Introduction
The Mojave Wasteland. A sun-baked expanse teeming with danger, intrigue, and enough morally ambiguous choices to make your head spin. But you don’t have to face it alone. Fallout: New Vegas offers a diverse roster of companions, each with their own unique skills, personalities, and backstories, ready to join you on your journey. These companions aren’t just pack mules or extra guns; they’re integral to the story, offering different perspectives, completing your combat style, and sometimes even guiding your moral compass. Choosing the right companion can dramatically impact your gameplay experience, unlocking new quests, influencing dialogue options, and shaping the narrative in unforeseen ways.
So, who is the best companion in New Vegas? The answer, of course, is subjective. Personal preference plays a significant role. However, factors like combat effectiveness, utility of companion perks, depth of backstory, and how well they integrate into different playstyles can help us objectively assess their value. This guide aims to explore the most compelling companions in New Vegas, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses to help you find the perfect partner for your Mojave adventure. While no ranking will ever satisfy everyone, let’s journey through the wasteland together to find the best companions in New Vegas.
Defining the Ideal Companion: Evaluation Criteria
Before we dive into individual profiles, let’s establish the criteria we’ll use to evaluate each potential recruit. This isn’t just about who can shoot the best; it’s about how well they contribute to your overall experience.
Combat Prowess
This covers their effectiveness in a fight. How much damage do they deal? How well can they survive? What are their weapon preferences, and how do they utilize their skills in battle? Are they better at close-quarters combat, long-range support, or something in between?
Companion Perk
The Companion Perk is crucial. These unique abilities can provide significant bonuses to the player. We’ll examine the utility of each perk, how well it synergizes with different character builds, and whether it offers a worthwhile advantage. A good perk can complement your abilities, turning you into an unstoppable force.
Backstory and Dialogue
The Backstory and Dialogue of each companion add layers of depth. A compelling backstory makes you care about their fate, and well-written dialogue makes them feel like more than just a programmed ally. We will look at the impact each companion makes and the quality of their involvement.
Quest and Interaction
The Quest and Interaction aspect explores whether a companion adds meaningful content to the game beyond simply following you around. Do they unlock new quests? Do they offer unique dialogue options or interactions with other characters? A good companion should enrich the world around you.
Roleplaying Fit
Finally, Roleplaying Fit considers how well a companion aligns with different character alignments and playstyles. A goody-two-shoes player might find a ruthless mercenary distasteful, while a morally ambiguous character might find a naive idealist irritating. The best companion should complement your chosen role.
Boone: The Silent Sniper
First up we have Boone. Found in Novac, this former NCR sniper carries a heavy burden of grief and a deadly aim. Boone is arguably the most popular companion in New Vegas, and for good reason.
In combat, Boone excels at long-range engagements. His preferred weapon is a hunting rifle, but he’s proficient with any sniper rifle. His high perception and accuracy make him a deadly marksman, capable of eliminating enemies before they even know you’re there. He’s especially effective against Legion troops, a fact that ties directly into his tragic backstory.
Boone’s companion perk, “Spotter,” passively highlights hostile targets, making it easier to plan your attacks and avoid ambushes. This perk is invaluable for stealth builds and anyone who wants a tactical advantage in combat. It’s particularly useful in areas with dense foliage or low visibility.
Boone’s backstory is one of loss and revenge. The horrors he witnessed in the NCR and the loss of his wife drive his actions. His dialogue is often somber and reflective, revealing a man haunted by the past. Unlocking his personal quest, “I Forgot to Remember to Forget,” is a must for any player, and will give Boone the closure he needs.
Boone is an ideal companion for players who value efficiency, precision, and a slightly darker tone. His anti-Legion sentiment aligns well with characters who want to rid the Mojave of their influence. If you’re playing a good karma character who values justice, Boone will be a valuable ally. Boone’s only con is his lack of versatility in close-quarters combat. He struggles against hordes of enemies or in confined spaces.
Veronica: The Scribe with a Punch
Veronica Santangelo, found at the 188 Trading Post, is a Brotherhood of Steel scribe with a penchant for power fists and a yearning for change. She’s a refreshing contrast to the often-rigid ideologies of the Brotherhood.
Veronica is a formidable melee fighter. She prefers unarmed combat, using power fists to deliver devastating blows. Her agility and speed make her a challenging opponent for most enemies. Plus, her love of dresses is endearing.
Veronica’s companion perk, “Scribe Assistant,” allows you to craft workbench items using only the required components, eliminating the need to find additional tools. This perk is incredibly useful for crafting ammunition, repairing weapons, and creating chems on the go.
Veronica’s backstory is one of conflict and disillusionment. She’s torn between her loyalty to the Brotherhood and her desire for a more progressive future. Her dialogue is witty, insightful, and often critical of the Brotherhood’s isolationist policies. Her personal quest, “I Could Make You Care,” forces you to confront the Brotherhood’s outdated ways and choose a path for their future.
