How to Romance Companions in Fallout 4

Yes, friends, even in a world constructed entirely for your gratification you still have to put some effort into relationships. This guide breaks the courtship process down into its simple constituent parts, so you can minimise that effort and won't put a foot wrong.

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Stage 1: Demonstrate Value

While you might expect that people would have grown less picky in the centuries following a nuclear apocalypse - which decimated the population and turned others into horrible mutants - apparently your companions have different ideas. They actually have to like you before they're even receptive to the idea of going at it like knives.

The first step is therefore to show them that you're alright, and you can accomplish that by continually doing the things they like. You can refer to our comprehensive Fallout 4 companion guide to get details on each of their particular whims.

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Stage 2: Flirt

As you continue with Stage 1, and every time your companion reaches a new threshold of liking you, they'll begin sharing more of their backstory with you (these being almost invariably tragic). Each of these unique conversation stages is telegraphed by the companion saying something like "Do you have a moment?" or "I'd like to speak with you," which gives you a chance to prepare.

See, when they're done pouring their heart out to you you can flirt with them (and we should point out that, in real life, if someone tells you their entire family is dead it's not an appropriate response to e.g. tell them you think they're hot), but it's a persuasion test, so it's a good idea to buff your Charisma by taking a chem like grape mentats or putting on some fancy clothes before you enter the conversation. If you fail the test then don't worry: just keep on hammering away at Stage 1 until another conversation triggers.

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Stage 3: Continually Ask Them to Go Out With You Until They Give In

Once you've maxed out a companion's approval you can ask them to be in a relationship with you, and it's a persuasion check like above. If they don't go for it the first time just keep demonstrating behaviours they like and keep asking. It's a numbers game.

Once again, steadily grinding someone down over a long period even though they appear initially unwilling is not a solid foundation for a relationship in real life.

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Stage 4: Engage Physically

Once you've successfully completed Stage 3 you can go to bed with your new sweetheart. You technically do get to make the beast with two backs with them (although there isn't an explicit scene, and in the irradiated wasteland there probably is a literal beast with two backs so the metaphor is useless) but sharing a bed with them is actually pretty beneficial beyond that. Sleeping when your partner is nearby activates a Perk called Lover's Embrace, which gives you +15% to your XP for a limited time.

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Stage 5: Repeat Process With Other Companions Ad Nauseum

Any of the romanceable characters are available to a player character of either sex, and there doesn't yet appear to be an upper threshold to how many you can romance at once. It's worth keeping in mind, however, that most of them won't appreciate you flirting with someone else when you're in front of them. Because, you know, rude.