Can we have a Customizable generic companion that can use Polymorphs?

Mr_Madness · July 22

Not one with a story but a generic companion that does not speak like a Ink creature or Animated Armor.

I am dying to have the ability to have a companion to use the Soul Razer Knight polymorph. This would be the first ever time I will buy a polymorph and I bet lot of other people would to. Can even be a Skeleton or use Daedra morphs.

Erickson9610 · July 22

I really think this "generic" Companion should be sourced from the Infinite Archive, and can possibly be an ink creature like mentioned in the original post.

The IA is designed to be run either solo, duo with two players, or duo with one Companion. There are achievements for running IA with a Companion specifically.

Adding a "mercenary" like this should be accessible in the base game and be automatically unlocked for all characters on your account without needing to do some sort of introduction quest as you do for regular Companions.

As for the abilities, maybe this "mercenary" doesn't have Class abilities, but can use Weapon, Armor, and Guild abilities. While it would make sense for them to use Arcanist abilities since the Infinite Archive is in Apocrypha, an alternative would be to let this character use Mirrormoor-inspired Class abilities, or maybe this character could be Subclassing skill lines from multiple Classes (such as Radiating Heart + Lightning Caller + Winter's Bite for the "Elementalist" archetype).

Mr_Madness · July 22

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I really think this "generic" Companion should be sourced from the Infinite Archive, and can possibly be an ink creature like mentioned in the original post.

The IA is designed to be run either solo, duo with two players, or duo with one Companion. There are achievements for running IA with a Companion specifically.

Adding a "mercenary" like this should be accessible in the base game and be automatically unlocked for all characters on your account without needing to do some sort of introduction quest as you do for regular Companions.

As for the abilities, maybe this "mercenary" doesn't have Class abilities, but can use Weapon, Armor, and Guild abilities. While it would make sense for them to use Arcanist abilities since the Infinite Archive is in Apocrypha, an alternative would be to let this character use Mirrormoor-inspired Class abilities, or maybe this character could be Subclassing skill lines from multiple Classes (such as Radiating Heart + Lightning Caller + Winter's Bite for the "Elementalist" archetype).

I would not mind no class companion as long polymorphs can be applied

Erickson9610 · July 22

Mr_Madness wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

I really think this "generic" Companion should be sourced from the Infinite Archive, and can possibly be an ink creature like mentioned in the original post.

The IA is designed to be run either solo, duo with two players, or duo with one Companion. There are achievements for running IA with a Companion specifically.

Adding a "mercenary" like this should be accessible in the base game and be automatically unlocked for all characters on your account without needing to do some sort of introduction quest as you do for regular Companions.

As for the abilities, maybe this "mercenary" doesn't have Class abilities, but can use Weapon, Armor, and Guild abilities. While it would make sense for them to use Arcanist abilities since the Infinite Archive is in Apocrypha, an alternative would be to let this character use Mirrormoor-inspired Class abilities, or maybe this character could be Subclassing skill lines from multiple Classes (such as Radiating Heart + Lightning Caller + Winter's Bite for the "Elementalist" archetype).

I would not mind no class companion as long polymorphs can be applied

Yeah, polymorph support would be great! A generic mercenary with no voice lines or storyline would be perfect for complete visual customization.

I'd personally apply the Skeleton Polymorph to this mercenary when they're with my Necromancer character. It'd be a more reliable summon than Skeletal Mage because it would listen to pet commands (Y + LMB to attack or Y + RMB to stop attacking).

Nemesis7884 · July 22

I rather want interesting companions with character and story over some generic npc template...

However you could come up with some character and story that allows for more flexibility or sub companion classing.

TX12001rwb17_ESO · July 22

I can use the Lich polymorph to give my Vampire Lord a servant.

Erickson9610 · July 22

Nemesis7884 wrote: »

I rather want interesting companions with character and story over some generic npc template...

However you could come up with some character and story that allows for more flexibility or sub companion classing.

I do hope we get more Companions with fleshed out stories and personalities. Though, I don't think we should have as much agency in changing what skills they use or how they look if they're regular Companions. Fully customizable characters only work if they have minimal backstory, like the player character.

I highly doubt future Companions will allow players to swap out their skill lines with a Companion-specific Subclassing feature. Rather, I think future Companions will come with predetermined skill line combinations that would only be possible with "Subclassing". Tanlorin is the earliest example of this, as Empathic Fighter (Soul Magic for Companions) ties into their character's story significantly, while the two Dragonknight skill lines complement their personality.

Of course, if/when we do get a new Class, we'll get a new Companion of that Class, as was the case with Azandar al-Cybiades and the Arcanist Class. Then when players go to Subclass into those new Class skill lines, Bahtra at-Hunding will refer to that new Companion of that new Class by name as an example of that Class.

Michaelkeir · July 22

I whole heartedly agree with this so I could slap a skeleton polymorph on him and use him on my necro’s so I can actually have an undead minion for them.

LunaFlora · July 22

a companion that can shapeshift would be fun.
but i would want that to be part of their character and story quests.

an ink creature/a maligraphy from the infinite Archive seems fitting, like @Erickson9610 mentioned

Mr_Madness · July 22

LunaFlora wrote: »

a companion that can shapeshift would be fun.
but i would want that to be part of their character and story quests.

an ink creature/a maligraphy from the infinite Archive seems fitting, like @Erickson9610 mentioned

Indeed, would make Polymorphs useful for me since I never used them but like to have minions as like to what summons are.

