Should I Choose Hancock or Bobbi in Fallout 4? A Wastelander’s Dilemma

The Big Dig quest in Fallout 4 presents a moral quandary familiar to all seasoned wasteland explorers: loyalty versus opportunity. On one side, you have Hancock, the charismatic, chems-loving ghoul mayor of Goodneighbor, striving to protect his community. On the other, Bobbi No-Nose, a seemingly pragmatic ghoul with a penchant for elaborate heists and a hidden agenda. There’s no definitive “right” answer; both choices come with their own rewards and consequences, but understanding the nuances of each path is crucial for making an informed decision.

Essentially, there is no objectively superior choice. Both paths lead to similar loot, and neither choice permanently damages your relationship with Hancock, even if you ultimately turn on Bobbi. The main differences lie in the immediate rewards, experience points, and the fate of Fahrenheit, a minor character. So, the “better” choice depends on your playstyle, moral compass, and immediate needs. Want more experience and caps? Stick with Bobbi, at least initially. Value Hancock’s approval or dislike Bobbi? Consider betraying her. Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that the game is yours to shape.

The Case for Bobbi No-Nose

Choosing to initially side with Bobbi offers several advantages. Primarily, it’s the path of least resistance for maximizing immediate experience points and caps. Bobbi rewards you for your initial assistance, and later, Hancock will pay you to hunt her down if you betray her, netting you even more caps. This path also allows you to potentially resolve the conflict peacefully with Fahrenheit, a unique outcome.

• Financial Gain: Bobbi provides caps for your assistance during the dig, and Hancock offers additional compensation for hunting her down later. You can squeeze approximately 400-500 caps from this route.
• Experience Boost: Working with Bobbi, even briefly, provides a steady stream of experience points.
• Ashmaker Acquisition: You can still obtain the unique minigun Ashmaker from Fahrenheit, either by killing her or convincing Bobbi to leave peacefully.
• Moral Flexibility: If your character is pragmatic or morally ambiguous, aligning with Bobbi’s initial plan can be a fitting choice.

The Case for Hancock

While siding with Bobbi might seem like the more lucrative initial option, choosing to side with Hancock and turn on Bobbi comes with its own set of considerations. It aligns you directly with a future companion and eliminates a character some players might find untrustworthy.

• Hancock’s Approval: Betraying Bobbi will score you points with Hancock and give you access to his questline.
• Character Alignment: If your character values loyalty and dislikes dishonesty, this path aligns better with a more virtuous playthrough.
• Fahrenheit’s Fate: Choosing this path typically results in the death of Bobbi during the quest, which can be satisfying for players who find her morally reprehensible. However, killing Bobbi isn’t necessary – you can convince her to leave.
• Companion Potential: While you can still get Hancock as a companion by working with Bobbi, some players might find it more satisfying roleplaying-wise to align with him early.

Fahrenheit’s Role

Fahrenheit, the fiery leader of the Triggermen, plays a crucial role in the quest’s outcome. You can choose to fight her, persuade her to let Bobbi leave peacefully, or kill Bobbi yourself. Regardless of your choice, you can acquire her unique weapon, the Ashmaker. Resolving the conflict peacefully earns the approval of more diplomatic companions like Piper, Nick Valentine, and Curie.

Long-Term Consequences

Ultimately, the long-term consequences of either choice are minimal. The most significant difference is whether Fahrenheit lives or dies. However, Fahrenheit doesn’t play a major role in the game beyond this quest. You can still obtain Hancock as a companion regardless of your choice, and the loot remains largely the same.

The key takeaway is that The Big Dig is a contained quest with limited impact on the broader narrative. Choose the path that aligns with your character’s motivations and your desired gameplay experience. There’s no “wrong” answer; only different shades of grey in the wasteland. Remember that choices matter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hancock and Bobbi

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Hancock, Bobbi, and The Big Dig quest to further guide your decision:

1. Can I get Hancock as a companion if I side with Bobbi? Yes, absolutely. Siding with Bobbi during “The Big Dig” quest does not prevent you from later recruiting Hancock as a companion. In fact, you need to work with Bobbi initially to even trigger the events that lead to Hancock’s companion quest.

2. Do I need to side with Bobbi to get the quest to have Hancock as a companion? Yes, you need to work with Bobbi to start the quest line that eventually leads to recruiting Hancock. Completing “The Big Dig” is a prerequisite for unlocking his companion quest.

3. Is Hancock a good companion? Hancock is considered a valuable companion by many Fallout 4 players. He offers a unique perspective, powerful combat abilities (especially against ghouls, synths, and super mutants), and has unique dialogue and interactions. He’s a strong character for those who embrace a morally gray playstyle.

4. What are Hancock’s likes and dislikes? Hancock approves of using chems (and even becoming addicted), acts of generosity, and choices that benefit ghouls or Goodneighbor. He dislikes selfish or cruel actions.

5. How do I convince Bobbi to leave peacefully? To convince Bobbi to leave peacefully, you need to pass a speech check with Fahrenheit in the strongroom. Successfully persuading her will result in Bobbi abandoning her plan and leaving the area.

6. How many caps do you get from Bobbi? Bobbi provides 200-300 caps for completing the initial stages of the quest. However, you can earn more caps by betraying her and collecting the bounty from Hancock.

7. Does Piper like The Big Dig? Piper, along with other diplomatic companions like Nick Valentine, Curie, and Codsworth, will approve if you persuade Bobbi to give up her plan peacefully.

8. What happens to Bobbi if she is killed during The Big Dig? Even if Bobbi dies during “The Big Dig,” her corpse can still be found at the Hawthorne Estate a few in-game days later, a rather odd glitch in the game.

9. Should I help Bobbi in Fallout 4? Helping Bobbi initially allows you to progress the quest and maximize experience points and caps. You can still betray her later if you prefer. There’s no significant penalty for working with her initially.

10. What is the weakness of Hancock? The game implies that Hancock is particularly vulnerable to Mary Embrey.

11. Why does everyone like Hancock? This information is not completely accurate. Not everyone instantly falls in love with Hancock due to his looks.

12. What happens if you romance Piper? Romancing Piper grants you the Gift of Gab perk, which provides double experience points for passing speech checks and discovering new locations.

13. Is Hancock a synth in Fallout 4? While there’s speculation and theories about companions being synths, Hancock is not canonically a synth in Fallout 4. The game doesn’t provide any definitive evidence to support this theory.

14. Who is the strongest companion in Fallout 4? Curie, after being transferred into a synth body, is considered one of the strongest companions due to her high health pool and damage output.

15. What factors should I consider when choosing between siding with Hancock or Bobbi? Consider your character’s moral alignment, your desire for immediate rewards (caps and experience), your feelings towards Fahrenheit, and your overall roleplaying goals. There’s no right or wrong answer; choose the path that feels most authentic to your character.

Exploring moral dilemmas like this helps promote the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills, which are values promoted by the Games Learning Society. You can visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the intersection of games and education.