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Companions - Your first impression on our new friends

  • majulook
    majulook
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    Did FG1 with one other player, I am Templar Healer/DPS CP 1705 had Mirri. Other player a level 48 (unkown if any CP) Templar Healer had Bastian.

    We walked into FG1 and no one died during the run.

    Mirri --- Had a blue (aggressive) Bow, armor was 4 white (1 light, 1 heavy 2 medium) and 3 green medium armor (1 vigorous, 1 bolstered, 1 prolific), 2 blue jewelry (1 aggressive, 1 bolstered)

    Mirri skills- Piercing Arrow, Trick shot, Life absorption, Blood Transfusion, Ghostly Evasion

    Was ok, did not die, never lost more than 50% of health bar. Mostly stayed at range using bow. did not dodge roll until heath dropped a bit.

    Bastiian - Unknown what gear gear and skills other than a flame staff.

    Was ok, did die twice, Did agro bosses sometimes not sure why.

    So bottom line:
    Fighting wise they attack the bosses and mobs focusing on whats attacking them seems to be a priority, but do ok attacking boss when they are not being attacked. Seems like they only notice they are in the red when they lose a certain amount of health they will move most of the time.

    Over all companions will be fine with some of the normal base game undaunted pledges. But are no better than any player (with the exception that they will stay with you, and not speed run to the boss)



    Si vis pacem, para bellum
  • frompa
    frompa
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    I'm good with everything so far except the their interaction. Try to loot a body, talk to Mirri. Try to harvest a node, talk to Mirri. Attempt to interact with a quest item, talk to Mirri. Want to open a door, no, talk to Mirri. Typical woman always needing attention ;)
  • vallisas
    vallisas
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    JTD wrote: »
    GreenHere wrote: »
    But yeah, once you've played other games with significantly superior followers, it really is hard not to hold these ESO Companions to a similar standard. I know it's not fair, but I can't help but feel they're just lacking in depth, as others have said. It's hard not to feel like these Comps are a bit "phoned-in" in some ways. :/

    I had high hopes...
    Sadly they don't even come close to SWTOR companions... devs take a look and learn how they implemented this. I went through hell and back with my companions in SWTOR, romanced had fall outs... they helped me when i needed them I helped them.... nothing of the like with the ESO ones....

    swtor-companions.jpg.webp


    FULL on disagree

    Swtor companions were decent but they had several problems especially outside of the vanilla ones. Unless a companion was involved in the main story they had zero depth, and zero locational dialogue or interactivity with any of their surroundings (which is everyone except vanilla companions but they too have no dialogue for newer content), silent and throwaway for the most part. And god forbid they were killed off in the main story (literally everyone except the devs pet lana), even if you saved them the death option just meant they'd just get no more content and become a brick either way.

    Zenimax improves as the companions react to everything from you being hurt, to you walking in certain locations, to picking up things, crafting, killing certain npcs, to even using your ult, they even acknowledge loot. So these companions win on the immersion front, you actually feel like you're adventuring with someone alive and not just a pokemon only capable of one liners like swtor's. They also change in dialogue with the change of reputation. Swtor companions on the other hand? even the vanilla ones still spout the same one liners they did in vanilla 10 years later, their mouths don't even move now because Bioware couldn't be arsed.

    Secondly these companions have fully customizable abilities offering many diverse ways of play and room to get a bit experimental with abilities if you will. Both the companions thus far have their own unique skills and identity whereas Swtor companions all had reskinned abilities, and the only difference between them was being ranged or melee but all their skills did the same thing, and you could not alter their abilities at all, no real room to play around other than switching their roles.

    So far, ESO companions win across the board especially from a rpg standpoint, the only thing Swtor companions have going right now are romances, which practically make no bit of difference seeing as even if you romance a swtor companion their dialogue does not change, they still say the same one liners. So you are basically just stuck hoping your favored companion is not bricked, and gets a 2 second cutscene in the future otherwise your romance might as well not even exist. So if Zenimax could add the romances in the future, i'm sure they'd handle that better than Swtor seeing as how the companions already have changing/updated dialogue for reputation whereas Swtor's do not at all.
  • Lugaldu
    Lugaldu
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    vallisas wrote: »
    Zenimax improves as the companions react to everything from you being hurt, to you walking in certain locations, to picking up things, crafting, killing certain npcs, to even using your ult, they even acknowledge loot. So these companions win on the immersion front, you actually feel like you're adventuring with someone alive and not just a pokemon only capable of one liners like swtor's.

