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In a world as harsh asFallout 4’s post-apocalyptic wasteland, it’s a good idea to have someone watching the Sole Survivor’s back. Companions are a perfect way to do just that: helping out in combat and sometimes offering their opinions during quests. However, one of the best aspects ofFallout 4’s companions is their perks, which are special bonuses that are unique to them.
Fallout 4offers 16 companions who can travel with and aid the Sole Survivor during their mission to find Shaun.Getting companions inFallout 4is simple, but the method can vary between the different individuals on offer. Some will require completing a specific quest or joining their faction first, while others can quickly be hired for the right amount of caps. With each offeringdifferent skills and distinct outlookson the world, it is well worth picking up as many companions as possible during any playthrough.
11 Must-Have Perks in Fallout 4
There are a total of 70 Perks in Fallout 4 and deciding which to pick can make all the difference for survival. 11 of these are crucial to take.
How To Unlock Fallout 4 Companion Perks
Learning What Each Character Responds To Is Key
To get the individual companion perks inFallout 4, the Sole Survivor will need toincrease their affinity with each companion. The affinity system is designed so that the companions respond to the Sole Survivor based on their own personal likes and dislikes. The idea is that each companion will feel more realistic as they respond to actions or dialogue in keeping with their backgrounds and beliefs.
All companions will start at zero affinity with the Sole Survivor, which is neutral, and from there, their opinion can go either up or down. At key affinity values, dialogues will trigger, and in the case of positive affinity, this will further the relationship.Positive affinity can also lead to companion quests in some cases, which will be required to reach the next level of affinity for that particular companion.
1000+
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0
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-1000
Hatred
Companion will refuse to travel with Sole Survivor.
When traveling with companions,a notice frequently appearsto let the Sole Survivor know how a companion feels about somethingthey have just said or done. There are only four reactions, but each will impact affinity either positively or negatively. “X loved that” will result in +35, while hate is -35, and likewise, “X liked that” is +15, while disliked is -15.
It is important tolearn what each companion responds toand plan which quests to take them on or which actions to perform. For example, Paladin Danse will not like it if the Sole Survivor is pro-Synth or if they use Chems. However, Deacon would respond very positively to pro-Synth actions, and Hancock approves of Chem use. Most companions will hate it if they witness the Sole Survivor murder someone; however, Strong and Gage will have very positive reactions to the act.
Dogmeat and Ada do not have affinity scores and will stay with the Sole Survivor regardless of any actions taken. Ada has no companion perk, while Dogmeat’s perk must be chosen when leveling up.
All Fallout 4 Companion Perks
Companion Perks Can Dictate Which Companion Focus On First
Some perks are better suited to certain character builds than others, so it is best to prioritize those companions first. For example, Deacon’s perk is great for a stealth build, while Piper’s is best gained early to maximize XP gain. There are also perks that can only be gained after a companion’s personal quest has been completed, such as with Cait, Danse, and MacCready.
Fallout 4: Should You Side With Paladin Danse Or Elder Maxson
Blind Betrayal comes near the end of Fallout 4’s Brotherhood of Steel questline and forces the player to make some tough choices about Paladin Danse.
Trigger Rush:25% action point regeneration when below 25% health
Vault 81
Emergent Behavior
Combat Medic:Once a day, heal 100 hit points when below 10% health.
Cambridge Police Station
Blind Betrayal
Know Your Enemy:Deal 20% more damage against Feral Ghouls, Super Mutants, and Synth.
Railroad HQ
None
Cloak & Dagger:There is a 20% increase in sneak attack damage and an increase in the Stealth Boy effect by 40%.
Goodneighbor
Isodoped: 20% faster critical hit regeneration when the radiation value exceeds 250.
The Last Plank
Shipbreaker
Hunter’s Wisdom:Damage and energy resistance of animals and sea creatures is reduced by 25%.
Diamond City
Gift of Gab:Double XP when persuading people or discovering new locations.
Fizztop Grille
Lessons in Blood:Gain +5% more XP per kill and +10 damage resistance.
Museum of Freedom
United We Stand:Damage increases by 20 points and 20% when facing three or more enemies.
Vault 114
Long Time Coming
Close to Metal:One extra attempt when hacking and a 50% lockout time decrease.
Shield Harmonics:Resistance to energy weapons increased by 20.
There are 14 companion perks to unlock inFallout 4, each providing a boost to a skill, damage, or damage resistance.Once a companion’s perk is gained, it is permanent, meaning that even if that companion is not traveled with anymore, the benefits remain. Companion perks are a great help when playingFallout 4and are often the deciding factor when considering which companion is best.
