Should ESO have mercenary hirelings?

Tandor · August 2015

Yes

Yes, but not yet.

That's "yes" because hirelings/mercenaries are a useful way of enabling people to complete content at a stage in a game's evolution when there aren't many people around at their level to group with, as well as for those who prefer - for whatever reason, that is not any business of other players to pontificate on - not to group (although they may be perfectly happy interacting with other players in other ways).

It's also "yes" because most of the quests are solo-based, and someone who needs assistance completing them (again, not our business to question his ability) often cannot do so with another player.

It's "not yet" because there are many more important issues to address at this stage of the game's evolution.

Preyfar · August 2015

No

If the game were more difficult, yes. But as it is, it's REALLY simplistic and even the NPC companions you can get through quests are all but useless.

rb2001 · August 2015

Yes

Mercenaries are in the lore, the game, and some quests. There is gold in the game. Mercenaries cost gold. The player can acquire gold. The game world represents reality to a pretty decent degree.

Utterly no reason the player shouldn't be able to hire mercenaries, all concerns with game difficulty aside, as that is neither here nor there. Totally separate issue.

JD2013 · August 2015

No

If you want a mercenary, pay another player some gold and pretend.

Mercenaries work fine for single player RPG's, but in a game with lots of other players, why not just do things with them?

rb2001 · August 2015

Yes

JD2013 wrote: »

If you want a mercenary, pay another player some gold and pretend.

Mercenaries work fine for single player RPG's, but in a game with lots of other players, why not just do things with them?

A good reason is that most other players one will come across lack intelligence and tact, and will run off or run ahead of you and beat up all your enemies and finish the dungeon while you're standing there trying to enjoy the note-reading.

Very few players want to take such a role seriously. A proper mercenary would attend their employer and stand there while they explore the cavern, and protect them as trouble arises, not run ahead and finish the boss for them.

Pallmor · August 2015

Yes

Azurulia wrote: »

considering this is an MMO and there are actual players to group up with, an NPC follower is unnecessary.

Considering the quality of some of the PUG's I've seen, give me a merc healer any day. The only probalem I have is losing them when they die. They should be hirable for a single dungeon run at the beginning of a dungeon. You lose them not when they die, but when you leave the dungeon. That way if the party wipes, they rez just like everyone else.

Lenikus · August 2015

Yes

Make it cost crowns

Zorrashi · August 2015

Yes

Yes. It is an ideal tool to help players play at their own pace while they enjoy the game. It is not likely they will be that good at combat anyway, and will merely be the additional arms needed to defeat that one particularly challenging quest that you simply could not do alone.

However, in order to encourage playing with other players, I suggest that the following be implemented as well:

Reduce the gold drop rate significantly
Reduce the item drop rate significantly
Have the mercenaries operate by a per-hour basis instead of a pay-once-you-have-me-until-you-die mercenary. Basically the longer you have him, the more gold should be deducted from your coin purse.

Have a mercenary be costly and not superior to in-game players.

Waffennacht · August 2015

Yes

Its not about AVOIDING other players, not in the least.

Its about BEING ABLE to complete...say dungeons... in timely way.

Recently my life has been so busy usually I only have enough time to log in, train my horse, research traits, and maybe one quest.

I really can't wait 30 minutes for the group finder to hook me up. My guild mates are now a far higher level than me, having them do a dungeon with me is unlikely.

I only get the chance to play really late, most people aren't up for a dungeon run at 2 a.m.

Hireable mercs is just enough for me to actually level my undaunted skill.

Now the only reason I saw worth noting against the mercs was the idea that they were implemented before and it broke the game (now i know nothing of this) but if it did im not for messing up the game again.

Gidorick · August 2015

Yes

@Suntzu1414, @ItsRejectz, @Forestd16b14_ESO Those were Cyrodiil Merchants to guard keeps. COMPLETELY different from what is being suggested.

Salmonleap · August 2015

Not in Cyrodiil or Imperial City or in any PvP zone. There's far too much lag as it is.

Not for anything "competitive" or that drops endgame gear like Trials or VR Pledges.

Maybe as a group-filler for non-Vet group dungeons, or as a leveling aid for 1-50, but the game is pretty easy as it is and this seems to be an esoteric enough use-case that it's very likely not worth the effort.

That said, there are several NPCs you meet, like Gabrielle Benele, Skordo the Knife, Gathwen, or Walk-in-Ash, that I'd like to have as fully realized companions, they just should not be available in PvP.

EWarn82 · August 2015

Yes

I say yes, but only for Non-Vet Dungeons to help fill groups. You only have 3 people, get a mercenary to fill out the fourth missing role. However, it would be harder as the NPC's armour/stat/etc. would be less then the players, making it slightly more difficult ( which could be made into an achievement somehow if wanted). If they served as a healer, they would heal you but it wouldn't be as well as an actual player built for it.

You would also be able to re-queue for that 4th spot, but while in the queue that NPC would be gone.

Just a thought.

ItsRejectz · August 2015

No

Gidorick wrote: »

@Suntzu1414, @ItsRejectz, @Forestd16b14_ESO Those were Cyrodiil Merchants to guard keeps. COMPLETELY different from what is being suggested.

No it's not

Eriquito3 · August 2015

No

Reverb · August 2015

No

If implemented, anyone with an NPC companion should earn half (or less) the gold, XP and CP than they would without said companion. Otherwise it would just give another advantage to farmers/grinders and bots.

Waffennacht · August 2015

Yes

Well those could easily be implemented.

General ideas are that they would not be PvP, would be PvE, comabt based xp could be effected so farming isn't exploited (or like in skyrim the damage mercs did or kills did not contribute to your xp)

Could be even dungeon or area specific

Most whom say no is because of such things as above, i bet they could do it and make everyone happy.

Pistolera_ESO · August 2015

Yes

I'm a solo player in eso and I approve this message!

I more would want a person as a pet/slave(hee, hee) more than for combat.

Malediktus · August 2015

No

Of course not, its a MMO

TheTwistedRune · August 2015

Yes

I say yes. Anything that helps me not have to play with others is welcome as I prefer solo play.

Steven11k9@aol.com · August 2015

Yes

I would love this but only for quests not for PvP I would rage because of it.

Moonscythe · August 2015

Yes

Hope499 wrote: »

All it will do is encourage even more solo play....

And how does that impact your play exactly? What difference does it make if some people solo for any reason at all? Those who solo may need a little help every now and then but what difference does it make to anyone else out there if they choose to hire a meat shield?

Sausage · August 2015

No

Its not actually bad idea, many would like to use them for Dolmens, Public Dungeon Dungeons and World bosses already.