The Con Artist Might be the Perfect Companion Right now

You might have noticed that more and more adventurer’s are running around with a companion that’s a standard buy from the Emporium vendor. The Con Artist has gained popularity after a sustained period in which the Fire Archon represented the meta. It seems weird that a highly accessible standard companion can actually make it to the endgame, but in this article I’m going to outline why that’s the case. More than that, the Con Artist might actually be the perfect companion right now.

Easy to obtain

As said the Con Artist is easy to obtain in the Grand Emporium. No lockboxes, no events, no dungeons, just two gold. This means you can pick him up as early as level 16 and keep him through your whole journey. Although acquiring and advancing companions is no longer as expensive as it once was, it’s convenient to level it alongside you. Neither do you waste Aastral Diamonds for upgrqading a pet you might have to switch later, nor for the wrong type of companion gear.

Consumed by Battle

The main thing why the Con Artist gained popularity is its debuff. The skill “Consumed by Battle” that unlocks at level 30 adds an uncapped 10% debuff that stacks with itself. That’s pretty unique behavior to be honest. Normally the best debuff to bring to a fight is the one nobody else has. The Con Artist however apparently is so good at trickery that it can circumvent this general rule. The Dancing Shield for example technically has a better debuff, but only provided there’s not another one present. With the Con Artist you give the group a 10% boost no matter what.

The three ring slots

Ring slots on companions are great and the Con Artist has three. The range of stuff to put there is just way higher than on any other type. Storm Kings Thunder, Cloaked Ascendancy and Tomb of Annihilation all feature endgame rings that can be slotted. There is pretty much no way you can’t get the stat distribution you favor.

What about the Sellsword?

It’s so easy to gear up the Con Artist that I’d personally would rate it slightly over the Sellsword, which features the same debuff but comes with three offensive runes compared to only two of the Con Artist. In case you have the right gear for the Sellsword, it can be better for DPS. The Con Artist however is much more convenient, especially if you’re just starting out.


In my opinion the combination of accessibility, options and convenience in gearing up as well as the unique debuff makes the Con Artist the best overall companion there is. What’s your take? Do you use it or favor another one? Share your thoughts in the comments below or visit the corresponding thread on our message board!

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j0Shi

j0Shi plays the Neverwinter MMORPG since the open BETA in 2013 and is a regular contributor to the blog and the whole UN:Project. Originally a Guardian Fighter, he has built up ALTs of all classes and plays on BIS/near-BIS level.

11 thoughts on “The Con Artist Might be the Perfect Companion Right now

  • January 30, 2017 at 7:06 am
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    And about the Rebel Mercenary ? She’s best than Con Artist ?

    • January 30, 2017 at 8:35 am
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      Rebel Mercenary is identical with the Sellsword that’s mentioned in the article.

  • January 30, 2017 at 9:41 pm
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    IMHO the Con Artist is a great companion to have, however I still find myself dealing more damage (dps toon) with the Fire Archon

    • January 31, 2017 at 7:30 am
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      You will deal more personal damage with the Fire Archon. Your party will potentially do a lot more damage with the Con Artist and the debuff stacks.

  • January 31, 2017 at 9:29 pm
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    Melee companions are BiS because of Anointed Army and other close range power boosts. Fire Archon can attack from 50 feet away.. where as AA is 25 feet and other bonding transferable power is 30 feet. If your fire archon misses AA….thats 45,000 power you miss! And it happens all the time.

    • February 6, 2017 at 10:52 am
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      Agree. As a DC I sometimes have to choose between using AA on pets or on players coz those fire archons are too far away.

  • January 31, 2017 at 11:58 pm
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    I can never find any solid information on how good or bad the Harper Bard actually is. I run DC and it’s never mentioned in builds. A few months ago it was supposed to be the best buff/debuff companion. What happened?

    • February 1, 2017 at 2:15 am
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      The Bard’s debuff is mentioned in Sharp’s CW Guide: http://sharpedge.nwo-uncensored.com/#h.99o2j15skdhx

      It’s 8% and many liked the Harper because it would additionally boost defense, offense and HP. If you have a maxed out Bard there’s little reason to switch. Also note that I don’t claim the Con Artist is absolute best for all builds. The reasons listed just make him a perfect all-around companion especially for those that look for a “no brainer”. You literally can’t do wrong with him.

  • February 2, 2017 at 9:39 am
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    Con Artists suicide irrevocably in SVA and at the dragon turtle FBI, so they are useless for module 10.5. Elsewhere they are very good.

    • February 2, 2017 at 8:37 pm
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      Use a Lillends Bell (sp?) to revive him where soon as he is up he gets 10 sec immunity is what I do….

  • February 3, 2017 at 5:04 am
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    Any thoughts about the Greenscale Bowman he has a debuff as well and he is ranged

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