*bump* Just want to remind the devs that this has been requested for years now. I am assuming that the level-syncing was meant to try to take care of this issue, but it doesn't. Not really. I'm fine with level-syncing, and it may be enough for some folks, but the content isn't challenging when you're synced to 5 levels over the mobs. I would really, really, really appreciate a function to turn off XP gain in PvE. I just started playing again and am thinking about canceling my sub in order to reduce my XP gain. I can't comprehend how adding this function is so difficult that BW has not added it despite requests for it for 4 years. Please Bioware, it hurts no one to add a function most won't use, but will be greatly appreciated by the completionists who play your game.

I had typed out a sentence to pre-respond to such a comment, but I suddenly had a fit of good faith and decided no one would actually be 'that guy', and deleted it before posting. I'll try to avoid thinking such positive thoughts in the future. I like to see everything somewhere on my screen, even if it's bound. My monitor is big enough, there's room for everything, were the bars available.

This. My #1 gripe since I was given access during the first non-botched beta weekend was greater UI customization with moar bars. So glad the first part was finally put in, but I don't know why the second wasn't a part of this as well.

I've never played DA2, and more and more, I think that's probably a good thing, heh. If folks think healthy relationships are boring, I guess that explains why at least a quarter of all relationships are abusive, and so many of them end in divorce. I don't think conflict of the sort Corso's behaviour implies is interesting, I think it's dangerous, and the fact that BioWare, like so many other sources of media, are placing Corso's controlling, invasive behaviour and benevolent sexism as some backcountry do-gooder who means well and is just trying to be a gentleman, is perpetuating a lot of harmful ideas people have about what's acceptable in a relationship. In and of itself, Corso's character re: the female pc is fairly minor frowny-face territory. Placed in context of a society where so many relationships are toxic and media continue to display dangerous behaviour as romantic, it's really bad. Corso himself is inevitably, I'm sure, a great guy, but that isn't the end result all of the time, here in reality, with guys who at the beginning display a lack of respect for boundaries and the 'good' parts of sexism. This is coming across as a really angry post. Hmph. Not the intention. I'm not mad, I'm just explainy.

Thanks for the tips, Zynellan!

I'm seconding this question. I could often top the healing chart in wz's on my Consular, but never can with my Scoundrel. I'm really puzzled at what I'm doing wrong. I find energy depletion to be one of my biggest problems in PvE. I'm looking for any site that can give a basic rundown of how to properly heal with this class.

Not only is this annoying and rude, it shows a serious lack of true respect for the Smuggler's boundaries and already stated 'no'. Corso Riggs is a deeply problematic character as well as an all around pain in the backside. With everything I've read on the various romance options, it seems like BioWare took the writers with the least idea of what a healthy, mutually respectful relationship looks like, and had them write half the romances in the game. Ugh.

That's a great thread, DL. Amazing work.

If You Won't Educate Me How Can I Learn I generally try to avoid feeding peoples' derailing tactics. Your demands that I take time out of my day to educate you will not be further addressed. If I fail to address any other points of yours, rest assured, it's a reasoned lack of response. Back on topic: I'm really curious about how the mods decided to remove the option to kill companions. I understand that it's due to people regretting this later on, but I really wish the mods had given the option to simply refuse these companion requests to come along in the first place, or some option to tell them to get off the ship the next planet we land on...or something. I'd really love to see any data on which companions were most often killed in testing. I'd be amused if Corso was a common one. I wonder if Tharan was as well. I've always been curious if there were also trends in which companions were killed that unsettled the devs and was an additional reason to remove that option -- I'd completely believe that Vette was the most often killed companion, for instance.

I didn't know there was a 'classic whore' subclass for Smugglers. What do you mean by labeling some subset of female smugglers whores?

Wow. You're a real piece of work. You ought to stop posting now unless you can tie your sexism into discussion of Corso Riggs and how we ought to have an option to space him. It is currently just an option, although apparently Corso doesn't take 'no' for an answer, at least the first few times. I really wish SGR was put in sooner rather than later though so there are more options. I'm hoping there are more companions introduced, or more companions are given romance options in future expansions.

Ahhh. Gender essentialism at it's best. Mens are the barbaric fighters and wimmins are the healers and nurturers. What nonsense. I can't wait for these ridiculous expectations that women act one way, and men act completely another go away. The restrictions on expression and behaviour for both genders is incredibly harmful to everyone. Definitely one of the worst aspects of sexism, and a very big factor in the various ways sexism is harmful to men as well as women. EDIT: To tie this back to the game and the topic of the thread. I have a big problem with BioWare reinforcing harmful societal expectations via the only companion romance option open to female smugglers.

Not sure what's difficult to understand about finding negative reinforcement a problem. At least it's only a -1 (afaik), so not a big deal to me. Still, turning a guy down, in game or in rl, should not result in some sort of negative outcome. And really, blaming us players for hating a tank companion whom we have no choice but to haul around on our ship, and who may be the best option for quite a while for handling difficult mobs is really crappy. We have no control over BioWare's decision to make this guy a real creepazoid and putz. If we're stuck with him, I think we ought to be allowed to complain about what a douche he is.

Thanks Torikae, great post. I personally don't much appreciate that Corso Riggs was written the way he was, regardless of my ability to put him down for it because I do that all the time in my real life, and I don't really appreciate BioWare reminding me of ******es like that while I game. But I at least appreciate that the option is there. It's really cliched and derivative writing, imo, but meh. Now this: Yeah. I haven't gotten that far into the Smuggler storyline, but depending on how that all plays out when I go through it, I may actually end up writing BioWare some really angry letters. As someone who's spent a lot of time learning about warning signs and how to recognize the very early signs of an abusive person, Corso is really, really dangerous. At least, let me qualify, how I'm reading it here on the forum, he appears so. I'll need to see it to pass judgement. I honestly don't know how the hell this sort of thing passed muster at BioWare, though. This has to be the least progressive title out of BioWare in half a decade. What a shame.

I don't have a problem with this if this is some precursor to making Corso an SGR option, but otherwise, I think the line and the tone is just kinda weird and icky. This guy really likes to be used, and I don't personally fathom any way in which that's healthy. I got it from the quote I was commenting on. It wouldn't surprise me if this line is contradicted elsewhere by other lovely speechifying by him, or his actions. I'm pretty sure that whole line of his is basically "You're special, you're exceptional and you're not like all those *other* women and I want to protect you and White Knight all over you forever and ever....please **** me." Which is really gross and manipulative, imo. Pretty much. I haven't bothered engaging any of the silliness about protection and door-opening since they're obviously not arguing in good faith, they're just being silly. But I don't understand how feminism in some people's hyperbolic minds somehow removes basic human decency towards all people. I'm with ya. Haven't much speculated on the background for this toon to relate it in such a way, but I'm sure there's something written there, since all companions have somewhat detailed backstories. But the warning bells. Oh wow are there warning bells all over the place with this guy.