General:Update 44 Preview—New Companions

Originally published October 10, 2024. The original article can be found here.

Learn more about the two new Companions coming with Update 44 from the developers who created them!

ESO's Companion system is growing with Update 44, and you can recruit two new combat and adventuring allies, Tanlorin and Zerith-var, when the base-game patch arrives on October 28 for PC/Mac and November 13 for Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Want to know more about these two unique characters? Learn what makes these new arrivals so compelling from the developers themselves below.

A Companion Cast Out

The High Elf Tanlorin is a Companion who uses a mixture of Dragonknight and Soul Magic abilities, making them unique among the game's other recruitable combat allies. Like previous Companions, Tanlorin will feature their own quest and storyline, which delves into their turbulent history and exile.

"Every companion's combat kit reflects similarities to what is available to the player, almost as if the companion themselves chose the abilities they wanted like how we purchase abilities to put on our bar," explains Systems Designer Carrie Day. "However, when approaching Tanlorin, their personal story and relationship is such a strong theme we decided to pursue it not only in their personal quests, but for the first time strongly in their combat capabilities by mixing their class with one of the player-available skill lines, 'Soul Magic'.

"Tanlorin is also the first time we have repeated a class, with the Dragonknight also previously used for Bastian. We desired to approach them as if both were players that chose different abilities and took different morphs, such as with Volcanic Arms inspired by the player's Molten Weapons ability. In rare instances we chose the same thing while still giving them all the necessarily tools to succeed in combat."

Tanlorin

Tanlorin is an outcast from their home in Summerset society, and as you encounter and adventure with them, you'll discover their past shapes them in ways they can't entirely leave behind.

"Players may find it interesting to hear that Tanlorin's story reflects and builds on certain themes embedded in the original Aldmeri Dominion questlines," Writer-Designer Andrew Sianez-De La O explains. "Because of that, being able to lean on the skills of their content designer, Janet Priblo, and our resident Loremaster Michael Zenke, who both helped shape the original release of the game, was a major boon in their development. We wanted their story to both feel like a callback to the questlines that shaped the Dominion as well as a platform for what comes next and who gets to play a role in shaping that future."

Necromancer Adrift in Time

The other Companion in Update 44 is Zerith-var, a Khajiit Necromancer who has mysteriously emerged from the distant past. He too, has his own quest and storyline that delves into his strange circumstances and unusual approach to the necromantic skills he brings to bear in combat. Like Tanlorin, Zerith-var is defined in many ways by his homeland, Elsweyr. However, there are some stark differences, too.

"In a way they're almost polar opposites, with Tanlorin's story rooted firmly in the 'present' of the Second Era," explains Michael Zenke, ESO's Loremaster. "And Zerith-var's narrative is shedding light on a time lightly explored in Elder Scrolls games before."

Zerith-var

This tie to the past was one of the earliest ideas developed for Zerith's story, in particular, his connection to a unique group of Necromancers.

"The idea of a Hidden Moon Necromancer came up in pitches, and we were excited by the story potential of a companion that felt unique compared to the other Necromancers we meet in the game," explains Writer-Designer Juli Comstock. "We also liked the idea of exploring a lesser-known facet in ESO's lore and having a companion with a very close connection to his homeland. Of course, the irony is that Elsweyr of the Second Era is so different than the sixteen kingdoms of Zerith's time. Luckily, this gives him a lot to grapple with and learn over the course of his story. Zerith being a living piece of history gave us a lot to work with in terms of a unique perspective on Tamriel's Second Era."

Common Ground

Despite their differences, the design for the two new Companions shared many touchstones throughout the process.

"Companion development has evolved based on player data and player feedback through videos and posts," says Day. "We desire to have the companion feature feel as if you truly have a friend playing by your side and providing commentary on how you play the game."

This approach shines through in many areas, not least of which is the special perk available for each Companion when they are active—or after a player has fully earned their trust. Working with Tanlorin unlocks Tanlorin's Finesse, which makes lockpicking and forcing locks easier and more efficient. Meanwhile, those who keep Zerith-var at their side benefit from Zerith's Guidance, marking the presence of resource-filled Heavy Sacks out in the world.

"Designing the non-combat perks for each companion is personally one of the hardest aspects of designing a companion. Taking their individual personalities and incorporating them into a gameplay functionality to truly represent their identities can be quite a challenge," recalls Day. "Along with the fact that this time around there was a desire to provide situational benefits without increasing inventory, as that was a strong piece of feedback we received regarding Sharp-as-Night."

You can meet these new Companions for yourself in Update 44 to learn the full details of their stories. Are you on Tanlorin's team, or planning to be at Zerith-var's side? Let us know via X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Facebook.

Tanlorin and Zerith-var arrive as part of the Update 44 base-game patch, available on October 28 for PC/Mac and November 13 for Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Access to their recruitment quests is available via an active ESO Plus™ membership or purchase from the Crown Store.