they intentionally try to avoid making companions that have the most used class/race combos (like almer sorc, for eg.), so that they don't feel like another alt character to the players.

SilverBride

I realize they are including all the races, which is great. And now they have balanced the male to female ratio, which is also great.

But why, Why, WHY isn't there a male for those of us who don't like Bastian's looks and personality, or a reptilian face and tail, or an eccentric older fatherly type? The next companions are bound to have an Orc and I bet it will be a male, if there is one.

I can imagine any of my characters with someone like Jakarn or Count Verandis Ravenwatch as their companion. Please consider that many of us do want a companion we can look at as a romantic interest, and for those who prefer a male by their side the current choices are greatly lacking.

Number_51

emilyhyoyeon wrote: »

This just means that an altmer necromancer companion is still a possibility -snip-

This. Not that I'm an advocate for adding anything to the crown store, but a crown bought companion wouldn't be totally unwelcomed for me. I have a couple alt accounts where I simply won't buy the expansion chapters, which leaves those characters companionless.

SilverBride wrote: »

-snip- I can imagine any of my characters with someone like Jakarn -snip-

Please no. I was a big fan of Jakarn in the base game, but after his treatment in High Isle, I just want to stuff him in a barrel in the back of some abandoned warehouse.

SilverIce58

I'd rather have more races to choose from before we start choosing solely for romantic interests since we don't have that system in yet. Sure I'd love to have an attractive male with an agreeable personality (NOT Jakarn) that I can romance, but until then I think it'd just be better to have more races to befriend first, regardless of if you want to romance them or not.

SilverBride

Number_51 wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

-snip- I can imagine any of my characters with someone like Jakarn -snip-

Please no. I was a big fan of Jakarn in the base game, but after his treatment in High Isle, I just want to stuff him in a barrel in the back of some abandoned warehouse.

Then don't use him, but don't take away choices for those of us do like that type.

Fata1moose

It’s weird that they acknowledged romance pre-Blackwood release and it’s still not a thing. Ideally they add it to all previous companions and have no quests and story arcs for them. The longer they wait the more work to implement it piles up. Maybe Q3 would be a good time to release new quests for companions in the future (obviously not happening this year).

Cryptor

SilverBride wrote: »

They are an Argonian Warden and an older Redguard Arcanist...

I am sorry, I don't get it. What is the problem?

SilverBride

Cryptor wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

They are an Argonian Warden and an older Redguard Arcanist...

I am sorry, I don't get it. What is the problem?

The problem is that the 3 male companions that we now have are not the types a lot of us would choose to be by our side.

Soarora

I don’t quite like characters being reduced to how attractive they are but whatever. I think replacing Bastian’s condescending voice lines would help him a lot. In his story quests I think he’s actually great and not as annoying as everyone seems to think he is.

VaranisArano

At the current rate of two Companions a year, players are gonna be waiting a long time for characters who check off even the basic Race & Gender boxes, much less desired personalities.

Ugrak

Romance isn't an important feature for me, though I would use it if it enabled the ring of mara between me and the companion.

Something that would be interesting however: companions that are werewolves or vampires (and maybe even able to bite?).

Aztrias

I personally do not care much for any of the female companion's looks, but such things are a non-issue for me in games.
Personality, character and voice acting is much more important to me.



Ember is kind of cute though...but I'm not really into that stuff

SilverBride

Soarora wrote: »

I don’t quite like characters being reduced to how attractive they are but whatever. I think replacing Bastian’s condescending voice lines would help him a lot. In his story quests I think he’s actually great and not as annoying as everyone seems to think he is.

Physical attraction is important but not by itself. I have been crazy about Johnny Depp forever, at first because of his physical looks but then my feelings sustained because I love his personality and think he is a great actor.

Even if they changed Bastian's goody two shoes personality I still do not find him the least bit physically attractive. This is why we need variety because what one person finds attractive someone else may not. So far there haven't been any males I am interested in as a real "companion".

BlueRaven

I will level them. Because I want to use them as house guests, but I was hoping for any of the remaining mer or a nord companion.

amapola76

BretonMage wrote: »

I love the sound of the Argonian's personality, and I find the description of the Arcanist companion a bit bizarre. If you spent your life searching for knowledge, wouldn't you be more serious and reflective? Or on the other side of the spectrum, somber and disturbing.

As someone with a couple of advanced degrees, I would have to say "lol" and "no."

amapola76

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

My character is an Argonian male, so it would kinda make more sense for him for the new Argonian Companion to be female... I mean it may look kinda um... awkward..

For pete's sake, no one is going to assume you are intimate with your companion, if that's what you're worried about. No disrespect to those of you who do want to romance your companions, but I don't think that most people assume that companions are there solely for lascivious purposes. And speaking solely for myself, I'm certainly not policing the gender of companions. Like, "oh myyyyyy, two male Argonians, won't someone think of the children?" Come on.

spartaxoxo

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

My character is an Argonian male, so it would kinda make more sense for him for the new Argonian Companion to be female... I mean it may look kinda um... awkward.

