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How To Change Companion Gear Traits Eso

How to Change Companion Gear Traits in ESO how to change companion gear traits eso is a question that many players dive into as they seek to optimize their comp...

How to Change Companion Gear Traits in ESO how to change companion gear traits eso is a question that many players dive into as they seek to optimize their companions for various roles in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO). With companions playing crucial roles in both combat and utility, understanding how to customize their gear traits can make a significant difference in your gameplay experience. Whether you want your companion to tank, deal damage, or support, changing their gear traits allows you to tailor their performance to your preferred playstyle. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about modifying companion gear traits in ESO, from the basics of companion equipment to the detailed steps of trait changes and enchanting. Along the way, we’ll explore useful tips, relevant in-game mechanics, and how these adjustments can enhance your overall adventure.

Understanding Companion Gear in ESO

Before diving into how to change companion gear traits ESO players need to grasp what companion gear entails. Unlike player characters, companions have their own dedicated equipment slots, including weapons, armor, and jewelry. Each piece of gear can have specific traits that influence your companion’s effectiveness in combat, survivability, or support abilities.

What Are Gear Traits?

Gear traits are special properties that add bonuses or effects to equipment. For companions, traits can boost stats like weapon damage, spell power, health regeneration, or provide unique effects like increased critical chance or healing received. Choosing the right trait depends largely on the role you want your companion to fulfill. Some of the popular companion gear traits in ESO include:
  • **Sharpened:** Increases weapon penetration, useful for damage dealers.
  • **Infused:** Improves enchantment effectiveness, great for boosting magical effects.
  • **Impenetrable:** Enhances armor mitigation, ideal for tank companions.
  • **Healthy:** Raises maximum health, supporting survivability.
  • **Divines:** Increases Mundus Stone effect, beneficial for a variety of builds.
Knowing these traits helps you decide which to apply when updating your companion’s gear.

How to Change Companion Gear Traits ESO: Step-by-Step

Changing companion gear traits isn’t an overly complicated process, but it does require some knowledge about crafting, enchanting, and trait application. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how to go about it.

1. Obtain the Right Equipment

First, ensure that your companion’s gear is gear you want to trait. You can either craft new gear or acquire it through drops and vendors. Keep in mind that the gear must be traitable — some items might not allow trait changes.

2. Research Traits

To apply or change a trait, you must have researched it. Researching traits involves locking a trait on a piece of gear and spending time to unlock the knowledge. This is a crucial step because, without the research, you cannot apply that trait to new gear. For companions, the research process is the same as for players. Make sure you’ve researched all the traits you plan to use on your companion’s gear for maximum flexibility.

3. Deconstruct or Use Trait Removal Items

If your companion’s gear already has an unwanted trait, you’ll need to remove or replace it. ESO doesn’t allow you to directly swap traits on a piece of gear. Instead, you typically have two options:
  • **Deconstruct the old gear** and create or find a new piece with the desired trait.
  • Use **Trait Removal Kits** or **Trait Extraction** in certain cases (though this is more relevant for player gear rather than companion gear).
Because companions share the same gear system as players, the safest route is usually crafting new gear with the desired traits.

4. Craft or Enchant the New Gear

Once you have the right materials and knowledge, craft the gear with the trait you want. Pay attention to the trait you select during crafting — this will be the trait your companion’s gear will have. After crafting, you can enchant the gear to complement the trait. Enchanting your companion’s gear adds additional stat bonuses, such as increased health, stamina, magicka, or weapon/spell damage, further enhancing performance.

5. Equip the Gear on Your Companion

Finally, open your companion menu and equip the newly crafted and traited gear. You can swap gear at any time, allowing you to experiment with different setups depending on the situation or content you’re tackling.

Tips for Optimizing Companion Gear Traits

Getting the right traits is only part of the story. To truly maximize your companion’s potential, consider these helpful tips:

Match Traits to Your Companion’s Role

Companions can serve as tanks, damage dealers, or healers/support. For example, a tank companion benefits from traits like **Impenetrable** or **Reinforced** to boost armor and resistances, while DPS companions thrive with **Sharpened** or **Infused** traits to increase damage output.

Focus on Enchantments That Complement Traits

If your companion’s gear has the **Healthy** trait (increasing max health), consider enchantments that improve health recovery or stamina, depending on their playstyle. This synergy between traits and enchantments can make your companion more durable or efficient in combat.

