Elder Scrolls Online: Companions System Explained

Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) players will never need to brave the world again with in-game Companions.

With the release of ESO's latest expansion, Blackwood, comes in-game interactive Companions. Not to be confused with the pre-established 500 Companions of Ysgramor, Blackwood Companions are fully voiced-acted, customizable, unique characters willing to follow the Vestige on their quest wherever it may lead them.

ESO Companions System

Companions are essentially complete characters who follow active players around and help them out in combat. They'll give commentary, offer conversation, and help the Vestige take out all sorts of nasty baddies the world over. Companions can be brought into every situation in-game except player-versus-player (PvP) and solo content.

When first unlocked, Companions start like players at level one. They will eventually level-up like the player does, gaining experience via quests. Additionally, they can also act as quest-givers, opening up their personal storyline via interactions with improved conversations with their player.

Companions are account-bound so any character on the account can summon them. They're easily accessed via the Collections menu and can be found under "Allies." They can also be added to Quick Slots just like items and Crown-bought merchants. Only one Companion can be active at any time.

Once summoned, Companions can be tinkered with—much like their counterparts in previous single-player Elder Scrolls installments. Players can choose their gear, items, costume, abilities, and check their current standing with them via the "Companion Menu."

Each Companion can theoretically be tweaked to fulfill any role the player might need. For example, if the player is a blunted tank, they may need some extra DPS, and can adjust their Companion accordingly. Finally, healers can level doing what they're supposed to do—heal.

At launch, the two Companions available in Blackwood are Bastian Hallix and Mirri Elendis.

Bastian Hallix

Bastian—no, not short for Sebastian—is an Imperial battlemage whose abilities function like the typical Dragonknight class. He fights primarily using a staff but isn't unfamiliar with good old-fashioned sword-and-board. Players can pick up Bastian in a cavern on the southernmost reaches of the region.

Mirri Elendis

Mirri is a dark elf thief and self-proclaimed adventurer who specializes in marksman and dual-wielding attacks—though, to hear her tell it, she'd much rather be out of range of immediate danger. That's how thieves work, after all. Her abilities operate much like the in-game Nightblades. Players can pick her up near the ruins to the north.

Enjoy your new adventuring buddy!