Companion affection level effects

[Emberwen]

I found this but can't remember where. Enjoy

After a lot of research and data collection performed by knudlen and I, I believe I've finally figured out the formula used by SWTOR to determine what percentage of time is taken off of crew skills. (I also have a theory that crit/success increases based on these levels, too, but that's much harder to figure out.)
The % time off is between 1% and 15%, and steps up 1% at a time at certain intervals. Here's the formula:
Floor((X+1000)/(733+1/3))=Y% OR
Floor(3 * (X+1000) / 2200) = Y%
X is your current affection level and Y is the % your mission times is reduced by. In order to figure out what level your companion's affection needs to be in order to take off another %, just solve for Y without the Floor function:
Ceiling((733+1/3) * Y% - 1000) = X OR
Ceiling((2200 * Y% / 3) - 1000) = X
For instance, to achieve 13% reduction in mission times, (733 + 1/3) * 13 - 1000 = 8534. Once you hit 8534 affection (roughly), you'll jump from 12% reduction to 13% reduction.
This should help those who are doing a lot of crafting and seeing that their companions are almost to the next affection level. Invest in some companion gifts should push it over the edge to the next %, and it should end up saving you time in the long run.
Here's an easy table of what affection level you need in order to get to a certain % (for those who don't like math):

• 1%: -267
  
• 2%: 467
  
• 3%: 1200
  
• 4%: 1934
  
• 5%: 2667
  
• 6%: 3400
  
• 7%: 4134
  
• 8%: 4867
  
• 9%: 5600
  
• 10%: 6334
  
• 11%: 7067
  
• 12%: 7800
  
• 13%: 8534
  
• 14%: 9267
  
• 15%: 10000

These numbers may be a few points off here and there, but they should be mainly accurate. For those who want to see the research thread, it is here.
Happy crafting!
EDIT: I noticed a couple discrepancies here. So, I retuned the formula. See changes above. All of my numbers fit now. It used to be 733 but further tests show it is 733+1/3. And, ceiling the % to affection values gives an accurate chart.

[VegasGambler]

I also believe I read it effects the companions effectiveness when they are with you... bigger heals, bigger damage etc.... Don't know where I saw this, but it seems to make a difference (it could be my imagination as well) All of my affection is maxed on my Bounty Hunter and any one of them seem to be very effective as a companion.

[ravinor]

I believe it only affects crafting and makes more storyline available. The increase in combat effectiveness comes from increasing your Presence stat (or the companion's stats) from what I have noticed.

[Redimere]

If you need some help determining what level of gifts you should be using on your companions to increase affection more efficiently, here's a pretty little chart. Affection and Companion Gifts Guide | SWTOR Guides for flashpoints, operations and various game systems

[Cyard]

So, according to that chart, I'm only getting Favorite points for gifts that my companion is supposed to Love. Since the gift in question (Luxury for Kira, JK companion) is listed as Favorite-Love, I'm guessing that it's taken as a Favorite in some situations and a Love in others. Just gotta find out what makes the difference! Perhaps a vendor-bought gift will never be Loved - it has to be obtained through missions?

[Darth Sillious]

I'm running into a similar situation with my Warrior companions. I belive that the augment is whether or not you are in the Romance arc, with that companion. If you are just friends, then it's the first condition (like), and if you are courting then it's the second (love)

I had Vette all the way to 6000 + afection, and tried to give her a courting gift (purple), and she was like "Hey, Thanks"

Same for Jeassa. And Jes, and I have had a one night stand. I guess it meant more to Sillious than it did to Jes. And Vette is not really talking to me anymore. Her affection is 9000 BTW.

This Dating game is more confusing than the real thing.

[Cyard]

I see that, according to SWTOR Face, Mako (Bounty Hunter's first companion) both Loves and is Indifferent to Courting gifts. So this seems to support the theory that you have to be on the romance path to get the extra points.

I'll have to see if there's a difference between Tech (which she's listed as Loving only) and Underworld Goods, a Favorite-only when I buy those from a vendor.

UPDATE: Yup... When a companion has only one opinion on a type of gift, the Loves do indeed get more than the Favorites, which get more than the Likes. No difference between getting them off a mission or buying them from a vendor. So with Kira, I guess she won't be Loving any gifts, because I'm not planning on romancing her. My Jedi is pure!

[Cyard]

Something else of note: I just got Mako's affection past 1000, and, not only did I get a new opportunity to talk (and Flirt) with her at the cantina, but now she has a Med Watch buff that I didn't notice before, which increases her healing abilities. Was it already there and I just didn't notice it, or did it pop up after her affection went up a level (or after I did the Talk to Mako mission that spawned from that level-up)?

[dcodrlots]

Medwatch is her stance, and she has it from the very beginning. Sometimes they do not go into a stance right away and you have to select it on their action bar. She also has a dps stance.

[BlackHarlequin]

Also, as you level up (not affection level), your companions will gain new abilities.