Does anyone use Bastion as a companion most of the time?

Ugrak · January 2023

I don't dislike any of the companions (now we just need a necromancer and a warden).

My favorite is probably Mirri, as I like the dunmer theme overall. Ironically she is the least leveled so far. Partially due to not allowing me to pick up torchbugs, but also because I wanted a tank first, and her loadout doesn't really fit that. She might do well as a healer, but I wonder if with prolific she can be an ultimate generator instead/as well, for uptime on that +20% damage taken ultimate.

Ember was the first one to 20, because I experimented with making a quickened tank plus her cooldown reduction ability, to check if I could make the bulwark and other long cooldown spells viable. But that didn't really pan out so I used her as DPS support for my low level alts instead. I disliked her at first, but she grew on me over time.

Once I experienced the value of a tank companion and Ember not being quite up to par, I leveled Bastian instead and he has performed admirably.

Vigorous works great, but I wanted to try bolstered too, so I went about leveling Isobel as another tank. All things being equal, less damage sounds great, but we're talking about percentages of a health pool so I suspect vigorous wins mathematically. Shorter cooldowns may be her greatest strength, so I'll probably set her up as a type of (heavy+quickened) battlemage healer.

Bastian was featured earlier, so here's Ember, Isobel and Mirri:

Rasoma · January 2023

Bastian has been my go to companion since Blackwood dropped. I have only one character and just never saw the point of going through the pain of levelling up any of the others.

His gripes about cheese and collateral damage to critters aside he is my bro and a better tank to soak up all of the damage whilst I am my summoned creatures destroy the foes I could not wish for.

SilverBride · January 2023

rpa wrote: »

I think Mirri and Bastian have problem of being first designs of a new thing in gaem.

I agree. I'm my opinion they went too far with Bastian's good guy image and way too far with Mirri's sarcastic personality. I used Bastian to tank but had to fire Mirri and I still cringe when I run into her. But I've since replaced them with Isobel and Ember.

I just really hope we get more males next time, and not Orc or Argonian. A high elf would be nice.

Araneae6537 · January 2023

derkaiserliche wrote: »

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Syldras wrote: »

derkaiserliche wrote: »

I really like everything about companions except for the fact that we got 3 females now and 1 male, [snip]

[snip]

[snip]

From all the lines I’ve heard (as well as his actions), Bastian is courageous in the face of danger. Like him or not, I don’t think there’s basis for calling him a coward.

As for “colored hair,” I’m not sure what you mean; I believe that Bastian’s red hair is meant to be natural and not dyed. I think many Imperials have dark hair (or that may be my association of them with the Romans), but some do have red.

[edited to remove quote]

ZOS_Icy · January 2023

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Thank you for your understanding.

Necrotech_Master · January 2023

SilverBride wrote: »

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rpa wrote: »

I think Mirri and Bastian have problem of being first designs of a new thing in gaem.

I agree. I'm my opinion they went too far with Bastian's good guy image and way too far with Mirri's sarcastic personality. I used Bastian to tank but had to fire Mirri and I still cringe when I run into her. But I've since replaced them with Isobel and Ember.

I just really hope we get more males next time, and not Orc or Argonian. A high elf would be nice.

i would actually really like a factotum or argonian as a companion (argonians have always been my favorite race, but more because i like the lizard person aspect lol)

aussie500 · January 2023

Ever since Bastion gave me negative rapport for killing a rabbit I took a dislike to him, ZOS fixed that pretty quick, but his inane comments got to me in the end, I just have to hear his voice now and I get annoyed, poor fellow cannot win with me. My main character has his rapport and level maxed out, none of the others will likely bother. One of my younger characters on my main account has him, but hardly ever lets him out for an adventure. She will eventually get herself a more suitable companion, probably Ember. Pairing Bastion with a khajiit thief is not the best match.

Treselegant · January 2023

aussie500 wrote: »

Ever since Bastion gave me negative rapport for killing a rabbit I took a dislike to him, ZOS fixed that pretty quick, but his inane comments got to me in the end, I just have to hear his voice now and I get annoyed, poor fellow cannot win with me. My main character has his rapport and level maxed out, none of the others will likely bother. One of my younger characters on my main account has him, but hardly ever lets him out for an adventure. She will eventually get herself a more suitable companion, probably Ember. Pairing Bastion with a khajiit thief is not the best match.

Just so this doesn't get spread as misinformation - you don't get negative rapport for killing fluffy passive creatures, he just comments on it. Isobel also reacts to the killing of passive animals.

