Beginning with the Blackwood Chapter in 2021, the High Isle Chapter in 2022 and the Necrom Chapter in 2023, The Elder Scrolls Online has added Companions to the game! Companions are combat followers similar to what we’ve seen in previous Elder Scrolls titles like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but with some additional options exclusive to ESO!
Elder Scrolls Online Companions
The Elder Scrolls Online currently features six Companions.
- Mirri – a female Dark Elf adventurer and spunky rogue. Combat skills similar to a Nightblade (requires Blackwood Chapter).
- Bastian – a male Imperial, righteous and noble. Combat skills similar to a Dragonknight (requires Blackwood Chapter).
- Ember – a female Khajiit, talented mage and notorious troublemaker. Combat skills similar to a Sorcerer (requires High Isle Chapter).
- Isobel – a female Breton, brave and just a little dorky. Combat skills similar to a Templar (requires High Isle Chapter).
- Azandar – a male Redguard with a thirst for knowledge. Combat skills similar to an Arcanist (requires Necrom Chapter).
- Sharp-as-Night – a male Argonian, gruff and mysterious. Combat skills similar to a Warden (requires Necrom Chapter).
How To Unlock Companions In The Elder Scrolls Online
You initially unlock Companions through specific quest lines found in the zones of Blackwood, High Isle and Necrom. This effectively makes ESO Companions locked to purchasing the Chapter Zone, at least at first. Once you unlock a Companion they can travel the world of Tamriel with you.
Bastian’s Starting Location
Bastian’s starting quest is found at the Southern edge of the Blackwood zone at Deepscorn Hollow.
Mirri’s Starting Location
Mirri’s starting quest is found at the Northern edge of the Blackwood zone at Doomvault Vulpinaz.
Ember’s Starting Location
Ember’s starting quest is found near Tor Draioch in Eastern High Isle.
Isobel’s Starting Location
Isobel’s starting quest is found at Castle Navire near the Southwest edge of the High Isle.
Sharp-as-Night’s Starting Location
Sharp-as-Night’s starting quest is found just South of the main city of Necrom near the Outlaw’s Refuge.
Azandar’s Starting Location
Azandar’s starting quest is found outside the city of Cipher’s Midden, located in the center of the Apocrypha zone.
Companion Relationships and Rapport
ESO’s Companions are much more than just a basic follower for your character – in fact, they are much more fleshed out with interesting backstories and ongoing questlines. Each companion also has their own series of likes and dislikes known as the Rapport System. For example, certain companions may react negatively if your character steals from an NPC or they may react positively if you give to an NPC.
Companion Gear and Equipment
Each Companion is a fully customizable combat NPC. This means that you can build your Companion into a specific Combat Role such as Tank, Healer, DPS or a hybrid. One of the main ways to customize your Companion is through Companion Gear.
Companions in ESO currently cannot use the same sets as Players. Instead, they use Companion Gear. Companion Gear is basic equipment that offers a static Armor Bonus or Damage Stat plus Companion specific traits. These 9 unique Companion Gear Traits further customize your Companion’s combat role for tanking, healing or DPS.
The 9 Companion Gear Traits are:
- Aggressive – Increases Companion Damage Done per piece equipped.
- Augmented – Increases duration of all Companion Buffs and Debuffs per piece equipped.
- Bolstered – Reduces Companion Damage Taken per piece equipped.
- Focused – Increases Companion Critical Strike Rating per piece equipped.
- Prolific – Increases Companion Ultimate Generation per piece equipped.
- Quickened – Reduces Companion Ability Cooldowns per piece equipped.
- Shattering – Increases Companion Penetration per piece equipped.
- Soothing – Increases Companion Healing Done per piece equipped.
- Vigorous – Increases Companion Maximum Health per piece equipped.
How To Get Companion Gear In ESO
Companion gear can drop from all enemies in the game, however, boss level enemies have the highest drop rate. This includes:
- Delve Bosses
- Public Dungeon Bosses
- Dolmen, Harrowstorm, Oblivion Portal and other “World Event” bosses
- World Bosses
- Normal and Veteran Group Dungeon Bosses
- Normal and Veteran Trial Bosses
To obtain Companion Gear from any of these bosses all you need to do is get credit for particpating in the kill which normally results in a loot drop. Typically you need to do some damage to the boss in order to get loot to drop. In addition, you must also have a Companion Summoned and with you at the time the loot drops. This is a MUST! No Summoned Companion means NO LOOT!
