Companion Quests & Affection
In the desolate world of Vein, your companions are far more than mere combat support; they are integral to the narrative, offering unique insights, powerful boons, and deeply personal stories. Cultivating strong relationships with them through the 'Affection' system is crucial for unlocking their full potential and enriching your journey through the game.
Understanding the Affection System
The Affection system tracks your bond with each available companion. Increasing their Affection level provides tangible benefits, including new dialogue, unique items, and access to exclusive side quests that delve into their past and motivations. Maxing out a companion's Affection can even unlock powerful passive bonuses or unique Gifts that significantly enhance your combat capabilities.
How to Increase Affection:
- Valuable Items: The primary method for increasing Affection is by gifting companions specific 'Valuable' items. These items are typically found as rare drops from enemies, hidden in chests, or occasionally purchased from merchants. Each companion has a set of preferred Valuables that grant a larger Affection boost. Generic Valuables (e.g., Old World Materials, Antique Document) give a smaller, universal boost.
- Combat Performance: Bringing a companion into battle and successfully clearing areas or defeating bosses will passively increase their Affection over time.
- Dialogue Choices: While less impactful than Valuables, certain dialogue choices during story segments or when speaking to companions at the Home Base can slightly influence their Affection.
- Side Quests: Completing a companion's personal side quest will often grant a significant Affection boost upon completion.
Companion-Specific Valuables & Rewards
Each companion has a distinct set of preferred Valuables. Gifting these specific items yields a greater Affection increase than generic Valuables. Below is a detailed breakdown for each main companion, including their preferred items, where to find them, and the rewards for maxing out their Affection.
Louis
- Preferred Valuables:
- Familiar Materials: Found from various Lost in the Ruined City Center and Dried-up Trenches.
- Pristine Greatsword: Rare drop from certain Lost wielding greatswords, particularly in the Cathedral of the Sacred Blood.
- Elegant Fountain Pen: Found in chests in the Provisional Government Outskirts or as a rare drop from elite Lost.
- Max Affection Reward: Unlocks the "Louis's Blood Code" passive, granting increased Ichor gain from attacks. Also provides access to his unique Gift, "Concentration" (temporarily increases attack power and Gift speed).
Io
- Preferred Valuables:
- Pristine Hammer: Rare drop from hammer-wielding Lost, common in the Ridge of Frozen Souls.
- Familiar Materials: Found from various Lost throughout the game.
- Old-World Materials: Common drops from most Lost.
- Max Affection Reward: Unlocks the "Io's Blood Code" passive, increasing your maximum Ichor capacity. Also provides access to her unique Gift, "Panacea" (cures all status ailments for the party).
Yakumo Shinonome
- Preferred Valuables:
- Pristine Hammer: Rare drop from hammer-wielding Lost, common in the Ridge of Frozen Souls.
- Familiar Materials: Found from various Lost throughout the game.
- Customized Weapon Parts: Found in chests in the Ashen Cavern or as a rare drop from armored Lost.
- Max Affection Reward: Unlocks the "Yakumo's Blood Code" passive, increasing your maximum HP. Also provides access to his unique Gift, "Guard of Honor" (significantly reduces damage taken for a short period).
Mia Karnstein
- Preferred Valuables:
- Familiar Materials: Found from various Lost throughout the game.
- Pristine Bayonet: Rare drop from bayonet-wielding Lost, particularly in the City of Falling Flame.
- Antique Document: Common drop from most Lost.
- Max Affection Reward: Unlocks the "Mia's Blood Code" passive, increasing your Gift speed. Also provides access to her unique Gift, "Blood Sacrifice" (consumes HP to restore Ichor).
Murasame
- Preferred Valuables:
- Pristine Greatsword: Rare drop from certain Lost wielding greatswords, particularly in the Cathedral of the Sacred Blood.
- Customized Weapon Parts: Found in chests in the Ashen Cavern or as a rare drop from armored Lost.
- Familiar Materials: Found from various Lost throughout the game.
- Max Affection Reward: While Murasame doesn't join you in combat, maxing her Affection unlocks new dialogue and access to a wider range of weapon transformations and upgrades at the Home Base. She also provides a unique passive buff to your weapon transformation success rate.
Eva Roux
- Preferred Valuables:
- Pristine Bayonet: Rare drop from bayonet-wielding Lost, particularly in the City of Falling Flame.
- Familiar Materials: Found from various Lost throughout the game.
- Old-World Materials: Common drops from most Lost.
- Max Affection Reward: Unlocks the "Eva's Blood Code" passive, increasing your stamina recovery speed. Also provides access to her unique Gift, "Frost Sigil" (creates an area that inflicts slow on enemies).
Companion Quests: Deepening the Bond
As your Affection with a companion grows, they will periodically offer personal side quests. These quests often involve revisiting specific locations, defeating particular enemies, or finding unique items related to their past. Completing these quests not only grants significant Affection boosts but also provides valuable lore and insight into the world of Vein and the characters themselves.
General Steps for Companion Quests:
- Observe Dialogue: Pay close attention to companion dialogue at the Home Base. They will often hint at their past or express concerns that can trigger a quest.
- Check Map: Once a quest is available, a quest marker will typically appear on your map, guiding you to the relevant location or NPC.
- Follow Objectives: Quests usually involve a series of objectives:
- Go to X Location: Travel to a specific area.
- Defeat Y Enemy: Eliminate a particular type of Lost or a mini-boss.
- Find Z Item: Locate a unique quest item within the designated area.
- Talk to W NPC: Return to the companion or another NPC to report your progress.
- Claim Rewards: Upon completion, return to the companion to receive your Affection boost and any other rewards.
Common Pitfalls and Tips
- Don't Hoard Valuables: While some Valuables are rare, don't be afraid to use them. The benefits of increased Affection often outweigh the desire to save them.
- Prioritize Companions: If you have a preferred combat companion, focus on increasing their Affection first to unlock their powerful passive bonuses early.
- Explore Thoroughly: Many Valuables are found in hidden chests or as drops from specific enemies in less-traveled areas. Thorough exploration is key.
- Revisit Areas: Certain Valuables are tied to specific enemy types. If you need a particular item, revisit areas where those enemies are prevalent.
- Check Merchants: Murasame and other merchants occasionally sell generic Valuables or even specific ones. Check their inventory regularly.
- Missable Dialogue: Some companion dialogue related to quests might be time-sensitive or dependent on story progression. Try to talk to your companions after major story beats.
By actively engaging with the Affection system and completing companion quests, you'll not only strengthen your party but also uncover the rich, tragic backstories of your allies, making your journey through Code Vein a much more personal and rewarding experience.