ESO Companion Guide - Unlocking, Builds, Skills and Perks

ESO companion guide for the non-playable companion characters in Elder Scrolls Online who can support the player during their adventures.

By Tim TrottGaming Guides and Walkthroughs • January 8, 2024
Elder Scrolls Online

This article is part of a series of articles. Please use the links below to navigate between the articles.

  1. ESO Main Story Quests Complete Walkthrough
  2. All ESO Level Up Rewards from Level 1 to CP160
  3. ESO Zones in Chronological Story Order in 2025
  4. ESO Cadwell's Silver/Gold Quests Walkthrough
  5. ESO Mundas Stone Locations and Effects
  6. ESO Champion Points in 2025 - Elder Scrolls Online
  7. How to Reset CP, Skills and Attributes in Elder Scrolls Online
  8. ESO Companion Guide - Unlocking, Builds, Skills and Perks
  9. ESO Events Calendar and Upcoming Events in 2024
  10. How to Unlock Costumes in Elder Scrolls Online
  11. Essential Elder Scrolls Online Addons for 2024
  12. ESO Kari's Hit List Guide - Elder Scrolls Online
  13. Dark Brotherhood Litany of Blood Locations and Achievement
  14. Top 10 Worst Zones in Elder Scrolls Online

What Are Companions?

Companions are a form of non-playable character (NPC) in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO). Companions were added to Elder Scrolls Online in 2021 as part of the Blackwood expansion with more companions added in High Isle and Necrom chapters.

Companions can aid the player by providing a supporting role, either as a tank, healer or damage dealer. Companions can be unlocked by completing their quest line and levelled up by killing monsters, and companions have to be unlocked separately for each character on your account, however, their equipment and level are shared between characters. When you have a companion active you have a chance to loot companion equipment which can be equipped to companions to make them stronger.

Companions however cannot replace other players, for example, they have no concept of boss mechanics, they cannot open doors, use switches or stand on pressure plates so you still cannot unfortunately solo Direfrost Keep.

Who Are The Companions and How To Unlock Them

There are currently 6 companions in ESO which we have provided information below.

Bastian Hallix

Bastian Hallix in Elder Scrolls Online
Bastian Hallix in Elder Scrolls Online

Bastian Hallix is a Breton House Silvelle ward and an Imperial Dragonknight Companion. He is a member of the former House Hallix, which was stripped of its titles upon his father's treason and subsequent execution by High King Emeric. Unlocking Bastian requires the Blackwood chapter.

Bastian has a racial passive called Tough which increases Max Health by 3% and damage done by 3%.

Bastian can be unlocked by completing their short quest chain which starts with "Competition and Contracts" found in Deepscorn Hollow on the southwest coast of Blackwood.

Building rapport with Bastian is done by completing certain quests. +125 for Completing a Mages Guild daily offered by Alvur Baren. You also gain +500 rapport for completing each of the three companion quests.

Once you have levelled Bastian to level 20 you can unlock the perk Bastian's Insight which gives potions looted from chests and monsters a 30% chance to be improved.. Once you complete their full quest line and reach maximum rapport this perk becomes permanent passive for you whether they are summoned or not.

Mirri Elendis

Mirri Elendis in Elder Scrolls Online
Mirri Elendis in Elder Scrolls Online

Mirri Elendis is a Dark Elf relic hunter and scholar who specializes in Daedra. She is a Nightblade. Unlocking Mirri requires the Blackwood chapter.

Mirri has a racial passive called Dynamic which Increases damage done by 3% and healing done by 3%.

Mirri can be unlocked by completing their short quest chain which starts with "Dead Weight" which is found in Doomvault Vulpinaz in north Blackwood.

Building rapport with Mirri is done by completing certain quests. +125 for completing Dark Anchor contract offered by Cardea Gallus in Fighters Guild and +125 for completing Numani-Rasi relics daily in Vvardenfell. You also gain +500 rapport for completing each of the three companion quests.

Once you have levelled Mirri to level 20 you can unlock the perk Mirri's Expertise which gives treasure chests found through treasure maps and in the Overland to have a 30% chance to provide additional loot.. Once you complete their full quest line and reach maximum rapport this perk becomes permanent passive for you whether they are summoned or not.

Ember

Ember in Elder Scrolls Online
Ember in Elder Scrolls Online

Ember is a Khajiit battlemage and companion and her skills closely resemble those of the sorcerer class. Unlocking Ember requires the High Isle chapter.

