Let me guess....summon multiple companions because you stand in so much stuff you need 2 healers?

Yes, I am literally so bad that even Jesusdroid can't keep up with me.

It's so much easier to have these discussions on the forum when you can just make up people's arguments for them instead of taking the trouble to read them.

It's been brought up a couple of times, it's a nice concept

Thanks and good to know.

I would even give up "All" of my Inquisitors companions for this

https://imgur.com/TdCAGTR

 

https://imgur.com/s8kRwkf

I share your excitement! Those pictures says it all

It is possible it could be implemented in certain story-based missions. It already was in fact during KOTET. You can have both Senya and Arcann in your party for instance, with Arcann's role being handled by abilites that appear on the bar were you normally get the huttball pass in PVP or Heroic Moment abilities in PVE.

Indeed. The framework is already there. I do not think implementing it will require a ton of work. And I like that special skill bar (+ heroic moment).. I'm going to incorporate this to further some details on the idea.

The game is NOT balanced for this sort of thing.. and the last thing I would want to see them spending limited resources on would be this.

It's alright that we are not in agreement. I too do not see how the game is not balanced for this. But let's not debate why or why not. Shaking your head or a nod is fine with me.

Now I'd agree that a third companion would make things way too easy if something like that was applied to all content, even the original class stories or old flashpoints or heroics. I'd also agree that would it work as a disincentive to grouping. The OP might be asking for that. I'm not however. I just said that it is possible that Bioware could work a third companion into future story content since they've already done exactly that in KoTET. A third companion being limited to select story missions, like it was in KoTET, would also not affect group content.

I see your point and I understand why some concerns are brought up. I didn't put in a details so I only have myself to blame. I'll get on that. I just wanted to bring up the idea and see what people think of it.

Again.. THE ISSUE is the drain on resources to do this.. not is it a neat idea, or would it be nice, or fun, or whatever. Are you claiming this is a resource free change to the game, or that the studio has resources to do this given all the lapse in new content over the last year??????? if so.. LOL.

I don't want to get into this sort of thing. TBH neither you or I or anybody knows the resources needed to do anything on this game. I won't pretend I have an idea about it. But that's just me. Every added content on the game, from FP's to gear to bug fixes require resources. That's a given and I don't see why it's even brought up. But then again this isn't a place to debate. I'll just leave it here.

This is something I gave up on long ago however a few fights were close (Still don't see why the FlashPoint Droid cant be replaced with a 2nd Comp.).

Point noted. Short but totally spot on.

I keep on seeing people say how this is impossible or not worth the resources to implement.

 

Yet, I keep noticing how the framework is already in place in the game.

 

There are Chapter portions where you team with both Senya and Arcann, both Gault and Vette, not to mention the Story Flashpoints where you get Companion and Invincible Droid. There are several places in the game where you have multiple companions accompanying you. The Alliance Alert for Blizz has you teaming with Blizz and his 4 Jawa buddies.

 

In most cases, this is implemented by having essentially a 'main companion' (the one who's bar would appear where they normally do). Then all other companions are relegated to Secondary Companion status, meaning they are just AI controlled with little or no input from the player. Which for SWTOR actually works well, because that 'Main Companion' would be the one granted speaking commentary in any cutscene conversations, while the others get ignored so that conversations do not have to be re-recorded for multiple companions.

 

I mean, let's be realistic for a second. Implementing this is not some sort of ridiculous new tech. Multiple Companions was a cornerstone of KOTOR, and while limited, it still exists in SWTOR.

 

If it was an option, I know that I would run Flashpoints just as myself and my companions, and I'd probably be able to do a couple of the easier raids as well, at least where mechanics don't require more than 1 intelligent person. I'd rather have a mindless companion healer in my Ops rather than dealing with half my Pub raids falling apart because one player bails and it's almost impossible to find a replacement.

Well said. The structure to implement this is already there and there's several reasons to do it than not.

Would you do questing and such if the rewards were significantly less, because the only way to implement this would be to significantly diminish the rewards for solo+3/7, or raise the rewards for actual groups/ops of real people (which i dont see happening because it will overinflate the system)

 

So before this could be implemented, people would have to have realistic expectations for rewards, like 1/4th the rewards.

I just don't see it that way. When you do a heroic +2 or +4, does your rewards change depending how many you have in your group? I think not. Hence, why should rewards be affected if you chose to solo it.

I think it would be tremendous fun to have side-quests where we could use multiple companions. Running around with Blizz and his gang was certainly one of the highlights of KotFE! The tech is there, they could re-use environments and give them minimal story. I think the game is in desperate need of some fresh, new side-content and this would be a good candidate.

