make companions unlock acct wide

Gnesnig · June 2022

I think the Skyshard way is the way to go here: want to skip (=save time/effort), dish out some crowns. People who want the experience or save crowns, can then do so.

Necrotech_Master · June 2022

Gnesnig wrote: »

I think the Skyshard way is the way to go here: want to skip (=save time/effort), dish out some crowns. People who want the experience or save crowns, can then do so.

i would rather they did not make you have to pay for unlocking something you already unlocked

a previous analogy i made about the companion would be event items

you dont have to repeat the quest for the anniversary cake, you dont have to repeat the quest for the witches whistle, you dont have to repeat the quest for the jester pie, etc but you are free to complete these on every toon but any toon can access the tool after doing the activity once

why companions not follow this same process is beyond me

DarcyMardin · June 2022

It’s even worse if, like me, you have multiple accounts and multiple characters on each account. Please, allow us to do these quests once for an account-wide unlock.

Tandor · June 2022

If one poster here has done the quests for both companions on 10 characters within 24 hours of the update going live then I can't see there's a problem, beyond the usual desire some have to achieve everything in a game instantly and for no effort, it's just another call to trivialise the game - and coming so soon after the AwA controversy.

Necrotech_Master · June 2022

Tandor wrote: »

If one poster here has done the quests for both companions on 10 characters within 24 hours of the update going live then I can't see there's a problem, beyond the usual desire some have to achieve everything in a game instantly and for no effort, it's just another call to trivialise the game - and coming so soon after the AwA controversy.

this isnt trivializing content, its using content ive already unlocked on my other toons (imagine having to repeat the intro quest for every event on every toon to use the bonus xp tools)

and so someone was able to run 10 characters through those quests within the day, are they really there questing or just spamming E through all the dialogs selecting whatever option appears first to get it done as fast as possible?

that to me is not "questing", i have been doing that on my main progressing through high isles and enjoying the content, but now im going to have to go back and spam these quests to use something ive already unlocked

mementos, tools all only need to be done once to use them on any toon, why not companions? i am not saying anyone cannot re-run the quests, you can rerun the quest on every public dungeon with every toon but you dont need to do so to use the memento you unlock the first time through

ADarklore · June 2022

So apparently there area lot of people who weren't here when Mirri and Bastian were introduced, because ZOS explained the reason you need to unlock on each character is because the companions are meant to be PEOPLE... individual people... not 'pets'. Therefore, how can you expect that you unlock a companion on character 1, the character who worked with each companion to complete their quests and thereby became fully introduced to them and therefore earn the right to their companionship... to suddenly be summoned by character 2, who has never met them before, never helped them, never earned their trust enough to be considered a companion?!? THAT is the devs point... you cannot expect to have a companion if your individual character has never invested the time into introducing themselves.

People these days just want instant gratification... when this IS an MMO after-all... and 'grind' is usually a big part of that genre. Thankfully ESO's grind aspects are a LOT less than many other MMOs out there. Yet, it's also an RPG, and this particular aspect of the game- Companions who are considered individuals- are part of that.

SammyKhajit · June 2022

spartaxoxo wrote: »

xXSilverDragonXx wrote: »

I think they see the quests as part of your relationship with them, and thus per-character. You haven't met Ember on Toon X, only on Toon Y, so why would she pledge her sword to you? Meanwhile the companion's relative competency is unique to them so, so it makes more sense for it to be per-account. From a lore perspective, I think it makes sense. From a player perspective, there should be an option to skip it.

^ 200% this.

This one enjoyed Isobel’s quest but shudders to think going through it for 8 or ten times.

SilverBride · June 2022

I would be less upset about AWA if this was one of the things that was account wide.

At the very least they could give us an optional short introductory quest players could choose instead of the longer chain once we have unlocked them.

While we are on the subject, their levels are account wide so why not rapport, too? Following the AWA theme, this would make more sense. They are supposed to be companions, not huge chores.