Seems to be mainly about the cute fluffy things (same with Isobel) but occasionally something silly a like spider will trigger it - seems to happen in Crows Wood a lot for some reason. Could probably do with some tuning...like so many other things.

edit to add - I've just seen a lot of people worried they're going to neg. rapport from passive animals. One of the wiki type pages for his character still has 'passive animals' on the list of neg rapport. So for information's sake.

spartaxoxo · January 2023

Treselegant wrote: »

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aussie500 wrote: »

Ever since Bastion gave me negative rapport for killing a rabbit I took a dislike to him, ZOS fixed that pretty quick, but his inane comments got to me in the end, I just have to hear his voice now and I get annoyed, poor fellow cannot win with me. My main character has his rapport and level maxed out, none of the others will likely bother. One of my younger characters on my main account has him, but hardly ever lets him out for an adventure. She will eventually get herself a more suitable companion, probably Ember. Pairing Bastion with a khajiit thief is not the best match.

Just so this doesn't get spread as misinformation - you don't get negative rapport for killing fluffy passive creatures, he just comments on it. Isobel also reacts to the killing of passive animals.

Seems to be mainly about the cute fluffy things (same with Isobel) but occasionally something silly a like spider will trigger it - seems to happen in Crows Wood a lot for some reason. Could probably do with some tuning...like so many other things.

Wasn't it the case that he used to give negative rapport on the pts and they changed it alongside Mirri giving rapport decrease for being near boats? I think that's why they are referring to, since they noted it was fixed.

Treselegant · January 2023

spartaxoxo wrote: »

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Treselegant wrote: »

aussie500 wrote: »

Ever since Bastion gave me negative rapport for killing a rabbit I took a dislike to him, ZOS fixed that pretty quick, but his inane comments got to me in the end, I just have to hear his voice now and I get annoyed, poor fellow cannot win with me. My main character has his rapport and level maxed out, none of the others will likely bother. One of my younger characters on my main account has him, but hardly ever lets him out for an adventure. She will eventually get herself a more suitable companion, probably Ember. Pairing Bastion with a khajiit thief is not the best match.

Just so this doesn't get spread as misinformation - you don't get negative rapport for killing fluffy passive creatures, he just comments on it. Isobel also reacts to the killing of passive animals.

Seems to be mainly about the cute fluffy things (same with Isobel) but occasionally something silly a like spider will trigger it - seems to happen in Crows Wood a lot for some reason. Could probably do with some tuning...like so many other things.

Wasn't it the case that he used to give negative rapport on the pts and they changed it alongside Mirri giving rapport decrease for being near boats? I think that's why they are referring to, since they noted it was fixed.

Perhaps but I don't think I've ever seen it happen on live. Might have been on the pts but I do not know. I got my companions straight away when I started Blackwood and remember the early complaints (such as Mirri and boats) but I cannot remember seeing anything about the critters. If it was ever a thing on live, it must have been removed quickly.

Still, as it stands right now, you don't get negative rapport.

BretonMage · January 2023

He gives negative rapport only for killing livestock like pigs (because owned??) but not passive animals in general. He only comments on killing livestock and small critters like mice, but not deer. I found that out while doing the kill animals endeavor. It's all very inconsistent. I guess whatever they planned was only implemented halfway.

Edit: Just got a comment on killing antelope. So I guess it's not that inconsistent.

Treselegant · January 2023

BretonMage wrote: »

He gives negative rapport only for killing livestock like pigs (because owned??) but not passive animals in general. He only comments on killing livestock and small critters like mice, but not deer. I found that out while doing the kill animals endeavor. It's all very inconsistent. I guess whatever they planned was only implemented halfway.

Story of Bastian's existence as companion right there. Love him but yeah.

spartaxoxo · January 2023

BretonMage wrote: »

He gives negative rapport only for killing livestock like pigs (because owned??) but not passive animals in general. He only comments on killing livestock and small critters like mice, but not deer. I found that out while doing the kill animals endeavor. It's all very inconsistent. I guess whatever they planned was only implemented halfway.

I haven't tested it yet but it wouldn't surprise me since it's like murder if they are owned and tracked as a justice activity in achievements.

rpa · January 2023

If Isobel has ever commented about me frying a stray rat while exterminating foes in a delve I've completely missed it. I'm trying if I can stand having her out and its going surprisingly smoothly this far. Bastian used to do that but I believe his behaviour (or negative rapport?) was changed at some early point. Because squishing small critters in fight is impossible to avoid it was magnitude more aggravating than Mirris bug love which still is a big annoyance.

spartaxoxo · January 2023

rpa wrote: »

If Isobel has ever commented about me frying a stray rat while exterminating foes in a delve I've completely missed it. I'm trying if I can stand having her out and its going surprisingly smoothly this far. Bastian used to do that but I believe his behaviour was changed at some point.

