Can You Take Companions to Nuka-World? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can take companions to Nuka-World, but the situation is nuanced, and your choice of companion can significantly impact your experience in the post-apocalyptic amusement park. While companions are beneficial at the beginning of your Nuka-World adventure, the DLC introduces a unique and powerful companion that will likely take their place: Porter Gage. Understanding how companions work in this DLC is key to getting the most out of your Nuka-World playthrough.
Companions Before Gage
At the outset of Nuka-World, you can bring along any of your base game companions. These companions can provide combat support and even offer their unique perspectives on the strange new world you’ve entered. For example, some players have noted that MacCready can be an excellent choice, as he approves of actions like lying and stealing, which are often necessary when dealing with raiders.
However, it’s important to realize that your pre-Nuka-World companions are essentially temporary. Once you progress far enough into the DLC’s main storyline, you will inevitably encounter Porter Gage, a former mercenary-turned-raider. Gage will then become a pivotal character and your primary companion within Nuka-World, effectively sidelining any other companion you’ve brought along.
The Arrival of Porter Gage
Gage is an incredibly powerful and useful companion in Nuka-World. As a seasoned raider with years of combat experience, he boasts impressive battle skills. His experience makes him an ideal partner for almost any type of adventure within the amusement park. This experience makes him much more suited to the challenges of Nuka-World compared to your base game companions. Therefore, you should anticipate that while your base game companions are useful for the initial stages, they will be replaced by Gage fairly early in the DLC’s progression.
Companion Choices and Their Implications
The biggest implication for companion choices in Nuka-World surrounds Preston Garvey. His strong moral compass and affiliation with the Minutemen make him incompatible with most of the core Nuka-World storylines, which are very centered around raider activity. He will strongly disapprove of many actions, and you can ultimately lose him as a companion if you choose to take settlements for the raiders. This makes choosing to play Nuka World a significant choice and will have major implications for your relationship with Preston.
How Nuka World impacts relationships
The timeline of your Nuka World experience is critical for your relationship with Preston. The decisions you make in the DLC can impact your overall game, as well. Because of Preston’s disapproval of the raiders, you will be permanently locked out of having him as a companion if you choose to side with them and take settlements in the Commonwealth. This means that your decision on Nuka World can have consequences for the rest of your playthrough.
FAQs: Companions and Nuka-World
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about companions in relation to Nuka-World, addressing the various concerns players might have when navigating this challenging DLC:
1. Can I complete Nuka-World without making Preston hate me?
Yes, but with caveats. You must complete Nuka-World and finish its questline before meeting Preston in Concord. If you start the Nuka-World storyline with Preston as your companion, he will disapprove of almost everything you do and will be lost as a companion if you start taking settlements as a raider. To keep Preston, you need to complete the “Open Season” quest and kill all the raiders.
2. What if I finish Nuka-World before meeting Preston?
If you finish Nuka-World before meeting Preston, you can actually earn his trust and have him as a companion, but only if you kill all the raiders by completing the “Open Season” quest. He will never have that trust if you meet him before Nuka World.
3. Can I still side with the Minutemen after Nuka-World?
Yes, you can still side with the Minutemen even after completing Nuka-World. However, if you side with the raiders during Nuka-World, you will permanently lose Preston as a companion. You can still continue the Minutemen questline but cannot have him follow you.
4. Is Porter Gage a permanent companion option after Nuka-World?
Yes, after establishing Gage as your Nuka-World companion, he will remain available, but only when you are within the boundaries of Nuka-World. He cannot travel outside of the area.
5. Can the Nuka-World Raiders take over Sanctuary?
No, the Nuka-World Raiders cannot take over Sanctuary. While they can establish outposts in other Commonwealth settlements, Sanctuary remains unaffected.
6. Can the Nuka-World Raiders take the Castle?
No, it is impossible for the Nuka-World raiders to take over the Castle before or after the “Taking Independence” quest. It also cannot be turned into a vassal settlement.
7. Can I make Nuka-World a settlement?
Yes, after completing the “Open Season” quest and restoring power to Nuka-World, you can activate the workbench and build a regular settlement.
8. What’s the best companion to bring for the initial stages of Nuka-World?
Any of the base game companions will work at the beginning of Nuka World, but ones that approve of stealing and lying like MacCready are a good option. Any companion is temporary since they will be replaced by Gage.
9. How far can I go in Nuka-World before Preston hates me?
Preston will immediately hate you as soon as you have captured just one settlement as a raider outpost. After that point, he will refuse to travel with you.
10. Can Preston forgive me after Nuka-World if I side with the raiders?
The only way for Preston to forgive you after siding with the raiders is by completely wiping them out during the “Open Season” quest. However, you will still permanently lose him as a companion.
11. Who is the hardest enemy in Nuka-World?
Many players consider Mason, leader of the Pack, to be the hardest enemy in Nuka-World, with Nisha from the Disciples and Overboss Colter also being tough challenges.
12. Who is the most powerful companion in Fallout 4, in general?
Many players consider Curie to be the strongest companion, once she’s been transferred into her synth body.
13. If I do not get Preston before doing Nuka World will I still get his questline?
Yes, if you have not yet met Preston, you can complete the Nuka World content and then meet Preston and get the quest line from him. If you do that and want him as a companion you must choose to kill all the raiders.
14. Can I romance Preston?
Yes, Preston Garvey is a romance option, although he is considered a boring option by many players due to his endless radiant quests.
15. Should I do Nuka-World before or after the main story?
This depends on your preferences. If you want to play a “redemption” storyline, complete Nuka-World before becoming the Minutemen General. If you care about your relationship with Preston, you should ideally play Nuka-World before becoming the General.
Conclusion
Navigating companions in Nuka-World requires careful consideration of both gameplay and narrative implications. While your regular companions can assist you at the start, Porter Gage will quickly take their place. The biggest implication will surround your relationship with Preston Garvey, as your choices in Nuka-World can result in you losing him permanently. Ultimately, the best way to approach companions in Nuka-World is to understand the mechanics, plan your strategy, and make choices that align with your desired outcome. Enjoy your adventure in this fascinating but dangerous part of the Fallout 4 universe!