Veronica is a great companion for players who enjoy melee combat, crafting, and challenging the status quo. She’s a good fit for characters who value independence, critical thinking, and a bit of rebellious spirit. One drawback is her limited ranged combat capabilities.
ED-E: The Eyebot with a Heart
ED-E, found in Primm (or possibly Nash’s House), is a durable eyebot with a surprising amount of personality, despite lacking a voice. This little guy is a powerhouse of combat support and general convenience.
While ED-E doesn’t directly engage in melee combat, it provides invaluable support from a distance. It can fire laser beams and EMP blasts, disabling robots and dealing significant damage to armored targets. Its high durability makes it a difficult target to take down.
ED-E has two possible companion perks, depending on where you get the necessary upgrades, the first is from the Brotherhood of Steel, and the second is from the Followers of the Apocalypse. Each upgrade gives ED-E increased damage output and armor penetration with laser weapons, and the second perk allows you to detect enemies from a great distance and repair weapons and armor while on the move. The enemy detection ability is incredibly useful for stealth builds and for avoiding ambushes.
ED-E’s backstory is fragmented and mysterious, told through audio logs scattered throughout the Mojave. Piecing together its history reveals a story of loyalty, sacrifice, and technological resilience. While it lacks dialogue in the traditional sense, its beeps and whirs convey a surprising range of emotions.
ED-E is a versatile companion that complements almost any playstyle. Its support abilities, enemy detection, and repair skill make it a valuable asset in any situation. ED-E’s lack of direct melee combat can be a drawback in close-quarters encounters.
Raul: The Ghoul Gunslinger
Raul Tejada, found in Black Mountain, is a weathered ghoul mechanic with a wealth of knowledge and a surprisingly steady hand. He brings experience to the table.
Raul is proficient with a variety of weapons, including revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. His age has slowed him down a bit, but his years of experience make him a reliable shot.
Raul’s companion perk, “Regular Maintenance,” slows down the rate at which your weapons and armor degrade. This perk is incredibly useful for players who rely on expensive or rare equipment, as it saves them a significant amount of time and money on repairs.
Raul’s backstory is filled with hardship and loss. He recounts tales of his life as a gunslinger in Mexico and the devastating events that led to his ghoulification. His dialogue is often melancholic and reflective, offering a unique perspective on the wasteland. He can undergo a quest where he can return to his former gunslinging glory, or leave the violence behind.
Raul is a good companion for players who value resourcefulness, experience, and a touch of nostalgia. His repair skill and weapon proficiency make him a valuable asset in any situation. One problem is his slow speed.
Cass: The Hard-Drinking Caravaner
Rose of Sharon “Cass” Cassidy, found at the Mojave Outpost, is a tough-as-nails caravaner with a thirst for whiskey and a knack for getting into trouble.
Cass is a capable fighter with a preference for shotguns and other close-range weapons. She is also resistant to alcohol, and can drink much more than the Courier.
Cass’s companion perk, “Whiskey Rose,” increases your damage threshold when consuming alcohol and provides a bonus to your damage with shotguns. This perk is useful for players who enjoy using alcohol as a combat buff or who specialize in shotguns.
Cass’s backstory is one of betrayal, loss, and resilience. She lost her caravan company to foul play, and she’s determined to uncover the truth and exact revenge. Her dialogue is sarcastic, witty, and often fueled by alcohol.
Cass is a great companion for players who enjoy a gritty, western-themed adventure. Her shotgun proficiency, alcohol resistance, and quest make her a valuable asset in any situation. One issue is her negative attitude, which some players may find off-putting.
Honorable Mentions
While the above companions stand out, there are others who deserve a mention. Lily Bowen, the sweet-natured Super Mutant Nightkin, offers a unique perspective and powerful melee attacks, but her stealth can be a bit unreliable. Rex, the cybernetic dog, provides valuable support and early-game firepower, but his lack of dialogue and limited customization options prevent him from reaching the same level as the others.
Finding the Right Fit: Companion Builds and Synergies
The best companion for you depends on your playstyle and character build. A stealth-focused character might benefit from ED-E’s enemy detection and Boone’s long-range support. A melee-oriented character might prefer Veronica’s close-quarters combat prowess or Lily’s brute strength. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you. Consider your own weaknesses and find a companion who complements them. A good companion is not just an extra set of hands; they are a partner who enhances your strengths and compensates for your weaknesses.
Choosing Your Mojave Partner
Fallout: New Vegas offers a rich and rewarding companion system. Each companion brings something unique to the table, from combat prowess to compelling backstories. While personal preference is key, considering factors like combat effectiveness, companion perks, and roleplaying fit can help you make an informed decision.
Ultimately, the best companion is the one that enhances your experience in the Mojave Wasteland. Whether you’re a lone wanderer seeking a reliable ally or a charismatic leader building a loyal team, New Vegas has a companion for you. So, venture forth, explore the wasteland, and find the companion that best suits your adventure.
Now, tell us in the comments: Who is your favorite New Vegas companion, and why? What makes them the best in your eyes? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
