What Happens If You Spare Ulysses in Fallout: New Vegas?
The climactic confrontation with Ulysses at the end of the Lonesome Road DLC for Fallout: New Vegas is one of the most memorable moments in the game. It presents a profound moral choice: kill Ulysses, a man consumed by his past and rage, or convince him to lay down his arms. The consequences of this decision have lasting effects, both immediate and for the remainder of your playthrough. So, what happens if you spare Ulysses?
If you manage to convince Ulysses to live, by passing a high Speech check (100, or 90 with a good reputation), he will ultimately stand down and join you in fending off the incoming Marked Men. Crucially, Ulysses doesn’t become a traditional companion. Instead, after completing the main quest of the DLC, “The End”, or the alternative “The Apocalypse”, you will find him near the entrance of the Canyon Wreckage. Here, he will offer a unique service: he’ll help you craft special campfire recipes. This offers a distinct benefit, granting access to powerful consumables you might not be able to create otherwise. This is a practical reward for choosing the path of mercy and understanding. Furthermore, it marks a turning point in Ulysses’ character arc, a rare moment of potential redemption in the bleak, post-apocalyptic world.
The Path to Sparing Ulysses
The decision to spare Ulysses isn’t simply a matter of pressing a button. It requires careful dialogue choices and a significant investment in the Speech skill. You must successfully challenge his reasoning and make him see the flaws in his arguments. The key is to use faction-specific speech checks related to your journey throughout the game. If you align with the NCR, for example, a successful speech check related to your actions with them can sway him. Alternatively, using your relationship with the Legion or your experiences in New Vegas may sway him if it is the relevant faction for your current game. By engaging with his complex motivations and highlighting the futility of his destructive path, you can convince him to reconsider.
Consequences Beyond Dialogue
Sparing Ulysses has effects beyond the campfire recipes he provides. It allows for a more nuanced ending to Lonesome Road. You see Ulysses not as a purely antagonistic force, but as a man broken by past tragedy. He carries a deep-seated grief over the destruction of his home and the blame he places on the Courier for that event. Choosing to spare him, though it doesn’t undo the past, can feel like a small act of reconciliation in a world often defined by conflict. It also provides the unique perspective of a character who has grappled with similar themes of loss and the futility of revenge that the Courier confronts in the main narrative of the game.
Ulysses’ Future: A Glimpse of Peace?
While Ulysses doesn’t become a fully-fledged companion, his presence after the events of Lonesome Road adds a sense of closure to his story. His offer of assistance at the campfire is a step away from his nihilistic rage. It might even suggest a possible beginning of healing. He isn’t suddenly a happy individual, but his willingness to help demonstrates a shift in his mentality, a recognition that perhaps not all hope is lost. This is one of the key things that makes his character so compelling, the nuances and changes that are possible with enough interaction, and a truly great result of choosing to spare his life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sparing Ulysses
Here are some FAQs that provide more details and clarify some common player questions:
1. Is it possible to fail the Speech check to spare Ulysses?
Yes. If you fail the speech check, or choose the wrong dialogue options, you will be forced to fight Ulysses and must kill him to complete the quest. This leads to a different resolution of Lonesome Road.
2. Does your reputation with factions affect the Speech check?
Yes, having a high reputation with the NCR, the Legion, or the Strip reduces the required Speech skill from 100 to 90, making it easier to convince him.
3. What are the benefits of having Ulysses help with campfire recipes?
He can make unique and powerful food and drink items that are not available through other crafting methods. This can be a significant advantage, especially on higher difficulty settings.
4. Where exactly can I find Ulysses after sparing him?
He is located at the entrance of the Canyon Wreckage, near the starting point of the Lonesome Road DLC.
5. Does sparing Ulysses affect the main game in any way outside of Lonesome Road?
No, sparing Ulysses primarily affects the Lonesome Road DLC’s ending. He doesn’t interact with the main Mojave Wasteland or other DLCs, besides the crafting recipes he offers.
6. Can you still get all of the Lonesome Road loot if you spare Ulysses?
Yes, sparing Ulysses doesn’t prevent you from getting the rewards for completing the DLC such as the experience points, SPECIAL point, the Old Glory Melee Weapon, Ulysses’ Mask and duster, and other items.
7. Is there a “best” ending in Lonesome Road?
That’s subjective, but sparing Ulysses allows for a more hopeful resolution for him personally, and gives more in-game benefits. Some players might prefer the more brutal ending of a straight-up fight. The best outcome is that which is most in keeping with your play-style and role-playing goals.
8. What happens if you nuke both the NCR and Legion at the end of the DLC?
Nuking both factions results in infamy but can be reset with certain items and choices made in the main game. It also lets you access areas that have been nuked. There are not many significant consequences outside of that.
9. Can you return to the Divide after finishing Lonesome Road?
Yes, you can return to the Divide at any time after finishing the DLC. The location remains accessible and navigable once you complete the final quest.
10. What are the main reasons why Ulysses hates the Courier?
He blames the Courier for the destruction of his home, claiming that the Courier’s actions during their initial trip caused the package they were carrying to be detonated, leading to the disaster of the Divide.
11. Does Ulysses like either the NCR or the Legion?
He dislikes both factions but views them differently. He sees the NCR as diseased and weak while believing the Legion will ultimately destroy itself. He believes both are flawed and unfit to control the Mojave.
12. Why was Ulysses involved with the Legion?
He was a member of the Twisted Hairs tribe, who allied with the Legion during their rise to power in Arizona. He served as a scout and medic for them, but eventually left due to his misgivings.
13. What is the significance of Ulysses’ mask and duster?
They are symbolic representations of his identity and past. The mask is a reminder of the Roman influences on the Legion and his complex past while the duster gives him the look of someone from the wastes.
14. Can you cancel the missile launch in Lonesome Road?
Yes, you can choose to cancel the missile launch by rescuing ED-E and accessing the control panel, offering an alternative ending to the Lonesome Road’s final conflict.
15. What level should I be before starting Lonesome Road?
It is generally recommended to be level 28 or higher before attempting the Lonesome Road DLC. The enemies are powerful and it has a difficult final boss fight.
In conclusion, sparing Ulysses in Lonesome Road offers a more satisfying resolution to his complex character arc. It demonstrates that even in the harsh landscape of the wasteland, mercy, and a change of heart, are possible.