When you reach the critical moment of the Fall of Soliam in Pyre, the decision of which companion to liberate can greatly impact both the narrative and gameplay outcomes of your journey. Here’s a comprehensive approach to making this choice:

1. Evaluating Your Companions
Start by assessing your party composition. You need to consider both the abilities of each character and their narrative significance:

– Character Experience: Look at which companions have been with you the longest or have the most developed story arcs. These characters often hold significant emotional weight in your journey.

– Abilities & Playstyle: Examine the skills and play styles of each companion. Characters with high mobility and strong abilities can be crucial for navigating the fast-paced and competitive nature of the Fall of Soliam, where the enemy team is formidable and you need to protect your Pyre, which starts at 130 points.

2. Making the Choice
Once you’ve evaluated your options, you can approach your decision from two angles:

– Game Strategy: If you prefer winning the Rite, it might be prudent to liberate a companion who is less critical to your current team strategy. For instance, if you have a strong core of fast and agile players, you might choose to liberate a slower character who still holds narrative importance but does not significantly impact your gameplay effectiveness.

– Narrative Fulfillment: Alternatively, some players liberate characters based on their personal journeys. For example, someone like Hedwyn, who displays a naive and hopeful spirit, might resonate more deeply with a player. By liberating such a character, it can complement more narrative-driven endings and gives a sense of emotional closure to their arc.

3. Preparing for the Fall of Soliam
Before the crucial match, ensure that your party members are sufficiently leveled and well-prepared. A typical strategy leading into the Fall of Soliam would involve having companions at enlightenment level 5, ensuring they’re equipped with the best abilities to fight effectively.

4. Player Perspectives and Experiences
Drawing from player experiences can provide further insight into making your decision:

– Many players report a blend of personal attachment and strategic thinking influencing their choices. For example, liberating Hedwyn could be favored due to his optimism and narrative relevance, making it feel right to grant him freedom over a more combat-effective character.

5. Consider Long-Term Implications
Remember that once a character is liberated, they are gone permanently from your team, altering your party dynamics for the remaining journey. Choose someone whose absence won’t cripple your effectiveness moving forward, or whose liberation aligns with how you envision the end of the story.

Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice of which companion to liberate at the Fall of Soliam is deeply personal and should reflect a blend of gameplay strategy and narrative significance. Strike a balance between keeping a strong team for the Rite and fulfilling compelling character arcs, and ensure the decision resonates with how you want your journey to conclude. Whatever choice you make, the emotional weight of this decision will add depth to your Pyre experience.