For more information of Companion Gear Drops in ESO check out our Companion Gear Guide or watch the video below.
ESO Companion Gear Drop Rate
Companion Gear in The Elder Scrolls Online has a small chance of dropping from any boss enemy in the game. The drop rate is generally around 10 percent.
Normal enemies have a much smaller chance of dropping companion Gear, roughly around 1 percent.
Best Gear Traits For Companions In ESO
Unfortunately, not every trait for companions is a great option at this point and there are definitely some best in slot traits based on how you want to build your companion.
The best all around Trait for any type of Companion Build is the Quickened Trait. This trait decreases your companion’s ability cooldowns, allowing them to use their abilities more frequently. This is a fantastic trait for any companion build, whether tank, DPS, healer or even a hybrid. Some companion abilities have very long cooldowns upwards of 30 seconds so anything you can do to reduce those is going to be helpful.
ESO Companion Skill Bar
Companions in The Elder Scrolls Online have access to one full Skill Bar including 5 slots for Normal Abilities and 1 Ultimate Slot. When you first unlock a Companion, not all of their Skill Slots are available however – these must be unlocked over time by leveling up the Companion.
Companions start with 2 Skill Slots unlocked at level 1, then follow the progression below:
- Skill Slot 3: Unlocked At Level 2
- Skill Slot 4: Unlocked At Level 7
- Skill Slot 5: Unlocked At Level 12
- Ultimate Slot: Unlocked At Level 20
ESO Companion Skills and Skill Lines
Each Companion in The Elder Scrolls Online starts with their own basic set of skills for these Skill Line types:
- DPS
- Healing
- Tanking
Companions in ESO can also use Weapon Skill Lines including:
- Two Handed
- One Hand And Shield
- Dual Wield
- Bow
- Destruction Staff
- Restoration Staff
Companions also will have access to several ESO Guild Skill Lines, including:
- Fighter’s Guild
- Mage’s Guild
- The Undaunted Guild
Companions have access to simple Armor Skill Lines as well. These can be unlocked by equipping at least 5 armor pieces of the same weight.
- Light Armor
- Medium Armor
- Heavy Armor
Skills for companions in ESO are similar to the skills that players have access to but have differences unique to Companions. For example, Companions have a version of Circle Of Protection from the Fighter’s Guild skill line that provides a unique Damage Resistance buff to the companion and the player.
Bastian Hallix
Bastian’s Companion Skills
Bastian starts out with basic skills very similar to that of the Dragonknight Class in ESO. Bastian’s Companion Skills are below.
Click on a Skill Name to learn more.
Ardent Warrior (Damage)
| ULT: Unleashed Rage | Bastian builds up rage, then unleashes it in a devastating explosion around them. The Explosion deals 12051 Flame Damage to enemies and stuns them for 4 seconds, while also releasing four lines of fire in a cross formation that deal an additional 3012 Flame Damage to any enemy hit. |
| Fiery Flail | Bastian lashes an enemy with flame, dealing 8034 Flame Damage and setting them Off Balance for 7 seconds. |
| Scorching Strike | Bastian slashes an enemy with flame, dealing 8034 Flame Damage and an additional 12048 Flame Damage over 8 seconds. |
| Crag Smash | Bastian hurls a chunk of rock at an enemy, dealing 8034 Physical Damage. |
Draconic Armor (Tank)
| Blazing Grasp | Bastian launches a fiery chain to grasp an pull an enemy to them. Used when the enemy can be moved and is further than 10 meters away. |
| Drake’s Blood | Bastian draws on their draconic blood, healing for 25% of their Max Health and reducing their damage taken by 20% for 8 seconds. Used when Bastian is below 75% Health. |
| Crushing Claws | Bastian calls forth talons from the ground, dealing 4017 Flame Damage to enemies nearby and immobilizng them for 4 seconds. |
Radiating Heart (Heal)
| Kindle | Bastian launches a searing fireball at themselves or an ally to cauterize their wounds, healing for 7800 Health. |
| Basalt Barrier | Bastian calls the earth to their defense, granting a damage shield for them and their nearby allies that absorbs 3900 damage. While the shield holds, healing received is increased by 20%. |
| Searing Weapons | Bastian charges their weapons and their allies’ weapons with volcanic power, increasing their damage done with Light and Heavy Attacks by 20% for 8 seconds. |
Passive Skills
| Tough | Increases Max Health by 3% and Damage Done by 3%. |
Mirri Elendis
Mirri’s Companion Skills
Click on a Skill Name to learn more.