    Totally agree. There are sometimes surprising situations in which the reaction of the companions makes me laugh, sometimes it's just hilarious, sometimes it's almost philosophical.
  • kichwas
    kichwas
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    I wish the build and gear setup I put on one was character specific and not account specific. But that's my only complaint so far and I get that this limitation was better for keeping data manageable.

    Jah bless
    PST timezone - mostly PvE player.

    Super casual player
    Seeking a casual 'lets do some dungeons and world stuff together' guild.
  • crazepdx
    crazepdx
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    Lugaldu wrote: »
    vallisas wrote: »
    Zenimax improves as the companions react to everything from you being hurt, to you walking in certain locations, to picking up things, crafting, killing certain npcs, to even using your ult, they even acknowledge loot. So these companions win on the immersion front, you actually feel like you're adventuring with someone alive and not just a pokemon only capable of one liners like swtor's.

    Totally agree. There are sometimes surprising situations in which the reaction of the companions makes me laugh, sometimes it's just hilarious, sometimes it's almost philosophical.

    If you want to see funny. Take Mirri into a dungeon with Goblins. She really doesn't like them.
  • vallisas
    vallisas
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    Lugaldu wrote: »
    vallisas wrote: »
    Zenimax improves as the companions react to everything from you being hurt, to you walking in certain locations, to picking up things, crafting, killing certain npcs, to even using your ult, they even acknowledge loot. So these companions win on the immersion front, you actually feel like you're adventuring with someone alive and not just a pokemon only capable of one liners like swtor's.

    Totally agree. There are sometimes surprising situations in which the reaction of the companions makes me laugh, sometimes it's just hilarious, sometimes it's almost philosophical.

    Yep, coming from someone who has played swtor for quite a bit the first thing I loved about these companions over swtor's is that when you actually go somewhere you feel like they're there with you and not just some glorified barbie at your side. If I harm a non-hostile animal, Bastian sees that. If I come across some cultist, Bastian acknowledges that. Pick something up Mirri hates, she notices it and speaks her mind. Swtor companions just sit there and -____- unless you get into combat then they MIGHT say one of their typical lines

    Swtor companions are good, provided they get story content (and really on one main one gets that now), but they're terrible for exploration.
  • kargen27
    kargen27
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    One thing has popped up that I find annoying. Gave Mirri a destruction staff and now she likes to run away backwards while doing light attacks. Has caused a couple of world bosses to reset when she runs them to far away.

    Happens some on trash mobs also. She needs to stay within a certain radius of me and fights will go much better. Might have to take her staff away from her and give her a stick.

    Other than that things are good.
    and then the parrot said, "must be the water mines green too."
  • Dropstitch
    Dropstitch
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    Also on the comparisons to SWTOR:

    I think there was a tacit acknowledgement by Bioware that they made mistakes with companions in that their role and number is reduced hugely in the expansions. They simply made too many and tried to give them too much to do, and it was too much of a strain on time/budget. When you have a "Poochie returned to his home planet" scene in a game to correct overreach, you know something went very wrong.

    SWTOR would have been better with a total of say 6 companions, with a free choice as to which you recruit.

    I also do not need romance options with my companions, I have always found it cringe-inducing.

  • Starshadw
    Starshadw
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    Dropstitch wrote: »
    I also do not need romance options with my companions, I have always found it cringe-inducing.

    As romance is optional, if you don't like it, you don't have to trigger it. I, for one, hope the option gets added in at some point in the future.
  • Drew8315
    Drew8315
    vallisas wrote: »
    JTD wrote: »
    GreenHere wrote: »
    But yeah, once you've played other games with significantly superior followers, it really is hard not to hold these ESO Companions to a similar standard. I know it's not fair, but I can't help but feel they're just lacking in depth, as others have said. It's hard not to feel like these Comps are a bit "phoned-in" in some ways. :/

    I had high hopes...
    Sadly they don't even come close to SWTOR companions... devs take a look and learn how they implemented this. I went through hell and back with my companions in SWTOR, romanced had fall outs... they helped me when i needed them I helped them.... nothing of the like with the ESO ones....

    swtor-companions.jpg.webp


    FULL on disagree

    Swtor companions were decent but they had several problems especially outside of the vanilla ones. Unless a companion was involved in the main story they had zero depth, and zero locational dialogue or interactivity with any of their surroundings (which is everyone except vanilla companions but they too have no dialogue for newer content), silent and throwaway for the most part. And god forbid they were killed off in the main story (literally everyone except the devs pet lana), even if you saved them the death option just meant they'd just get no more content and become a brick either way.

