Embarking on a journey through the Mojave Wasteland in Fallout: New Vegas is significantly enhanced by choosing the right companions. These recruitable allies not only provide invaluable backup in combat but also offer unique perks and engaging storylines through personal quests. However, selecting the best New Vegas Partners can be challenging, as each companion brings distinct strengths, weaknesses, and quest requirements to the table. This guide will delve into each potential companion, helping you make informed decisions to maximize your survival and enjoyment in New Vegas.
There’s a diverse range of strategies you can employ with companions in New Vegas. You might prefer overwhelming firepower by teaming up with Ed-E and a ranged specialist, creating a mobile artillery force. Alternatively, you could utilize Rex and Lily as durable front-line defenders, drawing enemy attention while you strategically snipe from a safer distance. Another effective tactic involves letting Lily dominate in melee combat while you and Ed-E provide long-range support, ensuring enemies are dealt with before they can pose a significant threat. Ultimately, the optimal companion setup hinges on your preferred combat style and how you intend to navigate the dangers of the Wasteland.
Ed-E
Ed-E hovering, ready to assist in combat.
Ed-E stands out as a highly advantageous robotic companion, primarily due to his ranged combat style. Unlike some other companions, robots in New Vegas cannot be upgraded, making Ed-E’s inherent ranged capability particularly valuable. He maintains a safe distance, unleashing powerful laser attacks while you engage enemies. If Ed-E is taking excessive damage, instructing him to maintain a greater distance ensures enemies must first navigate past you to reach him, granting you ample opportunity to cripple their approach.
Recruited from: Primm, inside the Mojave Express Courier building.
To recruit Ed-E, you’ll find him inactive at the Mojave Express office counter in Primm. Repairing him requires either a Repair skill of 65 or higher, or a Science skill of 55 or higher for an easier check. Alternatively, if your Science skill is between 35 and 55, you can repair Ed-E using 3 Scrap Metal, 2 Sensor Modules, and 1 Scrap Electronics. These components are commonly found throughout the Mojave Wasteland, making them relatively easy to acquire through exploration.
Perk Granted: Enhanced Sensors
Enhanced Sensors significantly boosts your ability to detect enemies at an extended range. This perk is exceptionally beneficial for players who favor stealth or sniping. The increased detection range allows you to identify and prepare for threats, often before enemies are even aware of your presence, especially indoors. While some elusive enemies might still manage to spot you outdoors, Enhanced Sensors provides a substantial advantage in most encounters.
Side Quest: Ed-E My Love
Initiating the Ed-E My Love side quest is a multi-layered process that unfolds as you explore the Mojave Wasteland with Ed-E. The quest begins by speaking to Old Lady Gibson at Gibson Scrapyard in Novac about Helios One, which triggers the first of Ed-E’s stored audio logs.
Progressing through the quest involves a combination of in-game time and exposing Ed-E to specific keywords. Keywords that trigger log entries include “Air Force Base,” “Archimedes,” “Eden,” “Enclave,” and “Navarro.” Engaging in conversations with Arcade Gannon at the Old Mormon Fort or simply traveling to Nellis Air Force Base are effective ways to trigger these logs. After accumulating several logs, the next stage of the quest will become available after a waiting period.
After a couple of in-game days, you should receive a transmission from Knight Lorenzo, directing you to Repconn Headquarters. Ascend to the top floor and loot the Brotherhood of Steel Mission Holotape and Mission Statement XV-56 from the deceased corpses.
Equipped with these items, travel to Hidden Valley. You should then receive a message from April Martimer, requesting you bring Ed-E to her at the Old Mormon Fort. Completing this step allows you to choose between weapon or armor upgrades for Ed-E. Taking Ed-E to April Martimer results in weapon upgrades, while taking him to Knight Lorenzo offers armor enhancements. Note that the armor upgrade path requires a positive standing with the Brotherhood of Steel.
Rex
Rex, the cyberdog companion, ready for action.
Rex is a formidable cyberdog companion known for his aggressive melee attacks. He rapidly closes the distance to enemies, delivering a flurry of quick attacks that have a chance to knock targets off balance. When combat initiates, Rex will charge into the fray, relentlessly attempting to knock down and overwhelm opponents. His rapid engagement minimizes the opportunity for ranged enemies to inflict significant damage. However, Rex is more vulnerable against powerful melee adversaries, such as Nightkin. To maximize Rex’s survivability, consider disarming melee-focused enemies and providing ranged support while they are engaged with Rex.
