NPC Companions
Echoes of Aincrad is a single-player game, but the player never fights alone. From early in the campaign, an NPC companion is always at the hero's side, contributing damage, healing, or crowd-control and participating in the combat system's team-up attacks.
The Confirmed Roster
Companion | Weapon | Role |
|---|---|---|
Sword and Shield | Healer, places healing circles on the ground. | |
Heavy blunt weapon (listed as mace) | Tank, controls engagements with weight. | |
Two-handed Sword | Damage and support, with attack buffs and barriers. | |
Dagger | Fast striker; returning SAO character and in-world information broker. |
Role in Combat
The companion is what turns a successful Parry Slash or Dodge Slash from a counter-attack into a paired strike. They also participate in Reversal Slash when the player reads an enemy opening correctly.
Support and Attack Modes
Companions can switch between a support mode, in which they stay close to the player and contribute utility, and an attack mode, in which they cut loose with their full combat kit for a limited time. Managing when to trigger attack mode is a key tactical decision, since it gives the party a significant damage spike but cannot be kept up indefinitely.
Bonds
Each companion has their own set of skills and their own synergies. Bandai Namco has described the relationship as a bond that deepens over the course of the campaign, unlocking stronger team abilities as the player and companion fight together.