Keep Research Up to Date

Since trait research can take several days per trait, plan ahead. Prioritize researching traits you use most often on your companion gear so you can quickly craft and swap items without waiting.

Utilize Set Bonuses

Companion gear can also benefit from set bonuses, just like player gear. Combining trait optimization with powerful set bonuses (such as those from crafted or dungeon sets) can provide a significant edge in battle.

Common Misconceptions About Companion Gear Traits

Many ESO players are unsure about the differences between player and companion gear or how traits affect companions specifically. Here are a few clarifications:
  • **Companions use the same trait system as players:** This means all rules about trait research and crafting apply equally.
  • **You cannot directly “reroll” traits on a companion’s gear:** Unlike some RPGs, ESO requires you to craft new gear rather than simply changing traits on existing pieces.
  • **Companion gear is essential for high-level content:** If you want your companion to be effective in veteran dungeons or trials, investing in traited gear is critical.

Where to Find Companion Gear and Materials for Trait Changes

If you’re wondering where to source companion gear or the materials needed to craft and trait it, here are a few places to check:
  • **Crafting Stations:** Blacksmithing, Clothier, and Woodworking stations allow you to craft companion gear with desired traits.
  • **Guild Traders and Vendors:** Sometimes you can find traited gear or raw materials for crafting.
  • **Dungeon Drops:** Certain dungeons and trials drop gear suitable for companions.
  • **Researchable Traits:** Make sure to research traits on gear you find or craft to expand your trait options.
By combining these sources, you can steadily build an arsenal of gear tailored for your companion.

Enhancing Your ESO Experience with Proper Companion Gear Traits

Companions in ESO are more than just sidekicks — they are powerful allies whose effectiveness depends heavily on their gear. Learning how to change companion gear traits ESO style unlocks a new level of customization, allowing you to shape your companion’s role and performance precisely. Whether you prefer a tanky warrior that soaks up damage or a ranged DPS that dishes out punishment, traited gear changes can make all the difference. By mastering the research, crafting, and enchanting processes, your companion will be ready to face any challenge Tamriel throws your way. Exploring the world of companion gear traits is not only a strategic advantage but also adds depth to your ESO gameplay. As you experiment with different setups, you’ll find new ways to synergize your playstyle with your companion’s strengths, making every adventure more engaging and rewarding.

FAQ

How do I change companion gear traits in ESO?

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To change companion gear traits in ESO, you need to craft new gear with the desired traits and replace the existing companion gear. Traits on companion gear cannot be changed directly like player gear; you must create or find new items with the traits you want.

Can I use a trait removal stone on companion gear in ESO?

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No, trait removal stones do not work on companion gear in ESO. To change companion gear traits, you must craft or obtain new gear with the preferred traits.

What crafting skills do I need to make companion gear with specific traits?

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You need to level up the appropriate crafting skill for the gear type (blacksmithing for heavy armor and weapons, clothing for light and medium armor, woodworking for staves and bows) and unlock the desired traits through research to craft companion gear with specific traits.

Are companion gear traits the same as player gear traits in ESO?

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Yes, companion gear traits are the same as player gear traits, but the main difference is that companion gear traits cannot be changed after crafting, unlike player gear which can use trait removal stones.

Where can I find blueprints to craft companion gear with specific traits?

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You can find companion gear blueprints from crafting writs, in-game vendors, the Crown Store, or by trading with other players. Make sure the blueprint includes the traits you want.

Do I need to level up my companion to use better gear with specific traits?

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Yes, companions must be leveled to the required level to equip certain gear. However, the traits on the gear are independent of the companion’s level.

Can I change companion gear traits by deconstructing and crafting again?

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You cannot directly change traits by deconstructing gear. Deconstructing companion gear provides materials, but to change traits, you must craft new gear with the desired traits and equip it on your companion.

Is there any way to enchant companion gear traits in ESO?

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Enchantments on companion gear can be changed using glyphs, but the trait itself (like Infused, Sharpened, etc.) cannot be changed once crafted.

Are some companion gear traits better for specific companion roles?

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Yes, choosing the right traits for your companion’s role is important. For example, traits like Infused or Weighted are good for damage dealers, while traits like Reinforced or Infused might be better for tank companions.

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