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If there’s one fact of life in Fallout 4 and the world as a whole, it’s that it’s an incredibly dangerous place. The post-nuclear war was not in any way kind to the landscape, and whoever survives does so with a noticeable layer of misery. That said, our companions give us a great deal of comfort in Fallout 4, not to mention someone to watch our six, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard ranking them all. Just keep one thing in mind: a companion’s perk is secondary to their writing in my mind.
17. Automatron
You can’t be a bad character if you have no character at all, right? Out of the 17 companions in Fallout 4, the Automatron is the only “bad” companion. It’s completely void of any charisma and personality, but I’m aware that’s kind of the purpose.
The Automatron is still really fun to customize, though. There’s some merit there, even more so if you want a companion that doesn’t talk or comment on your actions. Sadly, it lacks any useful perks.
As long as you have the Automatron DLC, and the necessary materials, you can start building your very own Automatron right away.
16. Ada
Ada really isn’t that much different from the Automatron; in fact, they both lack an affinity perk. However, Ada does inch ahead for having unique dialogue, but I think it only works for someone who is new to the Fallout universe.
She often asks probing questions or comments on the Commonwealth’s characteristics, from crumbling ruins to questioning the use of paper when technology was within reach. It’s like having a voiced inner monologue accompany you.
Anyway, you’ll recruit Ada as soon as you start the Mechanical Menace quest, which is the very first of the Automatron DLC. Oh, and doesn’t have a moral compass, so she won’t have an opinion on your choices.
15. Codsworth
Now, if we’re talking about robots with personality, Codsworth is your Handyman. I love the little reunion after you come out of Vault 111, especially his tirade on trying (and failing) to get nuclear fallout out from vinyl wood. Best of all, I enjoy his corny jokes. My personal favorite is the one about visiting a zoo that only had a single dog, and it was a Shih Tzu.
Beyond an awesome VO, Codsworth doesn’t offer much beyond that. Even his affinity perk, Robot Sympathy, only grants +10 resistance to energy attacks from robots. More importantly, you’ll recruit Codsworth right as you enter Sanctuary Hills.
14. X6-88
Where Codsworth is an unserious and charismatic butler, X6-88 is a cold and calculating killing machine. And cool is ice with those shades, too. He’s slightly higher on my list for one reason: I think his dialogue is a fascinating window into the Institute’s brainwashing. I only wish I could’ve explored a version of X6-88 that gained consciousness and see if that would shake his allegiance to the Institute, like Harkness in Fallout 3.
As far as affinity perks are concerned, X6-88’s Shield Harmonics grants +20 to energy resistance. You can recruit X6-88 after you’ve joined the Institute and completed the “Mankind – Redefined” quest.
13. Porter Gage
Most raiders you come across seem bad-to-the-bone because, well, they’re raiders. They want stuff to break and people to murder, but Porter Gage is something different. He doesn’t seem like he’s a raider for the sake of pillaging, but kind of accepting his situation. Porter strikes me as someone who believes that what he does isn’t personal; it’s just business.
He’s by no means a good dude; Porter is still a raider. If I had his past, I don’t think I’d do the same, but that’s what makes him an interesting companion. His morality conflicts with mine.
The Lessons in Blood perk is really useful, too. You get +10 to damage resistance and 5% more experience from killing enemies. If you want this morally ambiguous fella on your team, you have to complete the Nuka-World DLC.
12. Dogmeat
I know it may seem like blasphemy for Dogmeat to be so low on my list, but let me just tap the sign again: I’m more concerned with character than I am with. I love Dogmeat, but he isn’t much of a character. Still, he’s the goodest boy!
However, the fact that he’s this far ahead of some arguably more interesting characters just goes to show you how awesome Dogmeat is when running a Lone Wanderer build. Dogmeat doesn’t count as a true companion, meaning you can benefit from some massive buffs and still have someone to help you fight.
As you’re leaving Sanctuary Hills via the main road, you’ll come to a Red Rocket Station. Kill the mole rats that appear and Dogmeat will show up to help. He’ll join you then!
11. Strong
It doesn’t matter which Fallout game in the series you play—interacting with the Super Mutants has always been so damn entertaining. Well, when you aren’t gunning them down. Strong is one of those mutants. His dialogue is really funny; he’s loyal like a dog and is voiced by the incredible Sean Schemmel (and now you can’t unhear Goku and King Kai).
His Berserk affinity perk is pretty okay, granting 20% increased melee damage when you’re low on health (25%). If you enter Trinity Tower, you’ll come across Strong locked up on the top floor. Should you choose to help him out, he’ll join you for good.
10. Deacon
I don’t mean this in a derogatory sense, but Deacon is like a diet Ryan Reynolds. I swear he’s practicing standup comedy because he always has a smart remark or sassy quip. Compared to some of the people in the Fallout series, Deacon is a bucket of sunshine in comparison. And it’s cool he acts like a covert spy, like a subversion of James Bond.
If you want Deacon the Funny Man by your side for his 20% boost to sneak damage, which is awesome, and stealth boys to last 40% longer, complete the quest “Tradecraft.” Also, you have to join the Railroad.
