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Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 12:43 am
by SEXY QUEEN
From someone who plans to be a "hunter" type of character, I think this is a horrible idea.

The whole pet companion thing is so overused in games these days, it's hard to find a game where you can build a viable ranged class WITHOUT having a pet.

Well.. I haven't played a single game with a hunting falcon as a pet.. And the only dog companion I've ever had in a game is dragon age's starting dog, and I ensure you, I didn't get the idea from there.
Hunters could easily sneak up on enemies without a pet too, but I think it would add depth to the game world. Instead of human companions that tend to be quite stupid for humanoids, we could have different animal kinds for specific situations and play styles.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 7:04 am
by amhain
I want a sabretooth cat as a pet.

Which bring's me to a previous idea I had for TES 5 back in the day. Becoming a beast master. The ability to train wild animals to be you'r pet.

Maybe it'll be a perk?


I hope they add a perk like that to the illusion spell set. I used to spend a lot of time roaming through Oblivion with a black bear at my side(using command creature over and over again on him). Of course it got a little annoying having him turn vicious on me every couple of minutes.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 7:08 am
by Vickey Martinez
Are you crazy? I would never forgive myself if something happened with that poor dog. :laugh:

Anyway. No i am not really a fan of pet companions, plenty of people seems to want them though so maybe they should consider it. Just make sure that it isn't forced like in Fable II or the Human Noble origin in Dragon Age.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 8:44 am
by c.o.s.m.o
Just make sure that it isn't forced like in Fable II or the Human Noble origin in Dragon Age.


That's why you would need to buy one. If you don't want one, don't buy one. :whistling:

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 11:20 am
by evelina c
Are you crazy? I would never forgive myself if something happened with that poor dog. :laugh:

Anyway. No I am not really a fan of pet companions, plenty of people seems to want them though so maybe they should consider it. Just make sure that it isn't forced like in Fable II or the Human Noble origin in Dragon Age.

They would have to be made smart enough and touch enough to stay alive, when a tight spot happens, the dog wouldn't go rambo and think he can kill 10 bandits, but do hit and run tactics and only attack when he knows he can survive it. Even if he gets hit, he would be touch enough to survive, and would then stay out of combat until he is ready for battle again. I don't want my hunting dog to attack 1 vs 3 bandits, but warn me about them and then wait for one of them to be alone and run lightning fast behind him and knock him to the ground, possibly disarming the bandit and causing a good deal of damage before he runs away again.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 6:05 am
by Kayla Bee
Like Fable? No.

I like being alone in TES.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 9:09 am
by Natalie J Webster
As a treat, we could give them bosmer limbs.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 11:39 am
by Tracey Duncan
I see pros and cons.
Pro: Pack mule type pet (as someone mentioned before)
Could fit into role playing is going for a hunter / beastmaster kinda thing
Doesnt get so dreadfully lonely.

Cons:
Elder Scrolls series have a long history of the Lone Wolf (pardon the pun) and this may break it up a bit.
Always waiting for your pet to catch up with you in any given circumstance.

Eitherway, a la fallout, we know the technology is there, so who knows. I for one would be down with it.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 1:05 pm
by Mélida Brunet
The whole hawk thing sounds like the mechanic in Mark of Kri wherein you could see through it's vision when it was on a perch. Not something I'd want replicated exactly but I agree with your example

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 4:35 am
by Ashley Clifft
Remember Schemer? A rat for a thief type would be cool, just imagine a companion animal that knows how to sneak, rather than charging off to attack enemies over the next hill and dying two minutes after you acquired it. Skinned hound I'm talking to you.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 2:18 am
by Miragel Ginza
Heck yes!

Id like it if they did it the way FONV did (unless you played hardcoe) which is that they would be knocked unconscious rather then die.

I hate baby sitting, so having to constantly worry about keeping them alive would just stress me out.

Not in the fun immersive way, but in the [censored] this, It’s not worth it way.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 2:03 pm
by lillian luna
The whole hawk thing sounds like the mechanic in Mark of Kri wherein you could see through it's vision when it was on a perch. Not something I'd want replicated exactly but I agree with your example

Now that would be horrible. It would merely circle around a bandit camp for example so you know what's comming.

Elder Scrolls series have a long history of the Lone Wolf (pardon the pun) and this may break it up a bit.
Always waiting for your pet to catch up with you in any given circumstance.

Eitherway, a la fallout, we know the technology is there, so who knows. I for one would be down with it.


Well we did have a dog follower in Oblivion, the Skinned hound. But it was only 1 and would die all the time with it's complete suicidal combat style.
Like Fable? No.

I like being alone in TES.

I've never played fable and I wouldn't want something from previous, old, games come to Skyrim. It can be done many times better with this new engine.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 5:58 am
by Kortniie Dumont
Now that would be horrible. It would merely circle around a bandit camp for example so you know what's comming.