Necrotech_Master · June 2022

ADarklore wrote: »

So apparently there area lot of people who weren't here when Mirri and Bastian were introduced, because ZOS explained the reason you need to unlock on each character is because the companions are meant to be PEOPLE... individual people... not 'pets'. Therefore, how can you expect that you unlock a companion on character 1, the character who worked with each companion to complete their quests and thereby became fully introduced to them and therefore earn the right to their companionship... to suddenly be summoned by character 2, who has never met them before, never helped them, never earned their trust enough to be considered a companion?!? THAT is the devs point... you cannot expect to have a companion if your individual character has never invested the time into introducing themselves.

People these days just want instant gratification... when this IS an MMO after-all... and 'grind' is usually a big part of that genre. Thankfully ESO's grind aspects are a LOT less than many other MMOs out there. Yet, it's also an RPG, and this particular aspect of the game- Companions who are considered individuals- are part of that.

i have always seen the companions as "functional pets", and i was also extremely annoyed that we had to run bastion and mirris POI quest with every toon, at least their quests were simpler

if the companion unlock quests were MUCH simpler, it would still be annoying, but now as annoying as a 15-20 min trek on isobels quest on every toon

im honestly seriously considering if this trend with companions continues in the future, i will not be bothering with them outside of 2 toons, my main who i do most things with, and a toon that i can farm xp for them instead of trying to "theme" them with my characters because its just too annoying to bother with when i already have set up and functional companions

Sarannah · June 2022

Tandor wrote: »

If one poster here has done the quests for both companions on 10 characters within 24 hours of the update going live then I can't see there's a problem, beyond the usual desire some have to achieve everything in a game instantly and for no effort, it's just another call to trivialise the game - and coming so soon after the AwA controversy.

Reached 18/18 the second day, little over 24h after High Isle's release... the thing is, I recognized a faster order the third time I did Isobel's quest. Which saved me over 5 minutes per Isobel's quest. (gained over 2 CP total) I didn't even rush to do the quests though, as I farmed and killed anything I saw nearby. Even sometimes waited for the big quest bosses to respawn. So doing the quests on every character is not that bad.

The reason why I unlocked them both on every character is so I can level and equip them easier. Right now, when I switch characters I will have all companions available. I'm only going to max their rapport on one character though.

rpa · June 2022

I tought the purpose of AWA was to remove the completion experience from alt char personal achevements while keeping the grindy and crown storeable parts?

ADarklore · June 2022

rpa wrote: »

I tought the purpose of AWA was to remove the completion experience from alt char personal achevements while keeping the grindy and crown storeable parts?

NO... the purpose of AWA as stated by ZOS was to help alleviate issues with the database.

In regards to @Necrotech_Master, just because a PLAYER considers them a 'pet' doesn't mean ZOS does... and they are the developers of the game, and what they implement goes. If you want to consider them a pet, then by all means, but don't expect the devs to adhere to your vision of them. If you want to use Companions, then you follow what's been implemented, if that's too much work, then don't use them.

@SilverBride Rapport is not account wide because, as stated, they are considered individual PEOPLE... and you cannot expect them liking one Character who is a saint, to also carry over that same appreciation to a character who is a villain. Furthermore, rapport is about their experience with each individual character. Personally, I don't even know WHY people worry about rapport when IMO it's a bit pointless. I still haven't gotten either Mirri or Bastian's quests because I don't focus on rapport. But if someone does, then they should also have to put the work into 'getting to know' each Companion as if they were an IRL friend. That's how ZOS wants them viewed, and thus, that's how they work.

ivelbob · June 2022

I can understand the 'they're individual people' reasoning for making each of your characters unlock them but this just results in making players replay the same content over and over again for no good reason. That's the point where I think developers should take a step back and ask if they are providing good gameplay or just more grind.

We make all kinds of tradeoffs between immersion and gameplay all the time because players want to be entertained, not forced into boring, repetitive tasks.

I really like the idea of letting you bypass the quest if you already locked the Companion - when you first encounter them on an alt, a pop-up will give you the option of just auto-completing the quest if you already did so on another character.

SilverBride · June 2022

ADarklore wrote: »

@SilverBride Rapport is not account wide because, as stated, they are considered individual PEOPLE...

I consider my characters individual people too, but that didn't matter for achievements.

ADarklore wrote: »

I don't even know WHY people worry about rapport when IMO it's a bit pointless.

Because you have to have rapport for their perks, such as the house guest and the passive.