Mirri starts out with basic skills very similar to that of the Nightblade Class in ESO. Mirri’s Companion Skills are below.
Deadly Assassin (Damage)
| Impeccable Shot (Ult) | Mirri marks an enemy and exposes their weakness, causing them to take 20% more damage for 3 seconds. While the enemy is exposed they build up to a single killing shot, unleashing a massive bolt that deals 24569 Physical Damage. |
| Shadow Slash | Mirri slashes an enemy, dealing 8189 Magic Damage and setting them Off Balance for 7 seconds. |
| Warp Strike | Mirri flashes through the shadows and ambushes an enemy, dealing 8189 Magic Damage. |
| Slayer’s Blade | Mirri thrusts a magic blade with lethal precision to finish off an enemy, dealing 24569 Magic Damage. Used when the enemy is below 25% Health. |
Living Shade (Tank)
| Ghostly Evasion | Mirri surrounds themselves in a phantasmic aura, dodging the next attack made against them while alos reducing their damage taken by 20% for 8 seconds. Used when Mirri is below 75% Health. |
| Masque Of Torment | Mirri terrifies nearby enemies, causing them to cower in fear for 4 seconds. |
| Twilight Mantle | Mirri shrouds themselves in refreshing shadows, healing for 25% of their Max Health and becoming invisible for 6 seconds, causing most enemies to stop attacking them. Used when Mirri is below 50% Health. |
Soul Thief (Heal)
| Life Absorption | Mirri steals an enemy’s life force, dealing 4094 Magic Damange and healing themselves or an ally around them for 8346 Health. |
| Blood Transfusion | Mirri infuses an ally with blood, healing them for 12510 Health over 8 seconds. |
| Life Siphon | Mirri siphons the vigor from the blood of enemies nearby, dealing 4094 Magic Damage and healing themselves and their allies for 4173 Health. |
Passive Skills
| Dynamic | Increases damage done by 3% and healing done by 3%. |
Ember
Ember’s Companion Skills
Ember starts out with basic skills very similar to that of the Sorcerer Class in ESO. Ember’s Companion Skills are below.
Click on a Skill Name to learn more.
Lightning Caller (Damage)
| ULT: Raging Storm | Ember creates a thunderstorm that follows the target, striking all enemies within for 956 Shock Damage every 1 second for 8 seconds. The final strike deals 300% additional damage to enemies under 25% Health. |
| Crystal Blast | Ember conjures dark crystals to bombard an enemy, dealing 5396 Magic Damage. |
| Shocking Burst | Ember creates a nexus of storm energy at the target location, instantly dealing 2549 Shock Damage to all enemies in the area and an additional 2862 Shock Damage over 8 seconds. |
| Thunderous Strike | Ember calls down an explosion of lightning to finish off an enemy, dealing 15296 Shock Damage and an additional 5099 Shock Damage to other nearby enemies. Used when the enemy is below 25% Health. |
Mischievous Caster (Tank)
| Entomb | Ember uses binding magic to immobilize enemies in front of them for 4 seconds and heal themselves for 7425 Health over 8 seconds. |
| Hurricane Visage | Ember manifests themselves as pure lightning, zapping nearby enemies with electricity dealing 2538 Shock Damage over 20 seconds. While in this form their damage taken is reduced by 20%. |
| Trickster’s Trap | Ember dazzles an enemy in a ball of magic, stunning them for 3 seconds. |
Playful Schemer (Heal)
| Quick Fix | Ember patches themselves or an ally with restorative magic, healing for 4950 Health. Used when Ember or an ally is below 75% Health. |
| Shared Wards | Ember conjures wards made of energy for protection, granting a damage shield for them and their nearby allies that absorbs 2475 damage for 6 seconds. Targets affected by the shield are also healed for 2475 Health over 8 seconds. |
| Second Wind | Ember uses their backup resources, reducing the cooldown of all their other abilities by 5 seconds. |
Passive Skills
| Cunning | Increases Critical Chance by 3% and damage done by 3%. |
Isobel Veloise
Isobel’s Companion Skills
Isobel starts out with basic skills very similar to that of the Templar Class in ESO. Isobel’s Companion Skills are below.
