Saving ED-E: Your Comprehensive Guide to Fallout: New Vegas’s Beloved Companion
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Yes, absolutely! ED-E can be saved in Fallout: New Vegas. Not only can you save him from initial dangers, but you can also ensure his survival throughout the entire game, including the potentially perilous Lonesome Road DLC. This guide will explore the ways you can protect this essential companion, repair him if needed, and maximize his utility within the game. The key is understanding the game’s mechanics and taking preventative measures.
ED-E: An Indispensable Ally
ED-E (Eyebot Duraframe Subject E) is arguably the most useful companion in Fallout: New Vegas. His Enhanced Sensors perk grants a greatly increased detection range, highlighting enemies on your compass long before they become a threat. This is invaluable for any playthrough, especially on higher difficulties or in Hardcore mode. Furthermore, his ranged attacks provide consistent damage output, and he’s immune to most environmental hazards. However, his relatively low health pool makes him vulnerable in sustained combat.
Rescuing ED-E in Primm
The first step in saving ED-E is, of course, rescuing him from his damaged state in the Nash residence in Primm. He’s locked inside a maintenance pod. To free him, you must use the terminal in the repair room near the elevator to the temple and select pod number 2. Failing to do this will result in a missed opportunity to have him as your companion.
Preventing ED-E’s Demise
The primary threat to ED-E’s existence comes from explosions and concentrated enemy fire. Unlike human companions, he lacks the ability to use stimpaks on himself. Therefore, proactive measures are essential.
- Positioning: Keep ED-E behind you in combat situations. His ranged attacks allow him to contribute without being on the front lines.
- Choosing Your Battles: Avoid unnecessary confrontations, especially with groups of heavily armed enemies. Stealth and diplomacy are often better options.
- Regular Repairs: Ensure ED-E is always at full health. A damaged ED-E is a vulnerable ED-E.
- Companion Management: Use the companion wheel to control ED-E’s behavior. Setting him to passive can prevent him from running headfirst into danger.
What Happens if ED-E Dies?
In standard mode, ED-E can be defeated in combat and will simply be knocked out, requiring time to recover before he can rejoin you. However, in Hardcore mode, ED-E is considered an essential character. This means he cannot permanently die, as his death would halt the main quest. While he can be knocked unconscious, he will always be available to be reactivated once you’ve left the area and given him time to recover. If ED-E is caught in an explosion he disappears and you will never see him again although he will still be your companion and you will still have his perk for the remainder of the game.
Repairing ED-E
Maintaining ED-E’s condition is crucial. Fortunately, repairing him is relatively straightforward, with multiple methods available.
- High Repair Skill: A Repair skill of 65 or higher allows you to fix ED-E directly through the companion wheel.
- Science and Repair Combination: A Science skill of 55, followed by a Repair skill of 35, also works.
- Material Components: You can repair ED-E using three pieces of scrap metal, two sensor modules, and one bundle of scrap electronics. This method is useful when your skills are lacking.
It’s worth investing skill points into Repair and Science to ensure ED-E remains in top condition. Regularly checking his health and repairing him as needed will prevent him from being disabled during crucial moments.
ED-E’s Upgrades
After triggering a series of audio logs, ED-E can be upgraded. You’ll need to choose between sending him to the Brotherhood of Steel or the Followers of the Apocalypse. This involves travelling to one of these factions and waiting for a few days.
- Brotherhood of Steel Upgrade: This upgrade significantly improves ED-E’s armor, increasing his Damage Threshold (DT) by 12 and giving him a more durable chassis.
- Followers of the Apocalypse Upgrade: This upgrade enhances ED-E’s weapon, turning his laser into a powerful burst attack.
Choosing the right upgrade depends on your playstyle. The Brotherhood upgrade makes ED-E more resilient, while the Followers upgrade increases his offensive capabilities.
Lonesome Road Considerations
The Lonesome Road DLC presents a unique challenge to ED-E’s survival. ED-E joins you during this DLC, and certain actions can impact his availability afterward.
- Permanent Loss: Re-entering the Divide after completing Lonesome Road can cause you to lose ED-E permanently. Even though the game recognizes ED-E as a “companion”, the player still receives the “Enhanced Sensors” perk.
