Influence & Companion Quests
The bonds you forge with your companions in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic are more than just narrative flavor; they are a crucial gameplay mechanic. Your choices in dialogue and your actions throughout the game directly impact your companions' Influence, a system that governs their loyalty and unlocks their personal quests. Paying close attention to their reactions during conversations and making choices that al with their established values is paramount. For instance, if a companion like **Carth Onasi** expresses a strong sense of justice, siding with the innocent will generally increase his Influence. Conversely, making decisions that clash with their moral compass, or even strategically opposing them to cultivate a Dark Side alment in a companion, can also be a path to unique outcomes.
Successfully increasing a companion's Influence is not merely about earning their favor; it is the key to unlocking their deeply personal quests. These quests delve into the backstories of your allies, revealing their past traumas, unresolved conflicts, and hidden desires. For example, a companion might have a lingering debt to repay or a family member they need to rescue. Completing these companion quests often yields sificant rewards, including unique Force powers, powerful equipment, or even a change in their alment. The rewards are not always tangible items; sometimes, the greatest reward is the companion's unwavering loyalty and their enhanced combat effectiveness. Failing to manage Influence can lead to a companion abandoning your party or even turning against you, especially if their alment drastically diverges from your own. Therefore, understanding each companion's personality and motivations is as vital as mastering the game's combat system.
Companion Influence Mechanics
Influence is a numerical value that fluctuates based on player decisions. Each companion has a specific range of acceptable actions that will increase or decrease their Influence. For example, **Bastila Shan's** alment is often tied to the Jedi Council's teachings, meaning actions that are seen as reckless or overly aggressive might decrease her Influence, while demonstrating restraint and wisdom could increase it. The game provides subtle cues through dialogue and companion reactions to indicate shifts in Influence. Some companions may offer direct commentary on your choices, while others might become more or less talkative. The ultimate goal is to reach a certain threshold of Influence to trigger their personal quests. Successfully completing these quests often results in a permanent boost to the companion's abilities or unlocks special dialogue options. Conversely, a severely negative Influence can lead to a companion leaving your party permanently, a sificant loss in terms of combat support and potential story progression.
Unlocking Companion Quests
Companion quests are not automatically available; they are triggered by achieving a sufficient level of Influence with that specific character. Once triggered, these quests often involve traveling to new locations, confronting specific enemies, or making difficult moral choices that directly relate to the companion's past. For instance, if you have high Influence with **Canderous Ordo**, you might embark on a quest to confront a rival Mandalorian clan from his past. The outcomes of these quests can vary, sometimes leading to the acquisition of powerful Mandalorian armor or weapons. The game mechanics are desed to reward players who invest time in understanding and interacting with their companions, making the journey across the galaxy a more personal and engaging experience. The rewards for these quests are often tailored to the companion's strengths, providing unique benefits that can sificantly aid You in later challenges.