Unlocking The Mojave's Best Allies: Your Ultimate Fallout New Vegas Companion Guide
Step into the vast, irradiated expanse of the Mojave Wasteland, and you'll quickly realize that surviving its myriad dangers and complex factions is no small feat. While the lone wanderer archetype is classic, the truth is, the world of *Fallout: New Vegas*, released in 2010, offers a rich and immersive gaming experience that is significantly enhanced by the presence of recruitable companions. These aren't just mere pack mules or extra guns; they are unique NPCs, each with their own compelling stories, distinct personalities, and invaluable skills that can dramatically alter your journey through the post-apocalyptic Nevada desert.
Understanding the intricacies of the *Fallout New Vegas* companion system is crucial for any Courier aiming to fully explore the game's depths. Whether you're seeking an extra punch in combat, a boost to your skills, or simply some witty banter to break the silence of the desolate landscape, the right companion can make all the difference. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on everything you need to know about these fascinating characters, from how to recruit them and utilize their unique benefits, to completing their personal quests and making them effective allies in both combat and exploration. We'll delve into the details, offering insights that go beyond basic wiki bios, helping you take full advantage of what these eight permanent companions bring to your party.
Daftar Isi
- Understanding the Companion System in Fallout: New Vegas
- The Eight Unique Companions of the Mojave
- Mastering Companion Perks and Upgrades
- The Heart of the Story: Companion Quests
- Recruitment, Keeping Them Happy, and Effective Use
- Choosing the Best Fallout New Vegas Companion for Your Playstyle
- The Whole Gang's Here Achievement
- Maximizing Your Mojave Experience
Understanding the Companion System in Fallout: New Vegas
Before we get into the various companions that one can find and recruit in FNV, we should probably give you a rundown on how the companion system works in *Fallout New Vegas*. Unlike some other role-playing games where you might amass a small army, *Fallout New Vegas* implements a more intimate party system. The first thing to know about the *Fallout New Vegas* companion system is that you can only have one human/mutant companion and one robot companion at a time. If you want to swap out an ally, you must tell one to leave if you want another. This limitation encourages strategic thinking about who you bring along for specific missions or areas. Companions are unique NPCs that the Courier can recruit as their party members. There are a total of eight of these in the base game, and each of them has unique affiliations and quests that the players can choose to undertake. You can unlock these companions by completing quests, killing enemies, or using skills. Once recruited, companions are controlled primarily via the companion wheel, a versatile interface that allows you to issue commands, manage their inventory, and set their combat behavior. This level of control ensures that your allies act as an extension of your playstyle, rather than just autonomous entities. A crucial aspect of *Fallout New Vegas* companions is that they generally level up alongside the Courier, ensuring they remain relevant throughout your playthrough. However, their base stats and unique perks are what truly set them apart. Upgrading companions offers various advantages, providing passive bonuses that can significantly impact your gameplay. For instance, some companions offer direct combat benefits, while others provide utility perks that make exploration or crafting easier. It's also important to remember that companion perks are active only when they are with you; the perk stops applying when they're dismissed. This guide will provide detailed walkthroughs, tips, and strategies for completing each companion quest in *Fallout New Vegas*, ensuring you get the most out of your allies.The Eight Unique Companions of the Mojave
There are 8 main companions in *Fallout New Vegas* that you can recruit to your party, and each of them has very distinct personalities, backstories, and combat proficiencies. This is a list of all 8 companions you can recruit to your party in *Fallout New Vegas* (FNV). The contents of this guide go over the location, story, and details of each of the companions in *Fallout: New Vegas*! Learn about the eight unique companions in *Fallout New Vegas*, their benefits, skills, and quests. Find out how to recruit them, keep them happy, and use them effectively in combat and exploration.Cass (Rose of Sharon Cassidy)
