In The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), companions are NPCs that follow and support players during their adventures, particularly in combat situations. However, these companions start at level 1 and need to be leveled up, just like your main character. Azandar Al-Cybiades, one of the available companions, can reach a maximum of 20 base levels, known as Combat Levels, through direct combat. Azandar cannot gain experience from quest rewards or other activities; he must level up solely through combat. This guide will explain how to level Azandar, the best strategies for leveling him efficiently, and some tips on boosting his experience gains.
Azandar’s leveling system mirrors that of the player, but with a twist—he only receives 15% of the experience that the player gains from combat. This means that while the player gets the full amount of experience, Azandar gets a portion of the experience as well. Experience-boosting effects such as holiday bonuses or consumable boosters will also indirectly benefit Azandar, giving him a small boost when the player uses them. However, it’s important to note that these boosts only apply to experience earned from combat.
When it comes to leveling skills tied to guilds like the Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, or Undaunted, Azandar must participate in their associated dailies. For instance, collecting Mages Guild books won’t help level his skill line, but completing related guild activities will. Some in-game events also allow you to purchase Fighters and Mages Guild Commendations from the Impresario, which can immediately advance these skill lines by one level. However, to ensure Azandar levels, he needs to remain active during these activities.
Azandar’s leveling progress is account-wide, meaning if you achieve level 14 on his Combat Level with one character, it will carry over if you switch to another character. Azandar’s health, weapon, and spell damage, as well as his overall power, will increase automatically as he gains combat levels. As his levels progress, additional ability slots will unlock, including an Ultimate slot, which becomes available when Azandar reaches combat level 20.
Preparation for Leveling Azandar in ESO
To maximize the efficiency of leveling Azandar, it’s essential to optimize your setup. Here’s a list of ways to boost the experience you gain:
- Equip Training gear and weapons to increase experience gains.
- Activate experience-boosting buffs like Crown Experience Scrolls or Aetherial Ambrosia.
- Utilize ESO+ or wear the Ring of Mara if you’re married, both of which provide experience boosts.
- Grind in a group of two, as larger groups will incur penalties to the experience gains. Keep in mind that Azandar does not count toward the group-size bonus.
- Note that drinks and scrolls do not stack with each other, so make sure to choose the best option for your setup.
Here’s an example of a basic, easily achievable experience-boosting setup:
- 70% from Gear
- 8% from Weapon
- 10% from ESO Plus Membership or Ring of Mara
- 10% for being in a group of two
- 50% from Psijic Ambrosia or XP Scroll
With this setup, you’ll gain a 148% experience boost.
For a more optimized setup, you can achieve the maximum possible experience boost, which is:
- 70% from Gear
- 8% from Weapon
- 10% from ESO Plus Membership or Ring of Mara
- 10% for being in a group of two
- 150% from Mythic Aetherial Ambrosia Drink or XP Scroll
- 100% from in-game events like Witches Festival or New Life Festival
This gives you a total of 358% experience boost, although keep in mind that in-game events are not always active and only occur a few times each year.
Leveling Azandar at Dolmens or Harrowstorms in ESO
You might be wondering whether grinding at a Dolmen or Harrowstorm is a good method for leveling Azandar. The answer is a bit mixed. While Dolmens and Harrowstorms themselves won’t directly give Azandar experience, the enemies you kill during the event will contribute to his experience gain. However, simply completing a Dolmen event won’t give Azandar any experience, as only the creatures you defeat while participating count toward his progression.
If you’re okay with a slower pace and a more relaxed grind, Dolmen and Harrowstorm events can be an enjoyable, low-risk way to level Azandar. Just be aware that this method isn’t the fastest option.
Great Locations to Level Up Azandar in ESO
There are several excellent locations around Tamriel that are perfect for leveling Azandar. The open-world grind spots typically offer the most experience, though they can be crowded, especially during peak hours. If you’re looking for a quieter, more controlled experience, you can head to instanced locations like Skyreach Catacombs or Blackrose Prison.
Some of the easiest grind spots for beginners with the base game include:
- Greenshade
- Alik’r Desert
- Coldharbour
For players with the Orsinium DLC, Old Orsinium and Rkindaleft Public Dungeons are great beginner spots as well.
Instanced grind spots like Skyreach Catacombs in Craglorn offer decent experience, and they’re particularly appealing because they’re not affected by other players. However, these spots are generally more difficult to solo and may not be suitable for beginners.
Two particularly effective but crowded grind spots are Spellscar and Forgotten Wastes, where you’ll be fighting zombies. These areas can yield great experience, but they tend to be very popular. To avoid the crowds, try to grind early in the morning. The Verrant Morass Wayshrine is nearby, so make sure to unlock it for easy travel back to the area.
Another excellent zombie grind spot is in Greenshade, which, while popular, is great for fast kills and low damage taken from enemies. Similarly, you can head to the Sentinel Wayshrine for a similar experience. Zombies here are easy to kill and won’t inflict much damage on you, making them perfect for efficient grinding.
Finally, Coldharbour offers another solid grinding spot, where you’ll face both Undead and Daedra. This area is ideal for leveling both Azandar and your Fighters Guild skill line at the same time. Though occasional questers may pass through, they tend to leave quickly, allowing you to focus on your grind.
