> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nwo.gitbook.io/m29-vanguard-fighter-defensive-supportive-route/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nwo.gitbook.io/m29-vanguard-fighter-defensive-supportive-route/part-3-build-choices-for-the-defensive-supportive-route-and-deflect-defensive-route/companions/summoned-companion-the-companion-enchantment-and-bolster.md).

# Summoned Companion, the Companion Enchantment and Bolster

With increasing Item Level and more and more stat sources, Striker Companions are again the preferred choice. Nonetheless, let’s look at the possible options: There are two types of summoned companions: The **Combat Companions** (sometimes called Striker Companions) which are fighting next to any player and the **Augments** that do not participate in the fights:

1. Combat Companions have the advantage of dealing additional damage and providing some strong buffs or debuffs. The Celestial Companion Enchantment increases the companions' damage by up to 180%!
2. Augment Companions provide up to 2 250 in three stats (mythic with 100% bolster). With a Celestial Companion Enchantment, the same three stats get another boost of 9 000! Thus an Augment Companion provides 33 750 Stat Points and is *in training runs* a viable option!

Every companion - regardless of its type - has a bunch of basic ratings in all 15 stats (offensive, defensive, utility) and an Item Level score attached. These stats and Item Level are not only owned by the companion but also directly added to your toon. The rarity (color) of the companion defines its Item Level, its stats and the unlocked powers. A mythic companion has ratings of 1 275 Stat Points in each of the 15 stats. These stats and the Item Level of the companion can be increased further by the following features:

* The Companion Bolster. The Companion Bolster increases the stats the companion has regardless of its type. Bolster can double the basic stats (1 275 → 2 550) and the Item Level (1 500 → 3 000).
* The already presented [Companion Enchantment](/m29-vanguard-fighter-defensive-supportive-route/part-3-build-choices-for-the-defensive-supportive-route-and-deflect-defensive-route/enhancements-enchantments-and-artifacts/companion-enchantment.md).
* and by the [companions equipment](/m29-vanguard-fighter-defensive-supportive-route/part-3-build-choices-for-the-defensive-supportive-route-and-deflect-defensive-route/companions/companion-equipment.md) presented in a later section.

All of those additional stats and Item Level are transferred to your toon too!

Damage dealers tend to take a Striker Companion. Tanks usually take a supporter companion.

A list of noticeable companions of both types is presented below.

Also, Aragon created an [overview](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WOB5SMx4ZpyShWnhkpyiZK2jGl8eGmcJH3q-4QX57f8/edit#gid=226264917) over all companions and their bonuses. Thus only the interesting choices for Vanguard Fighters are presented here. For additional information see the link. Campaign currency increasing companions are not listed here.

## Combat Companions

The Combat Companions are no longer split into two categories, because the best bonuses are also applied to allies! Bonuses to allies do not stack.

<table><thead><tr><th width="219">Combat Companion</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Angel of Protection</td><td>+3% Defense to allies (very good and cheap beginner)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Black Death Scorpion</strong></td><td>The scorpion has the ability to provide combat advantage. Useful against Tiamat and teleporting bosses. ~100% uptime.</td></tr><tr><td>Bruenor Battlehammer</td><td>-3% incoming damage to allies</td></tr><tr><td>Captain Elaina Sartell</td><td> +5% AP Gain to party (and great damage)</td></tr><tr><td>Cyclops War Drummer</td><td>-3% incoming damage to allies once in a while and good damage</td></tr><tr><td>Deva Champion</td><td>Shield of 5% Maximum Hit Points every 15 seconds to allies</td></tr><tr><td>Diana the Acrobat</td><td>+10% Movement Speed to allies</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Drizzt Do’Urden</strong></td><td>+3% outgoing damage of allies. The 3% is provided by an additional multiplier unlike the usual bonuses to the outgoing damage multiplier!</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Flapjack</strong></td><td>+5% Combat Advantage to allies (stacks with Tutor)</td></tr><tr><td>Intellect Devourer</td><td>Great Stunning ability once in a while</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Portobello DaVinci</strong></td><td>In Group: +3.5% Power and Combat Advantage to allies</td></tr><tr><td>Regis</td><td>+3% Recharge Speed and great AoE damage</td></tr><tr><td>Riotous Rothè</td><td>-10% damage of Bosses</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spined Devil</strong></td><td>+10% incoming damage to the enemy once in a while</td></tr><tr><td>Stalwart Golden Lion</td><td>Intercepts sometimes 10% damage, +2% outgoing damage of allies</td></tr><tr><td>Stronghold’s Cleric</td><td>Shield of 5% Maximum Hit Points to allies</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Tutor</strong></td><td>In Group: +5% Combat Advantage to allies</td></tr><tr><td>Vistani Wanderer</td><td>+5% Movement Speed to allies</td></tr></tbody></table>

Some lesser valuable but mentionable companions are also listed in the table below.