BioWare has no idea how happy this would make me to take my Inquisitor around with two comps (Outfitted as Troopers) or generic NPC escorts. I do understand the engine has limits though. Even smaller instanced events would be Ok to balance the processer/engine demands.

Thanks. It's fun just the way you put it. I know several players go out of their way to customize not only their characters, but also their favorite companions. Imagine the possibilities you can play with.

Any idea you aren't personally in favor of is a 'drain on resources', isn't it? Funny how that happens.

 

We have solo FPs and can solo heroics now. We do lots of stuff that is solo-based, so not having solo ops is rather arbitrary, isn't it?

 

The major consequence of the idea is that a minority of forum elitists will grumble that since it doesn't interest them, it not only shouldn't be given any consideration by BW, it shouldn't have been suggested in the first place.

 

Personally, I like the OP's ideas and hopes they continue bringing them up. I think we can safely manage the risk of disappointing a few naysayers.

Thank you, sir I do notice this sort of thing from certain individuals. Too often unfortunately.

It is a nice idea, but it would be the most overpowered pve thing ever, and would really make the game too easy.

I guess it can't be helped that people feel this way. The less challenging a game is the less people are interested. Contrary the lack of fun or too much difficulty have the same results. The right balance is the key.

It is a fun idea to think of, though I don't think they would ever do it. By nature of having out multiple companions it makes you more powerful, but I thought that in a hypothetical situation it could be somewhat balanced out as follows.

 

A stacking debuff gets put on each additional companion you summon out.

First companion - full strength

Second companion - effectiveness (dps and healing in other words) decreased by 1/2............. or 25% decrease

Third companion - effectiveness decreased by 1/2 again (1/4 of full strength)............................. 50% decrease

Fourth companion - effectiveness decreased by 1/2 again (1/8 of full strength)........................... 75% decrease

 

Kind of fun to think about because people can come up with different combinations. Tank/DPSx3, Tank/Heal/DPSx2, Healx4 (lol). Also kind of fun to think about because finally you would be a Commander and actually getting to manage troops in battle and feel like your character is actually making decisions instead of Lana do it all.

Another option would be to have the mobs health and stats adjust based on companions out.

 

Have a 2nd companion out, mob health and stats increased by 33%. Have 3 companions out, mob health and stats increased by 66%. 4 companions out increases mob stats by 100%

Interesting. Yes this could be a way around it. I'm not against this proposal nor do I advocate it. The way I see it, when you choose to do a heroic, the difficulty does not change depending how many you have in your group. A full group however will get the quest done a lot quicker, then why should it be different when you chose to solo it with your companions. A group of 4 (regardless if they're all players or players + companions) shouldn't affect the difficulty of the quest.

Given that this game is six years old and 99% of the updates on Dulfy are "Cartel Market" updates I'm pretty sure this would make the game better.

True. While they are working hard to add new content, they should also work on improving existing ones.

-------------------------

It's been a long read. I'll get back with the other replies as I sort through them later. I will also add some details on how I picture this happening and what areas of the game should have this option.

Happy Monday SWtoR

like the marvellous guild wars (the first) game, i wish to summon multiple companions in star wars, to try group content in solo with a challenge.

i doubt it will be difficult to implement so, do it pls !

I would not mind seeing this as an option for solo ops (Yes, this request again) Perhaps, given the examples given, we have one comp who is under direct control and the others given a basic role/AI suited to their original role. Using the Warrior as an example, Pierce Tanks, Quinn heals, Vette DPSes, etc. Alternatively, have people set the roles before entering the op and have the other comps do their thing. By allowing solo ops, we could use that as a test bed to see how well this would work in general PVE.

If using it on solo ops works, we could move on to PVE in general. While I wouldn't be a fan of that, I wouldn't have a problem as long as multiple comps were not permitted:

-On Fleet

-Beginner Planets

-DK/Coruscant

Especially on fleet, I can see that becoming a massive pain in the arse to navigate through a sea of companions. However, on beginner planets, I can also see where having "companion clouds" that are swatting every K'orslug in a 5-mile radius would squeeze out beginning players. The other planets aren't as populated and wouldn't be as much of a pain to deal with.

As such, I'd rather see such a thing beta-tested in solo ops before releasing it into PVE....if they were going to do it.

like the marvellous guild wars (the first) game, i wish to summon multiple companions in star wars, to try group content in solo with a challenge.