Recruited from: Freeside, The King’s School of Impersonation.
Recruiting Rex requires completing the “Nothin’ But a Hound Dog” side quest, which becomes available after finishing the “G.I. Blues” quest and speaking with King again at The King’s School of Impersonation in Freeside.
Recruitment Quest: Nothin’ But a Hound Dog
The “Nothin’ But a Hound Dog” quest is straightforward but offers multiple outcomes depending on the brain you choose to replace Rex’s deteriorating one. Each brain option alters Rex’s combat attributes:
- Rey’s Brain: Obtained from Old Lady Gibson at Gibson Scrap Yard in Novac. You can purchase Rey’s brain for 700 caps, or persuade her to give it to you for free with a Barter skill of 70 or higher. Choosing Rey’s brain enhances Rex’s attack damage.
- Violetta’s Brain: Located west of New Vegas at the Violet and Violetta trailer park, guarded by the Fiend Violet and her dogs. Killing Violetta and retrieving her brain boosts Rex’s movement speed.
- Lupa’s Brain: Found at The Fort, by speaking to Anthony about Lupa. This option involves a machete duel against Lupa. Using Lupa’s brain increases Rex’s health points, making him more resilient in combat. However, recruiting Rex with Lupa’s brain will cause Boone, who harbors animosity towards the Legion, to refuse to travel with you.
Note that you can only choose one brain to install in Rex, so select the upgrade that best suits your combat preferences.
Perk Granted: Search and Mark
Search and Mark enhances your ability to locate items in the environment. While Rex is your companion, zooming in your view highlights interactable objects on the ground, containers, safes, Hollow Rocks, and even corpses. While useful for loot scavenging, this perk is generally not a primary factor in deciding whether to recruit Rex.
In addition to Search and Mark, Rex gains bonus perks based on the chosen brain:
- Rey’s Brain: Faithful Protector – Increases Rex’s attack damage.
- Violetta’s Brain: Unshakeable Tracker – Increases Rex’s movement speed.
- Lupa’s Brain: Blood of the Legion – Increases Rex’s hit points.
Arcade Gannon
Arcade Gannon, the Enclave doctor, ready to provide medical and combat support.
Arcade Gannon offers a unique blend of medical expertise and combat support. While not as offensively potent as some other companions, his medical skills and perk make him a valuable asset. Arcade excels in ranged combat, similar to Boone and Cass, but is specifically proficient with Energy Weapons. To maximize his combat effectiveness, equip him with heavy armor and a powerful laser weapon.
Recruited from: Freeside, The Old Mormon Fort.
Recruiting Arcade Gannon is straightforward. Speak to him at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside. You’ll need either a high Speech skill or a low Intelligence score to convince him to join you on your adventures.
Perk Granted: Better Healing
Better Healing significantly enhances the effectiveness of healing items. With Arcade in your party, all healing items, including food, Stimpaks, and Doctor’s Bags, restore 20% more health. This perk is exceptionally useful, especially on Hardcore difficulty, allowing you to carry fewer healing supplies while maintaining effective healing capabilities. Better Healing complements even high Medicine skills, further amplifying your survivability.
Side Quest: For Auld Lang Syne
The For Auld Lang Syne side quest, essential for deepening your relationship with Arcade, is tied to the main storyline progression. Unlike some companions, initiating this quest with Arcade doesn’t solely rely on affinity points. It will automatically become available as you advance through the game, even if you haven’t actively sought to increase his approval.
To trigger the quest, complete the following actions while Arcade is your companion: complete the “White Wash” side quest by aiding Westside with water or eliminating the Scorpion gang, and bring him along during the “Render Unto Caesar” quest. When you enter The Fort with Arcade, ensure you indicate that you are merely scouting the location.
Alternatively, visiting the crashed vertibird and Repconn HQ with Arcade, followed by installing Yes Man into Mr. House’s mainframe, will also initiate the quest.
During For Auld Lang Syne, you must recruit several individuals for a meeting at the Remnant’s Bunker: Doctor Henry (Jacobstown), Cannibal Johnson (Cannibal Johnson’s Cave), Judah Kreger (Westside), Orion Moreno (NCR Sharecropper Farms), and Daisy Whitman (Novac). You have the option to have Arcade wait at the Lucky 38 casino, as bringing him to the bunker can lead to him leaving your service depending on your choices during the quest. Once you’ve gathered the Remnants, proceed to the bunker to resolve the quest.