Necrotech_Master · June 2022

@ADarklore i have no issues with companions rapport being per character, but the act of unlocking them on every character is not in any shape or form fun and greatly limits their usefulness

as i mentioned if they do continue this trend i will likely limit how many character i unlock newer ones with (my main, and then a farming toon) so i can still get the keepsake for the passive bonus which will work regardless if toons have unlocked them or not

i cant imagine most other people will continue bothering with new companions unless one of them is significantly more OP than others if they are functionally speaking almost the same and you already have some accessible on every toon

we only have 3 roles they usually need to fill (healer/tank/dps), while i would prefer using a companion that fits the theme of my character, i technically already have companions that fit the healer and dps roles i usually need, so if they keep up this trend ill just keep using the 4 that we have right now and only get keepsakes with the new ones

i frankly dont really care what zos said about treating them if they are people, the act of grinding unlocks for them is not remotely fun, especially if they make their quests longer and more complex like isobels

Gnesnig · June 2022

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

Gnesnig wrote: »

I think the Skyshard way is the way to go here: want to skip (=save time/effort), dish out some crowns. People who want the experience or save crowns, can then do so.

i would rather they did not make you have to pay for unlocking something you already unlocked

How is that any different than skyshards? You unlocked them on one character, by completing all in one zone. Save time to buy it on your other characters. This is how capitlism works in F2P games: people with money pay to save time. People with time, use it to generate money.

Necrotech_Master · June 2022

Gnesnig wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

Gnesnig wrote: »

I think the Skyshard way is the way to go here: want to skip (=save time/effort), dish out some crowns. People who want the experience or save crowns, can then do so.

i would rather they did not make you have to pay for unlocking something you already unlocked

How is that any different than skyshards? You unlocked them on one character, by completing all in one zone. Save time to buy it on your other characters. This is how capitlism works in F2P games: people with money pay to save time. People with time, use it to generate money.

i would never ever consider buying skyshards from the crown store, that is an absolute huge waste of money

and i did pay for access to the companions by buying the expansions, im not "double paying" to have it unlock on all my toons

Elvenheart · June 2022

I wish it was like if you try to start the quest on a second+ character, it would say something like we know you've already done this quest, would you like to auto complete it, yes/no? Then, if someone DOES want to do it more than once they can, but we could also skip it on alts if we want to.

Necrotech_Master · June 2022

after spending a good portion of time this weekend running all of my toons through the companion unlocks, i would say that these quests are extremely buggy when you are trying to speed them which just makes running multiple characters worse

during embers quest there were several times where some NPCs were flat out not interactible if you try to skip to where you need to interact them instead of nonsense following them around

specifically the part where you are following the guar-transformed huldressa, if you do not follow her guar form around that whole loop you wont be able to interact with that quest step until you relog and try again

i also had several spots in isobels quest where if you get too far ahead of the npc, you can still trigger quest steps but the npc will not go to the location you need to talk to

during the portion of the quest for the sword hilt, if you mount up and speed around the mountain, you can progress the objectives but when you have to talk to isobel before meeting her at the wayshrine she will not show up there, still standing somewhere back where you sped past her
ive also had at least one other spot where i had to interact with her where she was missing, but this seemed more rare as it only happened once
i also had an issue with the green barrier of the part where you get the staff, i was trying to interact with the pillars but interacted with the barrier instead because the hitbox for the pillars are so small, and the barriers knockback actually hit me through the barriers, so i was stuck behind the barriers unable to progress, i had to port out to the wayshrine and run back there

with all the bugs that were forcing me to go slower, i estimate it was taking me close to 45 min per character to do both of the quests (traveling to quest locations, doing the quest, sometimes having to relog 1+ times due to bugged quest)

the only good thing that came out of this was i got 6 high isle furnishing blueprints from castle navire (since that area is not considered stealing)

Destai · June 2022

The following need to be account wide:

Companions
Motifs
Outfit Slots
Armory Slots
Crafting Research

Especially with account wide achievements implemented, I think it makes sense to cut down on red tape we experience with multiple characters.

ADarklore · June 2022

Destai wrote: »

The following need to be account wide:
Companions

Motifs

Outfit Slots

Armory Slots

Crafting Research

Especially with account wide achievements implemented, I think it makes sense to cut down on red tape we experience with multiple characters.