9. Paladin Danse
Like MacCready once said,” The guy has about as much emotion as a bag of hammers.” As true as that is, it’s refreshing to see a Paladin of Steel actually live up to this image they often paint of themselves. It’s always nice to see a morally good character like Paladin Danse in a world of such gray and failing morals. And what makes it all the more interesting is when you uncover his past, which I won’t spoil.
To recruit Paladin Danse, visit the Cambridge Police Station—you normally cross it during the main quest—and head inside. Once you’ve done the “Tour of Duty” quest and joined the Brotherhood of Steel, Danse will tag along. His affinity perk is Know Your Enemy, granting 20% increased damage to both Super Mutants and Ghouls.
8. John Hancock
What I find fascinating about John Hancock isn’t just his moral ambiguity, but his way of governing. Between him and his brother, McDonough, Hancock is how I imagine how a mayor would act in a post-apocalypse. McDonough is more of an idealized version, a version that doesn’t work in this nuclear wasteland.
John Hancock’s affinity perk is a bit too situational for my taste, though. I take him for his backstory, but his Isodoped perk fills your critical hit bar 20% faster if you’re taking 250 rads or more. Talk to him in Goodneighbor, complete “The Big Dig” quest and make sure you choose Fahrenheit’s side to recruit Hancock.
7. Preston Garvey
Preston Garvey is equal parts goody-two-shoes and a genuinely good person—a trait that’s hard to come by in Fallout 4. I truly feel for the guy. He wants to do so much good, but he’s working so hard against the idea of survival of the fittest. Garvey’s as close to a superhero as you’ll get, essentially.
It also helps that Preston Garvey’s affinity perk is actually pretty good, too. It’s United We Stand, granting +20 to damage resistance and 20% more damage when there are three or more enemies. Since you’re always surrounded by multiple enemies, it kicks in fairly often.
Like Codsworth, Preston Garvey will join you early on in the main story, just after you leave Sanctuary Hills for the first time.
6. MacCready
I admit my bias might be showing a little; MacCready is a highlight of Fallout 3, so it’s great to see him again, the little turd. He’s still a punk but a punk with a kid of his own, and they aren’t in good shape. That has its own tragic backstory you’ll have to experience for yourself, but suffice it to say, it’ll tug at your heartstrings if you have kids of your own.
As companion perks go, MacCready is another that has a really good one for just about any build that values accuracy. Whenever you use VATS, your chances of shooting the head are increased by 20%.
5. Old Longfellow
Old Longfellow is a crotchety old fart, but he means well deep down. More importantly, he’s just a lonely fellow and in desperate need of a hug (which he’ll decline). If you get to know him, you’ll see a much gentler, even fatherly side of him slip through. There’s a good reason for that, too, and it’s as devastating as it gets.
You’ll meet Old Longfellow when you start the Far Harbor DLC during the second main quest. After it concludes, he’ll join you for good. His Hunter’s Wisdom is also among the best companion perks in Fallout 4. It reduces the damage and energy resistance of animals and sea creatures by 25%, which is essentially a damage buff.
4. Curie
What many players fail to realize is Curie isn’t just another Miss Nanny; if you get to know her, you’ll find there’s more to her than meets the eye. Curie’s backstory is interesting, like Ghost in the Shell meets Fallout. Her good nature also makes you question if it’s all just programming or if she’s truly alive.
As a companion, Curie’s Combat Medic perk is solid, though it probably wouldn’t be my first option. If your health drops to 10%, Curie will heal 100 HP right on the spot, but she can only do that once every 24 hours. It’s good in a pinch, but nothing I couldn’t do with two or three stimpaks.
After reaching Vault 81, you’ll get the “Hole in the Wall” side quest. Completing it will unlock Curie as a companion!
3. Cait
Cait had it rough, perhaps even more so than most. Being sold into slavery and abused by your own parents sure does put a damper on someone’s life. Despite the trauma, she always comes out swinging, drinking, and cursing. And her journey from cynic to finding her humanity is grade-A storytelling to me.
Trigger Rush is okay as far as companion perks are concerned. You’ll have 25% faster AP regeneration whenever you’re below 25% health. When you clear out the raiders at the Combat Zone, you can recruit her.
2. Piper Wright
During the main quest, you’ll be led to Diamond City, where you’ll also cross paths with Piper Wright for the first time. And that’s when I fell in love with her character. She’s spunky, defiant, kind, and seems to revel in giving authority figures a hard time by virtue of just wanting to. Piper is also very protective of her sister, which I totally connect with.
I usually play high charisma characters, choosing to talk my way around people. Having Piper’s Gift of Gab perk doubles the amount of experience I get from using charisma checks. You’ll also get twice as much experience from discovering new locations. In other words, you get rewarded for exploring!
1. Nick Valentine
Last but not least, there’s Nick Valentine, arguably the best companion in Fallout 4, not because of his companion perk but because of him as a whole. Compared to everyone in Commonwealth, or Fallout in general, Nick Valentine consistently shows more humanity than most people despite being a synth, and an older model at that.
You’ve got to love that noir detective persona, too. It never gets annoying and only becomes more interesting when you explore his backstory. The best part is that you can’t possibly miss Nick Valentine because you’ll cross paths with him in Vault 114 during the main quest.
For perks, Close to Metal shortens the time you can hack terminals and gives you a bonus guess when hacking.