She comments just like Bastian. She says stuff like "poor little guy" rather than being direct though.

rpa · January 2023

Maybe they have increased effectiveness of the infrequent comments setting. She does occasionally comment about 'poor little thing' but its not apparant which one from the massive pile of bodies she is pitying.

Treselegant · January 2023

rpa wrote: »

Maybe they have increased effectiveness of the infrequent comments setting. She does occasionally comment about 'poor little thing' but its not apparant which one from the massive pile of bodies she is pitying.

I suspect some players are just more forgiving of a female voice going "aww poor thing". Or at least, seem to find it easier to ignore. As mentioned earlier in the thread, Isobel gets to care for things for small fluffy things without complaint. Bastian's voice gets described as being confrontational.

I'm the opposite, I find high pitch voices difficult to listen to and the "Poor thing" comment, much more frustrating.

spartaxoxo · January 2023

Treselegant wrote: »

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rpa wrote: »

Maybe they have increased effectiveness of the infrequent comments setting. She does occasionally comment about 'poor little thing' but its not apparant which one from the massive pile of bodies she is pitying.

I suspect some players are just more forgiving of a female voice going "aww poor thing". Or at least, seem to find it easier to ignore. As mentioned earlier in the thread, Isobel gets to care for things for small fluffy things without complaint. Bastian's voice gets described as being confrontational.

I'm the opposite, I find high pitch voices difficult to listen to and the "Poor thing" comment, much more frustrating.

In the case of the critters, Bastian is significantly more confrontational than Isobel IMO.

Isobel is more passive aggressive with lines like "aww why'd you'd do that?" And "Poor little thing."

While Bastian is directly aggressive and confrontational "Stop it! That's wasteful and cruel." Or "Do you place so little value on life?"

I would agree that in general people seem to view similar traits more positively in Isobel than Bastian, and in cases with similar lines, that the general consensus seems to be that Bastian was somehow worse for the same behavior. So I agree more generally.

But, in the case of critters, I do think there was a very conscious effort to make Isobel less aggressive about her displeasure. So, that she'd be less of a scold about it.

Ulvich · January 2023

I use Mirri as a main companion, but am currently leveling him as back-up. Personally I can't stand the guy. He just seems a bit..... strange.

xilfxlegion · January 2023

i was using mirri until ember came out.

cant stand sebastien or the other goody two shoes i forget her name.

with ember i just have to make sure i dont get caught stealing ---- i can pluck butterflies and blade of woe people and not have to worry about losing rapport.

anadandy · January 2023

Thee_Cheshire_Cat wrote: »

then busts out with passionate war cries and victory cries, "THAT'S how we do things in Daggerfall!"

This is when I fell for Bastian - Straight Outta Daggerfall! 😅

He's definitely my favorite, I use him almost exclusively - though my Breton healer likes Isabel too.

Treselegant · January 2023

spartaxoxo wrote: »

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Treselegant wrote: »

rpa wrote: »

Maybe they have increased effectiveness of the infrequent comments setting. She does occasionally comment about 'poor little thing' but its not apparant which one from the massive pile of bodies she is pitying.

I suspect some players are just more forgiving of a female voice going "aww poor thing". Or at least, seem to find it easier to ignore. As mentioned earlier in the thread, Isobel gets to care for things for small fluffy things without complaint. Bastian's voice gets described as being confrontational.

I'm the opposite, I find high pitch voices difficult to listen to and the "Poor thing" comment, much more frustrating.

In the case of the critters, Bastian is significantly more confrontational than Isobel IMO.

Isobel is more passive aggressive with lines like "aww why'd you'd do that?" And "Poor little thing."

While Bastian is directly aggressive and confrontational "Stop it! That's wasteful and cruel." Or "Do you place so little value on life?"

I would agree that in general people seem to view similar traits more positively in Isobel than Bastian, and in cases with similar lines, that the general consensus seems to be that Bastian was somehow worse for the same behavior. So I agree more generally.

But, in the case of critters, I do think there was a very conscious effort to make Isobel less aggressive about her displeasure. So, that she'd be less of a scold about it.

