Every Fallout 4 Companion, Ranked (2024)

The Fallout games have always excelled at immersing players in the weird and dangerous worlds of post-nuclear war landscapes. Every entry brings a vast array of unique characters to life while showing humanity's resilience through the most extreme adversity. Fallout 4 follows the main character, the Sole Survivor. Despite the obvious implications of this nickname, it's still possible to enlist the help of additional characters as traveling companions.

There is a wide variety of available companions in Fallout 4 — both human and inhuman, all with their own values and general dispositions. With unique affinity perks unlocked when a player maximizes their relationship with that character, each character has specific advantages and disadvantages depending on one's playstyle.

Updated May 7, 2024, by Michael Colwander: Fallout 4 has finally received its current-gen update. Many are getting to experience Fallout 4 for the first time and being introduced to Fallout 4's companions. This list has been updated to provide more information on these great Fallout companions.

16 Codsworth Doesn't Evolve Beyond Being A Good Housekeeper

How to recruit Codsworth: Story progress

Codsworth was the family Mr. Handy robot for the Sole Survivor before the Great War erupted. This makes for a heartwarming reunion when Fallout 4 players discover him in Sanctuary after the game's prologue. Codsworth is the only companion with a prior history with the Sole Survivor, which can initially make him an enticing follower.

Beyond this extreme likability and some fun interactions, Codsworth isn't a helpful traveling companion. With weak endurance, a poor range of attacks, and general panic under pressure, Codsworth is better off staying at one of the player's settlements, where the Sole Survivor can visit him and discuss old times.

15 John Hanco*ck Can Gift The Sole Survivor Chems

How to recruit John Hanco*ck: Completing "The Big Dig" and siding with Fahrenheit

John Hanco*ck has one of the most captivating character designs of available allies. Being a ghoul living with addiction, Hanco*ck may not seem like the ideal partner, but players would be wise not to be fooled by his appearance. As the mayor of Goodneighbor, Hanco*ck uses his role to protect his fellow ghouls from those who seek to demonize and harm them, such as the Synths. He abandoned his real name, John McDonough, and adopted the name and visual styling of historical Founding Father John Hanco*ck – known for his iconic signature on the United States Declaration of Independence as well as the first and third governor of Massachusetts.

Primarily wielding a shotgun, John Hanco*ck is most effective in short-range skirmishes. While this weapon has somewhat limited use, his strength and agility make him more than capable in battle. Also, Hanco*ck will periodically gift players different chems, which will prove helpful in many scenarios.

14 Ada Can Be Customized To Fit Almost Any Need

How to recruit Ada: Completing the "Mechanical Menace" quest as part of the Automatron DLC

Added as part of the Automatron DLC, Ada is a robotic companion with deep customization options available at the game's workbenches. As with non-traditional companions like Dogmeat, Ada allows the player to operate as they see fit within the Commonwealth and requires no relationship maintenance throughout. In fact, Ada is one of a few companions that can be ordered to steal items owned by NPCs.

After finishing the "Mechanical Menace" quest to unlock the character, Ada is a bit of a blank slate, so her effectiveness is dependent on how well the player alters the robot to suit their playstyle. Despite that, with solid stats and effective weaponry on offer, Ada can be a powerful ally.

13 Cait's Skill Set Is Pure Survivability

How to recruit Cait: Clearing the Combat Zone of Raiders

Like many who grew up in the post-apocalyptic Commonwealth, Cait had a difficult childhood. Both parents abused Cait until eventually selling her into slavery. While she finally bought her freedom and took revenge on her parents, the trauma remained. Like John Hanco*ck, Cait self-medicated to deal with the pain of her past.

A tough and blunt Irish woman, Cait became a cage fighter in the Combat Zone to make an income. With a hundred victories to her name, she's renowned in the Commonwealth as a hand-to-hand combatant. In a gunfight, however, Cait isn't the first pick among potential companions. Still, for more thieving players, her lockpicking ability is worthwhile.

12 Deacon Is Great For Sneaking Around – Even If He's Very Talkative

How to recruit Deacon: Joining the Railroad and completing "Tradecraft"

Deacon's shady actions and attitudes scream that he's an undercover agent. Whether it's his ever-changing appearance, his unique missions, or his compulsive lying, Deacon's traits make him an excellent spy. However, these traits don't translate well to a traveling buddy. And strangely enough, despite his James Bond-like spy background, he's not a character that can be romanced.

Deacon's knack for espionage, including his hacking and stealth skills, is valuable. Still, if put in direct combat, his usefulness can shrink. Furthermore, while occasionally hilarious, his propensity to talk too much may quickly become tiresome for some players. However, his Affinity Perk will help players by boosting stealth gameplay when using a Stealth Boy.

