Fallout 4: Mastering Companion Affinity – Cheats, Console Commands, and Romance!

Quick answer

This page answers How do you cheat companion affinity in Fallout? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

So, you want to become the ultimate heartthrob of the Commonwealth or just max out those sweet companion perks without grinding? You’ve come to the right place. Cheating companion affinity in Fallout 4 is all about leveraging the console commands available on PC. While console commands offer a direct way to manipulate affinity values, understanding companion preferences, actions, and dialogue choices allows players to raise affinity through gameplay.

Using Console Commands to Manipulate Affinity

The primary method involves using the console to directly set or modify a companion’s affinity level. Here’s the breakdown:

Open the Console: Press the tilde key (~) on your keyboard.
Target Your Companion: Click on the companion you want to affect. This will display their reference ID at the top of the console.
Get the Affinity Value: Type getav CA_affinity and press Enter. This will show you the current affinity level of the selected companion.
Set the Affinity Value: To directly set the affinity, use the command setav CA_affinity [number], replacing [number] with the desired value. For example, setav CA_affinity 900 would set the affinity to 900.
Modify the Affinity Value: To add or subtract from the current affinity, use the command modav CA_affinity [number]. For example, modav CA_affinity 100 would add 100 to the current affinity, while modav CA_affinity -50 would subtract 50.

Important Considerations:

Affinity Caps: While you can set the affinity to any number, remember that the game has internal mechanics. Going over 1000 typically unlocks the companion’s personal quest if it hasn’t already been triggered. After completing the companion’s quest and reaching maximum affinity, there is another hidden affinity value that determines the time until the companion gives their affinity perk, this perk will be unlocked when they Idolize you.
Quest Triggers: Setting a high affinity might bypass certain dialogue options or quest triggers. It’s recommended to play through the companion’s personal quest legitimately, as you’ll get unique insights into their character.
Ethical Cheating: Consider this a tool for fixing bugs or speeding up the process if you’ve already played through the game multiple times.

Beyond Console Commands: Understanding Companion Preferences

While console commands are the quickest route, knowing what your companions like and dislike is key to optimizing affinity gains when you don’t want to use console commands. Here’s a glimpse at some companions’ favorites and pet peeves:

Piper: She appreciates honesty, generosity, and helping settlements. She hates selfish or violent actions.
Nick Valentine: He values justice, compassion, and helping those in need. He dislikes drug use and cruelty.
Preston Garvey: A staunch supporter of the Minutemen, he loves helping settlements and hates selfishness.
Cait: She enjoys lockpicking, using chems, and violence. She dislikes being generous or kind.
Paladin Danse: He approves of actions that support the Brotherhood of Steel and hates anything that goes against their ideals.
MacCready: Likes stealing, lockpicking, and violent actions. He also approves of helping the Minutemen.
Hancock: Enjoys using chems, being generous, and helping others.
Codsworth: Loves it when you modify weapons and armor and when you’re kind.
Strong: Appreciates violence and hates peaceful solutions.
X6-88: Favors actions that benefit the Institute, hacking terminals, and entering power armor.

By choosing actions and dialogue options that align with these preferences, you can steadily increase their affinity without relying solely on console commands.

Leveraging Actions and Dialogue

Each action and dialogue choice you make has the potential to influence your companion’s opinion. Here are some tips:

Travel with them: The more time you spend with a companion, the more opportunities you have to influence their affinity.
Be mindful of your actions: Think before you loot, steal, or initiate combat.
Choose dialogue options wisely: Pay attention to their reactions during conversations and adjust your responses accordingly.
Complete quests that align with their values: Helping settlements for Preston, assisting the Brotherhood for Danse, etc.
Avoid actions they dislike: Dismiss them temporarily when you need to do something they won’t approve of.

FAQs: Companion Affinity in Fallout 4

How do I check my companion’s affinity?

Use the console command getav CA_affinity after clicking on your companion in the console to select them. Their reference ID will appear in the console if selected.

What does max affinity do?

Reaching max affinity unlocks their personal quest, and after completing that quest, it unlocks their unique companion perk.

Can I romance all companions?

No, not all companions are romanceable. Romanceable companions include Piper, Cait, Curie, Hancock, MacCready, Preston Garvey, and Paladin Danse.

How do I trigger a companion’s personal quest?

Reaching an affinity level of around 1000 (but sometime less) will typically trigger their personal quest, provided you’ve spent enough time with them.

What happens if a companion dislikes me?

Their affinity will decrease, and they may eventually leave your service. It’s best to avoid consistently upsetting them.

Can I lose max affinity?

Yes, you can continue to lose affinity even after reaching max affinity. However, once they Idolize you, they will always idolize you, but you can still lose or gain points.

Does difficulty affect affinity gain?

No, the game’s difficulty setting does not affect how quickly or slowly you gain affinity with companions.

Are there any mods that help with affinity?

Yes, there are mods that display affinity levels more clearly, modify companion behavior, or make it easier to gain affinity. Search for them on Nexus Mods.

What are the best perks for companions?

Each companion perk is unique and beneficial in different situations. Consider your playstyle when choosing companions. For example, Paladin Danse’s perk is great for fighting ghouls, synths, and super mutants.

Is Dogmeat affected by affinity?

No, Dogmeat does not have an affinity system like the other companions.

Can I have multiple romances?

Yes, you can romance multiple companions simultaneously in Fallout 4.

How do I dismiss a companion?

Talk to them and choose the dialogue option to send them to a settlement. You can then find them at that settlement.

What are the reference IDs for companions?

Look up the specific companion you want to use on the Fallout 4 wiki and the reference ID will be there.

How does the affinity system differ from other Fallout games?

Fallout 4 features a more dynamic and complex affinity system compared to previous Fallout games, with more nuanced companion reactions and personal quests.

What does x6-88 like?

Helping the Institute (radiant quests work), hacking terminals, getting into power armor, modding weapons/armor, being selfish (asking for a better reward) or being mean in conversations are things he likes.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Commonwealth, understanding and manipulating companion affinity can significantly enhance your Fallout 4 experience. While console commands offer a quick and easy way to boost your relationship status, mastering the art of influencing your companions through your actions and dialogue choices adds a layer of depth and immersion to the game. This interplay is a valuable example of game mechanics influencing behavior, which is a key area of study within organizations like the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org. So go out there, make some friends (or more), and conquer the Wasteland, one affinity point at a time!