I actually find it kind of patronising, like someone talking to a child. I find it difficult to believe that someone who's supposed to be knight would talk like this. Personally, I'd rather the more direct response and I don't find it aggressive at all, because it feels like an adult talking to an adult. It's something I find with the new companions - they seem much more childish in their reactions. Many find it super cute of course but I do find it strange.

If there was ever a redo of these two companions, I'd prefer they remove critter reactions completely - it just seems buggy and somewhat irrelevent. We know Bastian and Isobel have this aspect to their personality: it doesn't really need to hammered home this awkwardly.

edit.grammer/format.

Crismac · January 2023

Veinblood1965 wrote: »

Just curious, I hardly ever see anyone that has him tagging along. His quotes are annoying which is why I don't.

Leveled him and then shelved him.

Ugrak · January 2023

Treselegant wrote: »

If there was ever a redo of these two companions, I'd prefer they remove critter reactions completely

Agreed.

Regarding critters, I wish the critters would just get something equivalent to the prevent attacking innocents setting.

Accidentally wasting a single target ability on a stray critter is frustrating and almost unavoidable in the heat of combat.

When I deliberately target them, it is as bait for fishing (so much for wastefulness, Mr Hallix).

rpa · January 2023

Today I found that companion comment settings had changed at some point (dunno if last update or months ago). My old 'infrequent' had reset(?) to 'normal'. Isobel has been pleasantly quiet after I set her blathering to 'minimal'... And I've been gathering skillpoints frying plenty of critters in process with no comment from her.

Necrotech_Master · January 2023

rpa wrote: »

Today I found that companion comment settings had changed at some point (dunno if last update or months ago). My old 'infrequent' had reset(?) to 'normal'. Isobel has been pleasantly quiet after I set her blathering to 'minimal'... And I've been gathering skillpoints frying plenty of critters in process with no comment from her.

they have been really reluctant to give us a "none" option for that lol, but minimal is still better than the other options lol

Cendrillion21 · January 2023

I like Bastian's appearance, his voice not so much

but was happy to move on to the newer companions.

Araneae6537 · January 2023

Ugrak wrote: »

show previous quotes

Treselegant wrote: »

If there was ever a redo of these two companions, I'd prefer they remove critter reactions completely

Agreed.

Regarding critters, I wish the critters would just get something equivalent to the prevent attacking innocents setting.

Accidentally wasting a single target ability on a stray critter is frustrating and almost unavoidable in the heat of combat.

When I deliberately target them, it is as bait for fishing (so much for wastefulness, Mr Hallix).

Agreed! I would definitely use such an option if available, not only for RP reasons, but who wants to waste an ulti on a squirrel?

These discussions remind me of a dolmen fight with Bastian, that made me imagine the following scene:
Me: throws down Dawnbreaker on giant ogrim
Bastian: “I hope you’re going to eat that!”
Me: looks from dead ogrim to Bastian in rather disgusted disbelief
Bastian: pulls now flattened dead rabbit out from under the ogrim and looks accusingly
Me: …

Necrotech_Master · January 2023

Araneae6537 wrote: »

show previous quotes

Ugrak wrote: »

Treselegant wrote: »

If there was ever a redo of these two companions, I'd prefer they remove critter reactions completely

Agreed.

Regarding critters, I wish the critters would just get something equivalent to the prevent attacking innocents setting.

Accidentally wasting a single target ability on a stray critter is frustrating and almost unavoidable in the heat of combat.

When I deliberately target them, it is as bait for fishing (so much for wastefulness, Mr Hallix).

Agreed! I would definitely use such an option if available, not only for RP reasons, but who wants to waste an ulti on a squirrel?

These discussions remind me of a dolmen fight with Bastian, that made me imagine the following scene:
Me: throws down Dawnbreaker on giant ogrim
Bastian: “I hope you’re going to eat that!”
Me: looks from dead ogrim to Bastian in rather disgusted disbelief
Bastian: pulls now flattened dead rabbit out from under the ogrim and looks accusingly
Me: …

the group i run with we have a running joke about using meteor ults to kill monkey critters in the dreadsail trial lol, its not a confirmed kill unless you use a meteor on it lol

Araneae6537 · January 2023

Despite the occasional awkward lines, I must leave a note of appreciation for both Bastian and Mirri, who will continue to be my primary companions. Their personalities are good fits for several of my characters and they feel like they belong in Tamriel.
Inspired in part to do so by many of the comments here, I finally unlocked Ember and Isobel and wha… Is everyone on High Isle giddy and giggly??? Hopefully, with Necrom looking to be darker in tone, the next companions will be more serious…