11 Strong Is Most Useful For His Hilarious Dialog

How to recruit Strong: Completing "Curtain Call"

Having a Super Mutant as a companion may seem tempting and exciting, but the reality is much more mixed. Strong has some novelty, especially given some of his hilarious dialogue. His journey to find the "milk of human kindness," based on a line in Shakespeare's Macbeth, is hilariously literal. Still, having Strong accompany the player is more effort than it's worth. The Super Mutant has a bizarre and infuriatingly inconsistent blend of likes and dislikes.

Strong can only use specific armor and melee weapons, which ultimately makes Strong an unreliable ally. He can also grow to hate the player for such actions as being nice to Dogmeat, which is troublesome in and of itself. Players should probably avoid having Strong tag along and choose someone who's easier to please and more skilled in combat.

10 Old Longfellow Is A Huge Help Throughout Far Harbor

How to recruit Old Longfellow: Completing "Walk in the Park" as part of the Far Harbor DLC

Old Longfellow, introduced in the Far Harbor DLC, is a grizzled hunter whose years of experience make him functionally a historian of the Island. This breadth of knowledge also makes Longfellow one of the few people capable of guiding players through The Fog. If the player had previously completed the "Walk in the Park" quest, Old Longfellow will compliment the Sole Survivor for braving The Fog alone. While he's embittered from a tragic backstory and frequently gets drunk, he's an excellent friend, especially in combat with Commonwealth beasts.

Old Longfellow can deal damage from long-range with his unique lever-action rifle, Henrietta. His Affinity Perk, Hunter's Wisdom, increases damage and energy resistance to animals and sea creatures by 25 percent. Additionally, unlike other companions, he will commend players for picking up junk items.

9 Robert MacCready Is A Returning Character From Fallout 3

How to recruit Robert MacCready: Paying him 250 caps in Goodneighbor at The Third Rail

Ultimately, a Fallout 4 companion should provide tangible assistance in combat to ensure easier passage through the Commonwealth. Robert MacCready, who originally appeared in Fallout 3 as the young mayor of Little Lamplight, remains one of the most combat-forward companions in the game. Now a weary adult, MacCready has experienced a lot of trauma and is essentially a gun for hire.

With his trusty sniper rifle, MacCready enjoys anything involving combat, stealing, or haggling. Conversely, he dislikes any peaceful options, as well as the use of chems. With a tragic backstory and a terrific personal storyline, MacCready is undoubtedly one of the best companions for more chaotic players and his connection to Fallout 3 is rewarding for longtime players and is a great reason to play Fallout 3 before Fallout 4.

8 Nick Valentine Has One Of The Best Side Quests In Fallout 4

How to recruit Nick Valentine: Completing "Unlikely Valentine" during the main story

Nick Valentine may not be human, but he has one of the best backstories of any potential Fallout 4 companion and one of the best character designs. A Synth prototype and private investigator based in Diamond City, any interactions or storylines involving Valentine immediately become more interesting. The "Long Time Coming" quest is a must-play as it dives not only into the deep history of Nick Valentine but offers a satisfying conclusion to the great companion.

Nick Valentine is handy in a fight, but his primary strengths lie in terminal hacking. His Affinity Perk reduces hacking cooldown time and gives players an extra guess. Terminal hacking isn't for every player, so having Valentine there to lend a hand is ideal for many.

7 X6-88 Combat Capabilities Make Up For The Fact He Requires Joining The Institute

How to recruit X6-88: Joining the Institute and completing "Mankind - Redefined"

As far as skilled combatants go, X6-88 is one of the most proficient and capable options for Fallout 4 players. Unfortunately, players will need to side with The Institute, ostensibly the game's primary antagonist, to recruit him. X6-88 has an inconsistent range of likes and dislikes, making it difficult to track his value system. For the Institute, X6-88 is a Courser, who carries out missions for The Institute including those they require to bring back escaped Synths.

A Gen 3 Synth, X6-88's affiliation with The Institute means he has a short fuse and will turn on players if they attack Synths or take him to see the Railroad. Having to walk on eggshells and constantly worrying about aggravating a teammate isn't an issue most Fallout players wish to deal with.

6 Piper Wright Is As Good Behind A Gun As She Is With A Camera

How to recruit Piper Wright: Completing "Story of the Century" during the main story

Piper is more than just an inquisitive character. As a rebellious reporter, she's determined to seek out the truth and ensure the good people of the Commonwealth stay adequately informed. This determination leads Piper to get aggressive while pursuing the answers she desires. She has a dislike for the Brotherhood of Steel and supports pro-Synth causes.

