Make Veteran Ranks Easier - Give us a Companion

Ser Lobo · June 2014

A lot of us have had this experience. Leveling up. Defeating Molag Bal. Enter our first veteran zone and wham! That same NPC you were smoking in the last zone is now taking forever to die. And instead of one NPC, there always seems to be three!

It's discouraging. It's counterproductive. Some players are just that good, and never notice. Others, like me, are stubborn enough to bull our way through it and learn and adapt. But many don't. They break down, leave. The fun is gone.

Adding Companions

I know it's been suggested before. Since before beta. And it's a staple of Elder Scrolls games. A simple NPC follower that levels with you, making the game *slightly* easier.

These followers would be a quick-slot item, called and dismissed with the click of a button. They would stay in the world until dismissed or they die, at which point you can recall them 90 seconds later. Only one companion can be called at a time, and companions work on a completely different system than pets or summons, meaning that they aren't controlled by the same means or receive the same buffs.

Companions DO receive standard player buffs and heals, meaning your healer can keep his tank companion up and running. However, having a companion out during a fight reduces the amount of incoming experience/veteran points by a small margin.

Companion Roles

These can have as many diverse characteristics as players do, but their primary skills include healing, damage done and damage absorbed, as well as any capability to apply control on the opponent, taunt, or fear.

Considering companions would be rewarded from multiple quest lines (Fighters Guild Mercenaries, Tribunal Healers, Daggerfal Assassins, etc, etc), their diversity could obviously represent their use. Players would then be left with the option of choosing the best companion to suit their playstyle.

Other, independent companions could be hired from inns and locations throughout the world.

Companion Restrictions

Due to the fact that much of the end-game content was not designed for players to have Companions with them, there would be restrictions on exactly where they could be used. Companions would be available to players during standard quest lines, solo delves, group delves, and open world content.

Companions would be restricted from Cyrodiil, more for loading issues and server load. Also, Companions would be restricted from instanced content, such as group dungeons, veteran dungeons, or trials, due to their more competitive nature and tailored challenges.

Too Long, Didn't Read

Players complain that Veteran Ranks are too hard. Provide players with a force multiplier in the form of usable NPC help to make it easier for them.

nerevarine1138 · June 2014

The companions have been a "staple" of Elder Scrolls games (I put that word in quotations because it's really only been a feature since Skyrim) because those games are single-player. You want a companion in this game? You have up to 5 guilds and a whole zone of people to ask.

steveb16_ESO46 · June 2014

It depends. The companions we were lumbered with were pretty useless at best.

ebondeath · June 2014

I like the idea. But I want an angry guar companion that has taste for ankles and stuns mobs by knocking them over.

stumpy999 · June 2014

having another meat shield, err companion, would be great. For those of use that cannot summon pets having the focus of the entire aggro on you can be a bit harsh.

Ser Lobo · June 2014

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

The companions have been a "staple" of Elder Scrolls games (I put that word in quotations because it's really only been a feature since Skyrim) because those games are single-player. You want a companion in this game? You have up to 5 guilds and a whole zone of people to ask.

Meh, maybe. I did have companions in Morrowind and Oblivion. As far as the the '500 Companions', maybe? Or the 'Companion' guild hall? Or are we talking about the system of adopting NPC followers?

Cause they were in the prior games, well before Skyrim was made. I'll admit, it may have been player generated.

As far as players go, until they fix the grouping mechanics (which I feel they will, eventually), that whole zone of people aren't terribly useful. And players still define themselves. We are assigned NPC help at various quests throughout the game.

I support grouping and player interaction in MMO's as much as the next guy (maybe not to the point of requiring all group content, mind you). But there will always be room for solo.

Ser Lobo · June 2014

stumpy999 wrote: »

having another meat shield, err companion, would be great. For those of use that cannot summon pets having the focus of the entire aggro on you can be a bit harsh.

Might not work too well for my Nightblade. Even when running with my guild mates, I'm constantly taking the aggro off of them, even through taunts.

I don't feel like my Nightblade kills things quick, but the mobs do love to munch on me.

Swampster · June 2014

While I've no problem with this suggestion itself.. I've a feeling the devs might. I mean, the AI on the few NPC accompanied quests already in the game, that were pretty much scripted and on rails was dire enough as it is! Imagine hundreds of them roaming about in the open world environment and being faced with random events..