* **Location:** Mojave Express Outpost, just south of Primm. * **Recruitment:** You'll need to complete the quest "Heartache by the Dozen," which involves helping her resolve issues with her caravan company, Cassidy Caravans. This quest often leads into "You Can Depend on Me" and "Birds of a Feather." * **Story & Personality:** The daughter of John Cassidy from *Fallout 2*, Cass is a disillusioned caravan owner with a sharp wit and a penchant for strong liquor. She's cynical but fiercely loyal to her friends and has a strong moral compass when it comes to justice. * **Combat Style:** Primarily a ranged combatant, excelling with shotguns and other firearms. She's tough and can take a lot of punishment. * **Unique Perk:** "Whiskey Rose" – When Cass consumes whiskey, she gains +2 DT (Damage Threshold) and her Addiction Chance is reduced by 50%. This makes her surprisingly tanky when fueled by the good stuff. * **Utility:** Her perk is combat-focused, making her a solid choice for direct engagements.Arcade Gannon
* **Location:** Old Mormon Fort in Freeside. * **Recruitment:** Requires a high Speech skill (75) or specific reputation with the Followers of the Apocalypse. Alternatively, you can complete the quest "For Auld Lang Syne" after gaining enough trust and reputation with him, which reveals his Enclave past. * **Story & Personality:** A brilliant, idealistic doctor and former Enclave scientist, Arcade is a member of the humanitarian Followers of the Apocalypse. He's reserved and intellectual but cares deeply about the welfare of the wasteland's inhabitants. * **Combat Style:** Primarily uses energy weapons and can provide healing support. He's not a frontline fighter but can dish out decent damage from a distance. * **Unique Perk:** "Better Healing" – With Arcade Gannon's 'Better Healing' perk, health regeneration from consumables increases by 20%. This is incredibly useful for conserving Stimpaks and other healing items. * **Utility:** His perk is a fantastic utility for any Courier, making your healing items more efficient.Raul Tejada
* **Location:** Black Mountain, imprisoned by Tabitha, the Super Mutant leader. * **Recruitment:** You must complete the quest "Crazy, Crazy, Crazy" by rescuing him from Black Mountain and dealing with Tabitha. * **Story & Personality:** A ghoul mechanic and former gunslinger from Mexico, Raul is a wise-cracking, world-weary individual with a long history. He's often pessimistic but surprisingly insightful and loyal. * **Combat Style:** Proficient with revolvers and other ballistic weapons. He's a good all-around fighter. * **Unique Perks:** Raul Tejada's 'Regular Maintenance' and 'Full Maintenance' perks decelerate the deterioration of weapons and armor by half. * "Regular Maintenance": Weapons and armor degrade 50% slower while he is your active companion. * "Full Maintenance": (Unlocked after his companion quest "Old School Ghoul") – Your weapons and armor also degrade 50% slower, even when he is not with you. This is an incredibly powerful passive perk. * **Utility:** His perks are invaluable for reducing repair costs and maintaining equipment, especially for players who use rare or expensive gear.Veronica Santangelo
* **Location:** 188 Trading Post. * **Recruitment:** Simply talk to her and offer to let her join you. * **Story & Personality:** A Brotherhood of Steel scribe with a rebellious streak and a love for fashion, Veronica is strong-willed, sarcastic, and longs for a life beyond the Brotherhood's strictures. She's a skilled unarmed combatant. * **Combat Style:** Excels in unarmed combat and can use power fists or other melee weapons effectively. She's a formidable close-quarters fighter. * **Unique Perk:** "Scribe Assistant" – Allows the Courier to craft workbench items (like Stimpaks or weapon modifications) at any location, without needing a workbench. * **Utility:** Her perk is a fantastic convenience for crafting on the go, saving trips back to a base.Lily Bowen
* **Location:** Jacobstown. * **Recruitment:** You'll need to complete the quest "Guess Who I Saw Today," which involves helping her with her unique mental state and retrieving some Night Stalker brains. * **Story & Personality:** A friendly, elderly Nightkin (a type of Super Mutant) suffering from schizophrenia and memory loss, Lily is a former grandmother who believes she is still caring for her "grandchildren" (actually Night Stalkers). She's surprisingly gentle but can be terrifyingly effective in combat when her "schizo" persona takes over. * **Combat Style:** A powerful melee combatant, preferring two-handed weapons like the super sledge. She can also use stealth boy technology. * **Unique Perk:** "Stealth Girl" – Stealth Boy duration is increased by 200%, and Sneak Attack Critical Hit damage is increased by 10%. This benefits both Lily and the Courier. * **Utility:** Ideal for stealth-focused players, enhancing both personal and companion sneak capabilities.Boone (Craig Boone)