    Zenimax improves as the companions react to everything from you being hurt, to you walking in certain locations, to picking up things, crafting, killing certain npcs, to even using your ult, they even acknowledge loot. So these companions win on the immersion front, you actually feel like you're adventuring with someone alive and not just a pokemon only capable of one liners like swtor's. They also change in dialogue with the change of reputation. Swtor companions on the other hand? even the vanilla ones still spout the same one liners they did in vanilla 10 years later, their mouths don't even move now because Bioware couldn't be arsed.

    Secondly these companions have fully customizable abilities offering many diverse ways of play and room to get a bit experimental with abilities if you will. Both the companions thus far have their own unique skills and identity whereas Swtor companions all had reskinned abilities, and the only difference between them was being ranged or melee but all their skills did the same thing, and you could not alter their abilities at all, no real room to play around other than switching their roles.

    So far, ESO companions win across the board especially from a rpg standpoint, the only thing Swtor companions have going right now are romances, which practically make no bit of difference seeing as even if you romance a swtor companion their dialogue does not change, they still say the same one liners. So you are basically just stuck hoping your favored companion is not bricked, and gets a 2 second cutscene in the future otherwise your romance might as well not even exist. So if Zenimax could add the romances in the future, i'm sure they'd handle that better than Swtor seeing as how the companions already have changing/updated dialogue for reputation whereas Swtor's do not at all.

    sorry disagree Star Wars Companions are way ahead of ESO in many ways.
  • vallisas
    vallisas
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    Dropstitch wrote: »
    Also on the comparisons to SWTOR:

    I think there was a tacit acknowledgement by Bioware that they made mistakes with companions in that their role and number is reduced hugely in the expansions. They simply made too many and tried to give them too much to do, and it was too much of a strain on time/budget. When you have a "Poochie returned to his home planet" scene in a game to correct overreach, you know something went very wrong.

    SWTOR would have been better with a total of say 6 companions, with a free choice as to which you recruit.

    I also do not need romance options with my companions, I have always found it cringe-inducing.

    The problem is they expected the game to be a "WoW killer" on launch, so they went all out with spending on voice actors. Anyway, they ended up making matters worse, because now more than half of the cast are killable, and non-usuable, which has caused them to write themselves into several corners. They have killed so many legacy characters even that they no longer have anyone to actually develop or utilize. Hence them constantly resurrecting villains
  • FootprintsInTheAsh
    FootprintsInTheAsh
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    aipex8_ESO wrote: »
    I'm interested in seeing more pics of your character, lol. He looks like he's from Portland.

    Here is:

    26NLWYF.png


    And I can update the information about testing Mirri. My character and she finished normal Black Rose Prison! It was hard and took away two hours, but we did it as a duet. At first, I expected that we would only finish the first three arenas. I started playing BRP a month ago and the fourth arena was a problem for me (I mean solo, the bosses were killing me all the time). Also my character has recently gotten weaker after nerfing proc sets, so I really expected to fail. But...

    As before, I used this for Miri: 7 pieces of heavy armor (white, green, blue) + two-handed weapon (but I changed it to the staff of restoration in the third arena)

    Arena 1. Mirri died very often due to AoE of flame atronachs, but that was my fault. Later, I started changing her targets (Y+right click) if she attacked mobs while standing in AoE. This simple tactic has helped us in the following arenas. But in any case, the mechanics of the last boss were a problem for Mirri and she died because of this almost every time.

    Arena 2. No deaths.

    Arena 3. Rounds 1-3: Mirri's main problem is the gargoyles' AoE attacks. She died once because of this, so I switched her equipment to the staff of restoration and ranged attacks. Round 4: too many ranged attacks! Mirri was dead most of the time. Final round: one death, but I realized my mistake and we did it again without deaths. Just stay away from Mirri when the boss is throwing AoE.

