NPC Companions

bedlom · February 2016

I would very much like to see proper companions added to the game, only a couple you can keep (rewards for certain hardship) but most you have to hire, and they can carry for you and most important, they fight for you and fight well.

Mages, warriors etc, all type of fighters for hire. It would be an awesome feature and the idea would be to be able to get instant help for world bosses, public dungeons etc or just some company whatever you need.

TheShadowScout · February 2016

Nah.
Its a MMO.
Want a proper companion? Find some player to group with!

TheTwistedRune · February 2016

Its a good idea. Some MMO's have this feature. It would enable those of us who dislike grouping to play content that we would otherwise be unable too.

Hopefully this will be added at some point.

LiquidSchwartz · February 2016

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

Its a good idea. Some MMO's have this feature. It would enable those of us who dislike grouping to play content that we would otherwise be unable too.

Hopefully this will be added at some point.

If you dislike grouping play something that isn't an mmo???????

Jaeysa · February 2016

The amount of coding time to make this decent and non-buggy makes me dislike this idea, even though I would very much benefit from it.

TheTwistedRune · February 2016

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

Gilvoth · February 2016

i would LOVE to have NPC hirelings to help me in all of eso, especially in the caves.
i have asked for, and wanted hireling NPC's since beta 2013
other mmo's have them also, for example:
as you can see below these hirelings work and function when you cant find your friends online or your having a problem getting a healer or tank for a group and need maybe a rogue ASAP or a damage dealer or a healer and cant find one?
then just use hirelings

dungeons and dragons online and many other mmo's have them.
here below is a video example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThwCGnotlKU

Gilvoth · February 2016

http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/142447/zenimax-can-we-please-have-hirelings-to-help-us-in-dungeons/p1

Mojmir · February 2016

Make a second acct and don't talk.perfect npc companion

Magdalina · February 2016

I think they're adding bankers/fences/something "assistants" with TG DLC, so somewhat close. A hireable fighting companion for solo questing could work I guess, sounds like a bad idea for dungeons though. How are you going to make an npc follow all the mechanics? They'd have to code all the games' dungeons' mechanics into it or something, and recode it every time they changed something...

It could work for solo questing, again, but then the solo questing is already so easy once you learn the game just a little bit it becomes boring from lack of a challenge. I wish there was challenging enough questing, then this could actually come in handy

Gidorick · February 2016

I suggested this a while back, in fact prior to this thread it was the first result when you searched for "npc companion"

http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/146133/hirable-npc-companion-concept/p1

Barlthump · February 2016

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

Then make ur own game called elder scrolls offline.oh wait there is alr one. Skyrim

TheTwistedRune · February 2016

@Barlthump. No. Skyrim plays very differently to ESO. The similiarities are mainly aesthetic and lore based. I will continue to play ESO thanks, and am free to request whatever features I wish.

Maybe some people should just play the game, rather than trying to limit other people's enjoyment of it by dumping over suggestions that need not have any effect on their playing experience at all.

Grendel_at_ESO · February 2016

Screw that, I freaking hate when you have NPC's following you around. The part of the main line quest where you have the three companions following you around drove me nuts. Talk to Tharn? Hard to do when the other two are always right on top of him. Maybe if they could write code to make their pathing less horrible.

Sevalaricgirl · February 2016

It worked very well in SWTOR until they ended up more powerful than the PC. Somehow I don't think it would work in ESO

EnemyOfDaState · February 2016

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

You are allowed to play by yourself but that doesn't mean ZOS has to make sure every piece of content they release can be played that way.

Discord_Days · February 2016

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

I think the developers have all the right in the world to dictate how players should play their game by setting the parameters? The game is built around multiplayer after all.

Necrelios · February 2016

This is the a great idea and wouldn't take much additional work since the system is already there. With some of the quests in Orsinium DLC you can see how they have even worked to improve on this system where you find some quests that supply quest companions. This is something I could see happening eventually, possibly as a passive perk in a new DLC skill line, maybe housing? You would need some kind of caretaker or housecarl to look after your estate being a busy adventurer and all anyways.

xellink · February 2016

yea, companion. It'd be great if he/she will cook and do the cleaning too!

http://love-plus.wikia.com/wiki/Nene_Anegasaki

Gidorick · February 2016

Discord_Days wrote: »

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

I think the developers have all the right in the world to dictate how players should play their game by setting the parameters? The game is built around multiplayer after all.

It would only benefit the developers if they allow their players to stimulate multiplayer with npc companions.