* **Location:** Novac, usually found in the giant dinosaur's mouth at the Dino Dee-lite Motel. * **Recruitment:** You must complete the quest "One for My Baby," which involves investigating his wife's disappearance and bringing justice to those responsible. This often requires a bit of detective work and a strong moral choice. * **Story & Personality:** A former NCR sniper with a haunted past, Boone is taciturn, vengeful, and carries the heavy burden of his wife's death. He's fiercely protective of the innocent and merciless towards his enemies. * **Combat Style:** An unparalleled sniper. He will automatically mark and target enemies, often eliminating them before they even become a threat to the Courier. * **Unique Perk:** "Spotter" – Enemies within Boone's line of sight are highlighted in red when you aim down sights, making them easier to spot, especially at long range or in low light. * **Utility:** Absolutely essential for players who prefer a stealthy, long-range approach, or simply want to avoid ambushes.Rex
* **Location:** The King's School of Impersonation in Freeside. * **Recruitment:** You'll need to complete the quest "Nothin' But a Hound Dog," which involves finding a new brain for the aging cyberdog of The King. * **Story & Personality:** A loyal cyberdog, Rex served as a police dog in Denver before becoming The King's companion. He's old and his brain is failing, but he's still a formidable fighter and a faithful companion. * **Combat Style:** A melee combatant, using his bite to attack enemies. He's fast and can close distances quickly. * **Unique Perk:** "Search and Mark" – Unmarked containers containing loot are highlighted when Rex is near. This makes finding hidden stashes much easier. * **Utility:** Invaluable for scavengers and players who want to maximize their loot, as he helps uncover hidden items.ED-E
* **Location:** Primm, inside the Nash residence. * **Recruitment:** Requires a Repair skill of 65, a Science skill of 55, or 3 pieces of scrap metal, 2 sensor modules, and 1 scrap electronics. After repairing him, you'll need to complete his personal quest, which involves triggering specific audio logs. * **Story & Personality:** An Eyebot prototype, ED-E is a seemingly simple robot with a complex past tied to the Enclave. His personal quest reveals fascinating lore about the organization and his purpose. * **Combat Style:** A floating combat drone, ED-E uses a powerful laser weapon. He can also project a force field. * **Unique Perks:** * "Enhanced Sensors": Increases the Courier's detection range for enemies by 20% and allows enemies to be highlighted on the compass even when not in combat. * "ED-E's Companion Perk" (after his quest): Increases the Courier's DT by 2. This is a flat damage reduction bonus, making you tougher. * **Utility:** Excellent for early warning against threats and for making the Courier more durable. His quest also provides significant lore insights.Mastering Companion Perks and Upgrades
As highlighted, upgrading companions offers various advantages that extend beyond just having an extra gun. Each of the eight permanent companions in *Fallout New Vegas* provides a unique perk that benefits the Courier directly. These perks are not just minor buffs; they can fundamentally change how you approach challenges in the wasteland. For instance, Raul Tejada's 'Regular Maintenance' and 'Full Maintenance' perks decelerate the deterioration of weapons and armor by half, which is a massive economic advantage, especially when using rare or unique gear. This alone can save you thousands of caps in repair costs. Similarly, with Arcade Gannon's 'Better Healing' perk, health regeneration from consumables increases by 20%. This seemingly small percentage can translate into significant resource conservation over a long journey, allowing you to venture further from safe zones without constantly worrying about your dwindling Stimpak supply. Lily Bowen's "Stealth Girl" perk not only makes her a better stealth companion but also boosts your own Sneak Attack Critical Hit damage and dramatically increases Stealth Boy duration, opening up new tactical possibilities for stealth builds. Understanding these companion perks is key to optimizing your playthrough. Do you frequently use energy weapons? Consider ED-E for his defensive perk and offensive capabilities. Are you a hoarder or constantly running out of repair kits? Raul is your man. Do you prefer to snipe from a distance? Boone's "Spotter" perk is indispensable. Choosing the best *Fallout New Vegas* companion often comes down to aligning their unique benefits with your preferred playstyle and current needs in the Mojave. Remember, these perks are active only when the companion is with you, so swapping companions strategically based on the task at hand is a smart move.The Heart of the Story: Companion Quests