Hmm I've suddenly got the theme tune from the Benny Hill show rattling around inside my head for some reason...

stumpy999 · June 2014

be the same as the clannfear or the twilight

PSLAnimal · June 2014

Lydia! Lydia! Where art thou, Lydia? I hast doorways that must needs be stood in.

stumpy999 · June 2014

love it, Lydia bane!

Laura · June 2014

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

The companions have been a "staple" of Elder Scrolls games (I put that word in quotations because it's really only been a feature since Skyrim) because those games are single-player. You want a companion in this game? You have up to 5 guilds and a whole zone of people to ask.

This

This game is a MMO

Ser Lobo · June 2014

Laura wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

The companions have been a "staple" of Elder Scrolls games (I put that word in quotations because it's really only been a feature since Skyrim) because those games are single-player. You want a companion in this game? You have up to 5 guilds and a whole zone of people to ask.

This

This game is a MMO

While I'm a big supporter of teamwork and team play, there are times when this is carried too far. Like arguing that self-heals shouldn't exist, as players shouldn't be able to play solo and should need healer players around (I've seen that argument before in other games, just using the example).

Until the quest system is fixed, asking others to join us is next to impossible. And even after it's fixed, you're still building leveling content (we're not talking group dungeons or trials) around group play (or in many cases, experienced players who know what they are doing).

I believe this would alleviate many customer issues with veteran content in general, and add another layer of depth and personalization and collectible content to the game.

reften · June 2014

I just want to figure out a way to get rid of this ****ing monkey that has been following me around since launch.

Yes, I deleted the "item". But I guess because I deleted it while the monkey was active, I'm cursed.

Son of a...

DenniMyuu · June 2014

Would be awesome. After playing with my sorcerer, I miss something like the Clannfear and that pet is a good help. Why not a NPC for other classes. You can use it, but you don't have to.

ArRashid · June 2014

Laura wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

The companions have been a "staple" of Elder Scrolls games (I put that word in quotations because it's really only been a feature since Skyrim) because those games are single-player. You want a companion in this game? You have up to 5 guilds and a whole zone of people to ask.

This

This game is a MMO

You say that as if MMOs couldn't have companions...

There are companions in SWTOR as well. You wouldn't be able to quest without them, pretty much.. Only ZOS is naive enough to plot a monstrous difficulty and leave players with no options to deal with it, other than grouping up. SWTOR without a companion active is pretty much the same *** we're dealing with here i VR zones - either you use the most OP build and wear the most expensive up-to-date gear you can, or you die, and die, and die, and for a change - die..

Hell, companions in SWTOR were one of the best things of the whole game (others were great zone quests and class quests). Mainly because player was able to gear them to the same level of gear as he had, and companion had a good enough AI to be actually useful in fight (sometimes resulting into literal dps races between player and companion, if you chose dps, instead of having a tank or healer help you out). And they were so "alive" and funny! And some even adorable (I still miss my pet Jawa). Some were even totally lovable (Kira Carsen, Vette, ..).

There ARE companions (temporary) in ESO too, but they apparently do NOTHING. They pretend to fight, yet their dps is microscopic and they can't hold aggro either. Only healer companions are at least remotely useful (Varen, Tu'whacca's priest in Alik'r .. and that's probably all I remember..), though not much.

PS: Also that "whole zone of people" usually means (in VR at least) about 4-6 ppl scattered around whole zone, each doing different quests, unable to "just leave" everything be and go help another guy.. And of 5 guilds, there is usually "that one" you originally joined, that is dead now (with 3-4 active ppl left) and 4 "trade" guilds that generally have the manpower, but lack any motivation to help..

Kulrig · June 2014

I think about the best way to handle it is to add a skill line available to all classes that has some sort of pet. Could be Necromancer, after all it's the other half of Conjuration. Could be Ranger or something, people seem to love critters.

While I'm glad there are pets at all in this game and was fortunate enough to choose the class that has them, I think it was a mistake to limit them to only sorcs and not provide the other classes with any means whatsoever of having pets.

yelloweyedemon · June 2014

steveb16_ESO46 wrote: »

It depends. The companions we were lumbered with were pretty useless at best.

