Do Companions Break Power Armor in Fallout 4? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, unfortunately, companions can and do break power armor in Fallout 4. While they don’t consume fusion cores, they are notorious for their questionable tactical decisions, often charging headfirst into danger without a second thought for self-preservation or the state of your precious power armor. Think of them as enthusiastic but slightly clumsy tanks. They’re great at drawing fire, but not so great at dodging it. This leads to the armor taking a significant amount of damage, requiring frequent repairs.
The Price of Power: Companion Power Armor Durability
While having a companion decked out in power armor is undeniably awesome, providing a significant boost to their combat effectiveness and carrying capacity, it comes at a cost: constant maintenance. The rate at which the armor degrades depends on several factors, including:
- Enemy Type: Fighting hordes of ghouls will be less taxing than taking on a Deathclaw.
- Combat Style: If your companion favors melee combat, they’ll take more direct hits.
- Difficulty Level: Higher difficulties increase the damage taken by both you and your companion.
- Companion’s Aggressiveness: Some companions are naturally more aggressive than others, leading them to take more risks.
It’s not uncommon to find yourself needing to repair your companion’s power armor after every two or three significant encounters. Stock up on steel, the primary resource for power armor repairs, and consider investing in perks like Armorer to improve the durability of the armor.
Is it Worth it? The Pros and Cons
The decision to equip your companion with power armor is a strategic one. Consider the pros and cons before making a decision:
Pros:
- Increased Survivability: Power armor dramatically increases your companion’s damage resistance, making them much more resilient in combat.
- Enhanced Carrying Capacity: Companions in power armor can carry significantly more items, alleviating your encumbrance woes.
- Improved Combat Effectiveness: The stat boosts provided by the power armor, such as increased strength, will improve your companion’s melee damage and overall combat performance.
- Strategic Advantage: A companion in power armor can serve as an excellent tank, drawing enemy fire and allowing you to flank or provide support from a distance.
- Intimidation Factor: Let’s be honest, a companion stomping around in a suit of power armor just looks cool and can intimidate weaker enemies.
Cons:
- Maintenance Costs: As we’ve established, repairing power armor is an ongoing expense, requiring a steady supply of steel and potentially other materials.
- Armor Degradation: The constant damage can lead to a significant reduction in the armor’s protective capabilities if not addressed promptly.
- Potential Loss of Pieces: Pieces of the power armor can be knocked off in combat, leaving your companion vulnerable until you can retrieve and repair them.
- Stealth Issues: Power armor isn’t exactly quiet. The clanking and whirring can make stealth approaches difficult.
- Companion AI: The biggest con is the companion AI itself. Their pathing and combat decisions are often less than optimal, leading to unnecessary damage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about companions and power armor in Fallout 4:
1. Do companions use fusion cores in power armor?
No, companions do not consume fusion cores when wearing power armor. This makes them a convenient way to have your power armor readily available without constantly draining your core supply.
2. Which companion is best suited for power armor?
Any companion can wear power armor, but those with higher base health and combat skills, like Paladin Danse (before certain story events) and Strong, tend to benefit the most.
3. How do I get a companion to enter power armor?
Simply command your companion to interact with the power armor by aiming at it and pressing the action button. If they have no reason not to, they’ll climb right in.
4. How do I get a companion to exit power armor?
Talk to your companion and select the dialogue option to ask them to exit the power armor. This option will replace the standard relationship dialogue while they are inside the armor.
5. Can companions die in power armor?
In normal mode, companions cannot die, regardless of whether they are wearing power armor or not. They will simply become incapacitated until the combat is over. In Survival mode, companions can die if they take enough damage. So Power Armor for companions on survival is highly advised!
6. Can enemies steal power armor from my companion?
No, enemies cannot steal power armor from your companion. Once a companion is inside, it’s theirs until you tell them to get out.
7. Does the type of power armor matter for companions?
Yes, the type of power armor does matter. Just like with the player character, better armor types like X-01 and T-60 offer superior damage resistance and durability.
8. Can I customize my companion’s power armor?
Yes, you can fully customize your companion’s power armor with different paint jobs, mods, and armor pieces.
9. Where can I find power armor for my companion?
Power armor can be found in various locations throughout the Commonwealth, including military checkpoints, abandoned buildings, and raider camps. Sometimes the Brotherhood of Steel has extras available once you join them.
10. Do power armor mods affect my companion?
Yes, power armor mods will affect your companion in the same way they affect the player character, providing bonuses to stats like strength, carry weight, and damage resistance.
11. Can companions use jetpacks on power armor?
Yes, companions can use jetpacks on power armor, allowing them to reach elevated areas and gain a tactical advantage in combat.
12. How do I repair power armor?
Power armor can be repaired at a power armor station using steel. The amount of steel required depends on the damage level of the armor.
13. What perks affect power armor durability?
The Armorer perk increases the durability of all armor, including power armor. The Science! perk is needed for some advanced power armor modifications.
14. Does companion affinity affect power armor durability?
No, companion affinity does not directly affect power armor durability. However, a companion with high affinity will be more effective in combat, potentially reducing the amount of damage they take.
15. Is it possible to make power armor unbreakable?
While it’s not possible to make power armor completely unbreakable, you can significantly increase its durability by investing in the Armorer perk, using high-quality armor pieces, and repairing the armor frequently.
Conclusion: Power Up Your Partnership
Equipping your companion with power armor in Fallout 4 can be a game-changer, transforming them into a formidable force on the battlefield. However, it’s crucial to understand the maintenance costs involved and weigh the pros and cons carefully. By managing your resources effectively and keeping your companion’s armor in good repair, you can maximize the benefits of this powerful combination and conquer the Commonwealth with ease.
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