Evolving Companions Discussion (HK-51 & Treek)

Evolving Companions Discussion (HK-51 & Treek)



Introduction & Motivations:

Playing with Treek on my Jedi Sage, I've come to see that BioWare has been evolving companions in subtle but spot-on ways. Earlier many of us enjoyed HK-51, who is obviously not a replacement for the legendary HK-47, but on it's own a fantastic companion. I wanted to reflect on these changes, point out how much I enjoy them so hopefully you can do something with my experience to build and further evolve companions.



Treek, like HK-51, is again an incredibly refreshing and enjoyable companion. The abilities are unique, the healing and aggro drawing capabilities seem incredibly useful for squishy casters and ranged shooters.



Also I'd like to offer this bit of feedback and hope to start up a proper discussion about the future of companions, as a return favour for refunding my Treek companion after an accidental misclick on my inquisitor. 300.000 credits aren't much but I simply didn't like having a furrball on a Dark Lord's ship. Thanks Kate. ;)



Disclaimer:

This topic might be full of my personal preferrences or ideas. Take very little of this as given facts.



Limited companion choices and weapons restrictions:



Now, there's a few things odd about vanilla companions.

• Healers are always cunning companions (with the exeption of one) and pretty much scoundrels/operatives with a flavour twist here and there.


• Treek's healing is so original, with such unique and enjoyable abilities, it's a breeze to watch her toss glowing orbs and fly on a kite and so forth.


• Force-user companions are basically always double-saber or double-bladed DPS (with the exeption of one).


• Many companions which use 'heavy' weapons (sniper, cannon, staff) or dual-wield have the option to wield other weapons, but with great restrictions.

This itself isn't a problem so to say, but it does get a little *yawn* that whenever you get a new apprentice or padawan, it's another not-so-very-iconic Jedi or Sith, or that whenever you find your healer, it's some kind of support character. Now, I could deal with this if it where possible to equip them with a single saber, a blaster-rifle or a single pistol. With big-time raid mods, the difference shouldn't feel very shocking. But there are such fierce ability restrictions ("requires saber staff, requires dual blasters"). Their core abilities are limited from use: To seemingly no point at all.



✓ Suggestion:

Remove these pointless restrictions so that my companions can actually use all their weapons proficiencies effectively! This will go a long way towards the idea of all these companions feeling very much alike (their personalities aside),



Stances on clumsy positions on the companion bar:

Treek's stances are on CTRL+3 and CTRL+4 per default. Perfect!! Why not switch all companions most important abilities to the CTRL+3 and CTRL+4 slots? Much more convenient. These should be the healing/damage/aoe/tanking stances for every companion and Assassination for HK-51. I don't know -how- many times I've run around with Elara out of any stance, but if there was an achievement for it, I'd have it.



✓ Suggestion:

Set all companions stances to the 3'rd and 4'th slot of the companion bar, and move HK's assassination to 3.



Great outfits for iconic looking companions:

Many vanilla companions are supplied with fantastic looking outfits which they look most like themselves in. Often side restrictions quirk these looks badly. The Cartel Market is a solution to these things, but there's nothing quite Pierce his armour, nor Gus's outfit.



✓ Suggestion:

Make all companions default outfits moddable, so we can keep them in their iconic look.



Unfitting companion setups:

Aric Jorgan is a deadeye sniper, yet seems to have a big assault cannon when you meet him. This really makes no sense. Some consensus is fine but this is really not needed.



✓ Suggestion:

Simply give Aric the ability to use assault rifles, assault cannons and sniper rifles. This way, RP'ers can go through some effort to customize and noone else is hurt. It gives no unfair advantage as I can see it.



Final word

If you have any realistic companion changes (not things that'll take hours and hours to implement) that could benefit SWTOR quality of life without restricting what players enjoy today, feel free to spit them out.