Someone did not become "The Listener" in IV Oblivion

PBpsy · June 2014

I did really like my swtor companions but their idea was pretty well fleshed out in Kotor. I never took anybody with me in skyrim though since they were to dumb to help or stay alive.

Ragefist · June 2014

Not mentioning that topic name suggest that VR needs to be easier, which is ridiculous. Its much easier that we were promised, entire VR is soloable while 50++ was ment to be for 2 ppls.

Not all of us appreciate mindless grind. Some people actually like a challenge in their games

595

ArRashid · June 2014

Sigh
Why must elitists continually try and ruin every game they lay their dirty fingers upon.. Please, go back to WoW and ask Blizzard to make every mob over lvl 30 an Elite and increase their HP and damage by at least 5 times. I'm sure you'd be happier then.

[Moderator Note: Edited per our rules on Flaming]

NerfEverything · June 2014

Ragefist wrote: »

Not mentioning that topic name suggest that VR needs to be easier, which is ridiculous. Its much easier that we were promised, entire VR is soloable while 50++ was ment to be for 2 ppls.

Not all of us appreciate mindless grind. Some people actually like a challenge in their games

Well said.
@ArRashid have you noticed that no one is agreeing with any of your posts and everyone who says the opposite of what you say is getting multiple agrees? Do you think maybe it is time to stop posting the same thing over and over? Do you think maybe you are the only one who thinks what you are saying is true?

ArRashid · June 2014

NerfEverything wrote: »

Ragefist wrote: »

Not mentioning that topic name suggest that VR needs to be easier, which is ridiculous. Its much easier that we were promised, entire VR is soloable while 50++ was ment to be for 2 ppls.

Not all of us appreciate mindless grind. Some people actually like a challenge in their games

Well said.
@ArRashid have you noticed that no one is agreeing with any of your posts and everyone who says the opposite of what you say is getting multiple agrees? Do you think maybe it is time to stop posting the same thing over and over? Do you think maybe you are the only one who thinks what you are saying is true?

Because everyone having common sense already left, or simply does not care about a bunch of buttons below post?
Also, 3 elitists stalking my posts calling staff to edit my posts (while yours remain infantile and insulting) and upvoting themselves to caress one another's egos are here to represent "majority"?

I wonder how you'll like the game after you guys manage to get rid of every normal person and the game will face a decision of canceling VS f2p.. I really doubt they'll just be maintaining ESO for few hundred "hardcore" individuals..

Have fun trolling.

PS: Your writing styles are so similar it seems like you have multiple accounts just to like yourself on the forum..

Vilixiti · June 2014

Love this idea.. Would be great if you could put custom gear on them too.

Ser Lobo · June 2014

Vilixiti wrote: »

Love this idea.. Would be great if you could put custom gear on them too.

I would like more of a permanent system, where you can gear them out and level them as per your preference, yes.

Mablung · June 2014

I think giving us a companion would just cement the notion that this is SWtoR, fantasy style.

babylon · June 2014

A companion would be awesome. Should also be able to pick up temporary mercenary companions from the inns around the world.

Bramir · June 2014

Come on. Sure the first few mobs at veteran ranks are a bit of surprise, but that is because the ones before that were so easy.

Please don't make the game any easier. I want to play an alt at some point, and I would like to have a semblance of a challenge left...

Ser Lobo · June 2014

Bramir wrote: »

Come on. Sure the first few mobs at veteran ranks are a bit of surprise, but that is because the ones before that were so easy.

Please don't make the game any easier. I want to play an alt at some point, and I would like to have a semblance of a challenge left...

That would be easy to achieve.

Don't hire a companion.

andreas.rudroffb16_ESO · June 2014

in VR you learn to play your Class ... make it easier = have people not aware of their Class and playing at 40% of their abilities

had 2 people today that grinded V1-V12 in Crag

both didn´t knew their class skills and constantly died because they never practiced dodge/block

needless to say both whined about "content to hard"

Ser Lobo · June 2014

andreas.rudroffb16_ESO wrote: »

in VR you learn to play your Class ... make it easier = have people not aware of their Class and playing at 40% of their abilities

I actually agree. The more difficult content does drive those of us who are stubborn or apt to learn into becoming better at our class. That's been my case 100%.

Sadly, not all players want to be forced to get better to play. I like the more difficult content, personally, but I don't see anything wrong with giving players a handicap.