At the bunker, Judah will prompt you to align with either the NCR or Caesar’s Legion. Choosing the NCR rewards you with Daisy’s Enclave power armor, while siding with the Legion grants you Cannibal Johnson’s Enclave power armor.
Rose of Sharon Cassidy (Cass)
Cass, the versatile caravan owner, a reliable gunslinger and companion.
Cass stands out as a highly versatile companion, capable of excelling in both ranged and melee combat, though she is primarily a skilled ranged fighter. While most companions lean heavily towards one combat style, Cass offers adaptability. However, she is not as durable as some companions, so positioning her strategically to avoid direct enemy fire is advisable.
To enhance Cass’s survivability, equip her with heavy armor. Metal Armor provides a baseline, but Combat Armor or salvaged Power Armor offers superior protection. Arm her with a powerful shotgun, like a Hunting Shotgun loaded with slugs, and she becomes a formidable force, capable of quickly dispatching enemies. With the Hand of Vengeance perk, her shotgun prowess becomes even more devastating.
Recruited from: Mojave Outpost.
Recruiting Cass requires completing the “Heartache by the Number” quest. To unlock this quest, you must first engage with the Crimson Caravan Company by undertaking the “You Can Depend on Me” quest. Subsequently, you must either eliminate Ranger Jackson or clear the road of giant ants for him. After these steps, speaking to Cass will initiate the “Heartache by the Number” side quest, and upon its completion, she will become a permanent companion.
Perk Granted: Whiskey Rose
Whiskey Rose provides a unique, albeit situational, perk. When consuming Whiskey with Cass in your party, both of you gain increased Damage Threshold and negate the negative effects of alcohol, such as Intelligence reduction and addiction. This perk offers a temporary boost to damage resistance and can be strategically used before challenging encounters, particularly against enemies dealing consistent, low-damage attacks. Combined with good armor, Whiskey Rose can make you highly resistant to weaker firearms.
Extra Perks (Unlocked through Side Quest):
- Calm Heart: Grants +50 Hit Points. This perk is awarded for completing her side quest in a non-violent manner.
- Hand of Vengeance: Grants +15% damage with all guns. This perk is obtained by resolving her side quest through violent means.
Side Quest: Heartache by the Number
Cass will task you with investigating the Cassidy Caravans Wreckage, initiating a series of travels that uncover a conspiracy involving the Silver Rush and Crimson Caravan. The quest offers two distinct paths: a violent resolution and a non-violent resolution, each leading to a different extra perk for Cass.
Violent Route:
- Travel to the Crimson Caravan Company Main Office and eliminate Alice McLafferty.
- Proceed to the Silver Rush. Eliminate the guards outside, breach the building, and defeat Gloria Van Graff, who will be heavily guarded.
Non-Violent Route:
- Go to the Crimson Caravan Company Main Office. Locate a safe to the left side of the room and open it to retrieve the Crimson Caravan-Van Graff Agreement.
- Report your findings to Cass.
- Travel to the Silver Rush and enter the restroom. Use a Stealth Boy to become invisible and sneak through the guarded door to find another safe containing the Letter to Gloria.
- Take the Letter to Gloria to Cass.
- Speak with Ranger Jackson at the Mojave Outpost to conclude the quest non-violently and earn the Calm Heart perk for Cass. Choose the violent route to earn Hand of Vengeance.
Craig Boone
Boone, the skilled sniper, a deadly and reliable ranged companion.
Boone is a highly effective and deadly companion, particularly at long range. Even with his standard hunting rifle, he can swiftly eliminate enemies, especially when using armor-piercing ammunition. Equipping him with a superior sniper rifle, such as the Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle or the Anti-Material Rifle, transforms him into an unstoppable force. Boone’s combat prowess is undeniable, making him an excellent choice for players who value ranged dominance. To further enhance his survivability, equip him with Recon Armor and Stimpaks.
Boone’s preference for engaging enemies from a distance makes him particularly well-suited for Hardcore mode, where additional offensive support is often crucial. His combination of offensive and defensive capabilities is strong. Arming him with both a Ripper for close-quarters combat and a high-powered rifle for long-range engagements makes him effective in diverse combat scenarios. However, be mindful of extremely powerful melee enemies like Nightkin, who can pose a significant threat to Boone if they close the distance.