And... cut down their revenue as well, and by extension, cut down on things we get added to the game. Outfit and Armory slots are big revenue for them, as well as mount upgrades, skyshards, etc.

Destai · June 2022

ADarklore wrote: »

Destai wrote: »

The following need to be account wide:
Companions

Motifs

Outfit Slots

Armory Slots

Crafting Research

Especially with account wide achievements implemented, I think it makes sense to cut down on red tape we experience with multiple characters.

And... cut down their revenue as well, and by extension, cut down on things we get added to the game. Outfit and Armory slots are big revenue for them, as well as mount upgrades, skyshards, etc.

Don't care, they have plenty other revenue from all the other monetization they have - like the $100 houses and crown crates. And werewolf/vampire bites. I know it'll never happen, but still believe it should.

spartaxoxo · June 2022

Gnesnig wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

Gnesnig wrote: »

I think the Skyshard way is the way to go here: want to skip (=save time/effort), dish out some crowns. People who want the experience or save crowns, can then do so.

i would rather they did not make you have to pay for unlocking something you already unlocked

How is that any different than skyshards? You unlocked them on one character, by completing all in one zone. Save time to buy it on your other characters. This is how capitlism works in F2P games: people with money pay to save time. People with time, use it to generate money.

Companions are direct power to your character. Skyshards are not. They are indirect. They are frankly pushing the concept of no power in the cash shop to its limit with skyshards as is. I don't think it should be pushed any further than that, no matter how small. And companions are small since they can't be used in competitive activities. They are either too weak or flat not allowed. I don't even think skyshards should have been quite frankly.

xXSilverDragonXx · June 2022

We are allowed to skip the quest at the start of the game after playing through it once. There is a skip option. Something like this should have a skip option as well.

Gnesnig · June 2022

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

Gnesnig wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

Gnesnig wrote: »

I think the Skyshard way is the way to go here: want to skip (=save time/effort), dish out some crowns. People who want the experience or save crowns, can then do so.

i would rather they did not make you have to pay for unlocking something you already unlocked

How is that any different than skyshards? You unlocked them on one character, by completing all in one zone. Save time to buy it on your other characters. This is how capitlism works in F2P games: people with money pay to save time. People with time, use it to generate money.

i would never ever consider buying skyshards from the crown store, that is an absolute huge waste of money

and i did pay for access to the companions by buying the expansions, im not "double paying" to have it unlock on all my toons

First, I decide for myself what I find a waste of money. Please, don't state it as a fact.

I haven't kept track of where I spent most money, but since I have 8 chars, and all but one have all skyshards bought or done initially, I say it's the number 2 spender for me. The first spender being houses, that I buy because figuring out how to get to zone X without having a wayshrine takes too much time and is inconvenient on new chars even if I know. Third is probably research scrolls, because they don't have cooldowns.

I keep one char without spending on Skyshards to see if the character can progress without doing "Skyshard runs". So far it's ok-ish (level 25) with only 2 crafting skills and I can keep up mostly with the templar/tank skill advisor and racials, but I had to do the main quest and fighters guild, more than I'd like to. If I'd do all crafting skills, I'd be about 20 skill points short, which would drive me to do Skyshard runs in zones I haven't started yet, dungeons with quest and PUGs that run them without skipping a required boss for the quest etc. In other words, time.

The less things there are that cost considerable time, the less players like me will spend, the less the game gets income.

And no, you're not "double paying". You paid for the expansion, yes, but you don't get all quest rewards, leads and achievements written to your account upon purchase either. The requirement for a companion is completing a quest. Shortcuts should have a cost and the most logical one is crowns.

Necrotech_Master · June 2022

Gnesnig wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

Gnesnig wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

Gnesnig wrote: »

I think the Skyshard way is the way to go here: want to skip (=save time/effort), dish out some crowns. People who want the experience or save crowns, can then do so.

i would rather they did not make you have to pay for unlocking something you already unlocked

How is that any different than skyshards? You unlocked them on one character, by completing all in one zone. Save time to buy it on your other characters. This is how capitlism works in F2P games: people with money pay to save time. People with time, use it to generate money.

i would never ever consider buying skyshards from the crown store, that is an absolute huge waste of money

and i did pay for access to the companions by buying the expansions, im not "double paying" to have it unlock on all my toons

First, I decide for myself what I find a waste of money. Please, don't state it as a fact.

