[2023] Next DLC QoL request: Full level 0 respec option for all companions

Originally posted by Mantisfactory

BG3 convinced me that I don't want full respec for companions.

Same, it's one of the weakest things about the game. The characters are mostly blank dolls with no mechanical identity. They are just walking stories we can slot into any mechanical role -- even in cases where doing so is essentially undermining their entire character, like Wyll and Gale.

I am capable of understanding why players want this, but I absolutely do not. I think a respec down to level 1, retaining their class and stats, is a better setup.

If people want completely blank paper dolls to make mechanically perfect companions, mercenaries are available. I think it's a reasonable cost to have perfected mercenary-companion builds.

Despite what some people seem to want to believe, the design matters and allowing 'options' for everything on the basis that it's a single-player game and people can do or not do what they want is willfully ignoring that each option has a ripple effect of the overall design and allowing everything puts the onus on players to manage those choices and how they impact the overall game - it's difficulty, thematic and narrative cohesion, among others. And most players are uncritical and already likely to be overwhelmed by Wrath's already bloated list of dials and levers for controlling the balance and design of the game. Arguably, they have too much of it already and would benefit from from some streamlining so they could balance around a smaller set of expectations.

For me as a player, a game isn't better for having a bunch of extra options I can use to undermine the intended design. A big reason I play games is to navigate challenge I don't have full control over. Video games are very much defined by their limitations, and me having to play within them. Making those limitations malleable isn't an uncomplicated 'good' and it's not "QoL" in any sense. It's a pretty large design change.

Those things are the purpose of modding. Allowing options for everything people want does not necessarily lead to a better product and definitely doesn't please everyone.

Originally posted by SkyHiRider

You could make it an unlockable after one finishes the game once. And you can lock down the name, portrait and voice.

Or at least make the first five mercs free. I mean would not many mercs pay is to get mythic powers for themselves?

The problem is game gets boring on replays, ending up with same meta builds for each companion over and over.

And there are no mods on consoles.

Oh, and maybe more people would buy the next dlc if they could apply the new classes on companions.

Tortured crusader Trever, Ghost Rider lich companion..

Originally posted by SkyHiRider

Thanks for the reply, and I can understand the opportunity cost.

If your team ever found at least a bit of time, the mercs could at least be made cheaper, should theoretically be only a change in a few numbers. The more you get, the more expensive the next one is.

And hope Warhammer and your next games are successful, the people in your studio certainly have the talent and deserve recognition for it.