 

i doubt it will be difficult to implement so, do it pls !

It was great in GW being able to position them where you want and depending on the expac you cna have upto 8

The game is NOT balanced for this sort of thing.. and the last thing I would want to see them spending limited resources on would be this.

There's a bigger picture here you're not seeing. Eventually, player attrition will get to the point that you will not be able to queue up for any FP without some ridiculously long wait. We've already seen this happen prior to the server merges, which is why they were necessary (and long overdue). As players get tired of not being able to do things because there isn't anyone to do them with, they too will move on and the player base will continue to decline. It's not a matter of IF this will happen, it's a matter of WHEN this will happen. It's an inevitability.

Adding a feature that allows you to do non-solo content with your companions would serve as an attrition control measure that would ultimately keep the game from dying when player population dwindles too low. I don't think this would work for Operations due to raid mechanics, but it would certainly work for any 4-man group activity. That is absolutely something I'd like to see them spending their limited resources developing.

There's a bigger picture here you're not seeing. Eventually, player attrition will get to the point that you will not be able to queue up for any FP without some ridiculously long wait. We've already seen this happen prior to the server merges, which is why they were necessary (and long overdue).

So the sky is falling... again?

Big picture is actually that you cannot just change 10 lines of code and suddenly every player in the game can summon multiple companions and things actually work properly. While none of us has access to the code... knowing the complexity of code that represents modern MMOs (these games run in the millions of lines of code these days ..... this clearly is not a trivial change to a game that was never coded for it to begin with. In fact.. I have yet to see any MMO that was not designed up front for multiple companions, henchmen, etc...actually go back and do so. And as players wanting something it really is prudent to be mindful of the consequences of what you ask for.... because the companion system is wired into everything in this game, and I'm sure it's a real ball of snakes to go and and start rewiring a significant change like this over top of existing code... not to mention.... cut scenes.. which are fairly complex to maintain apparently (given we still see bugs in cut scenes years after they are released).

Again... I like the idea, and it would be fun for some solo content...... but I also understand that this is a rather significant effort to enable it across the content in the game and not break a ton of stuff in the process. In other words... lots of resources needed to make it work... and as I stated earlier... this is NOT what they should be spending resources on unless/until a bunch of other things that are more broadly wanted and needed are actually produced. Not to mention.. this is a studio of fix or add one thing... break two others in the process, and take months to go back and fix them.

The most practical way to do something like this for an MMO never constructed for it would be during a major expansion effort where you actually create purpose built encounters where you can do this. It certainly is not something that you can peanut butter back across the last 6 years of content in any easy manner. But if they did what I suggest here.... that means other things would not make the cut for the expansion.. and people who actually want said content will be screwed over because a handful of players want to run a god-squad and solo group content.

Now.. if you disregard everything I have commented on this topic... you still have a conundrum you are over-looking..... more solo enablement of more difficult content simply encourages players to never group together for group content..... you know.. the thing you are already complaining about due to alleged population decline. Your point does not get addressed by your wish...in fact the opposite is more likely the outcome. Be very careful what you wish for.

like the marvellous guild wars (the first) game, i wish to summon multiple companions in star wars, to try group content in solo with a challenge.

Also, in Guild Wars (1) you were able to make "companions" that looked like your own alts.

If they ever did this, I'd summon Koth and Senya at the same time and listen to them slide snide remarks at each other while I'm doing my Yavin Dailies.

...and if I'm in a slightly different mood I'll pull up Torian and Theron a the same time and (cough) disappear into my stronghold for a while...

If they ever did this, I'd summon Koth and Senya at the same time and listen to them slide snide remarks at each other..... I'll pull up Torian and Theron a the same time...

Of course, someone would also have to actually code any "snide remarks" etc, which is doubtful to happen. (It's fun to speculate, but you do need to keep it real. )

Of course, someone would also have to actually code any "snide remarks" etc, which is doubtful to happen. (It's fun to speculate, but you do need to keep it real. )

^^ Very true.

This thread is actually great for expressing wishes and speculation about the topic. However it is poor where it dismisses the fact that actual significant work is required to do this, that resources are not infinite, and where other issues that may affect population are presented as why this idea is magic medicine for all the games ills (as seen through the various eyes of various players).

^^ Very true.

 

This thread is actually great for expressing wishes and speculation about the topic. However it is poor where it dismisses the fact that actual significant work is required to do this, that resources are not infinite, and where other issues that may affect population are presented as why this idea is magic medicine for all the games ills (as seen through the various eyes of various players).

