Introduction
The Mojave Wasteland is a lonely place. Sun-scorched deserts stretch endlessly, populated by mutated creatures, desperate gangs, and individuals grappling with survival. Thankfully, Fallout: New Vegas offers a diverse cast of companions whose stories are just as compelling as your own, offering not only combat support but also glimpses into the fractured soul of post-apocalyptic Nevada. These aren’t just pack mules or bullet sponges; they’re complex characters with their own motivations, histories, and personal demons. Successfully navigating their stories unlocks powerful perks, deepens your understanding of the game’s lore, and ultimately shapes the fate of the Mojave.
This article will explore the companion quests in Fallout: New Vegas, detailing the conditions to begin them, walking through the questlines, outlining the rewards you’ll receive, and discussing the overall impact of each on the game world and the Courier’s perilous journey. These quests offer more than just experience points; they provide opportunities for players to connect with the world on a deeper level and affect the lives of its inhabitants.
Understanding Companion Quests
Companion quests are unique questlines tied to specific companions that join the Courier on their journey. These aren’t just fetch quests or simple tasks; they are multi-stage narratives that delve into the companion’s past, their motivations, and their unresolved issues. They usually involve a series of tasks, conversations, and decisions that ultimately lead to a significant change in the companion’s outlook or circumstances.
Unlocking these quests requires meeting specific conditions. Usually, this involves increasing your affinity with the companion to a certain level and progressing far enough in the main questline. The affinity system tracks how the companion feels about your actions and decisions. Performing actions they approve of will increase affinity, while actions they disapprove of will lower it. Specific actions, like siding with certain factions, making certain dialogue choices, or even just how you handle yourself in combat, can all impact your affinity. It is important to pay attention to the companion’s dialogue and reactions to understand their preferences and to build a strong rapport.
Affinity is crucial because these quests typically won’t trigger until the companion feels a certain level of trust and loyalty towards you. This can be seen through character dialogue; when they open up about their past or present a moral dilemma, you’re getting closer.
Completing these quests, or reaching certain levels of affinity, grants unique perks that are specific to each companion. These perks can significantly enhance your gameplay experience, providing bonuses to combat skills, crafting abilities, or even making you more resistant to damage. The effort you invest in these relationships is directly rewarded with tangible benefits that make your Courier a more formidable and well-rounded individual.
Individual Companion Quest Guides
Boone (“I Forgot to Remember to Forget”)
Companion Introduction
Boone is a former NCR sniper haunted by the loss of his wife, Carla, to slavers. He can be found at Novac, keeping a watchful eye over the town from his perch in the dinosaur statue. Boone’s sharp shooting skills and unwavering loyalty make him a valuable asset in combat, especially against enemies at long range.
Quest Title
I Forgot to Remember to Forget
Quest Trigger
To trigger the quest, you’ll need to gain Boone’s trust and affinity. The most straightforward way is by aiding the NCR in various tasks around Novac. Once his affinity is high enough, he will start opening up about the events surrounding his wife’s disappearance. He’ll confide in you the guilt he feels for not being there to protect Carla, setting the stage for his personal quest.
Quest Walkthrough
This quest focuses on uncovering the truth behind Carla’s disappearance and bringing the guilty parties to justice. The Courier will need to investigate the events leading up to Carla’s abduction, gathering clues and interviewing residents of Novac. The investigation will eventually lead you to Bitter Springs, where the truth about Carla’s fate and the identity of the person responsible will be revealed. The quest culminates in a confrontation with the perpetrator, giving Boone the opportunity to finally confront his past. Key decisions include whether to exact revenge or seek justice through other means.
Quest Outcomes and Rewards
Completing the quest allows Boone to find a measure of peace and closure. He receives a new beret that boosts his combat prowess. Depending on your choices, Boone’s outlook on the world may shift, making him more or less cynical.
Impact on the Main Story/Ending
Boone’s personal quest doesn’t directly influence the main quest line, but his allegiance with the NCR could.
Cass (“Heartache by the Number”)
Companion Introduction
Cass, short for Rose of Sharon Cassidy, is a hardened caravan merchant with a sharp wit and a penchant for alcohol. She can be found at the Mojave Outpost. Cass offers a cynical but honest perspective on the Wasteland, making her a compelling companion.
Quest Title
Heartache by the Number
Quest Trigger
Increasing Cass’s affinity by traveling and fighting alongside her is the initial step. When she opens up about the destruction of her caravan business, leading to the death of her father, it signals the beginning of the quest.
Quest Walkthrough
Heartache by the Number involves unraveling a conspiracy surrounding the destruction of Cass’s caravan business. The Courier will need to investigate two major companies, the Crimson Caravan and the Silver Rush, gathering evidence of their illicit activities. The quest requires careful investigation, stealth, and possibly even some combat. The quest offers several different paths, allowing you to expose the conspiracy in various ways. You could choose to go to the NCR or take matters into your own hands.
Quest Outcomes and Rewards
Completing the quest allows Cass to find justice for her father and her destroyed business. It solidifies her bond with the Courier. One ending allows Cass to enter a life of sobriety. The player also gets access to the Whiskey Rose perk, giving access to extra alcohol that can be used to craft useful items and combat buffs.
Impact on the Main Story/Ending
Unveiling the conspiracy can affect your reputation with the Crimson Caravan and Silver Rush, and potentially alter the balance of power in the Mojave Wasteland.
Raul (“Old School Ghoul”)
Companion Introduction
Raul Tejada is a centuries-old ghoul mechanic held captive at Black Mountain. He is a skilled repairman with a wealth of knowledge about pre-War technology, but he is also burdened by his past and the countless lives he has lived.