I haven't kept track of where I spent most money, but since I have 8 chars, and all but one have all skyshards bought or done initially, I say it's the number 2 spender for me. The first spender being houses, that I buy because figuring out how to get to zone X without having a wayshrine takes too much time and is inconvenient on new chars even if I know. Third is probably research scrolls, because they don't have cooldowns.

I keep one char without spending on Skyshards to see if the character can progress without doing "Skyshard runs". So far it's ok-ish (level 25) with only 2 crafting skills and I can keep up mostly with the templar/tank skill advisor and racials, but I had to do the main quest and fighters guild, more than I'd like to. If I'd do all crafting skills, I'd be about 20 skill points short, which would drive me to do Skyshard runs in zones I haven't started yet, dungeons with quest and PUGs that run them without skipping a required boss for the quest etc. In other words, time.

The less things there are that cost considerable time, the less players like me will spend, the less the game gets income.

And no, you're not "double paying". You paid for the expansion, yes, but you don't get all quest rewards, leads and achievements written to your account upon purchase either. The requirement for a companion is completing a quest. Shortcuts should have a cost and the most logical one is crowns.

true, that is up to you if you want to buy those, i would never consider it whatsoever if i can earn them in game for free

however in regards to your last bit (bolded in quote), i DID complete the quest, and it was unlocked in my collection menu, but i cannot use it on all my toons like any other memento (also unlocked from quests)

yes i know a memento is functionally different from the companion, but the unlock requirement is exactly the same, complete the quest, unlock memento permanently for all toons, you dont have to rerun the quest to be able to use those on other toons

Gnesnig · June 2022

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

yes i know a memento is functionally different from the companion, but the unlock requirement is exactly the same, complete the quest, unlock memento permanently for all toons, you dont have to rerun the quest to be able to use those on other toons

And that's the crux, isn't it? Skyshards are unlocked in different ways, but they give access to a wide variety of new functionality. Momentos don't. Companions do. Riding skills: skip 20 hours, gain functionality. Research scrolls: skip x days, gain functionality. Even access to daylies with AWA is not a guarantee (Vvardenfell, Ashenlander camp).

And yes, having to do the entire main storyline for Vvardenfell is what is preventing me from farming the jewelry sets on multiple characters. I do understand how frustrating it can be, but I wouldn't think it fair if I just would get that for free.

Necrotech_Master · June 2022

Gnesnig wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

yes i know a memento is functionally different from the companion, but the unlock requirement is exactly the same, complete the quest, unlock memento permanently for all toons, you dont have to rerun the quest to be able to use those on other toons

And that's the crux, isn't it? Skyshards are unlocked in different ways, but they give access to a wide variety of new functionality. Momentos don't. Companions do. Riding skills: skip 20 hours, gain functionality. Research scrolls: skip x days, gain functionality. Even access to daylies with AWA is not a guarantee (Vvardenfell, Ashenlander camp).

And yes, having to do the entire main storyline for Vvardenfell is what is preventing me from farming the jewelry sets on multiple characters. I do understand how frustrating it can be, but I wouldn't think it fair if I just would get that for free.

i have issues with mount training too, i dont mind doing it per toon, but i hate i can only do 1 upgrade per day, always have even in 2014 when the game released, i maxed out 1 mount on my main and never really bothered to go through that junk again

many of my toons have less than 10 mount upgrades because its too easy to build speed into a character nowadays, so i just burn the riding lesson consumables we get from the daily logins when they give them to us to actually rank up mounts

mounts and skyshards are totally different issues as those are not really annoying, skyshards addon tells me where they all are on the map, mounts i just ignore, there is no other way to get companions besides doing the quest which is why i created this thread, there is no alternative, you cant skip the quest like the tutorial (as others noted you cant skip the tutorial game for the tales of tributes which is almost as bad as the companions)

there is no enjoyment in rerunning the same quest 10+ times

aurorable · June 2022

100% agree companions should be unlocked for the whole account, it's beyond painful running each quest on 27 characters (2 accounts) even when running past all the mobs.