Click on a Skill Name to learn more.
Blazing Might (Damage)
| ULT: Baneslayer | Isobel Veloise channels their energy and conjures a weapon made of sunlight before striking downward, dealing 4050 Magic Damage to all enemies if front of them. Enemies damaged by Baneslayer have particles remaining on them for 10 seconds that detonate for 2025 Magic Damage when a player deals damage to them. |
| Penetrating Strikes | Isobel Velois attacks four times with a magic spear, dealing 1012 Magic Damage to all enemies in front of them with each strike. After their assault, Isobel Veloise grants themselves and nearby allies a boon that increases the damage of their next Light or Heavy Attack by 50%. |
| Sun Brand | Isobel Veloise hurls a blazing ball of fire at an enemy, dealing 4050 Flame Damage on impact and an additional 3032 Flame Damage over 8 seconds. |
| Divine Destruction | Isobel Veloise unleashes a concentrated beam of divine energy at an enemy, dealing 15185 Magic Damage over 3 seconds. Used when the enemy is below 25% Health. |
Brilliant Shield (Tank)
| Solar Ward | Isobel Veloise summons the power of the sun to defend themselves from harm, reducing incoming damage by 20% and granting a damage shield that absorbs up to 12.5% of their Max Health for 6 seconds. |
| Gallant Blitz | Isobel Veloise charges toward their enemy with a vibrant spear that bursts in a flash of light, setting all enemies in the area Off Balance for 7 seconds. |
| Spear Of Light | Isobel Veloise hurls a barrage of spears made of radiant light at all targets in front of them, dealing 2025 Magic Damage and knocking them down for 4 seconds. This attack ignores the enemy’s Resistances. |
Healing Grace (Heal)
| Blessed Sacrament | Isobel Veloise sends out a burst of soothing light, healing themselves or a nearby ally for 2025 Health, and an additional 759 every 2 seconds for 8 seconds as the light momentarily lingers. Used when Isobel Veloise or an ally is below 75% Health. |
| Holy Ground | Isobel Veloise consecrates the ground under them for 8 seconds, healing themselves and nearby allies 1012 Health every 2 seconds and snaring enemies by 50%. Used when Isobel Veloise or a nearby ally is below 75% Health, or if an enemy is nearby. |
| Beam Of Reproach | Isobel Veloise bathes an enemy in a beam of sunlight, immediately dealing 2025 Magic Damage and healing allies nearby for 2025 Health. The residual light will then continue to heal allies near the enemy for 506 Health every 2 seconds for 8 seconds. |
Passive Skills
| Enchanted | Decreases ability cooldowns by 3% and damage taken by 3%. |
Sharp-as-Night
Sharp-As-Night’s Companion Skills
Sharp-As-Night starts out with basic skills very similar to that of the Warden Class in ESO. Sharp-As-Night’s Companion Skills are below.
Click on a Skill Name to learn more.
