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.

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 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.

Make it cost crowns

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.

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.

Gidorick wrote: »

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

No it's not

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.

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.

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

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?