While some Companions offer valuable assets, others seem to simply get in the way. Choose your Companion wisely, and consider which of their unique perks best suits your play style and preferences. Keep in mind that most of the Companions are influenced by the certain choices you make while in their company. If they gain too negative of an opinion of your character, they can refuse to join you in the future. Many of the Companions can also be romanced, so be sure to try and foster each relationship accordingly.
Players must attain a maximum affinity level with each Companion to utilize their special perk. In some cases, players must also complete a related quest. Follow our guide to decide which Companion is right for you.
Cait is a fiery redhead with a penchant for pit-fighting. Her addiction to chems has given her a salty demeanor, but she is capable of changing her personality upon completion of her associated side quest. She is also skilled at lockpicking, which can be very helpful for players who haven’t invested in the Locksmith perk. Cait provides a perk called Trigger Rush, which causes your character to regenerate Action Points (AP) faster when below 25% Health.
Codsworth is technically the first companion you meet in the game. After seeing him scurry about your home in the opening sequence, you eventually encounter a more weathered Codsworth upon leaving Vault 111. This trusty robot servant remains loyal to you, just as long as you don’t make any unfavorable choices while in his company. Codsworth offers the perk Robot Sympathy, which increases your Damage Resistance against energy weapons by +10.
After the nuclear catastrophe, this quirky lab assistant has since turned into an independent researcher. She is knowledgeable in the fields of both science and medicine, making her an obvious reference to the infamous Marie Curie herself. She also comes equipped with French language programming, as well as an awesome flamethrower to set the wasteland ablaze.
Curie’s Combat Medic perk allows your character to heal an extra +100 Hit Points if your Health falls below 10%, and can only be used once per day. It is also worth mentioning that Curie is the only non-human romance option, so be on your best behavior when she tags along.
Paladin Danse is aptly named for his membership in the Brotherhood of Steel. He is a skilled tactician and provides excellent combat support during conflicts. If you are deemed suitable, Danse will sponsor your admittance into the Brotherhood of Steel faction if you choose to join. His perk, Know Your Enemy, gives your character a +20% Damage increase against Synths, Feral Ghouls, and Super Mutants. If you anticipate encounters with these enemy types, be sure to bring Danse along for the fight.
This loyal companion is found early in the game at the Red Rocket Truck Stop, and will stick by your side in any situation. Although Dogmeat doesn’t have a particular perk like the other Companions, he does have some skills that give him a bit of purpose. When you talk to Dogmeat, you can command him to search for enemies, locate items, and even perform a trick. Also, don’t worry about him reacting to your choices, as Dogmeat’s affinity level is maxed out from the start.
This mysterious companion is all about stealth. As the Railroad’s best field agent, Deacon was sent undercover by members of the faction to spy on you. No hard feelings though, as he will want to join forces with you later on. Deacon keeps things on the down low by wearing disguises, and operating in stealth. His Cloak & Dagger perk increases your Stealth Boy duration by 40%, and increases Sneak Attack Damage by 20%. If stealth is more your style, then Deacon may be perfect for a sneaky infiltration.
Ghouls have been banished from Diamond City, forcing these former residents to relocate to Goodneighbor where Hancock has taken command. Treat him respectfully, and you can gain a new ally and companion, otherwise you must suffer the consequences. His Isodoped perk allows players to charge their Critical Hit meter 20% faster, but requires a Radiation level of at least 250. Combining the Ghoulish perk with Isodopod may help balance the increased Rad effects.
This mercenary may sound familiar to those who played Fallout 3, as he is the former Mayor of Little Lamplight. A decade has passed and now Robert Joseph MacCready has grown to be a skilled marksman, in search of a cure for an unknown disease. During combat, he will hang back and snipe from a distance to provide cover, as long as you direct him to the enemy targets. MacCready has a perk called Killshot, which increases V.A.T.S. Headshot Accuracy by 20%.
Players encounter Piper soon after she has been kicked out of Diamond City. Given her way with words, she attempts to re-enter the city by pretending you are a travelling merchant. Piper’s Gift of Gab perk grants you double XP for completing speech challenges and finding new locations, meaning that she is most useful during your early exploration. Bring Piper along when you venture into uncharted territory throughout the wastelands in order to level up more quickly.
Preston Garvey is a leader of the Minutemen faction who is always looking for new recruits. Once you aid Preston and his crew in their situation at the Museum of Freedom, they agree to settle down in your former home, Sanctuary. With the new settlement in place, he will provide additional information for establishing more settlements throughout the Commonwealth. Preston’s United We Stand perk increases both Damage and Damage Resistance ratings by +20% when facing three or more enemies. Call on Preston to aid you in battles that involve numerous enemies to gain the most from his perk.
Although this burly fellow seems hostile on his exterior, Strong is actually a surprisingly sensitive super mutant with a love for William Shakespeare’s plays. Locked in a cell in Trinity Tower, he is know to be in search of the “milk of human kindness”. This doesn’t mean he can’t pack a punch, however. Strong is adept at using giant weapons, such as the missile launcher. Strong’s Berserk perk grants players a +20% Damage increase to melee weapons, only if the player’s Health falls below 25%. If melee weapons are your style, then consider asking Strong to tag along.
This hard-boiled Synth detective runs a small, modest detective agency within Diamond City. Nick is a skilled computer hacker who keeps his trusty revolver close by. His Close to Metal perk grants a 50% faster terminal cooldown rate when hacking, and provides one extra password guess. If you’re having trouble with the concept of hacking, then consider bringing a professional like Nick along with you. Though he can be commanded to hack the terminal for you, his perk will definitely help your odds of cracking the code yourself.
The X6-88 is an advanced Synth robot designed to excel in offensive combat, and is also referred to as an Institute Courser. He has the unique ability to detect enemies from afar, neutralizing them with his high-tech energy weapons. The Shield Harmonics perk increases your Energy Resistance by +20, shielding you from energy attacks of advanced robots. Bring X6-88 along to anticipate incoming attacks and defend against robotic enemies.
Most Companions that begin with their own weapon will never run out of ammo as long as you don’t replace it with a new weapon. Doing so will result in the new weapon requiring ammo as it normally would, which can be a huge pain to maintain. To avoid having to resupply both you and your buddy, simply make sure your Companion keeps their original weapon.
Companions can take a load off of your shoulders by carrying items for you. When you wish to lower your carry weight, simply talk to your Companion and transfer items into their inventory. Companions also have a tendency to pick up items during the journey, which can make them over encumbered as well. Keep an eye on their inventory and drop or scrap unwanted items.
For a deeper look at some of Fallout 4's features, check out our Fallout 4 Walkthrough and Guide.
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