Understanding companion quests in *Fallout New Vegas* is essential for unlocking the full potential of your allies and deepening your immersion in the game's narrative. Each of the eight unique companions has a personal quest line that delves into their past, motivations, and often presents the Courier with difficult moral choices. These quests are not just fetch quests; they are rich, character-driven narratives that add significant depth to the game world. For example, Boone's "One for My Baby" quest is a poignant exploration of grief and justice, culminating in a powerful decision that reflects your own moral compass. Veronica's "I Could Make a Fortune" and "Herman's Hermits" quests explore her yearning for change within the Brotherhood of Steel, offering insights into the faction's rigid ideology. Completing these quests often unlocks enhanced versions of their unique perks or provides significant reputation gains with various factions. This guide provides detailed walkthroughs, tips, and strategies for completing each companion quest in *Fallout New Vegas*. Successfully navigating these quests often requires a combination of combat prowess, diplomatic skill, and keen observation. The choices you make during these quests can have lasting impacts on the companion's disposition, their relationship with you, and even the broader narrative of the Mojave. Engaging with these stories is not just about unlocking perks; it's about building genuine connections with the characters who brave the wasteland alongside you, making your travels a little more enjoyable and meaningful.Recruitment, Keeping Them Happy, and Effective Use
To truly take full advantage of companions in *Fallout New Vegas*, you first need to find these recruitable allies and often jump through some hoops, complete side quests, and more to get them to join your party. As mentioned, some companions like Boone and Arcade Gannon require specific quests or skill checks to recruit, making their acquisition a mini-adventure in itself. Others, like Veronica, are more straightforward. Follow the *Fallout New Vegas* companion list and locations guide to make your travels a little more enjoyable. Once recruited, keeping your companions happy and effective involves a few key considerations: * **Inventory Management:** Companions have their own inventory and carry weight limits. You can equip them with weapons, armor, and aid items. Giving them better gear can significantly improve their combat effectiveness. Remember to provide them with appropriate ammunition for their weapons. * **Companion Wheel Commands:** The companion wheel is your primary tool for managing your allies. You can tell them to stay, follow, use specific weapons, engage enemies, or even access their inventory. Mastering these commands allows for tactical control in combat. For instance, you can tell a melee companion like Veronica to charge a specific enemy, or a sniper like Boone to hold a defensive position. * **Combat AI:** Companions generally have good combat AI, but they aren't infallible. They will automatically engage enemies, but you can override their behavior with commands. Pay attention to their health and use the companion wheel to administer Stimpaks if they get low. * **Affiliation and Reputation:** Companions have their own affiliations and opinions. Actions you take that are contrary to their beliefs can cause them to disapprove, potentially leading them to leave your party if their disapproval becomes too high. Conversely, actions they approve of will increase their loyalty. Understanding their backstories and moral stances is crucial for maintaining a good relationship. For example, Boone will strongly disapprove of actions that harm the NCR or innocent civilians. By effectively managing their gear, utilizing the companion wheel, and understanding their personalities, you can ensure your *Fallout New Vegas* companions are not just companions, but truly invaluable assets in your journey across the Mojave.Choosing the Best Fallout New Vegas Companion for Your Playstyle