Beasts Of The Hunt (Damage)
| Swoop | Sharp-as-Night commands a cliff racer to bomb an enemy, dealing 4507 Magic Damage. If they are more than 7 meters away from the target, they set them Off Balance for 7 seconds. |
| Char | Sharp-as-Night unearths a group of fiery shalk that attack dealing 2253 Magic Damage to enemies in front of them. After the shalk complete their attack, they burrow underground for 3 secnds and resurface again, dealing 2253 Magic Damage to enemies in front of them. |
| Infest | Sharp-as-Night provokdes a cloud of fetcherflies to swarm an enemy, dealing 6755 Magic Damage over 8 seconds. The fetcherflies rip through the enemy’s flesh, afflicting them with Minor Vulnerability for the duration, increasing their damage taken by 5%. |
| ULT: Gore | Sharp-as-Night provokes a spectral kagouti to charge and toss the enemy for 13521 Physical Damage, stunning them for 3 seconds. This ability deals 150% more damage to enemies below 25% Health. |
Winter’s Bite (Tank)
| Sleetmail | Sharp-as-Night conjures ice armor for themselves and up to 5 nearby allies. Sharp-as-Night reduces their Damage Taken by 20% for 6 seconds. Allies gain Major Resolve, increasing their Physical and Spell Resistance by 1802 for 6 seconds. |
| Cold Snap | Sharp-as-Night encircles themselves with ice shards to skewer enemies in the area, immobilizing them for 3 seconds and dealing 1097 Frost Damage every 2 seconds for 8 seconds. Damage done is based on Sharp-as-Night’s Maximum Health. |
| Snow Squall | Sharp-as-Night envelops themselves in winter winds, instantly healing for 5279 Health and an additional 1319 Health every 2 seconds over 8 seconds. This ability scales off their Maximum Health. |
Verdant Growth (Heal)
| Fungal Forage | Sharp-as-Night musters a cluster of mushrooms, healing you and your allies for 4338 Health. Heals for 50% more on allies that are within 8 meters of Sharp-as-Night. |
| Perennial Bloom | Sharp-as-Night summons a field of blooming flowers, healing you and nearby allies for 867 Health every 2 seconds over 8 seconds. |
| Petals Of The Hunter | Sharp-as-Night calls on the essence of a carnivorous bloom, causing their Light Attacks to restore 1808 Health to themselves and 2 nearby allies for 8 seconds. |
Passive Skills
| Survivalist | Increases Physical and Spell Resistance by 3% and Healing Done by 3%. |
Azandar al-Cybiades
Azander’s Companion Skills
Azander starts out with basic skills very similar to that of the Arcanist Class in ESO. Azander’s Companion Skills are below.
Click on a Skill Name to learn more.
Scholar Of Apocrypha (Damage)
| The Triune Word | Azandar casts a trio of runes before launching them at an enemy, dealing 1650 Magic Damage three times. |
| Tendrils Of The Colorless Sea | Azandar infuses their arm with abyssal arcanum and thrusts forward, dealing 2475 Physical Damage to enemies and applying Minor Vulnerability to them for 6 seconds, increasing the damage they take by 5%. |
| Fate Omen’s Inspiration | Azandar charges their weapons and their allies’ weapons with apocryphal energy for 8 seconds applying Minor Berserk, increasing their damage done by 5%. |
| ULT: Vigorous Tentacular Eruption | Azandar creates a gate to Apocrypha beneath an enemy. After 2 seconds, a swarm of hideous tentacles burst through the gate, dealing 7425 Magic Damage to enemies within the gate, knocking them up in the air and stunning them for 3 seconds. Enemies damaged by the tentacles receive Major Vulnerability for 4 seconds, increasing their damage taken by 10%. |
Quill Knight (Tank)
| Scathing Rune | Azandar uses a Runic Technique to taunt their enemy to attack them, applying Minor Maim to them for 15 seconds, reducing their damage done by 5%. |
| Abor’s Augmented Ward | Azandar draws on advanced research to gain a damage shield that absorbs 2475 damage for 6 seconds. The first time they take direct damage after casting the shield retaliates and deals 4950 Magic Damage to the attacker. |
| Fear Of The Unknown | Azandar confronts an enemy with the unknowable truth of reality, applying Fear to them for 4 seconds. |
Revitalizing Researcher (Heal)
| Triptych Physic | Azandar launches a trio of restorative runes at themselves or an ally, healing for 1650 Health three times. |
| Shields Of Erudition | Azandar manifests spinning discs of pure knowledge to surround themselves and up to 2 allies, granting a damage shield that absorbs 4950 damage for 6 seconds. |
| Zone Of Recuperation | Azandar outlines a domain of Eldritch Power, healing them and their allies standing within for 825 Health every 1 second for 8 seconds and granting 150 Health, Magicka and Stamina recovery. |
Passive Skills
| Son Of Kozanset | Increases Maximum Health by 3% and decreases ability cooldowns by 3%. |
Companion Weapon Skill Lines
Companions in The Elder Scrolls Online have access to many of the same types of Weapon Skills that players do. As you will see below, some of these skills are slightly altered in function to fit the Companion System.