As a companion to the Sole Survivor, Piper is the perfect company for players who are kind, respectful of others, and willing to do whatever it takes. Using her pistol, Piper proves more than capable during combat. Plus, her Affinity Perk, Gift of Gab, doubles the experience players gain during conversations and upon discovering new locations.

5 Paladin Danse Is A Compelling Character Who Boasts The Power Of The Brotherhood

How to recruit Paladin Danse: Completing "Tour of Duty" and joining the Brotherhood of Steel

The Brotherhood of Steel faction is straightforward and easier to join than one like the Institute. Paladin Danse is the Brotherhood's representative among the possible companions of Fallout 4.

Exceptional in combat, Danse is also honorable and generally kind. In a bit of a contradiction, Danse prefers a violent action if it brings a "nice" ending over a peaceful alternative with nasty results. His story makes him a compelling character and a valuable comrade, and the plot twist that accompanies it is genuinely shocking. That, alone, makes him well worth picking up as a companion.

4 Preston Garvey Is A Perfect Good-Alignment Companion

How to recruit Preston Garvey: Completing "The First Step"

Preston Garvey is the primary catalyst behind the Minutemen's quest to help those in need throughout the Commonwealth. He's one of the first helpful survivors the Sole Survivor meets on their journey. Given these good intentions, Fallout 4's creators no doubt intended Garvey to serve as the heroic companion every player would want beside them. In reality, however, most fans find Preston a little too irritating, given the quantity and quality of his dialogue. Despite being an accomplished fighter, he's also many players' least favorite friend.

Preston Garvey isn't the only character who favors honorable choices and acts. However, his tastes are so strict that players can't do anything remotely out of line if they don't want Garvey to nag them. Similarly, his constant quest-giving related to settlements being in danger has become a meme. Garvey needs more variety, both in terms of dialogue and his rescue missions.

3 Porter Gage Is A Big Damage Dealer Who Also Adds Damage Resistance

How to recruit Porter Gage: Completing the Nuka-World DLC main story

Included in the Nuka-World DLC, Porter Gage is a former mercenary-turned-raider with years of combat experience in the Commonwealth. Because of this experience, Gage boasts impressive battle traits, making him an ideal partner for almost any type of Fallout 4 adventure.

In addition to his experience and ruthlessness, Porter Gage's handmade rifle deals large amounts of damage with each shot. Similarly, his Lessons in Blood Affinity Perk, which grants +10 damage resistance, greatly assists players during fights. Be careful when engaging with raiders in Nuka-World, though, as any attack against them by the Sole Survivor will cause Gage to turn hostile. However, while in Nuka World, Gage will be a vendor – able to buy and sell items, including those in his inventory given by the Sole Survivor.

2 Dogmeat Is A Good Boy As All Dogmeats Are

How to recruit Dogmeat: Finding him at a Red Rocket truck stop southeast of Sanctuary Hills

Dogmeat is the first companion the Sole Survivor meets in Fallout 4. Dogmeat is hugely helpful, as his powerful smell allows him to find items and spot enemies. Plus, when activated, his Affinity Perk enables him to bite and hold enemies, providing players with increased accuracy and occasionally crippling a limb.

He also allows players to continue using the Lone Wanderer perk, which grants greater damage resistance and carry weight to players who don't have a companion. Ultimately, these traits don't fully cover up Dogmeat's lack of overall utility in combat as, besides having the lowest strength, Dogmeat carries the lowest hit points among potential companions. Regardless, Dogmeat is an amazing dog. Despite his lack of human dialog, Dogmeat is still one of the best characters in the franchise no matter which version of canine companion he appears as.

1 Curie Is Adorable With A Great Story And Even Better Dialog

How to recruit Curie: Completing "Hole in the Wall" in Vault 81

As a quality companion, Fallout 4 players often dismiss Curie. However, this rejection only highlights the fact such players likely didn't complete her storyline. Curie isn't the best in battle, starting as a Miss Nanny robot, despite her built-in buzzsaw and laser gun. As part of her questline, Curie can inhabit a Synth body, which makes her much more capable and downright formidable in battle.

As a Synth, Curie can function as any of Fallout 4's human companions would. Similarly, Curie reacts well to good behavior and kind deeds, which makes her generally more agreeable to travel with. Her French accent makes for hilarious delivery of otherwise unremarkable lines. Her bubbly innocence and naiveté make her a joy to be around. Plus, her Combat Medic Affinity Perk heals players once every 24 hours when they're in trouble, helping them out in some dire situations.

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Fallout 4

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In Fallout 4, players exit the vault to a postapocalyptic world to search for their lost child.

RPG

Action

Franchise

Fallout

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

November 10, 2015

Developer(s)

Bethesda

Publisher(s)

Bethesda