    Arena 4. Round 1: no deaths. Round 2: the problems with the boss of the first arena, as before. But if Mirri is on the good spot (closer to the center of the arena), then there is a chance for her to survive. Also with ranged attacks, this task has become easier. Round 3: no deaths. Round 4: Mirri died a couple of times. Final round: this fight was expected to be the most difficult for me, so I started using sigils (I have not used them in previous rounds and arenas). This was unexpected for me, but Mirri was alive throughout the entire battle and only died at the end. We killed Battlemage Ennodius and Tames-The-Beasts, but Lady Minara killed Miri with one of the special attacks.

    Arena 5. Round 1-4: Miri died twice (Lich King's Aoe in both cases). Final round. No sigils, no deaths. The slow melee boss is not a problem for us!

    In general, sometimes Mirri's presence made the arenas more difficult (I had to run to her and heal). Sometimes it's easier because Mirri distracted the mobs from me. In both cases, it is a very interesting and enjoyable solo experience. I can also say that Mirri died in the nBRP as often as the random players who don't know the mechanic yet. So Mirri is cool.

    RYp5hpY.png

    P.S. @ZOS_GinaBruno , where are the arena weapons for my Mirri? :smiley:
  • Dropstitch
    Dropstitch
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    Starshadw wrote: »
    Dropstitch wrote: »
    I also do not need romance options with my companions, I have always found it cringe-inducing.

    As romance is optional, if you don't like it, you don't have to trigger it. I, for one, hope the option gets added in at some point in the future.

    Well, thank your for you permission on how I'm allowed to play the game.
    Edited by Dropstitch on June 8, 2021 10:26PM
  • Tharonil
    Tharonil
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    I can only tell positive things.

    I've got Mirri as a companion yesterday. I gave her the white heavy armor and sword/shield.

    She only use skills that can heal or reduce damage taken, no taunt.
    It's not important for me how much damage she makes, she just shouldn't die too often.

    We did some dolmens and geysers together and it was a lot of fun! :smile:

    We were only three real players on the geysers in sommerset, but the additional three companions gave their best.

    Because I gave my Mirri an awesome outfit, I cannot say there were clones at all.

    Mirri died three times yesterday because of red circles.
    But I mean, in the end she was level 5, had only three skills unlocked and only white gear equipped.

    It's great that she have so many different dialogues. Her voice in german sounds beautiful, but I don't know how the original english voice sounds in comparison.
    Edited by Tharonil on June 9, 2021 4:09AM
  • Hapexamendios
    Hapexamendios
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    The only thing I find useful is Mirri's passive. If not for that, I probably would use them much.
  • orion_1981usub17_ESO
    orion_1981usub17_ESO
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    First day of companions on consoles. Having to run the same quest to unlock is really annoying... I mean, 18 characters! Got thru 6 in one day, doing double the guild dailies.

    Do one companion, do one armor, do one weapon, run your guild dailies. Did 6 solo non vet dungeons only one companion death. Getting gear is the real hurdle beyond leveling skills. I got 4 restro staffs before anything else. Super annoying, I just lock up armor and weapons until I'm ready to level them. Or if I get a better one, then I sell what I'm not gonna use.

    Couple tips, keep the undaunted taunt even if solo so you don't have to go chase mobs chasing your ranged companion. Directional heals are better than radius heals, as the companion has a tendency to leave the Area.
    Edited by orion_1981usub17_ESO on June 9, 2021 4:26AM
  • OutLaw_Nynx
    OutLaw_Nynx
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    I have never roleplayed on this game.

    I’ve tried doing so with my new friends. They aren’t going to be useful in content that requires effort. I’m enjoying myself questing with them overworld. My character(s) have been roaming around the world alone for so long. I like to think that she finally realised that it’s okay to have friends. Idk, I’m just having fun.
  • Lugaldu
    Lugaldu
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    Tharonil wrote: »
    Her voice in german sounds beautiful, but I don't know how the original english voice sounds in comparison.

    If someone is interested in the german voice actors, I found the info in the german forum that Leonie Landa speaks Mirri and Flemming Stein Bastian.

  • Tharonil
    Tharonil
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    Lugaldu wrote: »
    Tharonil wrote: »
    Her voice in german sounds beautiful, but I don't know how the original english voice sounds in comparison.

    If someone is interested in the german voice actors, I found the info in the german forum that Leonie Landa speaks Mirri and Flemming Stein Bastian.

