What Do you think about this Companion idea for GW2?

That quote in the OP is distressing for one main reason: it uses the four letter t-word. I was hoping it would not make an appearance in GW2, but I wouldn't be surprised now to see a return of the holy tank-heal-nuke trinity.

Companions can go fly a kite for all I care.

I'd still get GW2 regardless, mainly for PvP. If I can't solo PvE then it means good bye PvE.

What strikes me a tad bit curious is why would players need a buff to solo. Isn't that why we have secondary professions, to make up for the weakness a character has ? I can see it already many builds will be changed already because they get a buff with no companion and the use of a secondary profession skill that gives them additional advantage. Though, I guess we will have to wait and see how it is going to work.

I have the feeling since GW2 is going to be a new game unlike nightfall which was a stand-alone expansion the Companions are going to be more customizable then the heroes were(just henchman Koss was more or less a Stefan 2.0 and we all know it).

That's actually kind of how I was hoping it'd be. Can't wait : )

If I can't solo PvE, I doubt I'll even buy GW2. I don't like PUG's in general.

boo worst thing to happen to gw in a long time

Seriously, I usualy marry off all of my characters. That way if someone makes the mistake of asking about my characters I can give them a long interesting story.

But how would Blaire feel if for over 250 years, Ray had been hanging out with Zenmai and Jin?

It's about time the "ones who serve" let her go with her freaking husband. Or I (yes the player) might have to take a drive across the country and threaten to bring hellfire and brimstone down on the Anet HQ somehow.

Companions are fine as long as they are not meant as a way to gimp the ability to solo.

On the other hand if the ability to solo is gimped in GW2 in an arbitrary attempt to force everyone to PUG against their will, then that would make "companions" and GW2 as a game be completely unacceptable.

Personally I hate henchman and heroes. When they invented Nightfall campaign and its heroes system, they killed the "social" thing of the game. I like to party with people, maybe it is because I am a casual, I prefer to party with hardcore gamers, that might need my help.

About GW2, no matter what they say about it, I'm buying it, I simply love the GW saga.

Having 16 skills beats having 8 skills every time, it's the way GW is. The skillbar is everything. Nothing impacts the game more than skills.

Having 8 points of energy regeneration also beats having four, since it will lead to more skill activation, leading to more power.

Bringing two persons into a PvE fight will distribute the damage and lead to fewer spikes.

Even if the companion causes a level penalty, such as shared XP, slower leveling, or reducing your level by his level, then it's merely a matter of grinding him up. *sigh*

If the companion "steals" my loot then I want nothing to do with him.