Beast Tribe Companions

[Colorful]

Gameplay-wise it sounds good. But personally I would find it a bit odd to "command" a sentient creature like a slave. Their intelligence is a lot closer to human races than that of chocobos, which is why we can form alliances and friendships with all the beastmen.

That's why the thread title is companion, not a slave. It's a mechanic used in many games, SWTOR and Bethesda games being prime examples, I believe it was also used in 1.0? We also have something more similar to "slaves", and those are retainers.

[FreakinZMartin]

That's why the thread title is companion, not a slave. It's a mechanic used in many games, SWTOR and Bethesda games being prime examples, I believe it was also used in 1.0? We also have something more similar to "slaves", and those are retainers.

I really liked the way SWTOR did companions, the quests, romance and so on made the companions really interesting and gave the companions personality and backstory, it would be cool if FF14 had something like that.

[Rahsch]

Gameplay-wise it sounds good. But personally I would find it a bit odd to "command" a sentient creature like a slave. Their intelligence is a lot closer to human races than that of chocobos, which is why we can form alliances and friendships with all the beastmen.

I don't see it like that. Like they give you a horn or linkshell so you can call them and they run to your aid for a while like a chocobo.

It's just a companion to help you. I think it would be cool the more you lv them up the gear they wear upgrades in the beast tribes style but more detailed armor and weapons depending if you lv them as tank, dps or heals.

And maybe they could add a unlockable beast Tribe barding for your chocobo when you reach lv10 with that type of beast tribe like each tribe has their own barding themed around them.

[Reinha]

I don't see it like that. Like they give you a horn or linkshell so you can call them and they run to your aid for a while like a chocobo.

This is kind of what I meant. I don't imagine Thancred or Lucia running to my side at the blow of my whistle, seeing as they probably have their own business to take care of. Beastmen are the same in my mind. A chocobo on the other hand is a companion in the same sense as a dog is. It's an animal so it doesn't have anything else to do other than helping its human.

[Rahsch]

This is kind of what I meant. I don't imagine Thancred or Lucia running to my side at the blow of my whistle, seeing as they probably have their own business to take care of. Beastmen are the same in my mind. A chocobo on the other hand is a companion in the same sense as a dog is. It's an animal so it doesn't have anything else to do other than helping its human.

I just see it as helping, like maybe how we send our retainers on ventures the tokens can be used to pay the beast tribes or maybe a beast tribe form of income to summon them? Lol they would only last out on field for 30mins like chocobo unless you pay more.

[CrimsonThunder]

This is kind of what I meant. I don't imagine Thancred or Lucia running to my side at the blow of my whistle, seeing as they probably have their own business to take care of. Beastmen are the same in my mind. A chocobo on the other hand is a companion in the same sense as a dog is. It's an animal so it doesn't have anything else to do other than helping its human.

You mean like how our retainers are at our beck and call at any time of the day, ready to go out with our throw-away gear and put their lives on the line to bring back something that we'll use for our profit, despite the fact that the venture quest established that retainers are very much real people.

You mean like that?

[Reinha]

You mean like how our retainers are at our beck and call at any time of the day, ready to go out with our throw-away gear and put their lives on the line to bring back something that we'll use for our profit, despite the fact that the venture quest established that retainers are very much real people.

You mean like that?

Pretty much. :P Retainers are known as "slaves" for a reason dude. I never understood why we don't have buildings for banks and for setting our stuff on sale. Some poor guy/girl has to carry around all the rocks I've mined between 1-48... I'd be surprised if that sassy catgirl wasn't plotting against me at this point lol.

As for ventures, I guess it makes sense that an NPC does it. If they made the beastman mercenary services available from a predetermined location, with their own special currency and a cooldown attached, it would be similar to ventures. Going to the Vanu camp, talking to someone and giving them currency would then allow that NPC to help you for a while, with an hour cooldown. Just seems more immersive that way than being able to summon them anywhere, from my personal point of view. The OP didn't actually mention how it would work in practice so I assumed they meant it to work like chocobos and not like retainers.

Oh! I have an idea. On top of the NPCs being able to fight for you, there could be NPCs who buff your gathering or crafting too. 5% chance to yield an extra item when gathering, 5% chance to refund materials when crafting etc.

[Meirii]

This would be kinda cool ^_^

[Laerune]

I like it and instead of leveling them from level 1, make them share the same level as the highst level companion. If your chocobo is level 13, all your new companions are level 13. All companions share the same level.

[WellFooled]

I like it and instead of leveling them from level 1, make them share the same level as the highst level companion. If your chocobo is level 13, all your new companions are level 13. All companions share the same level.

This is a great idea. The companion leveling grind is long (which, I'm totally ok with. The game does need long term goals), but it would be so much more rewarding if it was applied to all of our (hopefully many) companions.