ShadowDisciple · February 2016

TheShadowScout wrote: »

Nah.
Its a MMO.
Want a proper companion? Find some player to group with!

lol take a look at swtor companion system..one of the greatest things ever.

TheTwistedRune · February 2016

EnemyOfDaState wrote: »

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

You are allowed to play by yourself but that doesn't mean ZOS has to make sure every piece of content they release can be played that way.

Who is asking for that? I do not expect every piece of content to be doable solo, such as twelve man trials etc. But having an NPC companion to help with dolmens, gaining undaunted skills etc would be welcome to those of us who have wives and families and work full time and find grouping difficult.

Discord_Days wrote: »

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

I think the developers have all the right in the world to dictate how players should play their game by setting the parameters? The game is built around multiplayer after all.

The developers do of course. And I never stated anything to the contrary. Players don't however. If another player has a different opinion to me on this matter, fine. If they were to say "I wouldn't use them etc as I prefer to group." I'd respect that. But telling somebody to "Go play another game" is not respecting their opinion. And respecting somebody's opinion is a guiding parameter on these forums last time I checked.

Spottswoode · February 2016

Copied from another thread.

Hirelings work well in DDO for a few reasons:
DDO quests are about 20 mins long on average. A few, like The Pit, can take over three hours.
The d20 system is EXTREMELY flexible. Their are about 8 different ways to perform any one job at any point in time.
In concurrence with the above, there are many different classes that can do one job. Multiclassing makes it even more flexible.
The d20 system ensures that pretty much everyone has adequate defenses. Some people do have defense issues with exotic custom builds, but for the most part you don't have to worry about an individual players setup.
d20 combat is pretty simplistic when managed by a computer. AI scripting, therefore, is rather simplistic. The fighter hireling doesn't need to know when to dodge roll, block, or activate synergies. The cleric hireling doesn't need to know where to stand during boss fights. (Dps, on the other hand, is relatively easy to program. Even though it's exceptionally difficult in this game, a computer script could make short work of it.)

Hirelings also have a tendency to spring traps in DDO and fall down pits.

That being said, I think there's there's a reasonable middle ground here

LiquidSchwartz · February 2016

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

Then do t complain that there isn't something to cater to your play style in a game that is for grouping with real people not a npc that would cause more stress on the server and make it lag more

TheTwistedRune · February 2016

LiquidSchwartz wrote: »

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

Then do t complain that there isn't something to cater to your play style in a game that is for grouping with real people not a npc that would cause more stress on the server and make it lag more

This game, and most modern MMO's for that matter, are not just designed just for grouping though. They cater for many different play styles. There are solo instances in ESO. Also, I was not complaining. I was simply saying it is a feature that I would like to see in game.

I don't see how a hireling NPC would cause any more lag than a summoned pet or an NPC that helps you during certain quests in game. It works fine in other MMO's. Why not this one?

The point of your argument seems to rest mainly on a baffling hatred of anybody who wants to play solo. Well that and telling them go play something else.

clayandaudrey_ESO · February 2016

ShadowDisciple wrote: »

TheShadowScout wrote: »

Nah.
Its a MMO.
Want a proper companion? Find some player to group with!

lol take a look at swtor companion system..one of the greatest things ever.

No it is not. It was interesting but not greatest thing ever.

LiquidSchwartz · February 2016

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

LiquidSchwartz wrote: »

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

Then do t complain that there isn't something to cater to your play style in a game that is for grouping with real people not a npc that would cause more stress on the server and make it lag more

This game, and most modern MMO's for that matter, are not just designed just for grouping though. They cater for many different play styles. There are solo instances in ESO. Also, I was not complaining. I was simply saying it is a feature that I would like to see in game.

I don't see how a hireling NPC would cause any more lag than a summoned pet or an NPC that helps you during certain quests in game. It works fine in other MMO's. Why not this one?

The point of your argument seems to rest mainly on a baffling hatred of anybody who wants to play solo. Well that and telling them go play something else.

i don't have any hatred for people who play solo. I quest alone and don't group for anything but dungeons and pvp. But, I don't want garbage additions that make people group even less and ruin the game even more. It already struggles with antisocial people not grouping on top of many people enjoying solo play.
they already give you followers for missions that require some help in solo

TheShadowScout · February 2016

ShadowDisciple wrote: »

lol take a look at swtor companion system..one of the greatest things ever.

I played SWTOR before coming to ESO. I stopped playing SWTOR when I started playing ESO. Does that say enough of how the SWTOR companion system 'impressed' me?