I had more in mind that they'd repeat the snide remarks they made to each other in Chapter 4 and 5.

This is also a wish of mine, though I'm sure it will never happen.

I've always been a solo player, unless I really REALLY get to know people in a guild (I'm guildless now tho). Yonks ago when I played my first MMO, Guild Wars (1), the Hero/Henchmen option was a life saver for me. I loved that I could still participate in all content, even on my own.

In SWTOR I would love to play certain ops/heroics/fps but because I'm 99% on my own i know I never will unless they bring in a story/solo mode, or a multiple companion option.

Don't get me wrong, I've played some ops/most fps in a group (pub or guild) but because I'm super casual player now sometimes going weeks or months between logging in, I've resigned myself to most of that particular content out of my reach. It sucks, but oh well.

I'll still play and hope and cross my fingers, but if it never happens, so be it.

I do not know if this has already been brought up. I've had this idea since I started playing SWtOR in 012. It was just a "would be" nice thought if we could bring multiple companions instead of just one.

 

Now that we have an army of companions, this idea just seemed to be more appealing. I would like to:

 

1) Have a maximum of 3 companions summoned at once (lead by your character to make a party of four)

2) Have a maximum of 7 companions summoned at once (lead by your character to make a party of eight)

 

Personally, I would do A LOT of heroics and indulge in other content if I can RP it with the aid of my companions. A party of four composed of your character and your favorite companions would be more convenient than to be forced to find other players to do in-game contents. That option however should still remain. But it would be nice to do all sorts of quests with your own companions without constantly having to find other people to do it with. It's just more convenient that way. Having a party of eight is a stretch, but I figured if I'm putting this out there, I might as well bring it up and see what SWtoR thinks of it.

 

I really like the idea of exploring and questing on different planets, as well as events. I had a good vibe on the KotET chapter(s) where we had several companions at play. To me, this feature makes questing or RP'ing more likeable. Also, it puts your army of companions to good use rather than just have them sit there and wait when will they be picked to do anything if at all.

 

Be gentle and happy weekend SWtoR!!

Well, if Theran (not to be confused with Theron) was back there would be a way, if you count Holiday.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOtsgnGI8IA/Ts8NrehRmEI/AAAAAAAACfA/1HSOUbaKlRo/s1600/swtorface33.png

(For those who are not familiar with the Jedi Consular companion Theran Cedrax: Theran is a healer by default and whenever he uses a soft stun on enemies, he summons his beloved sentient hologram to that end. She belongs to the character of Theran, but I am inclined to say she was more independent than the character of C2-D4 from Jakarro. She can actually be in a different physical location or in a computer system.)

Well, if Theran (not to be confused with Theron) was back there would be a way, if you count Holiday.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOtsgnGI8IA/Ts8NrehRmEI/AAAAAAAACfA/1HSOUbaKlRo/s1600/swtorface33.png

That holo is too sexy!

----------------------------

So, here are the details on how I picture this happening

Summoning multiple companions to do heroics, FP's and uprisings. Operations have too many dynamics in play. Regardless, operations should remain a group endeavor. There are several contents that we can indulge readily without having to wait for people to do it with. Having the convenience to do such in your own time is, for a lack of a batter term, priceless! It already is hard to find players who wants to do the same content at a time you want,. not to mention on a regular basis. Having multiple companions bypasses just that. We no longer have to waste time, spamming, asking, and begging for people to do some "stuff" they may or may not want to do. This works perfectly for heroics and other "open world stuff".

FP's and uprisings however, have some dynamics that works best with fellow players. Choosing to solo it with your companions still should be an option granting you can manage it. Like what is mentioned already, instead of having the "jesusbot" to aid us in these campaigns, why not our existing companions.. The structure to implement this is clearly there. As seen on story mode FP's and some of the KotET chapters.

One other thing, during these group campaigns, it is all too common to lose players before completing them. Wether they get disconnected, get kicked (for being a troll or insufficient), or simply ran out of time. Then you would have to find a replacement. This added inconvenience can be done away with. We no longer have to sit for a long time to find replacements.

To the "average player"., Someone who plays an hour or two during weekdays and a bit more or weekends, this is heaven sent so to speak. You don't lose precious time waiting on the game. You can do a whole lot more by maximizing your available, limited, and precious game time. Efficient and productive what's not to like.

Introduce the PARTY SYSTEM

This is how I see it done. Toggle party window:

This feature will let you choose how many companions you can summon at a time.