<table><thead><tr><th width="221">Combat Companion</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Acolyte of Kelemvor</td><td>Its ability to reduce the incoming damage by 10% is quite promising but there are currently no thoughtful tests.</td></tr><tr><td>Blaspheme Assassin</td><td>-2% enemy Deflect, +1% Damage taken</td></tr><tr><td>Blink dog</td><td>The companion has the ability to provide combat advantage. Useful against Tiamat and teleporting bosses. ~50% uptime.</td></tr><tr><td>Cantankerous Mage</td><td>The companion has the ability to provide combat advantage. Useful against Tiamat and teleporting bosses. ~50% uptime.</td></tr><tr><td>Catti-Brie</td><td>+3% Movement Speed to allies</td></tr><tr><td>Dancing Blade</td><td>The companion has the ability to provide combat advantage. Useful against Tiamat and teleporting bosses. ~50% uptime.</td></tr><tr><td>Dread Warrior</td><td>+5000 Power and 5% Critical Severity to allies once in a while</td></tr><tr><td>Minsc</td><td>+3% Combat Advantage to allies but with low uptime</td></tr><tr><td>Neverwinter Knight</td><td>+2% Defense to allies</td></tr><tr><td>Panther</td><td>The Panther has the ability to provide combat advantage. Useful against Tiamat and teleporting bosses.</td></tr><tr><td>Pseudodragon</td><td>The companion has the ability to provide combat advantage. Useful against Tiamat and teleporting bosses. ~50% uptime.</td></tr><tr><td>Shadow Elemental</td><td>+1.5% Critical Avoidance and 2% Movement Speed for allies</td></tr><tr><td>Siege Master</td><td>+3% Defense to allies</td></tr><tr><td>Succusbus / Incubus</td><td>+10% incoming damage to the enemy but with low uptime</td></tr><tr><td>Swashbuckler</td><td>The companion has the ability to provide combat advantage. Useful against Tiamat and teleporting bosses. ~50% uptime.</td></tr><tr><td>Wulfgar</td><td>+3% AP Gain for allies</td></tr><tr><td>Yeth Hound</td><td>The companion has the ability to provide combat advantage. Useful against Tiamat and teleporting bosses. ~50% uptime.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Augments

There are only a few full defensive augments available. However, there are some good options for hybrid builds too! The next two tables show the members of both categories. Worth noting is that the Enhancement Bonus scales with companion level and bolster.

<table><thead><tr><th width="246">3x Defensive Companions</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Black Dragon Ioun Stone</strong></td><td><p>Enhancement Bonus to Hit Points, Critical Avoidance and Defense</p><p>(Very useful defensive companion)</p></td></tr><tr><td>Butterfly</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Defense, Deflect and Awareness (not so useful because of an abundance of Defense-Awareness ratings)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Cat</strong></td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Deflect , Awareness and Deflect Severity (only for truly invested Deflect builds)</td></tr><tr><td>Golden Deep Crow Egg</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Awareness (all 29250 ratings go into Awareness which is too much Awareness to be useful)</td></tr><tr><td>Golden Goat</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Forte (all 29250 ratings go into Forte which is too much Forte to be useful!)</td></tr><tr><td>Infant Gorilla</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Hit Points, Deflect and Defense (another useful companion)</td></tr><tr><td>Ioun Stone of Might</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Hit Points, Deflect and Defense (another useful companion)</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th width="225">Hybrid Companions</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bulette Pup</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Combat Advantage, Power and Defense</td></tr><tr><td>Chicken</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Combat Advantage, Critical Avoidance and Defense</td></tr><tr><td>Ioun Stone of Radiance</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Combat Advantage, Critical Avoidance and Deflect</td></tr><tr><td>Mini Apparatus of Gond</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Deflect, Combat Advantage and Awareness</td></tr><tr><td>Ox Stot</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Hit Points, Defense and Power</td></tr><tr><td>Rat Pup</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Hit Points, Combat Advantage and Power</td></tr><tr><td>Star of Simril</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Critical Avoidance, Awareness and Power</td></tr><tr><td>Watler</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Combat Advantage, Awareness and Defense</td></tr><tr><td>Winter Fox</td><td>Enhancement Bonus to Hit Points, Forte and Power</td></tr></tbody></table>