Cooperharley · July 22

IMO all companions should be able to utilize anything we've collected as players - player gear, adornments, helmets, costumes, polymorphs, skins, personalities, etc. Never understood why not. Without this level of customization, they are simply too homogenized and while they try to have them "maintain their identity," they actually end up removing it entirely as soon as another Ember shows up right next to you looking the EXACT same. Stories remain and their personalities created by ZOS remain (not talking about the ones we can use as players), but then we get to change them to fit our idea of them.

More customization will always be good. More player agency will always be good. Let us utilize the RPG in MMORPG ZOS.

JemadarofCaerSalis · July 22

Cooperharley wrote: »

IMO all companions should be able to utilize anything we've collected as players - player gear, adornments, helmets, costumes, polymorphs, skins, personalities, etc. Never understood why not. Without this level of customization, they are simply too homogenized and while they try to have them "maintain their identity," they actually end up removing it entirely as soon as another Ember shows up right next to you looking the EXACT same. Stories remain and their personalities created by ZOS remain (not talking about the ones we can use as players), but then we get to change them to fit our idea of them.

More customization will always be good. More player agency will always be good. Let us utilize the RPG in MMORPG ZOS.

I have long agreed with this.

There seems to be so much fear about them 'losing their personalities or identities' but they could 'fix' that by making it seem as if *they* were the ones who decided to do something.

IE, put a helmet on that hides their face, make it a condition that they will occasionally mention it, something about how glad they are for the helmet.

Change their hairstyle, have them very occasionally mention how they have always wanted to try something different, but had always been afraid to before.

Same thing with the other things. We already have companions that will just come out with comments (I was fishing and sharp came out with one about how he always thought a companion was someone to outrun, he had never had someone who would turn and face the danger before), so just make a few more conditions that they can comment on.

Maybe after Isobel's questline, she is tired of the 'same ol', same ol'' and wants to try a new look, or a new personality (or let some of what she has been hiding out into the light). Maybe Tamriel has things like temporary tattoos that companions can use so they don't have to worry about not liking it. (I mean, player characters can change their tattoos on a whim)

I feel it could be very easy to have the companions maintain their identity, while still allowing them to be further customized and made less cloney when you see dozens of zeriths around because there is a new quest the requires him. (or whatever companion)

Erickson9610 · July 23

If new Companions go the direction of Zerith-var and Tanlorin, then it really wouldn't make sense for their appearances to be able to change the way players request.

For those unfamiliar, Tanlorin wears unique Body Markings which play a significant role in their storyline. Zerith-var's eyes are also briefly important in his storyline, as another character lists the glowing eyes in part of a written description of the character.

It would make no sense to be able to get rid of those cosmetic features from the respective Companion, because it would completely nullify a certain aspect of the character. Obviously the player can overlook discrepancies like that, but it's going to get worse if future Companions follow the same route as the latest two.

Maybe we should only be allowed to fully change Companion looks after completing their storylines? That way, since Companions won't have future quests, their appearance will never be brought up in a meaningful way again, and so it won't matter what they look like.

spartaxoxo · July 23

Companions aren't combat pets, and I wouldn't want to see them get changed into ones. They are characters.

JemadarofCaerSalis · July 23

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Maybe we should only be allowed to fully change Companion looks after completing their storylines? That way, since Companions won't have future quests, their appearance will never be brought up in a meaningful way again, and so it won't matter what they look like.

I actually thought of that, and it would also make sense in a way, because the companion now feels more comfortable with you, and maybe feels more free to express themselves or experiement with how they express themselves, in a way that they never felt with other people?

Again, I bring up how Sharp said the line about how he always thought companions were just people to outrun in the face of danger, but now he has a companion that will turn and face it with him.

To me, that implies that their outlooks *can* change, especially as they get closer with the player character and, for some of them at least, as they experience all of what Tamriel has to offer.

For some, if that aspect is truly so important to the character, then they could always make it so that particular customization aspect is locked for that character. IE, changing Tanlorin's body markings, and Zerith's eyes.

However, I also feel that it is important to note we have contacts already, so even something as important as Zerith's eyes can always be covered up, in part at least, by contacts, and with make up, Tanlorin's body markings can also be covered up or altered.

People on Earth like to experiement at times with different things, so why wouldn't our companions on Tamriel, if they have the opportunity to?

Maybe Zerith is getting tired of everyone remarking on his glowing eyes, so he decides he wants to try some contacts?

I just don't feel that 'but their identity' is enough of a reason to NOT allow a range of customization for companions, because people experiment with how they express their identity all the time on Earth. Why not on Tamriel?

Mr_Madness · July 23

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Companions aren't combat pets, and I wouldn't want to see them get changed into ones. They are characters.

Tbh I don't get it, Just have a generic companion that's a monster that can use polymorphs. Don't see a reason for Mirri to try dress up as a Daedroth.

No clue why you hate the idea.

spartaxoxo · July 23

I didn't say I wanted Mirri as a Daedra. I said that I didn't want a generic companion because I don't think the companion system should just be combat pets. We already have those. We can add some scribes for more. But the companions should always be fully realized characters not extensions of the player IMO.

SpiritKitten · July 23

We need to give companions helmets. Nothing in this game ruined my immersion more than seeing a bunch of clones.