So, you’re trudging through the wasteland of Fallout 4, right? It’s you, the Sole Survivor, against all the irradiated monsters, marauding raiders, and synths who really don’t care for your well-being. But you know what makes everything better? Fallout 4 companions. They’re like your best buddies who won’t let you die, or at least make it a little less awkward when you’re trying to sneak past a Deathclaw.
And hey, I get it. You’re probably thinking, “But, there are soooo many companions. How do I pick?” Well, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. I’ve ranked them, broken them down, and even included some personal stories that might make you laugh (or cringe). Grab your Pip-Boy, and let’s dive into this.
The Importance of Companions in Fallout 4
Companions in Fallout 4 aren’t just a way to pad your inventory with loot—though, seriously, that’s a huge plus. They bring perks, commentary, and give you a reason to keep going when you’re halfway through a raider nest and out of stimpaks.
- They unlock powerful perks that can totally change the way you play.
- They offer help in combat, which is always nice when you’re up against a Super Mutant.
- They bring the banter. Sometimes it’s sarcastic, sometimes it’s heartfelt. But it’s always fun.
You can’t go it alone forever in this wasteland—trust me, I tried. Spoiler alert: It didn’t end well. Anyway, here’s the kicker: having a companion is like having your own personal cheerleader who also shoots things with you. If you’re struggling with picking the right one, don’t worry, I’ve done the dirty work for you.
Top Tier Fallout 4 Companions (S-Tier)
These are your MVPs. If there’s a nuclear apocalypse, these are the folks you want on your side.
Piper Wright – The Wasteland Journalist
- Perk: Gift of Gab – You get more XP for discovering locations and using Charisma during conversations. (That’s right, the gift of gab does actually pay off.)
- Best For: Players who love Charisma and exploration.
Now, Piper? She’s the whole package. Not only does she have this firecracker personality (I swear, she’s the one who’d ask the bartender if they have ‘anything harder’—if she weren’t a little busy with the whole end of the world thing), but her Gift of Gab perk? Life-changing. Y’all, I actually leveled up faster just by talking to people with her around. If you’re the social butterfly type, Piper’s your go-to.
Fast forward past three failed attempts… to making the world better with Piper by your side. You won’t regret it.
Paladin Danse – The Brotherhood Enforcer
- Perk: Know Your Enemy – Extra damage against Feral Ghouls, Super Mutants, and Synths. This guy really hates those guys.
- Best For: Combat-heavy players.
Ahh, Danse. He’s all business, all the time. You won’t get much in the way of fluffy banter, but what you do get is a solid, highly trained soldier who’s always ready to kick some serious butt. I once ran into a nest of Ghouls—Danse went full beast mode on them. I just stood there, mostly in awe. You want a companion who’s good in a fight? Danse is your guy.
A-Tier Companions: Strong Allies With Unique Perks
Okay, so these guys might not be perfect, but they’re damn close. You won’t regret bringing them along, trust me.
Nick Valentine – The Detective Synth
- Perk: Close to Metal – Boosted chances and quicker hacking attempts.
- Best For: Players who love hacking and following deep lore.
Look, Nick’s the kind of companion who’s the definition of a ‘grizzled detective.’ If Fallout 4 were a noir film, Nick would be the guy smoking a cigarette in a dark alley, muttering about the Institute. He’s got heart, though—and seriously, if you’re like me and love hacking everything in sight, his perk is a godsend. I hacked a terminal the other day in under a minute—thanks, Nick. Real team player.
Curie – The Synth Scientist
- Perk: Combat Medic – She’ll heal you when your health drops below 10%. (So basically, she’s like your built-in medic, which, y’know, is life-saving.)
- Best For: Players who want a reliable healer or science buffs.
Curie is one of those fallout 4 companions that, at first, might feel like a soft option. I mean, she’s a robot who’s been programmed to be all polite and helpful. But then—plot twist—she evolves into a synth. Yeah, you heard that right. And let me tell you, Curie is one of the most interesting companions. That evolution adds a whole new layer to the story, and her Combat Medic perk? Hella useful when you’re about to be roasted alive by a Deathclaw.
B-Tier Fallout 4 Companions: Mid-Level Support
These companions are good for the most part, but may not always be what you need. They’re still worth a try, though.
Cait – The Cage Fighter
- Perk: Trigger Rush – When your health’s under 25%, your AP regenerates faster.
- Best For: Melee builds or chem lovers.
Ah, Cait. The first time I met her, I was like, “Who is this fiery little Irish powerhouse?” (Okay, okay, she’s technically a cage fighter, but you get the idea.) She’s one of those fallout 4 companions that adds a bit of grit to the game—plus, if you’re playing a melee build (or, y’know, taking chems like they’re candy), Cait’s your gal. Her perk makes me think she’d be a nightmare at a Black Friday sale—nothing but chaos and you’re left picking up the pieces.
MacCready – The Sniper for Hire
- Perk: Killshot – Your headshot accuracy in V.A.T.S. is way better.
- Best For: V.A.T.S. players and snipers.
Now, MacCready? He’s a little scrappy. A little cocky. But I love him for it. The dude used to run Little Lamplight, which, if you ask me, is a weird flex. But his perk—Killshot—makes him one of the best fallout 4 companions if you’re all about V.A.T.S. I mean, headshots everywhere, y’all. You get him, and suddenly your enemies? Less alive.
C-Tier Fallout 4 Companions: Niche Use or Weak Affinities
These companions are kinda like the side dishes of Fallout 4. They’re fine, but they’re not gonna be your main course.
Preston Garvey – The Minuteman Commander
- Perk: United We Stand – +20% damage and +20 damage resistance when outnumbered.
- Best For: Settlements and moral high-ground players.
Look, Preston gets a lot of flak for constantly talking about settlements, but his perk? Worth it. If you’re the kind of player who enjoys running around and saving settlements (or if you’re, like, me, and just wanna keep everyone happy), Preston’s there for you. Yeah, he’s got a lot of missions, but hey, no one’s perfect, right?
Codsworth – The Loyal Mr. Handy
- Perk: Robot Sympathy – +10 damage resistance against robots.
- Best For: Early game and robot-heavy quests.
Codsworth, bless his heart, is one of the first fallout 4 companions you get. And yeah, he’s charming as heck, but you quickly realize that his perks aren’t the most exciting. But hey, he’s loyal, he’s funny (in a robot dad way), and honestly, after all the destruction, it’s nice to have someone who doesn’t completely want to see you dead. I remember the first time I ran into him—he was cleaning up a pile of old dishes in the ruins of my house. I swear, he might have been the only thing keeping me sane in those early days.
Final Thoughts on Fallout 4 Companions
I won’t lie: choosing the best companion is tough. Everyone’s got their own vibe, right? If you’re like me, maybe you’re more about those powerful perks that help you survive. Or maybe you just want a companion who can make you laugh. Either way, fallout 4 companions make the wasteland a little less lonely—and a whole lot more fun.
So go out there, pick your favorites, and remember: you’ll probably end up talking to them more than you ever thought. And hey, if things go south? At least you won’t be alone.
