Ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a vast and vibrant world teeming with life, adventure, and, yes, even animal companions. As you journey as the misthios, you might wonder, “Can you get a pet in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?” The answer is a resounding yes! While not pets in the traditional sense of a dog in your home, Odyssey offers unique ways to bond with and befriend the wildlife of Greece. This guide will explore the different facets of animal companionship in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, helping you understand how to befriend creatures and utilize them on your epic journey.
Ikaros: Your Feathered Friend from the Start
From the very beginning of your Odyssey, you are introduced to Ikaros, your loyal eagle companion. Ikaros is more than just a tool for scouting locations; he is your constant companion and a crucial part of your gameplay experience. While you can’t exactly “pet” him in the traditional sense initially, showing appreciation for Ikaros is indeed possible and rewarding.
Alt text: Ikaros perched on the Misthios’s arm in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, showcasing the player-animal bond.
By idling with Ikaros perched on your arm, you can press the designated button (Y/Triangle on consoles, or F on PC) to “pay respect.” This action essentially allows you to pet Ikaros and give him treats, a small but heartwarming interaction that reinforces the bond between the misthios and their avian friend. Remember to show Ikaros some love; he works tirelessly scouting enemies, marking locations, and even harassing foes in combat. He is undoubtedly a good bird and your first and most reliable animal companion in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Taming Wild Animals: Becoming a Beast Master
Beyond Ikaros, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey allows you to directly tame wild animals and have them fight alongside you. To unlock this fascinating aspect of the game and truly experience having animal “pets” in combat, you need to invest in the Hunter ability tree and acquire the “Beast Master” ability.
Once unlocked, the Beast Master ability allows you to tame various wild animals found across Greece. As you upgrade this skill, you expand the range of animals you can tame, starting with wolves and lynxes and eventually including more formidable creatures like lions and bears. Imagine having a fearsome bear as your personal bodyguard!
How to Tame Animals in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Taming animals in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a straightforward process once you have the Beast Master ability:
- Unlock and Upgrade Beast Master: Invest ability points in the Hunter skill tree to unlock and upgrade the Beast Master ability to tame stronger animals.
- Find Your Target Animal: Locate wild animals in the world. Wolves are common in forests, while lions and bears inhabit more wild regions.
- Knock the Animal Out: The key to taming is to knock the animal unconscious without killing it. The easiest way to do this is to unequip your weapons and fight bare-handed. Use non-lethal attacks to reduce the animal’s health until it is knocked out.
- Tame the Animal: Approach the unconscious animal and you will get a prompt to tame it. Press the interact button, and the animal will become your temporary companion.
Alt text: The Misthios taming a wolf in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, illustrating the Beast Master ability in action.
It’s important to note a few limitations: you can only have one tamed animal companion at a time, and you cannot tame elite animals or certain legendary creatures. However, for regular gameplay and combat encounters, a tamed animal can be a significant asset.
Petting Your Tamed Animal Companion
Yes, you can even pet your tamed animal in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey! After successfully taming an animal, you can further interact with it to strengthen your bond. Here’s how to pet your newly acquired best friend:
- Tame an Animal: Follow the steps outlined above to tame a wild animal.
- Approach Your Tamed Animal: Get close to your tamed animal companion.
- Position Yourself in Front: Stand directly in front of the animal.
- Wait for Acknowledgment: Give the animal a moment to recognize your presence.
- Pet Your Animal: If you are positioned correctly and the animal is receptive, your misthios will automatically reach out and pet the animal, solidifying your bond.
This simple act of petting your tamed animal adds another layer of immersion and attachment to your animal companions in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Utilizing Animal Companions in Combat and Exploration
Tamed animals are not just for show; they are valuable allies in combat and can even aid in exploration. Here are some ways your animal companions can assist you:
- Combat Assistance: Tamed animals will fight alongside you, attacking enemies and drawing aggro. A bear, for example, can be a powerful tank, soaking up damage and dealing significant melee attacks. Wolves and lynxes offer faster, more agile support.
- Distraction: In stealth scenarios, a tamed animal can be used to distract enemies, allowing you to slip past unnoticed or set up assassinations.
- Exploration and Hunting: While not directly aiding in exploration in terms of revealing locations, animal companions can help in hunting wild game for resources. They can attack and weaken animals, making hunting easier and faster.
However, remember that tamed animals are not invincible. They can be defeated in combat, and you will need to tame another if you lose your current companion. Use them strategically and keep their limitations in mind.
Beyond Taming: Other Animal Encounters
While taming and petting are the most direct forms of “pet” interactions in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the game world is rich with other animal encounters that enhance the immersive experience.
- Livestock and Domestic Animals: Towns and farms are populated with various domestic animals like goats, chickens, and dogs, adding to the realism of Ancient Greece. While you cannot interact with them beyond the occasional accidental attack, their presence enriches the world.
- Mythical Creatures: Odyssey introduces mythical creatures that are more like boss battles than pets. However, these encounters further showcase the diverse and sometimes fantastical fauna of the game world.
- Naval Companions: While not animals in the traditional sense, you can recruit human lieutenants for your ship, the Adrestia. Some of these lieutenants have animal-themed names or backstories, subtly nodding to the animal companion theme.
Conclusion: Embrace the Animal World of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
So, can you get a pet in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey? Absolutely. From the ever-loyal Ikaros to the wild animals you can tame and befriend, animal companionship is a significant and enjoyable aspect of the game. Whether you are petting Ikaros on your arm, commanding a tamed bear in battle, or simply appreciating the wildlife of Ancient Greece, the animal world of Odyssey is rich, engaging, and adds another layer of depth to your adventure. Embrace your inner Beast Master, explore the wilds, and find your perfect animal companion in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
