Worried About Companion System?

coop500 · January 2021

Update: I am even more concerned now after reading this: https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2021/01/26/the-elder-scrolls-online-oblivion-is-the-next-step-to-adding-romance-in-game

I am a bit worried about this system personally, as someone who loves to play support roles (healer and tank) over the peer pressure surrounding DPS where even 50K DPS is laughed at now and I can't come anywhere CLOSE to that. I am worried about this companion system making tanks and healers redundant in normal stuff, maybe not vet, but then I can't level my healer in normal dungeons? or I can't just, casually run a normal with folks because EWWW who wants a human being that could make mistakes and has feelings and a life and may need to go AFK when they got a bot to do it? Especially healers who are already frowned upon as being 'useless' and rather replace us with a 3rd DD.

I have healed and tanked some ROUGH vet content in PUGs (it's all I do since I don't really have friends in this game lol), though it's been awhile and I am a bit rusty, it'd be nice to freshen up and get back into the groove through normal dungeons, but the whole thing kinda leaves a bad taste in my mouth if I'm getting replaced with robots.

What about you all? Am I just paranoid? Would you be happy if bots replaced tank/healer players?

SydneyGrey · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

There is no way that a companion will play better than a real human.

*Edit* Perhaps I should have phrased this as: There is no way ZOS will ALLOW these companions to fight better than a real human.

AlnilamE · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

Honestly, my guess is that if you have a companion, it takes up a group slot. So you're not going to have 4 people with 4 companions in a dungeon.

But that is a guess.

Gythral · January 2021

I am a bit worried too

here a bear
there a bear
everywhere a companion instead of a bear, greifing everyone else as they block anything interactable!

Ekzorka · January 2021

Other

Seems like combat pets re-design goes wrong. Will be more questions about a clannfear's taunt.

Lysette · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

That won't happen. A companion cannot be made as strong as a real player, because it would otherwise be used as a tool to avoid having to do the work and just letting the companion do it. So a companion needs to be pretty weak to not devalue quests and achievements. It is as well very unlikely, that a companion would animation cancel or perform any weaving.

coop500 · January 2021

I am a bit worried too

Lysette wrote: »

That won't happen. A companion cannot be made as strong as a real player, because it would otherwise be used as a tool to avoid having to do the work and just letting the companion do it. So a companion needs to be pretty weak to not devalue quests and achievements. It is as well very unlikely, that a companion would animation cancel or perform any weaving.

But if they offer heals, buffs, have a TON of HP and can taunt, then we might have problems.

Sarannah · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

Not worried at all. No AI compares to actual human beings. But this does give solo players the option to remain solo, even in dungeons. And to have the companions compensate for their characters shortcomings. (assuming we can use companions in dungeons)

I do wonder why only two companions. I would assume three: Tank, healer, and DPS.

Jeirno · January 2021

I am a bit worried too

SydneyGrey wrote: »

There is no way that a companion will play better than a real human.

You would be surprised about how many people who play this game are actually that bad that a bot could replace them XD

Puzzlenuts · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

I'm guessing they will attack with the ferocity of a limp noodle. Like Lyris does when you do the main quest. I hope I am wrong

jaws343 · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

Even if they do replace players in some capacity, I expect it to be more along the lines of filling in gaps if a player drops from group or if a group is unable to be filled. Of for players to bring into content solo and have a helping hand. Assuming we can apply a taunt to the companion, having a "tank" like character when soloing dungeons would be helpful, even if not entirely necessary.

Odovacar · January 2021

Other

I'm actually pretty excited for it. I love playing with my buddies but when you're out and about just f'n around it would be cool to have a little side buddy to help...now I do worry about just how effective they'll actually be. I'm not saying they have to have the capability of being super OP but close to worthless is what I worry I suppose...

Mayrael · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

Odovacar wrote: »

I'm actually pretty excited for it. I love playing with my buddies but when you're out and about just f'n around it would be cool to have a little side buddy to help...now I do worry about just how effective they'll actually be. I'm not saying they have to have the capability of being super OP but close to worthless is what I worry I suppose...

All I hope for is that I'll be finally able to solo dungeons that force us to have someone with us. Like stepping on a plate or breaking channeled CC on you so you can actually test your strenght.

Lysette · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

Sarannah wrote: »

Not worried at all. No AI compares to actual human beings. But this does give solo players the option to remain solo, even in dungeons. And to have the companions compensate for their characters shortcomings. (assuming we can use companions in dungeons)

I do wonder why only two companions. I would assume three: Tank, healer, and DPS.

No AI can compare to a human?- I guess you are not informed about what modern AI is capable of.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfb6aEUMC04

MyKillv2.0 · January 2021

To everyone who is saying that "no way they make companions that play better than a real human",

You ever play.... that other major MMO that has a companion feature? Obviously you haven't or you would have a CLEAR example of how AI is often much better than a real human in every aspect except the most challenging top flight content that is designed for a coordinated group of dedicated mid-max players. I am not saying that is what they are going to do here. I haven't a single clue what their long term goal is for this but there are clear examples of at least two games I know where AI/companions are offered in the game and they DO perform better than humans at every level except the very top tier player base.

"But that would eliminate the people aspect of playing an MMO in almost ever aspect of the game except vet trials and dungeons..."

Yup. You are correct. It does.

Ekzorka · January 2021

Other

coop500 wrote: »

But if they offer heals, buffs, have a TON of HP and can taunt, then we might have problems.