- The Lonesome Road ED-E is a Copy: It’s important to note that the ED-E you encounter in Lonesome Road is not the original. It is a copy manufactured by the Hopeville missile silo bunker’s automatic engineering facilities.
To avoid losing the original ED-E, it’s advisable to complete all desired activities within the Divide before leaving for the final time and returning to the Mojave Wasteland.
Companion Combinations
ED-E works exceptionally well with other companions. You can have one humanoid companion and one robot/animal companion simultaneously. A popular combination is ED-E and Boone. Boone provides long-range sniper support, while ED-E offers detection and sustained fire. Other viable combinations include ED-E with Veronica, Raul, or Cass.
Final Thoughts
Saving ED-E is not only possible but also highly recommended. His utility, combined with his survivability when properly managed, makes him an invaluable asset to any Courier in the Mojave Wasteland. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that ED-E remains a loyal and effective companion throughout your Fallout: New Vegas adventure.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ED-E
1. Can ED-E be killed permanently?
In Hardcore mode, ED-E is essential to the main quest and cannot be killed permanently. In standard mode, while he can be disabled, he will recover after combat. However, certain actions, such as re-entering The Divide after completing the Lonesome Road DLC, can cause you to lose him permanently.
2. Where can I find ED-E?
ED-E is initially found in Primm, inside the Nash residence. He’s locked in a repair pod and requires you to use a nearby terminal to release him.
3. How do I upgrade ED-E?
Trigger ED-E’s upgrade questline by listening to specific audio logs found in the game world. Once triggered, you can choose to send him to either the Brotherhood of Steel or the Followers of the Apocalypse for an upgrade.
4. What are the benefits of the Brotherhood of Steel upgrade?
The Brotherhood upgrade greatly increases ED-E’s armor, adding 12 points to his Damage Threshold (DT) and making him more resistant to damage.
5. What are the benefits of the Followers of the Apocalypse upgrade?
The Followers upgrade enhances ED-E’s laser weapon, turning it into a more powerful burst fire weapon.
6. Can I get both upgrades for ED-E?
No, you can only choose one upgrade for ED-E per playthrough through conventional means. Through console commands (on PC), it is possible to acquire elements of both upgrades, but this is not supported by the game.
7. Can I have ED-E and another companion at the same time?
Yes, Fallout: New Vegas allows you to have one humanoid companion (like Boone or Veronica) and one robot/animal companion (like ED-E or Rex) simultaneously.
8. What happens if I dismiss ED-E? Where does he go?
ED-E will return to the Nash residence (shop) in Primm, his original starting location.
9. Is the ED-E in Lonesome Road the same ED-E I find in Primm?
No, the ED-E in Lonesome Road is a copy created by the automated facilities in the Divide.
10. What happens if ED-E is caught in an explosion?
If Ed is caught in the explosion he disappears and you will never see him again although he will still be your companion and you will still have his perk for the remainder of the game. He just won’t be there with you in a physical sense.
11. What is the Enhanced Sensors perk, and how do I get it?
The Enhanced Sensors perk is granted when ED-E is your active companion. It significantly increases your detection range, making enemies appear on your compass from a greater distance.
12. Does difficulty level affect ED-E’s survivability?
Yes, on higher difficulty levels, enemies deal more damage, making ED-E more vulnerable. Maintaining his health and positioning him strategically becomes even more critical.
13. Are there any unique dialogue options associated with ED-E?
Yes, ED-E has unique interactions with certain NPCs and locations, often providing contextual information or commentary via beeps and boops that the Courier understands.
14. Can ED-E carry items for me?
Yes, ED-E can carry a limited amount of items, just like other companions. This can be useful for managing your inventory.
15. Can you get ED-E upgrades after Lonesome Road?
Yes, The Courier must find all five of ED-E’s upgrades in the Divide leading to the Camarader-E perk. All eyebot upgrade circuit boards are located inside destroyed eyebots. One can find these upgrades either during or after finishing Lonesome Road, even if ED-E isn’t a companion.