What's awkward about him hanging with his bros? Some of my companions are my characters girls. I'd never have her do a romance option with them. I'd pair her with Bastian though. Friendship is great.

Araneae6537

amapola76 wrote: »

BretonMage wrote: »

I love the sound of the Argonian's personality, and I find the description of the Arcanist companion a bit bizarre. If you spent your life searching for knowledge, wouldn't you be more serious and reflective? Or on the other side of the spectrum, somber and disturbing.

As someone with a couple of advanced degrees, I would have to say "lol" and "no."

Only too true!

ZOS_Kevin

Hi All! We've been keeping tabs on this thread for companion thoughts and feedback. So thanks for all who have contributed so far and for @SilverBride for starting it up.

As noted in some threads around companions last year, we're keeping track and taking the feedback noted back to the dev team. As some of you have noted, one of the most requested elements of adding new companions was to even out the ratio with two male companions, which we were able to do in Necrom. While we know not everyone was going to get the companion archetype they hoped for, we hope some of you enjoy your time with Sharp-As-Night and Azandar Al-Cybiades.

We'll have some opportunities to learn more about your new companions in the coming weeks and months, but definitely continue your feedback here and we'll keep an eye on it here.

ArchangelIsraphel

SilverBride wrote: »

I realize they are including all the races, which is great. And now they have balanced the male to female ratio, which is also great.

But why, Why, WHY isn't there a male for those of us who don't like Bastian's looks and personality, or a reptilian face and tail, or an eccentric older fatherly type? The next companions are bound to have an Orc and I bet it will be a male, if there is one.

I can imagine any of my characters with someone like Jakarn or Count Verandis Ravenwatch as their companion. Please consider that many of us do want a companion we can look at as a romantic interest, and for those who prefer a male by their side the current choices are greatly lacking.

It definitely feels like ZOS missed the memo on what so many players were requesting. These two totally miss the mark in every respect when it comes to romance for me. I'm not just talking about looks, but personality wise as well. I find the idea of romancing these two a little unsettling. The whole "Fatherly" vibe to the Arcanist companion is not what I desire for my characters at all.

I also hope, that if they were to implement the sort of male companion we're looking for, that they will make them open to romance any gender, so that many players of different preferences can enjoy them.

Soarora wrote: »

I don’t quite like characters being reduced to how attractive they are but whatever. I think replacing Bastian’s condescending voice lines would help him a lot. In his story quests I think he’s actually great and not as annoying as everyone seems to think he is.

I don't feel anyone here is reducing the characters to their looks alone. Many of us appreciate the existing companions for much more than their looks, and really enjoy their personalities and the friendships we have built between our characters and them in our own personal stories. We just don't see them as romance material, and it isn't strictly about looks, but about personality too. It can also be about the desire to keep the current set of companions as friends.

This is why I hope we get more than just a romance system- I hope we get ways to deepen our friendship with them. For example, I find Mirri to be pretty, but I want her relationship with my characters to remain one of platonic friendship, albeit a deep friendship based on trust. I find friendship to be the more interesting path for her and my characters.

In the mean time, Bastian is not compatible in terms of personality or looks with my characters when it comes to love. While I have grown to like him to some extent (He is MUCH better in his questline than he is when you are interacting with him out in the world- I feel bad timing/implementation of his comments is responsible for a lot of my annoyance with him) he has become a friend to several of my characters, and I wouldn't want to change that friendship dynamic. They regard him as a brother in arms, and a companion they can rely on, perhaps even a confidant, but that is all. He's family now, just as Mirri is.

Isobel and Ember are the same for my characters- the friendships I will build between them will be platonic. My characters feel quite protective of both of them, but see them as sisters, as family, rather than romanceable. No doubt that the new companions will eventually become part of the ever-growing mismatched family on my account as well.

These feelings can also be related to a characters gender preference as well. My characters prefer men, but again, Bastian is seen as a protective brother by them. My feelings about this would not change even if Bastian looked different. Personality matters a great deal here.

I'm actually really afraid a romance system would mess with the friendship dynamic I have going, and while I want a romance system, once again, I also want a deepening of platonic friendships.

I'm sure that there are many other players here who feel the same way about their companions- others, like me, may have a certain dynamic they want to keep, while STILL hoping that a companion they'd love to have one of their characters romance will come along. And it doesn't hurt at all to have a particular preference for how they'd love that companion to look, even if it isn't ALL about looks. Personality definitely plays a strong role in this.



(As a side note, in general:) With that being said, I don't think it is at all wrong to want a companion who is physically attractive to you to be by your favorite character's side- this is a fantasy world, after all, where we have the opportunity to build the lives we would like our characters to have. There is also nothing wrong with saying "Im just not attracted to x character, and would like something that looks like y instead". That doesn't reduce the character in any way, or make them insignificant- others like them, and that's awesome, but if a character isn't for you, never let anyone make you feel pressured to like them because they don't approve of the fact that you don't, and never feel ashamed to ask for something you would like. This is a fantasy world, not reality, and it is 100% okay to build your characters lives the way you'd prefer them to be.