Quest Title
Old School Ghoul
Quest Trigger
Raise Raul’s affinity through dialogue and shared experiences. He will eventually begin to reflect on his past as a gunslinger.
Quest Walkthrough
This quest is about Raul confronting his identity and grappling with whether to embrace his past as a deadly gunslinger or remain the gentle mechanic he has become. The quest involves travelling to different locations and speaking to various individuals who knew Raul in his past. Their stories and perspectives will influence Raul’s ultimate decision. Key decisions involve encouraging Raul to either embrace his gunslinging skills or suppress his violent tendencies.
Quest Outcomes and Rewards
Depending on your guidance, Raul will either embrace his past, improving his combat abilities, or he will commit to a more peaceful life, enhancing his repair skills.
Impact on the Main Story/Ending
Raul’s individual quest doesn’t influence the main quest line, but a happy Raul is a helpful Raul!
Veronica (“I Could Make You Care”)
Companion Introduction
Veronica Santangelo is a scribe for the Brotherhood of Steel, disillusioned with her order’s isolationist policies. She can be found at the 188 Trading Post. Veronica seeks to bring new technologies and ideas to the Brotherhood, but her efforts are often met with resistance.
Quest Title
I Could Make You Care
Quest Trigger
Build a strong rapport with Veronica. When she confides her frustrations with the Brotherhood and her desire for them to adapt to the changing world, the quest will begin.
Quest Walkthrough
This quest is about Veronica’s struggle to reconcile her loyalty to the Brotherhood with her belief that they must change to survive. The Courier will need to help Veronica gather evidence of new technologies that could benefit the Brotherhood. The evidence you obtain will influence Veronica’s ultimate decision.
Quest Outcomes and Rewards
Depending on your choices and the evidence you gather, Veronica may decide to remain with the Brotherhood, seek a new path outside the order, or attempt to enact change from within.
Impact on the Main Story/Ending
Veronica’s quest directly impacts the Brotherhood of Steel.
Arcade Gannon (“For Auld Lang Syne”)
Companion Introduction
Arcade Gannon is a doctor and former member of the Enclave, hiding from his past at the Old Mormon Fort.
Quest Title
For Auld Lang Syne
Quest Trigger
After gaining his trust, he’ll eventually share his past with the Enclave and the burden he carries.
Quest Walkthrough
Arcade must decide whether to embrace his past and fight alongside other remnants of the Enclave, or to reject his heritage. The Courier must help Arcade connect with other surviving Enclave members.
Quest Outcomes and Rewards
This quest decides Arcade’s allegiance, strengthening the Courier’s forces if he chooses to fight, or reaffirming his commitment to healing.
Impact on the Main Story/Ending
This quest can have a major impact on the endgame battle if you side with the NCR.
Lily (“Lily and Leo”)
Companion Introduction
Lily is a nightkin super mutant medic with split personalities.
Quest Title
Lily and Leo
Quest Trigger
Build affinity with Lily.
Quest Walkthrough
Lily struggles with the voices in her head, particularly Leo. Lily will have to confront her issues and decide if she wants to keep using stealth boys.
Quest Outcomes and Rewards
She will make a decision about the voices in her head, making her more manageable or more dangerous.
Impact on the Main Story/Ending
Lily’s individual quest doesn’t influence the main quest line, but a happy Lily is a helpful Lily!
ED-E
Companion Introduction
ED-E is a helpful robot that has been badly damaged and waits for repair.
Quest Title
ED-E My Love
Quest Trigger
Find ED-E in Primm and repair him.
Quest Walkthrough
ED-E wants to deliver information to the NCR or the Brotherhood of Steel. The player has a limited amount of time to make this happen.
Quest Outcomes and Rewards
ED-E gains upgrades that help in combat.
Impact on the Main Story/Ending
ED-E gains upgrades that help the Courier!
Missable Content and Key Tips
Several factors can cause you to miss or fail companion quests. Failing to meet the affinity requirements, making choices that severely displease the companion, or progressing too far in the main storyline without completing the companion quest can all lead to failure. It’s important to prioritize building relationships with your companions early in the game and to pay attention to their reactions to your actions.
To maximize affinity gains, focus on performing actions that align with the companion’s values and beliefs. Listen to their dialogue, observe their reactions, and make choices that demonstrate your understanding of their personality. Don’t be afraid to reload a save if you accidentally make a choice that lowers their affinity.
Some of the companion quests can be challenging, requiring you to face difficult enemies or make morally ambiguous decisions. Strategize your approach, utilize your skills, and don’t hesitate to seek help from other characters or resources.
Thematic Significance
The companion quests in Fallout: New Vegas explore a variety of profound themes. Redemption is a recurring motif, as many of the companions are seeking to atone for past mistakes or overcome personal demons. Loss is another prominent theme, as many of the companions have suffered significant losses in their lives, shaping their perspectives and motivations. Loyalty, identity, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world are also central to the narratives.
These quests add a layer of depth and complexity to the world of Fallout: New Vegas, making it feel more alive and believable. They force the player to confront moral dilemmas, consider different perspectives, and ultimately shape the destiny of these unforgettable characters.
Conclusion
The companion quests in Fallout: New Vegas are an integral part of the game’s narrative and a cornerstone of its enduring appeal. They offer players the opportunity to connect with complex characters, explore the depths of the Wasteland, and shape the fate of the Mojave.
These quests provide some of the most memorable and meaningful moments in the entire game, solidifying Fallout: New Vegas’s position as a true masterpiece of role-playing. So, take the time to get to know your companions, invest in their stories, and discover the power of friendship in the face of apocalypse.
