Ooops, my bad.

Excellent. I am starting an Ironman character for my next one. I am thinking BH. I like the rules from Utherius and Billy Mays but with a few changes: 1. Aim is to reach level 50 AND complete Act 3 2. Adv Class and Companions permitted. I think these are basic and essential parts of the character and I just can't see ever completing the Act 3 final battle without a companion. (This may actually be harder since your companion might do something stupid that gets you killed.) 3. Companions must follow the same rules re: gear, etc. If a companion dies, you can never use that companion again. 4. White-quality medpacks and other consumables are ok. For the challenge, we really need someone to blaze the trail, get to 50 (or as high as they can) and then declare what rules they used. The challenge will then be to beat that. IF I get past 20, I'll post my info and see if anyone can do better.

Yes, I agree!

You guys do realize that gifts increase your companions' affection and thereby combat effectiveness, efficiency, chance of crits, etc...? Not to mention story development. Why would you not want that? I do gift missions almost exclusively until they are rank 6 affection.

Here's my favourite actual patch notes cut and paste from the patch notes pages. Yes, I have a strange sense of humor and too much time on my hands. Force Leap: This ability no longer functions on Portable Holo Dancers. NPCs no longer attempt to engage vanity pets in combat. Taxi rides are no longer occasionally interrupted, causing the player to be dropped from the taxi. Biochem medpacks that heal a player and their companion no longer revive defeated companions. General Ortol's rocket fire damage no longer occurs when the rocket is not active. Certain Wampas on Hoth that were preying on lower-level characters have had their level reduced Fixed a bug that could cause specific NPCs to appear miniature-sized in conversations. Fixed a bug that could cause players to fall through the world during or after a conversation or cinematic. Players no longer randomly die in this Operation after being in Gharj's lava. Companion Characters no longer occasionally appear unclothed when summoned. Khourlet's Elite Guards no longer hide behind a door The French version of the "Darth" title is now correct. Tactical Advantage no longer triggers a "laugh" sound effect when it occurs. Level 49-50 Bioanalysis Missions now have a chance to reward Red Goo The Gamorrean Guards that Bonethrasher attempts to eat now have boss immunities. Some enemies and NPCs that were previously invisible can now be seen again The Jawa Balloon on Tatooine no longer occasionally disappears from underneath players. Corrected an audio issue that could cause a loud, perpetual "jet engine" sound The Rocket Boost ability can now be used inside Mysterious, Unusual, and Wondrous Eggs can now be sold on the Galactic Trade Network. Equipping a hooded robe in combination with certain head slot items no longer causes baldness. Darth Zhorrid now follows through with her threat to torture a character