Click on a Skill Name to learn more.
Bow
| Piercing Arrow | The Companion plants a masterfully aimed arrow in an enemy’s vital spot, dealing 8034 Physical Damage. |
| Trick Shot | The Companion fires a burst of arrows in one shot, dealing 4037 Physical Damage to enemies in front of them and immobilizing them for 4 seconds. |
| Viper’s Bite | The Companion shoots an arrow covered in Baandari poison at an enemy, dealing 4017 Poison Damage and additional 12048 Poison Damage over 8 seconds. |
One Hand And Shield
| Provoke | The Companion thrusts their weapon with discipline precision at an enemy, dealing 4017 Physical Damage and taunting the enemy to attack them for 15 seconds. |
| Bashing Bulwark | The Companion rushes an enemy and rams them, stunning them for 4 seconds. |
| On Guard | The Companion bolsters their defenses, granting a damage shield that absorbs 25% of their Max Health for 6 seconds. |
Two Handed
| Staggering Swing | The Companion slams an enemy with an upward swing and sends them flying, dealing 8034 Physical Damage, stunning them for 2.5 seconds and knocking them back 4 meters. |
| Sunder | The Companion slices all enemies in front of them with a mighty swing, dealing 4017 Physical Damage and an additional 4016 Physical Damage over 8 seconds. |
| Sever | The Companion spins around and strikes an enemy down, dealing 24102 Physical Damage. Used only when the enemy is below 25% Health. |
Dual Wield
| Swift Assault | The Companion floods an enemy with steel, battering them with five consecutive attacks that each deal 1606 Physical Damage. |
| Spinning Steel | The Companion launches themselves in a lethal spin, dealing 4017 Physical Damage to nearby enemies. Deals triple damage to enemies below 25% Health. |
| Razor Cape | The Companion envelops themselves in a ring of floating razors, dealing 1606 Physical Damage to nearby enemies every 2 seconds for 8 seconds. The razors also shield them from attacks, reducing their damage taken by 20%. |
Destruction Staff
| Destructive Blast | The Companion blasts an enemy with magic dealing 8034 Magic Damage. Flame Blast knocks them back 8 meters and stuns them for 2.5 seconds. Frost Blast taunts them for 15 seconds. Shock Blast deals an additional 774 Shock Damage to all other enemies around them. |
| Elemental Barricade | The Companion slams their staff down to create an elemental wall in front of them, dealing 8010 Magic Damage over 8 seconds. |
| Arcane Nova | The Companion releases a surge of magic to enemies around them, dealing 8034 Magic Damage. |
Restoration Staff
| Rejuvenation | The Companion shares their staff’s life-giving energy, healing themseles and a nearby ally for 11695 Health over 8 seconds. |
| Mending Incantation | The Companion slams their staff down to activate its blessing, healing themselves and allies in front of them for 3900 Health. The blessing also grants 8000 Spell and Physical Resistance for 8 seconds. |
| Mystic Fortress | The Companion calls on their staff’s strength to protect themselves or the lowest health ally around them, granting a damage shield that absorbs 23400 Damage. Used when the Companion or ally is below 25% Health. |
Companion Armor Skill Lines
Companions in The Elder Scrolls Online have access to some basic Armor Skills as long as they are wearing at least 5 pieces of the associated Armor Weight (5 Light, 5 Medium or 5 Heavy). These skills are quite different from normal Player Armor Skills and can be a useful way to customize the Companion’s combat style.
