Companion Influence & Relationship Deep Dive
In Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, your companions are more than just combat allies; they are integral to your journey and the unfolding narrative. Building influence with them can unlock new dialogue, reveal personal quests, and even impact their loyalty and effectiveness in battle. Each companion has their own unique personality, backstory, and alment, and your actions and dialogue choices will sway their opinion of you.
Understanding Influence:
- Dialogue Choices: The most direct way to influence your companions is through conversations. Pay attention to their responses and choose dialogue options that al with their personal beliefs or appeal to their motivations. For example, showing compassion to Bastila Shan or demonstrating a strong moral compass might increase her influence, while acting ruthlessly could alienate her.
- Actions in the World: Your own alment and the choices you make throughout the game also affect your companions. If you are consistently acting as a Light Side or Dark Side character, companions who share that alment will generally approve, while those with opposing views may become distant.
- Personal Quests: Many companions have personal quests that, when completed, sificantly boost your influence with them and often lead to powerful rewards or insights into their past. For instance, helping Canderous Ordo with his Mandalorian past or assisting Juhani with her personal struggles are key to deepening your bond.
Benefits of High Influence:
- New Dialogue and Lore: As influence grows, companions will open up, sharing more about their history, motivations, and feelings. This enriches the story and provides a deeper understanding of the Old Republic era.
- Companion Abilities: In some cases, high influence can unlock special abilities or feats for your companions, making them more potent in combat.
- Loyalty and Romance: For certain companions, building enough influence can lead to romantic relationships or unwavering loyalty, which can be crucial during critical story moments.
Managing Influence:
Be mindful that some actions can decrease influence. If a companion strongly disagrees with your choices, they may become less cooperative or even leave your party. It's often beneficial to have a balanced party with a mix of alments to cater to different situations and companion preferences. Regularly speaking with your companions and observing their reactions is key to mastering the art of influence.