I have to totally agree with the OP on this one. I've found myself numerous times changing my decisions based on companion approvals - or just feeling frustrated that someone disapproved of what I chose.
Same. Disapprovals to me feel more like discouraging dialogue choices that slow down attitude gain, rather than actual meaningful disapprovals with consequences.
Personally I'd rather have disapprovals tied only to choices directly affecting the companion and their story arcs. Such as pressing Shadowheart too hard about her past and judging her for it. Or disrespecting Lae'zel by taking over the conversation with Zorru or the kith'rak. Or triggering one of Astarion's many outbursts. These choices which directly oppose and affect companions should carry disapprovals and consequences.
But for random dialogue choices that do not directly involve their personal stories, I think only approvals should be a thing. They would still express their disapproval about random choices during a dialogue, but there wouldn't be any attitude loss nor a big pop up saying "Character Disapproves". This way they'd retain their personalities, agreements and disagreements, but not mechanically feel like you're doing the wrong thing just because they don't agree with something you did for a random peasant.
+1 to the approvals/disapprovals tied to your actions that relate to the actual character as opposed to just random story events that they probably wouldn't care about.
For example. If you long rest too many times, Lae'zel's relationship score begins to drop. She's ticked that you STILL haven't gone to check out the gith patrol. She'd care more about that than some random tiefling about to shoot a goblin in a cage with a crossbow.
And Wyll. His relationship score should start going down if you take too long to go after the goblin leaders - aka Spike and Mizora and so forth.
Meanwhile, prioritize their quests and gain massive relationship boosts. In other words, nothing too crazy here. Let's say you go to Zorru the same day that Lae'zel tells you to go there. Massive relationship boost. Like 10 points. But if you do it the next day, maybe you only gain 5 points. Wait for 2 days and maybe only 2 points. Wait for 3 days and you get no relationship increase. 4 days means you lose 2 points. 5 days means you lose 5 points. 6 or more days and you lose 10 points. She's ticked at you.
After Zorru, same principle applies. You now know where the patrol is. Go there same day. 10 points. Take a day to go there. 5 points. Take 2 days. 2 points. Take 3 days. No loss no gain. 4 days, -2 points. 5 days, - 5 points. 6 or more? -10 points. She's ticked that after 6 freaking days, you still haven't gone where she wanted you to.
Something LIKE this would be really cool and much more appropriate based on the story and characters.