The Armor Skills For Companions in ESO are found below:
| Haste (Light) | The Companion focuses their magical energies inward, resetting the cooldown of all their other abilities. |
| Vanish (Medium) | The companion disappears in a puff of smoke, healing to full Health and becoming invisible for 6 seconds. Used when the Companion is below 50% Health. |
| Bulwark (Heavy) | The Companion becomes an unstoppable defender, blocking and reflecting all attacks for 5 seconds. This ability is used when the Companion is below 75% Health and is fighting a difficult monster. |
Companion Guild Skill Lines
Companions in The Elder Scrolls Online can use Guild Skills from the Fighters Guild, Mages Guild and Undaunted Guild. These skills are slightly different from normal Guild Skills that players have access to in ESO and can be a useful way to customize the Companion’s combat style.
Fighters Guild
In order to level up a Companion’s Fighter’s Guild Rank, players must complete Fighter’s Guild Daily quests with the Companion present.
| Sniping Silver | The Companion fires a Dawnguard Vampire Hunter’s crossbow bolt at an enemy, dealing 8034 Physical Damage. Deals double damage if the enemy is an Undead, Daedra, or Werewolf. |
| Ritual Of Salvation | The companion brands the earth beneath them with a rune of protection for 8 seconds. Standing within the rune reduces the damage they are their allies take by 20%. If the attacker is Undead, Daedra, or Werewolf the rune reduces damage taken by an additional 20%. |
| Biting Trap | The Companion sets a sharpened blade trap in front of them, which takes 1.5 seconds to arm and lasts for 8 seconds. When an enemy triggers the trap they are immobilized for 4 seconds. If the enemy is an Undead, Daedra or Werewolf they take 4017 Physical Damage. |
Mage’s Guild
In order to level up a Companion’s Mage’s Guild Rank, players must complete Mage’s Guild Daily quests with the Companion present.
| Starfall | The Companion calls a comet down from the constellations to blast an enemy, dealing Flame Damage. |
| Reverse Entropy | The Companion envelops themselves and an ally with stabilizing magic, healing over time. |
| Parallel | The Companion barters with Oblivion for power, generating 50 Ultimate. |
Undaunted Guild
In order to level up a Companion’s Undaunted Rank, players must complete Undaunted Daily quests with the Companion present.
| Crimson Font | The Companion conjures a fountain of blood to sustain themselves and allies around it, healing every 1 second. Allies near the found can activate the Blood Funnel synergy, healing for 50% of their Max Health. |
| Savage Instinct | The Companion ignites the fires of hate in an enemy’s heart, dealing 4017 Magic Damage and tauning the enemy to attack them for 15 seconds. Used when an enemy is not already taunted. An ally targeting the enemy can activat the Savage Explosion Synergy, causing the enemy to implode after 2 seconds, dealing 4017 Magic Damage to them and nearby enemies. Used when the enemy is not already taunted. |
| Skeletal Aegis | The Companion surrounds themselves with a whirlwind of bones, granting a damage shield for 30% of their Max Health. While the damage shield holds an ally near them can activate the Bone Wall synergy, granting them a damage shield for 50% of their Max Health. |
Companion Rotations: Priority and Cooldown System
Companions utilize a “Priority and Cooldown” system for combat. This works by giving every companion ability a cooldown of several seconds. Companions then can cast each ability as it comes off cooldown according to the skill order assigned on the companion skill bar. The Companion will attempt to cast each skill in order from the first ability to the last, then reset once all the cooldowns have expired.
ESO Companion Builds
You’ll find amazing builds for every Companion in ESO, including Companion DPS builds, Companion Healer builds and Companion Tank builds on our Companion Builds page.
ESO Companion Collectibles: Outfits, Mounts and Costumes
Companions can use many of the same collectible content that players already have access to. For example, Companions can make use of Costumes as well as Mounts. Companions can also be customized at an Outfit Station, just as a player can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can I Take Companions?
As announced on the Global Reveal Stream for the Blackwood Chapter, Companions can go almost anywhere with you. The only known restrictions so far are that Companions cannot join you in PVP or in Solo Arenas. This may be subject to further balance changes as we get closer to the release of the Blackwood Chapter.
How Much DPS Can My Companion Do?
A fully optimized Companion can do anywhere between 3,000 – 5,000 DPS with fully optimized gear and max level skills. It’s important to note that Companions are not meant to replace players in any role. DPS is the weakest role for Companions in ESO because their skills just don’t do that much damage and companion ability cooldowns will not allow for a true DPS spammable type build.