    Thank you! I've tried to find the voice actors yesterday with no luck :smile:
    Edited by Tharonil on June 9, 2021 6:43AM
  • Valion
    Valion
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    Lugaldu wrote: »
    Tharonil wrote: »
    Her voice in german sounds beautiful, but I don't know how the original english voice sounds in comparison.

    If someone is interested in the german voice actors, I found the info in the german forum that Leonie Landa speaks Mirri and Flemming Stein Bastian.

    Thank you for telling us! :-)
    Although I'm usually playing the English version, I'd have loved to see (=hear) Céline Fontanges for Mirri on the German one. Still though, she sounds great, as far as I've witnessed it in voice chats alongside.
    "What does not redound to the swarm's advantage, that does not serve the single bee either."
    - Marc Aurel
  • Alastrine
    Alastrine
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    So, don't know if anyone that doesn't use companions have posted about how annoying they are but I will.
    I own 9 active ESO accounts. 5 of them are Plus. 2 own Blackwood. I have not gone and gotten any companions myself yet.
    Levelling a new character on a "non-Blackwood" account (or any account really) is now just an exercise in tedious frustration and I never thought of it that way before (I have 59 toons, about half level 50).

    Go to a dolmen to get some xp? There's 5 players there, with 5 companions and 5 (or 6) bears, clannfears, twilights etc.

    Good luck doing any damage.

    Run through delves to pick up some xp? Everything's already dead because one or more of the above scenarios blew through.

    I have been playing for 7 years and I wouldn't have 9 accounts if I didn't love the game. I can't remember ever posting on these forums that I hated something or disliked this or that, I don't care about the tweaks, the nerfs, etc., I have loved every minute of it. Till now.

    I hate your companions. They have finally made me turn away from the game I love so much. It's just insane to try and do anything now and I cannot even begin to imagine how bad the next event will be that requires a world boss or a dungeon boss kill.

    I wish I could sell off my 59 homes lol (and thats on one account only... all my accounts have multiple homes). All good things come to an end. For the first time I say thanks for nothing ZoS.
  • Roztlin45
    Roztlin45
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    How do you manage 9 acccounts? Maybe take a break for awhile. Companions are just new right now, they will settle down soon. They are just customized pets with dialogue.I often just ignore mine and act like.I did before them. Spell crafting or battle mage would have been alot.more fun than a slightly useful companion.
  • Lugaldu
    Lugaldu
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    Alastrine wrote: »
    So, don't know if anyone that doesn't use companions have posted about how annoying they are but I will.
    I own 9 active ESO accounts. 5 of them are Plus. 2 own Blackwood. I have not gone and gotten any companions myself yet.
    Levelling a new character on a "non-Blackwood" account (or any account really) is now just an exercise in tedious frustration and I never thought of it that way before (I have 59 toons, about half level 50).

    Go to a dolmen to get some xp? There's 5 players there, with 5 companions and 5 (or 6) bears, clannfears, twilights etc.

    Good luck doing any damage.

    Run through delves to pick up some xp? Everything's already dead because one or more of the above scenarios blew through.

    I have been playing for 7 years and I wouldn't have 9 accounts if I didn't love the game. I can't remember ever posting on these forums that I hated something or disliked this or that, I don't care about the tweaks, the nerfs, etc., I have loved every minute of it. Till now.

    I hate your companions. They have finally made me turn away from the game I love so much. It's just insane to try and do anything now and I cannot even begin to imagine how bad the next event will be that requires a world boss or a dungeon boss kill.

    I wish I could sell off my 59 homes lol (and thats on one account only... all my accounts have multiple homes). All good things come to an end. For the first time I say thanks for nothing ZoS.


    Maybe you should just give it a try.

    There are enough areas that are sparsely populated and where you hardly ever meet other players (with or without companions) - thus, there is no competition for xp in battles. Since we have the two companions, I only level them in such empty zones, which means that there are also no problems with immersion, as I don't see 5 Bastians and 7 Mirris in one pile. The situation will still become better with future companions.

  • Troll92
    Troll92
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    Orion_89 wrote: »
    Mirri is a perfect party as far as I farm resources almost every day. She really likes that I harvest nodes. Also when I did the antiquitie digging our rapport had grown up. She is nice but sadly I saw bunch of her copies at dolmens.

    ZOS, I'm seriously asking: give us an option to cover their heads and/or change their hairstyles!

    Why not go a bit further and let us use all our customization elements, like lipstick, earrings and so on.
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