Choosing the best *Fallout New Vegas* companion is a tricky job, as there's no single "best" companion for every situation or every Courier. The ideal companion largely depends on your personal playstyle, your current build, and the challenges you're facing. Here are your best companion picks to brave that wasteland of *Fallout New Vegas*, considering various approaches: * **For Stealth Snipers:** **Boone** is almost universally considered the top pick. His "Spotter" perk is unparalleled for long-range engagements, and his proficiency with sniper rifles means he'll often eliminate threats before you even see them. **Lily** can also be a strong contender for stealth builds due to her "Stealth Girl" perk. * **For Tanky Front-Liners:** **Veronica** is an excellent choice if you prefer to get up close and personal. Her unarmed combat skills and ability to wear power armor make her a formidable brawler. **Cass** is also quite durable and can dish out significant damage with shotguns, making her a good choice for close-to-mid-range combat. * **For Utility and Resource Management:** **Raul Tejada** is a must-have for anyone concerned about weapon and armor degradation. His "Full Maintenance" perk is a game-changer for long-term play. **Arcade Gannon**'s "Better Healing" perk is also incredibly valuable for resource conservation. * **For Explorers and Looters:** **Rex** with his "Search and Mark" perk is fantastic for finding hidden containers and maximizing your scavenging efforts. **ED-E**'s "Enhanced Sensors" also helps in detecting enemies and loot from afar, making exploration safer and more efficient. * **For General Purpose:** If you're looking for an all-rounder, **ED-E** is often a solid choice due to his defensive perk, ranged combat, and enemy detection. **Cass** is also a good general combat companion with her durability and firearm proficiency. There are many options for people to travel the Nevada desert with. Ranking every companion in *Fallout New Vegas* so you know which ones are worth having and which ones to avoid ultimately comes down to personal preference and how well their abilities complement your Courier's strengths and weaknesses. Experiment with different companions to find the ones that best suit your adventure.The Whole Gang's Here Achievement
For the completionists and achievement hunters out there, *Fallout New Vegas* offers a specific trophy/achievement titled "The Whole Gang's Here." It is awarded for successfully convincing all of the companions to join the Courier. One must get all the companions in one game in order to get this achievement. This means you'll need to locate and recruit all eight permanent companions: Cass, Arcade Gannon, Raul Tejada, Veronica Santangelo, Lily Bowen, Craig Boone, Rex, and ED-E. Earning this achievement requires dedication, as it means you'll need to travel across the entire Mojave Wasteland, complete various companion-specific quests, and meet certain skill requirements. It encourages players to explore every corner of the map and engage with the rich narratives that each companion brings. Successfully recruiting all of them not only grants you the achievement but also provides a deeper understanding of the game's lore and characters, making your *Fallout New Vegas* experience truly comprehensive.Maximizing Your Mojave Experience
The world of *Fallout New Vegas* is a masterclass in player choice and consequence, and your companions are an integral part of that experience. From their unique personalities and engaging backstories to their invaluable combat support and utility perks, these eight allies are far more than just sidekicks. They are extensions of your journey, offering unique perspectives on the Mojave's factions and challenges. Upgrading companions offers various advantages that can truly shape your playthrough, making difficult encounters manageable and tedious tasks simpler. We hope this guide has provided you with the comprehensive insights needed to recruit, understand, and effectively utilize every one of the *Fallout New Vegas* companions. By taking the time to learn about their benefits, skills, and quests, you can ensure that your Courier is always accompanied by the best possible team for any situation. So, go forth, Courier, brave the wasteland, and forge unforgettable alliances. What are your favorite *Fallout New Vegas* companions? Do you have a go-to team, or do you switch them out based on your mission? Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below, and let us know which companion perk you find most indispensable!
Fallout: New Vegas - Companions - Guide and Tips | GamesCrack.org
Fallout: New Vegas companions | Fallout Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia
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