Can ESO Companions Be A Tank?
Companions have skills for taunting, self-healing, and damage absorption that make them relatively successful tanks for solo players and even groups with challenging content such as World Bosses as well as some Normal and Veteran Group Dungeons.
Can ESO Companions Be A Healer?
Companions in ESO do have a variety of healing skills including heal over times, direct heals and powerful buffs. The cooldown system for Companion abilities is not ideal for difficult content but for simple boss fights or Solo play, a Companion healer can be quite useful.
What Is The Purpose Of Companions?
Basically the idea of Companions is to allow solo players and small groups to take on more challenging content without necessarily having the best gear or the most champion points. In effect, it’s a way for players to experience more of the Elder Scrolls Online where they might not have been able to before.
You know, this is something I’ve talked about for years in regards to The Elder Scrolls Online. For the most part I do enjoy playing ESO as a solo player and I’ve been able to play a lot of content in that style including content meant for groups such as Veteran dungeons. I actually like the challenge of it, but not everybody can do the same, and not everybody wants to group up. My solution for this which I did a video about a while ago was to add a Solo instance to group dungeons – basically a slightly easier version of the dungeon than normal with lower quality loot. Honestly most solo players don’t even care about the loot, they just want to experience these zones and stories along with everybody else.
The companions system is going to solve that problem, but in a totally different way. Instead of making easier versions of all dungeons, companions will make solo players and small groups strong – which is actually a great solution. Here’s the quote from Rich explaining their thinking:
“I think we’ve learned a lot over the years. And one of the main, recurring themes that we’ve heard from players, especially our more hardcore Elder Scrolls people, is people are scary. And there’s some content that they aren’t necessarily comfortable within a large group, but they would do with a couple of close, trusted friends. And so the beauty of this system and one of my hopes is, you know, you and a buddy could go and do four-player dungeons because you have two companions to help you out.”
“It will help players, A) develop stronger social ties in-game with their companions, but also, B) help them kind-of edge a little bit more into some of the group content and meeting other players potentially, which is really exciting to me, because that’s where the magic of MMO happens, you know, meeting other people and talking with them and developing those really close social ties.”
So really, companions is all about increasing player ability and player confidence. It will help solo players complete more content which is great, and that confidence could also help players advance into more social settings. And when you add all the potential deep story telling and combat customization options added on to that it’s a win-win in my book. Definitely unexpected BUT really cool nonetheless.
Reference Articles:
- Elder Scrolls Online: Gates of Oblivion is a lot more than an MMO TES4
- The Elder Scrolls Online: Gates Of Oblivion Is The Next Step To Adding Romance In-Game, Confirms Bethesda
Where To Go Next
You’ve just scratched the surface of ESO Companions! Make sure to check out our detailed guides for each Companion listed below, or jump into the Best Companions Ranked or Best Companion Builds articles.
Ember Companion Guide
Everything you need to know about Ember, the Khajiit Mage companion available to ESO players in the High Isle Chapter.
Isobel Veloise Companion Guide
Everything you need to know about Isobel Veloise, the Breton Knight companion available to ESO players in the High Isle Chapter.
Mirri Elendis Companion Guide
Everything you need to know about Mirri Elendis, a new Companion option for The Elder Scrolls Online, Blackwood Chapter!
Bastian Hallix Companion Guide
Everything you need to know about Bastian Hallix, a new Companion option for The Elder Scrolls Online, Blackwood Chapter!
Azandar al-Cybiades Companion Guide
Everything you need to know about Azandar al-Cybiades, the Redugard Arcanist companion available to ESO players in the Necrom Chapter for ESO!
The Complete Guide to ESO Companions
Companions are powerful combat followers with their own unique equipment and skills that players can customize into supporting roles like DPS, Tanking and Healing.
Sharp-as-Night Companion Guide
Everything you need to know about Sharp-As-Night, the Argonian Warden companion available to ESO players in the Necrom Chapter for ESO!
ESO Companion Gear Guide
Each Companion can be fully equipped with their own Weapons, Armor and Jewelry helping you further customize their build and playstyle, but where do you get the gear? And how do you get it faster? This guide will cover it all!