Recruited from: Novac.
To recruit Boone, speak to him at night within the dinosaur mouth in Novac. He will request your assistance in uncovering the person responsible for his wife’s disappearance. Complete the “One For My Baby” side quest, ensuring you identify and confront the true culprit, and Boone will become available as a companion.
Perk Granted: Spotter
Spotter highlights enemies in red when you aim your targeting cursor at them. This perk enhances enemy visibility, particularly in low-light conditions or complete darkness. However, its utility is somewhat diminished by the VATS system, which automatically targets nearby enemies, making the manual highlighting less crucial in many combat situations.
Side Quest: I Forgot to Remember to Forget
To initiate Boone’s personal side quest, I Forgot to Remember to Forget, you must first complete several other quests with Boone as your active companion. Quick ways to progress include: rescuing the NCR hostages in Nelson during the “Back In Your Own Backyard” quest, completing the “Booted” side quest in Nipton, and resolving the situation with Silus or the traitor at Camp McCarran. These actions will build sufficient rapport with Boone to unlock his personal quest. Before the quest formally begins, you must speak with Manny Vargas in Novac about the Bitter Springs Massacre.
Once Boone mentions Bitter Springs, suggest visiting the location. He will initially refuse but bring it up again later. Suggest going a second time, and he will agree. Stay overnight at Bitter Springs, and upon waking, the quest will begin as a combat-focused encounter. Defeat all three waves of attacking enemies to complete the quest.
Upon completing I Forgot to Remember to Forget, Boone will ask you a question about his future. Your response determines which armor upgrade he receives. Both armor variants offer identical stats but differ cosmetically, reflecting different narrative outcomes for Boone. Choosing the first answer option results in Boone receiving a more repentant armor variant, while the second option grants him a more aggressive, bloodthirsty looking armor.
Lily
Lily, the Nightkin companion, a powerful melee fighter with a unique rage mechanic.
Lily is a Nightkin companion who is a formidable force in melee combat, though her effectiveness is tied to a unique “berserk” mechanic. When engaged in combat, Lily can periodically enter a rage state, significantly boosting her combat prowess but also causing her to neglect her own health. During these rages, she can quickly overwhelm enemies, but she also becomes more vulnerable to being incapacitated by powerful foes, such as Deathclaws.
You can manage Lily’s rage frequency through dialogue options, influencing her medication intake. Instructing her to take her medication consistently will suppress her rages, causing her to fight at approximately 75% of her full potential but with greater consistency. Telling her to take medication occasionally triggers rages only when her health is critically low, allowing her to fight at 100% effectiveness with occasional bursts of enhanced power. Ignoring her medication management entirely results in frequent rages whenever she loses about half of her health, pushing her combat effectiveness to 150%, but with increased risk due to her self-neglect during these states.
You can sometimes interrupt Lily’s berserk rages by entering Sneak mode. If she is raging, stand still, exit sneak mode, and then re-enter sneak mode. This action can often, but not always, calm her down.
Recruited from: Jacobstown. Recruiting Lily requires completing the side quest “Guess Who I Saw Today.”
Perk Granted: Stealthgirl
Stealthgirl greatly enhances stealth gameplay. While Lily is your companion, Stealth Boys last 200% longer than their normal duration, extending their effect from three minutes to approximately nine minutes. Additionally, Stealthgirl increases Sneak Attack Critical damage by 10%. This perk makes Lily an exceptional choice for players who favor stealth-based approaches.
Side Quest: Guess Who I Saw Today
Upon accepting the “Guess Who I Saw Today” quest in Jacobstown, Lily becomes temporarily recruitable but will soon depart to participate in Doctor Henry’s experiments. Afterward, Keene will intrude, demanding the experimental prototype specs. You can either provide the specs, pass a Speech check to dissuade him, or engage in combat. Regardless of your choice, once the quest concludes, Lily becomes permanently available as a companion.
Raul Tejada
Raul Tejada, the repairman ghoul, offering maintenance and gunfighting skills.
Raul’s primary strength lies in his maintenance abilities, keeping your equipment in optimal condition and minimizing repair costs. Upgrading his perk from Regular Maintenance to Full Maintenance significantly reduces equipment degradation, saving you considerable caps on repairs. This is especially beneficial for players who frequently use weapons and armor with the “Built to Destroy” trait, which causes faster degradation.