The point is, if one wants companions, then game balance may end up skewed between those who have and those who have not. Now, one could of course ban companuions from PvP. And then ban companions from Dungeons, Trials, and so on, or at least make them take a "group slot" - that is entirely possible to preserve balance there, somewhat. In open world... things get a bit more iffy.
And in any case, they would add lag...

Not to mention the basic gamestyle... the KotOR games had NPC companions, so SWTOR was logical to have them as well. The TES games were always solo-play style, so why should we now suddenly add NPC companions just because some people prefer to group with NPCs instead of bothering with other players?
(And as disclaimer... I am one of the people who dislike grouping with other players, because I am somewhat of a sociophobe... thus a lot of the group content just gets undone for me until I find some people I might feel comfortable grouping with... but I wouldn't want to take some NPCs and do it instead!)

Gidorick · February 2016

TheShadowScout wrote: »

ShadowDisciple wrote: »

lol take a look at swtor companion system..one of the greatest things ever.

I played SWTOR before coming to ESO. I stopped playing SWTOR when I started playing ESO. Does that say enough of how the SWTOR companion system 'impressed' me?

The point is, if one wants companions, then game balance may end up skewed between those who have and those who have not. Now, one could of course ban companuions from PvP. And then ban companions from Dungeons, Trials, and so on, or at least make them take a "group slot" - that is entirely possible to preserve balance there, somewhat. In open world... things get a bit more iffy.
And in any case, they would add lag...

Not to mention the basic gamestyle... the KotOR games had NPC companions, so SWTOR was logical to have them as well. The TES games were always solo-play style, so why should we now suddenly add NPC companions just because some people prefer to group with NPCs instead of bothering with other players?
(And as disclaimer... I am one of the people who dislike grouping with other players, because I am somewhat of a sociophobe... thus a lot of the group content just gets undone for me until I find some people I might feel comfortable grouping with... but I wouldn't want to take some NPCs and do it instead!)

They would add no more to lag than another player would add to lag @TheShadowScout . Also, NPC companions WERE in Skyrim and they were quite useful so that reasoning isn't sound.

NPC Companions should be an OPTIONAL part of ESO. optional. Don't want to use them? Fine, don't use them. The simple fact is I play ESO less because there is content that requires groups to play... and I don't group because of many MANY reasons. ESO is less accessible to players like me and ultimately that means I spend less time in ESO which directly correlates to me spending less money.

It would be a sound financial decision to add NPC companions to ESO, not that ZOS seems to be making ESO decisions based on what would be sound financial choices.

Also, players should be able to complete ANY PVE group content with NP Companions, but keep those players off of the leaderboards (as if they'd get on them anyway.

)

TheTwistedRune · February 2016

LiquidSchwartz wrote: »

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

LiquidSchwartz wrote: »

TheTwistedRune wrote: »

@LiquidSchwartz. No. I can play the game however I like. What right do you have to dictate how somebody else should play?

I don't play this game because it's an MMO. I play it because I like the way it plays.

Then do t complain that there isn't something to cater to your play style in a game that is for grouping with real people not a npc that would cause more stress on the server and make it lag more

This game, and most modern MMO's for that matter, are not just designed just for grouping though. They cater for many different play styles. There are solo instances in ESO. Also, I was not complaining. I was simply saying it is a feature that I would like to see in game.

I don't see how a hireling NPC would cause any more lag than a summoned pet or an NPC that helps you during certain quests in game. It works fine in other MMO's. Why not this one?

The point of your argument seems to rest mainly on a baffling hatred of anybody who wants to play solo. Well that and telling them go play something else.

i don't have any hatred for people who play solo. I quest alone and don't group for anything but dungeons and pvp. But, I don't want garbage additions that make people group even less and ruin the game even more. It already struggles with antisocial people not grouping on top of many people enjoying solo play.
they already give you followers for missions that require some help in solo

So you don't want NPC companions because you say (and I disagree) that it makes people group less. You would rather force them to play with others, no matter how difficult or inconvenient, rather than letting them make their own choice whether or not to use a NPC hireling. You don't want to use them, and you don't want others using them.

The problem here is that you think everybody should play the way you want them to. Everything you say is from a perspective that allows no room for consideration of other people's wishes or opinions, instead of accepting that some people would enjoy such additions, but stating that you yourself wouldn't use them.

I'm not denying anybody anything out of the game. Its called a live and let live attitude. Maybe its a concept you should become familiar with.

Peel_Ya_Cap_517 · February 2016

Bring back J'Zargo!