Levels 1-34: ONE companion

Level 35: up to TWO companions

Level 70: up to THREE companions

Formation:

These will be position slots for companions. For example the tank companion will be situated to fight beside your character, the healer will be positioned 10 meters behind your character, and the ranged dps will be situated 10 meters behind the healer.

Skills:

Like the special skill bar you get when you play Arcann or use heroic moment, you can choose which active companion in your formation will have the active skill bar. The other two will just be your typical AI companions.

Infuence:

Instead of just conversations and gifts, I would rather see companions gain influence as you use them. They should gain influence as you gain exp or cxp. The higher their influence is, the better their AI will perform. Companions with max influence will also unlock their special/signature move which you can use on the special skill bar mentioned above.

This party system is just a suggestion. It's how I envision this happening. This will definitely need plenty work. We could just have the multiple companions like the usual AI companions we're used to (not much work there). Three instead of just one.

Happy Friday SWtoR! Don't end the week without watching Avengers Infinity War! And if you already have, no spoilers or get force choked!

This is also a wish of mine, though I'm sure it will never happen.

It can be just that but I'd like to think positive.

I really wish they would do this at least for the flashpoints and uprisings. The game is so boring right now. Some of the flashpoints that are not that solo-able, like Kaon, Althiss and Kuat Drive Yards, are really interesting. Being able to do these with companions would be great. I don't think it would really be doable for open world, unless they also introduced a toggle that would let you hide others' companions.

There are several points in the game they have multiple companions playing along with you who both heal and fight -

- Six or seven companions during the final Revan fight in SoR

- Senya and T7-O1 in KOTFE

- About six companions in chapter 16 of KOTFE, when you first get out of the ship

- Lana and Theron in KOTET 8 and 9 and Umbara

- possibly switching off with Senya and Arcann in KOTET 8 and 9

- Some combination of Arcann, Dramath and Vaylin at various points in KOTET 9

- Senya/SCORPIO and the skytrooper in KOTFE

...and probably others I'm not thinking of. So it seems the tech does exist to make this happen.

As to the concept discouraging group play, I think it's a non-issue. Is it really fun grouping with people who don't want to really be there and only group because they're forced to do so to see the content? Probably not. those who WANT to group up will continue to do so. Those who do not will do this.

I really wish they would do this at least for the flashpoints and uprisings. The game is so boring right now. Some of the flashpoints that are not that solo-able, like Kaon, Althiss and Kuat Drive Yards, are really interesting. Being able to do these with companions would be great. I don't think it would really be doable for open world, unless they also introduced a toggle that would let you hide others' companions.

 

There are several points in the game they have multiple companions playing along with you who both heal and fight -

- Six or seven companions during the final Revan fight in SoR

- Senya and T7-O1 in KOTFE

- About six companions in chapter 16 of KOTFE, when you first get out of the ship

- Lana and Theron in KOTET 8 and 9 and Umbara

- possibly switching off with Senya and Arcann in KOTET 8 and 9

- Some combination of Arcann, Dramath and Vaylin at various points in KOTET 9

- Senya/SCORPIO and the skytrooper in KOTFE

 

...and probably others I'm not thinking of. So it seems the tech does exist to make this happen.

 

As to the concept discouraging group play, I think it's a non-issue. Is it really fun grouping with people who don't want to really be there and only group because they're forced to do so to see the content? Probably not. those who WANT to group up will continue to do so. Those who do not will do this.

Agreed! And thank you for pointing out those specific examples., It was fun playing through them with a squad of companions.

The Trooper story already does this in one scene. You get ALL of your trooper companions out at once: one controlled by you and the rest controlled by AI. It's a really fun fight. The tech is definitely present.

A lovely sight! There surely will be all sorts of combinations. You have the given 3x trooper look.. I won't be surprised to see 3x scantily dressed female toons. A combination of Skadge, Broonmark, Ak’ghal, Bowdaar, K’krohl, Hemdil and all the ugly comps. 3x cute squad of Blizz, Treek and the Akk Dog can be fun too. Perhaps 3x battle droids like HK 51 and 55 + D-R3D.. There's basically several combinations you can come up with.

The new FP, The Nathema Conspiracy, has Theron in it. Typical AI together with your chosen active companion to run the FP story arc.. I think BW is listening

Wouldn't be hard to add one more to make a party of four.

The new FP, The Nathema Conspiracy, has Theron in it. Typical AI together with your chosen active companion to run the FP story arc.. I think BW is listening

 

Wouldn't be hard to add one more to make a party of four.

I really hope they're listening, because I've been wanting this to be a thing for long long time.