Ember has a racial passive called Cunning which increases Critical Chance by 3% and damage done by 3%.

Ember can be unlocked by completing their short quest chain which starts with "Tower full of Trouble" found in Draioch just north of Gonfalon Bay in High Isle.

Building rapport with Ember is done by completing certain quests. +125 for completing Thieves Guild heist, +125 for completing relic retrieving quest offered by Alvur Baren in Mages Guild and +125 for completing daily delve quest offered by Wayllod at High Isle. You also gain +500 rapport for completing each of the three companion quests.

Once you have levelled Ember to level 20 you can unlock the perk Ember's Intuition which provides a chance to acquire hidden wallets of gold when pickpocketing.. Once you complete their full quest line and reach maximum rapport this perk becomes permanent passive for you whether they are summoned or not.

Isobel Veloise

Isobel Veloise in Elder Scrolls Online
Isobel Veloise in Elder Scrolls Online

Isobel Veloise is a Breton noble and companion found in High Isle. She is a Templar with similar skills to that of the playable Templar class. Unlocking Isobel requires the High Isle chapter.

Isobel has a racial passive called Enchanted which decreases ability cooldowns by 3% and damage taken by 3%.

Isobel can be unlocked by completing their short quest chain which starts with "Tournament of the Heart" which can be found near Castle Navire on the southwest coast of High Isle.

Building rapport with Isobel is done by completing certain quests. +125 for copleting a Undaunted daily challenge offered by Bolgrul and +125 for completing High Isle world boss daily offered by Parisse Plouff. You also gain +500 rapport for completing each of the three companion quests.

Once you have levelled Isobel to level 20 you can unlock the perk Isobel's Grace which has a chance, after defeating a world boss, to recover the pack of a slain knight which may contain additional loot.. Once you complete their full quest line and reach maximum rapport this perk becomes permanent passive for you whether they are summoned or not.

Azandar Al-Cybiades

Azandar Al-Cybiades in Elder Scrolls Online
Azandar Al-Cybiades in Elder Scrolls Online

Azandar is an Arcanist, which means he has skills similar to the new playable Arcanist class introduced in Necrom, albeit the companion versions of abilities differ slightly from the versions used by players. Azandar is a member of the Redguards. Unlocking Azandar requires the Necrom chapter.

Azandar has a racial passive called Son of Kozanset which increases Max Health by 3% and decreases ability cooldowns by 3%.

Azandar can be unlocked by completing their short quest chain which starts with "The Fateweaver Key" quest found in Cipher’s Midden village or the Apocrypha zone.

Building rapport with Azandar is done by completing certain quests. +125 for completing daily Delve Quest iven by Ordinator Tilena in Necrom and +125 for completing an Enchanter Writ daily. You also gain +500 rapport for completing each of the three companion quests.

Once you have levelled Azandar to level 20 you can unlock the perk Azandar's Inquisitiveness which increases the chance to find research portfolios when you search containers.. Once you complete their full quest line and reach maximum rapport this perk becomes permanent passive for you whether they are summoned or not.

Sharp-as-Night

Sharp-as-Night in Elder Scrolls Online
Sharp-as-Night in Elder Scrolls Online

Sharp-as-Night is an Argonian Warden with combat abilities just like those of the Warden Class. He is a mysterious mercenary with an unknown past. Even he has no idea who he is or where he came from. Unlocking Sharp requires the Necrom chapter.

Sharp has a racial passive called Survivalist which Increases Physical and Spell Resistance by 3% and healing done by 3%.

Sharp can be unlocked by completing their short quest chain which starts with "The Double Edge" which can be found just outside the town of Necrom in the Telvanni Peninsula.

Building rapport with Sharp is done by completing certain quests. +125 for completing the Daily Boss quest offered by Ordinator Nelyn in Necrom and +125 for completing an Ashlander daily quest offered by Huntmaster Sorim-Nakar or Numani-Rasi in Vvardenfell. You also gain +500 rapport for completing each of the three companion quests.

Once you have levelled Sharp to level 20 you can unlock the perk Sharp’s Patience which causes fish to bite at an increased rate and have a higher chance of being trophy fish.. Once you complete their full quest line and reach maximum rapport this perk becomes permanent passive for you whether they are summoned or not.

