The very first thing I did in Blackwood was going to pick up Bastian. He's been travelling with my character ever since.
(I only send him to look for a good place to make camp when I discover a Thieves Trove that I have to confiscate.)

I really like him, and it's great havíng him around, getting the comments now and then. I also wish ZOS had done something more "Imperial" with his backstory (my character is an Imperial, too), but that doesn't make the character less likeable.

I don't care about the technical side of companions, my character can handle everything (that I want to do) fine on his own. But Basti has proven a noticeable help in shortening battles (my character is a Sword&Board, Stamina, DragonKnight, so the damage output is... a bit less than it could be), and a bit of stress relief by being a healer in our 3-friends-group when doing dungeons or arena. So even there he's doing a fine job.

Mirri I just picked up yesterday, her starter quest point was the last thing I found in Blackwood. I didn't actively look for it, just quested my way through the zone. I'm not sure if and when I'll get to level her/continue her story, because I would have to go without Basti to do so, and I'd miss him. (And I know enough about Mirri from intros and forum posts to know that while not being completely disagreeable to me, she wouldn't be half as good company.)

Because while mirri is tedious, bastion is just plain irritating, so much so that when I’ve got him with me I play with the sound off because you can’t shut him up entirely!

Compared to most games the companions in this one really do feel like a dry run, they have nothing witty or observational to say about specific places, you just get the same random three fatuous lines for any given event or action, it’s like they were designed to bore you to death and they’re in danger of succeeding.

I do not understand why they don’t have a mute function, I just wanna turn these idiots off, the only reason I’m allowing them to tag along is to get the little buff and to be honest I don’t know why I’m bothering to do that!

Why in the name of sanity do they have 20 levels, 10 I can understand but 20!? Me and a friend did that Skyreach run, full training gear and a 150% XP bonus, the companions levels barely moved! My boredom threshold is nowhere near high enough for this task! I thought gathering surveys was tedious but this takes it to a whole different level!

No idea, I'm using Bastian almost exclusively because I'm trying to level him up from lvl 17, but mostly forget to summon any companion because I use merchant and banker a lot.

My thought was to get them both and use for different purposes, but after leveling rapport for Mirri I have no interest in leveling another companion. Rapport is maxed, but she is still just level 17 and I have no interest in grinding to level 20 (eventually might get there, but not using all the time).

I like Bastian quite a bit more than Mirri. I doubt I will use her at all now that they are both leveled up for me. I've found she doesn't help very much. I kill while she just stands there. She rarely interacts with the enemies. Bastian does way more and is nicer.

Tbh I feel like bastian is more like a "Hero" character, I mostly play with my khajiit some sneaky sneaky stuff and bastian keeps bothering me every pocket i empty xD. Imo he's just annoying to hang around.

JJOtterBear wrote: »

I use him frequently actually. he's a good healer and since I'm a magsorc, I appreciate having a healer at my side. His righteousness doesn't really bother me.

I've made him a healer as well. Like Mirri says "can never get enough of that!"

I usually have Bastian out more. I'm trying to keep them near even levels, but Bastian always has a higher level. Mirri grates on my nerves a bit. I like Bastian's attitude more.

I travel with Bastian. I unlocked Mirri, too, but I really can't stand her. She resembles Naryu in her behavior.

Minyassa wrote: »

I completely forgot about the passives, I was just assuming it was for the same reason Khajiit and Argonians have boobs. Because boobs. xD

because the playable eso khajit are humanoids , they breastfeed, same for argonians.
And no eso khajit don't have barbed somethings.

meanwhile there's like 6 or 8 more races or khajit that are less humanoid.
same applies to argonians.

kamimark wrote: »

I am a constant, habitual thief, and Bastian would be so very angry. I still have to put a bucket on Mirri's head to go murder people what need murdering, but that's more deliberate.

He gets mad if you pick up a thief's stash. Am I just supposed to leave it for the thief to take?

I am not sure who is optimal, but I use Mirri for DPS help on my sorcs and wardens. I use Bastion with a healing focus on those who need that help.

Not perfect, but seems to work somewhat well.

Give me Stibbons as Companion and make him point out treasures in world map and i'm game.

I use different companions with different characters. Mirri is a healer, Bastian is a tank so whichever one helps is the one I go with. Generally if I'm ranged, it will be Bastian and if I'm melee then its' Mirri.

The exception is my 2 wardens, because they have the bear to tank so they use Mirri for heals.

Fully leveled Mirri first, now I'm leveling Bastian.

Both are annoying. Mirri was complaining a lot and freaked out each time I accidentally picked up flies,
Bastian seems more enthousiast but complains each time I step out of the law, while being totally glad to see vampires.

Both have reset bosses by rolling away from attacks.

Once fully leveled I'll probably but Bastian where he belongs, in one of my house's closet.