Danikat

I think trying to add enough companions that everyone has suitable romance options for their characters is an excercise in futility. The only way to do it would be to add the option for players to create their own companions, because otherwise it would take hundreds of companions to give everyone the right mix of race, sex, age, class, personality, likes & dislikes etc.

Honestly I wouldn't even want to try to design romantic partners for all my characters, and I only have 8 of them. Trying to come up with characters they would be attracted to who I would also like is even harder. I don't even like one of my characters (he was created specifically to do things my others would never do and is completely evil) and I don't want to imagine what sort of person he'd find attractive.

amapola76 wrote: »

BretonMage wrote: »

I love the sound of the Argonian's personality, and I find the description of the Arcanist companion a bit bizarre. If you spent your life searching for knowledge, wouldn't you be more serious and reflective? Or on the other side of the spectrum, somber and disturbing.

As someone with a couple of advanced degrees, I would have to say "lol" and "no."

I can confirm that. I work with a lot of scientists, many of them leading experts in their field and while they can be serious when they have to be 'serious and reflective' is not remotely their default state. They're more likely to squeal, cheer or literally run around in excitement when the data confirms a hypothesis than stand there calmly saying "Hmm, yes, as I suspected".

SilverBride

Danikat wrote: »

I think trying to add enough companions that everyone has suitable romance options for their characters is an excercise in futility.

That may be, but a homely goody two shoes, a lizard and an old eccentric "fatherly" type all miss the mark.

ArchMikem

SilverBride wrote: »

spartaxoxo wrote: »

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

And? Last year they were both females.

My guess, based on the title, is that the OP is happy with them both being male, but disappointed that they are an older Redguard Arcanist and an Argonian Warden.

That is correct. But as you pointed out, at least the older one is handsome.

Hey, c'mon now. The Argonian is a cutie, don't hurt the poor boy's feelings.

Syldras

Danikat wrote: »

I think trying to add enough companions that everyone has suitable romance options for their characters is an excercise in futility. The only way to do it would be to add the option for players to create their own companions, because otherwise it would take hundreds of companions to give everyone the right mix of race, sex, age, class, personality, likes & dislikes etc.

I think having a more openminded approach would help. When it comes to companion romance, I can understand that there are factors that matter, but I wouldn't go by an extensive checklist ("Oh no, he looks 5 years too old and doesn't like cheese - that's a pass"). It's clear that there will never be THE perfect companion. Especially considering that all people like different things, and that we only get 2 new companions a year.

Danikat wrote: »

I work with a lot of scientists, many of them leading experts in their field and while they can be serious when they have to be 'serious and reflective' is not remotely their default state. They're more likely to squeal, cheer or literally run around in excitement when the data confirms a hypothesis than stand there calmly saying "Hmm, yes, as I suspected".

They're not Hermaeus Mora cultists, though.

Syldras

amapola76 wrote: »

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

My character is an Argonian male, so it would kinda make more sense for him for the new Argonian Companion to be female... I mean it may look kinda um... awkward..

For pete's sake, no one is going to assume you are intimate with your companion, if that's what you're worried about. No disrespect to those of you who do want to romance your companions, but I don't think that most people assume that companions are there solely for lascivious purposes. And speaking solely for myself, I'm certainly not policing the gender of companions. Like, "oh myyyyyy, two male Argonians, won't someone think of the children?" Come on.

It actually already gets awkward if a (potential) same-sex couple is considered as somehow problematic. In a game where there are plenty.
https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/LGBTQ+#Online

francesinhalover

They aint beating ember, but they look alright.

I would gladly use any of them, given i can use blade of woe. and they aren't all buhuuu peace and love, lawfull!!!

TheImperfect

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

My character is an Argonian male, so it would kinda make more sense for him for the new Argonian Companion to be female... I mean it may look kinda um... awkward.

But anyway, let's just take a moment of appreciation that we are getting "something Argonian". I mean anything "Argonian" at this point is good. And it is A COMPANION. And he is a Warden !

It is not a motif, emote or furniture style... it is a companion. I mean it seems that with next chapter we will get more Argonian stuff (because of that one companion) than we got with entire Blackwood

ZOS very often adds Khajiit stuff, because when they are choosing, the "cat" beast race tend to be more popular than "lizard" beast race. It is kinda shame that they are "choosing" instead of adding both. At this point, the disproportions are staggering tbh. Argonians have huge potential when it comes to possible content. Recurring NPCs (as far as I can tell non of the base game Argonian NPCs have ever re-appeared in a DLC), zones, lore... but it seems that we are either getting elven stuff or Khajiit stuff in a loop...

That is why I appreciate it. Even though I would prefer a female companion, I am happy with what we are getting.

That is the thing with giving people what is currently popular you are increasing its popularity but if you throw in lots of Argonian related cool things and zones then their popularity will grow also.,I do think lots of people like them already, me included. Sometimes limiting things decreases it's popularity.

Sailor_Palutena

SilverBride wrote: »

chessalavakia_ESO wrote: »

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

And? Last year they were both females.

SilverBride wanted someone like Jakarn for a companion if I recall correctly.

Yes, or someone like Count Verandis Ravenwatch.

I wanted Rigurt the Brash, Gibbons or Maiq.