Raul is also capable in combat, though he is only marginally more effective than Arcade Gannon. While Raul is a slightly better fighter overall, Arcade’s proficiency with powerful Energy Weapons can sometimes give him an edge. Raul primarily uses revolvers and lever-action rifles, which are effective in the early to mid-game but become less potent in later stages against heavily armored enemies. By the late game, using armor-piercing ammunition with Raul’s weapons becomes almost essential.
Recruited from: Black Mountain.
Rescuing Raul is part of the “Crazy, Crazy, Crazy” quest, where you must free him from Super Mutants who have overrun Black Mountain.
Perk Granted: Regular Maintenance
Regular Maintenance slows down the degradation rate of weapons and armor by approximately 15%. This perk is highly useful for minimizing equipment wear and tear. If you plan to recruit Raul, this perk effectively mitigates the negative effects of the “Built to Destroy” trait.
Side Quest: (Unlisted)
Raul has an unlisted side quest that unlocks a new outfit and an additional perk. To initiate this quest, simply engage in frequent conversations with Raul. He will eventually discuss what needs to be done to unlock these bonuses.
Extra Perks (Unlocked through Unlisted Side Quest):
- Full Maintenance: Reduces weapon and armor degradation by 75%. Combined with Raul’s inherent repair skills, this perk keeps your equipment in excellent condition for extended periods, even with the “Built to Destroy” trait or using lower-quality ammunition. This perk is obtained by encouraging Raul to abandon his violent past.
- Old Vaquero: Increases Raul’s damage with revolvers and lever-action rifles by 30%. While this perk enhances Raul’s combat effectiveness, Full Maintenance is generally considered the more practically beneficial option. Old Vaquero is unlocked by encouraging Raul to continue embracing his gunfighting skills.
Veronica
Veronica, the Brotherhood of Steel hopeful, a powerful unarmed combatant and portable workbench.
Veronica is a fan-favorite companion, known for her engaging personality and exceptional unarmed combat abilities. She also serves as a portable workbench, adding significant utility to your adventures. While she can theoretically use Energy Weapons, her preference and effectiveness lie in unarmed combat, particularly with her Power Fist.
Equipping Veronica with good armor is crucial for her survivability. Given her Power Armor Training, outfitting her with Power Armor, preferably T-45d, provides excellent protection, radiation resistance, and a strength boost. Paired with a Ballistic Fist or Displacer Fist, she becomes a whirlwind of destruction in close-quarters combat. Providing her with Stimpaks further enhances her durability in prolonged engagements.
Notably, giving Veronica any type of dress, such as a White Glove Society dress, will prompt her to teach you a special unarmed attack called Scribe Counter, a valuable move when you are disarmed. Veronica can also wield the Chainsaw, a melee weapon obtained from Motor-Runner, the leader of The Fiends. In Veronica’s hands, the Chainsaw becomes exceptionally deadly, as she defaults to its VATS attack, dealing massive damage.
Recruited from: 188 Trading Post.
Recruiting Veronica is simple. Speak to her at the 188 Trading Post. Avoid expressing negative sentiments about the Brotherhood of Steel during your conversation, and she will readily agree to join you.
Perk Granted: Scribe Assistant
Scribe Assistant allows you to utilize Veronica as a portable workbench. By speaking to her, you can access workbench functionality anywhere, eliminating the need to locate fixed workbenches. This perk is incredibly convenient, especially for crafting and repairing items on the go. Veronica’s combat skills and the sheer convenience of Scribe Assistant make her a highly desirable companion.
Side Quest: I Could Make You Care
To initiate Veronica’s side quest, I Could Make You Care, have Veronica in your party and visit several key locations. Recommended locations include Nipton, the Old Mormon Fort (speak to Julie Farkas), and either Nelson or Camp McCarran. Other locations can trigger the quest, but these are among the quickest and require minimal prerequisite quest completion. I Could Make You Care only requires visiting three out of approximately six potential locations to progress.
Extra Perk: Bonds of Steel
Bonds of Steel increases Veronica’s armor by 4 points, further enhancing her durability in combat. This perk is automatically granted upon completion of her side quest, regardless of the specific choices made during the quest.