I think they will be just a toys for roleplayers and solo-players who avoid of other players.

the1andonlyskwex · January 2021

Other

I'm not really worried about getting replaced, but I'm very worried that the companions will be more annoying than fun.

coop500 · January 2021

I am a bit worried too

MyKillv2.0 wrote: »

To everyone who is saying that "no way they make companions that play better than a real human",

You ever play.... that other major MMO that has a companion feature? Obviously you haven't or you would have a CLEAR example of how AI is often much better than a real human in every aspect except the most challenging top flight content that is designed for a coordinated group of dedicated mid-max players. I am not saying that is what they are going to do here. I haven't a single clue what their long term goal is for this but there are clear examples of at least two games I know where AI/companions are offered in the game and they DO perform better than humans at every level except the very top tier player base.

"But that would eliminate the people aspect of playing an MMO in almost ever aspect of the game except vet trials and dungeons..."

Yup. You are correct. It does.

And this is what I am worried about. There's already a toxic side of the community that is like... if you're not PERFECT then you suck and you are horrible.

Now we got to compete with AI to 'prove' you're worth taking over their companion?

Tharonil · January 2021

I hope they do replace tank/healer players

I've voted for this, because it can be hard sometimes to find people even for helping overland bosses. On older maps for example, I don't have the time after work to wait until someone is pleased to help for a silly world boss. If my companion could tank those, it would be a real help!

I'm excited for this feature.

Mayrael · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

Wait... Those companions will be available only in overland? O_o

MagicalLija · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

I'm more worried about the lag... The server updates are for future updates, they're not replacements, or software increases, they're not going to have any effect on peformance.

DaveMoeDee · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

Considering how much shorter the queue is for tanks and healers compared to DPS, I don't see a problem. I say this as a tank.

I'm more concerned with armor changes as questing already sucks as a tank. I don't have heavy armor because I like that playstyle. I have heavy armor because I like tanking group content. I think I need to have one of my DPS clear all old content and just switch to using them for new story content going forward. I was trying to concentrate my achievements on my main tank, but it just isn't worth it. And I like doing content in order so that NPCs recognize me.

I already feel like being a tank makes it harder to run trials as the 2 tank slots fill quick (and their might be only 1 tank for a normal run). But I can't imagine the queue for tanks running dungeons would ever be a problem.

Lysette · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

I'm worried that quest dungeons and area will be even more filled with dead enemies, because more people rush through it with their companions and kill everything they see. So when will we get solo instances of these dungeons/quests?- It should feel like a quest area - and not just a place, where everything is dead and one just picks up a sky shard.

TequilaFire · January 2021

Other

I am more worried about the fact that ZOS as usual is making way too many changes to the game at once which will cause massive problems as usual.

ereboz · January 2021

I am a bit worried too

I agree. They said companions can be used everywhere except solo arenas and pvp. So this implies that they can be used in dungeons, which means even 1 attack from them will increase dps, making them mandatory for 'best builds'. This is very unfortunate for players like me that hate 'pet' classes you have to worry about gearing, leveling and managing

AyaDark · January 2021

I hope they do replace tank/healer players

I hope they replace DD players, becouse to do DPS you only need macro-mouse like ability, so just hit 1 target with preset rotation is easy task.

May be tank who only agro 1 target and heal who just spam mutagen.

So it will be good replacement, becouse if it can follow 3 comands like stop/attack/folow it is more skilled that a lot of players.

Like pets in some games i like.

I have so powerfull pets and controll it good, so they do good dps and even tank boss

It was even more povered than middle player.

But my main character was better.

Isupport pet, heal him, give him good food and skills. It was very good powered. Love my pets ☺️

Even if they will not, good looking companion will be good if it just looks good

adriant1978 · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

Mayrael wrote: »

Wait... Those companions will be available only in overland? O_o

On last night's stream they said everywhere except PvP and solo arenas.

VDoom1 · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

I wouldn't be surprised if at launch companions are either OP or under performing. However I seriously doubt companions will ever be so good that they can replace another player. Maybe in some instance a little more damage is needed, a DD companion could be handy then. Or if you are a DD and need a tank companion to take the boss from you, that would also be useful.

I find it odd that (as it is right now) companions are allowed in trials and dungeons, that sounds weird to me. So if everyone brings up their companion half the team is an AI...

During the stream they said companions are not allowed in PvP or solo Arenas, they said nothing about trials or dungeons. (Unless I missed that.)

DaveMoeDee · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

ereboz wrote: »

I agree. They said companions can be used everywhere except solo arenas and pvp. So this implies that they can be used in dungeons, which means even 1 attack from them will increase dps, making them mandatory for 'best builds'. This is very unfortunate for players like me that hate 'pet' classes you have to worry about gearing, leveling and managing

While I hate having to gear them, I still do have a lot of gear cluttering my inventory.

Lysette · January 2021

Nah, companions won't replace players

Well, a companion will help those, who have a problem with finger agility - it might just give them the edge to do stuff, without having to do the very twitchy game play extensively.

Tremuto · January 2021

Other

I'm honestly not too worried about Companions, I think they'll be an interesting addition depending on exactly what content ZOS decides to allow them in. I had a few theories on how Companions would work in group content:

1) They'd be fill-ins. Essentially if you're missing someone in a dungeon group, your Companion will show up in place of the missing member. Once someone is found, they will decide it's too much work to keep up with 3 DPS and 1 Tank blazing through FG1 and they'll be "stowed" away until you're back in the overland.

2) If used in group content, their efficiency with the items/skills you give them would be severely reduced. I haven't heard that Companions would be restricted in Dungeons or Trials just yet, so assuming that they're allowed, the efficiency of the gear and skills they're equipped with would probably be reduced to something meager, making them essentially filler in those content types.

3) ZOS is gonna screw things up and give us pocket healers with Symphony, RO, and Jorvould spamming orbs and heavy attacks.

The Elder Scrolls Online

Worried About Companion System?

Worried About Companion System? 285 votes