Optimal Companion Roles For Skills

All companions are capable of fulfilling all roles, but some are better at certain roles than others. By looking at the companion racial passive and available skills we can determine that some companions are better suited to be specific roles. These are summarised in the table below.

Name Tank Healer Magicka DPS Stamina DPS
Bastian Hallix OK Poor Poor OK
Mirri Elendis Bad OK Poor OK
Ember Poor OK Perfect Poor
Isobel Veloise Perfect Perfect Perfect Perfect
Azandar Al-Cybiades OK Poor Poor Bad
Sharp-as-Night Perfect Perfect OK Poor

From this table, we can see that Ember would make a good magicka DPS companion, but not a very good tank or stamina companion.

Companion Builds

Regardless of which companion you pick for a role, the general build will have the same equipment, you can then equip the companion skills for that role.

There is currently only one set for companions - the Companion Set. These are available in light, medium and heavy weights and come in the normal variety of traits.

Armour passives for companions are as follows:

  1. Light - Each piece of light armour equipped increases the healing done by companions.
  2. Medium - Each piece of medium armour equipped boosts companion damage.
  3. Heavy - Each piece of heavy armour equipped increases damage mitigation.

Companion Tank Build

The role of the tank involves taunting the enemy, crowd control and absorbing damage. As a result, tanks need heavy armour and max health bonuses. The bolstered trait also helps with damage limitation.

Gear Set Weight Trait
Chest Companion's Cuirass Heavy Bolstered
Belt Companion's Girdle Heavy Bolstered
Shoes Companion's Sabatons Heavy Bolstered
Pants Companion's Greaves Heavy Bolstered
Hands Companion's Gauntles Heavy Bolstered
Head Companion's Helm Heavy Bolstered
Shoulder Companion's Pauldrons Heavy Bolstered
Necklace Companion's Ring Jewelry Bolstered
Ring Companion's Ring Jewelry Bolstered
Ring Companion's Necklace Jewelry Bolstered
Weapon Companion's Sword 1H Weapon Bolstered
Weapon Companion's Shield Shield Bolstered

Companion Healer Build

The role of a healer, as the name suggests, is to heal the group. They need light armour for the passives as well as max magicka bonuses. The Soothing trait further increases healing done.

Gear Set Weight Trait
Chest Companion's Cuirass Light Soothing
Belt Companion's Girdle Light Soothing
Shoes Companion's Sabatons Light Soothing
Pants Companion's Greaves Light Soothing
Hands Companion's Gauntles Light Soothing
Head Companion's Helm Light Soothing
Shoulder Companion's Pauldrons Light Soothing
Necklace Companion's Ring Jewelry Soothing
Ring Companion's Ring Jewelry Soothing
Ring Companion's Necklace Jewelry Soothing
Weapon Companion's Restoration Staff 2H Weapon Soothing

Companion Magica DPS Build

The role of a damage dealer is to basically kill the enemy. The tank keeps the damage dealers safe, and the healer keep everyone's health topped up. Magicka DPS need maximum magicka reserves. The Aggressive trait further boosts damage done.

Gear Set Weight Trait
Chest Companion's Cuirass Medium Aggressive
Belt Companion's Girdle Medium Aggressive
Shoes Companion's Sabatons Medium Aggressive
Pants Companion's Greaves Medium Aggressive
Hands Companion's Gauntles Medium Aggressive
Head Companion's Helm Medium Aggressive
Shoulder Companion's Pauldrons Medium Aggressive
Necklace Companion's Ring Jewelry Aggressive
Ring Companion's Ring Jewelry Aggressive
Ring Companion's Necklace Jewelry Aggressive
Weapon Companion's Staff Lightning Aggressive

Companion Stamina DPS Build

Similar to Magicka builds except they need a maxium stamina reserve and use stamina based weapons and skills.

Gear Set Weight Trait
Chest Companion's Cuirass Medium Aggressive
Belt Companion's Girdle Medium Aggressive
Shoes Companion's Sabatons Medium Aggressive
Pants Companion's Greaves Medium Aggressive
Hands Companion's Gauntles Medium Aggressive
Head Companion's Helm Medium Aggressive
Shoulder Companion's Pauldrons Medium Aggressive
Necklace Companion's Ring Jewelry Aggressive
Ring Companion's Ring Jewelry Aggressive
Ring Companion's Necklace Jewelry Aggressive
Weapon Companion's Bow/Two Hander/ Dual Wield Aggressive

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