Variants of similar suggestions are spread out across the discussion section of the forum, pertaining to adding new features that widen visual customization for companions. Everything from the option to apply polymorphs to them, to applying collectibles, to removing the 'hide helmet' effect on them, to a special 'blank slate' companion players can personalize to fit their own story. I thought I'd try and put together some of these many ideas and add my own thoughts to this widely held wish.

==== The "for" and "against" reasons ====
When it was first mentioned that companions wouldn't be able to wear helmets, on a stream showcasing the upcoming first release of companions, it was said that the reason for it was to preserve the companions' identity and prevent them from becoming a faceless follower. A very understandable sentiment, what with the emphasis on giving companions their own personalities, stories, likes and dislikes, skills, etc. Effort was put into humanizing the companions so they wouldn't feel like hirelings and/or feel like party members in other adventure games where you form a group of close comrades along your journey.

I feel like there are two points worth making in response to this sentiment, assuming it is still a primary reason behind not looking into developing companion visual customization further.

(Point 1): Due to ESO being an MMO, the stories of the player characters are a bit different from an experience like adventure games with a beginning and end to their storylines. In an MMO you'll keep going with your companions long after exhausting their narrative potential. While that doesn't always mean people won't be endeared with the companions they invested time into after completing their quests and achievements, the endearment won't last forever.

(Point 2): Companions are the closest thing currently in the game to players having another non-quest significant NPC by their side. As such, they are the prime target for the desire to make a companion that fits into their own characters' narrative – Whether that is putting a twist on the existing companion or reframing them to fit the part of a partner/friend/comrade of their own character.
As mod communities in general show, there is an endless amount of sentiment from players about being able to work their own story into the game they're playing. Especially after they've already exhausted the available content. It is free entertainment and among the big reasons mod-able games keep being replayed for years onward. Sadly, restrictions on customization makes it more difficult to reimagine these companions into roles outside of their established narrative.

==== "What" do players want and "why" ====
Naturally this one varies quite a lot. Even a few minutes spent searching for "companion polymorph" on this forum brought up multiple different suggestions players would like to see being worked on. Like:

• Removing the 'hide helmet' permanent effect
• Allow for applying Polymorphs to companions
• Allow for applying collectible cosmetics to companions
• Create a 'blank slate' companion without a story

There are obviously many reasons "why" people want what they want.

(Reason 1): Some people just aren't invested in the companions and do in fact see them as hirelings or followers or helpers. To them, it even feel out of place to have their companion around to help in combat, while knowing they don't fit with the character. They might just want to indulge in the idea of playing a lone necromancer with an undead minion by their side or a Daedric summon, by shrouding their companion in the polymorph of a skeleton or a Dremora, like here:

• https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/592497/companion-customisation-skins-personalities-polymorphs
• https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/568170/if-its-possible-to-equip-your-costumes-polymorphs-cosmetic-on-a-companion
• https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/8152815#Comment_8152815
• https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/664920/polymorphs-companions
• https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/603625/idea-npc-polymorphs-for-companions

(Reason 2): Some people feel discouraged about how their companion feels like a face in the crowd, among dozens of other players who have companions with the exact same face. Just as the face is a major reason why the 'hide helmet' feature was made permanent for companions, it is also a reminder to players that their companion doesn't have a unique place by their side. It is their companion, but at the same time, they don't have a way of making it feel like the companion is their own. Like expressed here:

• https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/621540/companions-and-hats-helmets-and-esp-polymorphs

(Reason 3): Some people sympathize with not wanting to see companions illegitimized by being covered up in equipment and collectibles, but still want at least one companion that can fit into their own story. Like a companion without any questlines that works as a 'blank slate' that the player can mold into an NPC they envision traveling by their side. A nameless companion. An actual hireling/mercenary. Someone meant to be as customizable as a housing or a stand-in for another of the player's own character, so they can have them both go on an adventure together. Like expressed here:

• https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/597076/purchasable-fully-custom-companions
• https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/680984/can-we-have-a-customizable-generic-companion-that-can-use-polymorphs

==== Closing remark ====

Collectibles already exist and form a massive toolbox that could be used by players to fulfill their individual designs. Although any feature is always work to implement, whether it be something as small as removing the 'hide helmet' permanent effect or something as grandiose as creating a whole new companion for the game, one cannot help but feel that a new addition to the game along these lines listed out above is just a stone's throw away from actualization.

Hence, I'd love to some day see a next step taken in this general direction.