Dogs as companions aren't very good. : ( : V

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:11 am

So after doing a certain daedric quest and meeting a certain dog. I thought it would be awesome to get a war dog from Markarth. I loved Dogmeat in FO:3 and thought a companion that isn't a stupid human NPC would be cool.

Well, I paid my 500 gold and off we went. Only to reach a Forsworn camp 5 minutes later, deep in the Reach and he gets one shotted by forager.

: ( Has anyone had any luck with a canine companion? I wish they had more health.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:06 pm

No victory here either, they are too weak. I find my reanimated goat to be as useful xD
PC players have easier time with this sinse they can just mod and edit stuff

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:10 am

There is no dog in TES that touches Dogmeat. He was a boss.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:30 pm

Yeah, Dogmeat and I rocked the nuclear Wasteland. And that dog from Clavicus Vile's quest was a boss too.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:01 pm

Yeah they svck, they are always in the way and die way too easily, and you cant command them to do something

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:08 pm

I got Meeko and and he was killed at a fort two minutes later.

I reloaded a save I made just before I got him. I'll come back for him once thing have settled down a bit and I can leave him waiting for me at home.

PS: Dogmeat rules!

Oh by the way... If your war dog dies can you by another?

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:02 pm

I've been back a few times to see if there's another vigilance, but no. Perhaps their HP levels with yours. I found a stray dog well after V had died and it was much stronger. Try getting your dog late on.

Barbas is different. If you are on that quest then I don't think he can die, and you can still take him on other quests.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:55 am

the only dog ive had as a companion was barbas from clavicus vile

I never knew you could buy war dogs
guess we learn something new everyday

ˉ\_(ツ)_/ˉ

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 3:51 pm

I tried to get Meeko to follow me, which he did, but he would not shut up and my own dog kept barking back. Having a canine companion in Skyrim, for me, is not an option

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:21 pm

Yeah, Dogmeat and I rocked the nuclear Wasteland. And that dog from Clavicus Vile's quest was a boss too.

I was walking toward the dungeon for my first meeting with Clavicus when I was attacked by a dragon. The dog actually "tanked" the dragon for me while I stood in the distance, hitting it with arrows.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:12 pm

Sigh, my poor Vigilance RIP

I had my dog for aaages, but he was killed by an ice wraith on the way back down from the Greybeards. Was great for deflecting attackers away from me, but his bravado finally cost him his life. I threw his dead body over the cliff edge into the clouds down below.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:42 am

I have been using Barbas for a little while but I'll have to sack him as he just gets in the way. You dare not enter a tent or confined space because he just blocks you from exiting meaning a load save again. I suppose he is designed to do this because hes only supposed to be used for the specific quest.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 3:42 pm

I've had Meeko since level 6 on my latest character, she's now level 28. He's died twice, once standing on a trap when he was already injured and once in friendly fire. Obviously I reload, which I always do if a member of my little party dies.
I aim my arrows high so he won't get hit, heal him with spells when needed, and he's very good at dropping agro himself when he gets hurt.
So I can't really say I've had any problems with my dog to be honest, I think he's pretty awesome and he's saved my life (rather fragile as a cloth wearing caster) several times.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:31 pm

Uhm, I thought dogs were the same as followers, in that they can only be killed by the player. At least Vigliante appeared to endure a lot more than I'd expect from a dog. Yeah Barbas seemed a bit too "nosey" (up my groin) to the point he caused my death one too many times. Then I just sent him home and ignored that daedric quest.

And dear Bethesda: Us complaining about Barbas being too nosey doesn't automatically mean it needs to be fixed (typically means "removed"). Sometimes there needs to be annoying little features that some can't handle.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:57 pm

Uhm, I thought dogs were the same as followers, in that they can only be killed by the player. At least Vigliante appeared to endure a lot more than I'd expect from a dog. Yeah Barbas seemed a bit too "nosey" (up my groin) to the point he caused my death one too many times. Then I just sent him home and ignored that daedric quest.

And dear Bethesda: Us complaining about Barbas being too nosey doesn't automatically mean it needs to be fixed (typically means "removed"). Sometimes there needs to be annoying little features that some can't handle. :biggrin:

Both dogs and followers can die due to enemy fire, not just friendly fire.
However, once a follower/dog is badly hurt they will cower and drop agro. Enemies tend to ignore them afterwards. If your dog/follower is still near you they can be caught in splash damage from a spell, trap or be hit by an errant arrow and they can die.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:54 am

You aren't alone...I've lost war dogs and mercenaries as fast as you can blink an eye. I'm not sure why they are even in the game. Maybe a way to spend money?
If you want to know the meaning of mediocrity, take Lydia out and about with you..lol

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:05 pm

I killed Lydia because she was sat in my Whiterun house. I play a morally confused Redguard and he lost it when he saw her stealing his sveet roll. I am level 37, so I don't know why my dog was so weak. He literally last one attack.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:59 pm

I think my dog bugged out on me the only time i used one.. Used "Barbas" or whatever his name is.. Engaged a bandit camp and he went right in, tanking the entire place for me without dropping on health.. That was rather.. "Dude what a... I godda get me a permanent dog!"

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:32 am

The level of your companions is based upon when you first enter the area they're in. It locks their level. If you first enter the Markarth Stables area at Lvl 6, Vigilance will be locked at Lvl 6. If you then hire him at Lvl 38, he's still Lvl 6, and get's one shot by just about everything (Considering most monsters level up with you). It's almost like you're being punished for exploring early on. Only way to fix it is to be on PC. Mods, or use "Disable" then "Enable" on the companion from the console menu, and it relevels him.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:15 am

I hate to say it, but the Fallout 3 Dogmeat was WAY OPed... Dogs die. I felt so bad about the first one I killed I've never recruited another one. Good for an RP character, though.

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:52 pm

I got Meeko because I m fond of animals, but one dungeon later, I decided I like him too much to let him die too many times.

Da dog simply had too low HP, and... well... he got me worried with his hyperactive traits, and I don't like having to worry about others when I have to worry about myself

» Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:44 pm

I think my dog bugged out on me the only time i used one.. Used "Barbas" or whatever his name is.. Engaged a bandit camp and he went right in, tanking the entire place for me without dropping on health.. That was rather.. "Dude what a... I godda get me a permanent dog!" :smile:

No glitch; Barbas is invincible.