:verymad: The Mark of Kri was IS awesome, Though, again, I agree that it wouldn't work for TES

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 2:33 am
by Ross Thomas
animals would be a nice touch to skyrim, in opinion. it would also be nice if your companion animal would gain levels as they were trained, and as you used them for their designated purpose. such as a dog, one that could not only help in your hunting, fighting endeavors but also one that could just keep you company as well. it would be cool if they had an animal merchant who imported certain types of exotic animals from all over tamriel. when you buy an animal for a companion that animal would have specification of what they could be used for and their limit of use. you would have to train them, feed them(only every once in a while not constantly), and care for them. many ideas could branch from this topic. maybe having a feline as a companion, as yuo know cats are well adept to dark areas and can see quite well at night, this would be useful for someone who explores dungeons and caves.for example the feline could warn the adventurer of incoming possible enemies. flying animals are a great idea, but i can see where there may be problems with that. flying away. i like the idea, i think it is awesome. im just not up for flying animals, but still that would be a great choice if they could put that in the game.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 3:16 am
by Jenna Fields
They would have to be made smart enough and touch enough to stay alive, when a tight spot happens, the dog wouldn't go rambo and think he can kill 10 bandits, but do hit and run tactics and only attack when he knows he can survive it. Even if he gets hit, he would be touch enough to survive, and would then stay out of combat until he is ready for battle again. I don't want my hunting dog to attack 1 vs 3 bandits, but warn me about them and then wait for one of them to be alone and run lightning fast behind him and knock him to the ground, possibly disarming the bandit and causing a good deal of damage before he runs away again.

This would make it significant smarter than any npc in the game :)
Still has the problem that is would either mess up and die, perhaps without you knowing or draw all the enemies towards you if it’s smart enough to redraw.
Would never want an aggressive melee follower of this reason, summons are better as I don’t cry then they die.
A pack mule would be ok for me, same with a squire type sidekick, watch my back, help in combat, and perhaps heal me.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2011 11:16 pm
by Cash n Class
I thought this said Pete as a Companion. LOL.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 6:41 am
by Tania Bunic
Hunting dogs comapanions would be great, I want two of them aiding me in my travels, if spears are back in the game, I would pretend im a lesser version of Hircine :tongue:

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 12:00 am
by Marnesia Steele
What other animal followers/pets could there be? Other than dogs, cats of some sort and maybe falcons? Maybe the toughest combat animal could be a timber wolf/dog hybrid? It's hard to come up with animals that would make sence and would have a purpose as a pet when it comes to combat and exploring. there could ofcourse be new type of animals, but Beth seems to want Skyrim to be as realistic as possible, so no flying man-bear-pigs any time soon.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 12:03 pm
by Noely Ulloa
The only animal I want to use is a Pack Animal. Other than that, they are a waste and useless to me. Companions of any kind get in the way. Pack Animals should be in and should be able to tell them to stop and leave them when you want to.


i agree , in FO;NV all i used my companions for was to carry my stuff and they were always in my way

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 12:37 am
by Tamara Primo
I want a giant spider companion. His name be Larry Long Legs.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 3:12 pm
by Anna Beattie
I want the killer-rabbit from the "Search for the Holy Grail". Just for company... And stew.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 1:36 pm
by Crystal Clarke
What other animal followers/pets could there be? Other than dogs, cats of some sort and maybe falcons? Maybe the toughest combat animal could be a timber wolf/dog hybrid? It's hard to come up with animals that would make sence and would have a purpose as a pet when it comes to combat and exploring. there could ofcourse be new type of animals, but Beth seems to want Skyrim to be as realistic as possible, so no flying man-bear-pigs any time soon.


I would love to see a Senche Companion. For those who don't know, the Senche are Khajiit born under a certain moon phase. They are large, burly and can be ridden like horses. But they are not mere pack animals. They are fully sentient Khajiit. In The Infernal City, they able to leap onto ledges and large branches, even with someone on their back. They can sprint for short bursts (which, even on the page, sounded like a game mechanic) and be of all, they talk. They think. A Senche Companion who joins you, just as Boone or Fawkes, would be someone to get to know. Someone who hates carrying you around on his back and gets in hissing arguments with you now and then. The juxtoposition of having a mountable, packable creature, who you also have to respect as a peer is a facinating one and could make for a interesting relationship.


Beyond that, what about poison snakes for assassins. By "equiping" it in one of you hands, you see it coil out of your sleeve into your palm and then by pointing it an an enemy, it would slither off and bite them.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 11:59 am
by Jordyn Youngman
Beyond that, what about poison snakes for assassins. By "equiping" it in one of you hands, you see it coil out of your sleeve into your palm and then by pointing it an an enemy, it would slither off and bite them.

:bowdown: Why didn't I come up with that? That's a really cool idea. But it's usefullness can be questionable, I mean: In what situaions would you use it where you couldn't use a bow or a dagger?

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 1:28 am
by Laura-Lee Gerwing
:bowdown: Why didn't I come up with that? That's a really cool idea. But it's usefullness can be questionable, I mean: In what situaions would you use it where you couldn't use a bow or a dagger?


This is true, although the variety is what sets TES apart from most Thief/Mage/Warrior games though.

But ok, I'll bite...

What about the poisons? If they were different, with different snakes, you could have different uses. Perhaps one causes a guard to stumble around drawing attention toward himself while another might cause a guard to instantly, silently drop dead. If you catch him in a chair, his companions may think him sleeping. Also a pet, any pet is useful for taking out more then one target. What if to cross the courtyard, you'll need to take both the guard at the Eastern tower and the Western tower out at the same time or they'll see you kill the other and raise the alarm. A snake silently silthering of to take care of one while you take care of the other is elegent. And just seeing it there on your hand is rewarding. (like that crow in the Bioshock Infinite trailer) And as with any companion, the potential as a familiar perhaps allowing you to "become" the snake for a short time, silently scouting out the dungeon, is endless. An assassain may not know telekinesis but he could send his serpent to fetch a key of a well lit table. And mage or warrior may not be very sneeky but their snake would be.

It's plausible anyway.


I still want a Senche though.

Pets as companions

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 2:52 pm
by RUby DIaz
Well I doupt a snake could be taught that well :wink_smile: But if it's given further thought, it might work.

Hmm.. How about a pet fish? Or pet octopus? Drowning its victims? :)