What Happens if You Don’t Heal Your Companion in Fallout 4?

In the irradiated wasteland of Fallout 4, your companions are more than just pack mules and extra firepower; they’re allies, confidantes, and sometimes, even romantic interests. But what happens when your trusty sidekick takes a beating and you’re too busy scavenging for bottle caps to offer a helping hand? The answer is surprisingly straightforward, but with nuanced consequences depending on your difficulty setting and playstyle.

The short answer is this: if a companion is downed in combat and you don’t heal them, they will eventually leave and return to their designated home settlement. This is a failsafe mechanism to prevent them from dying and disappearing forever. However, robot companions like Ada or those built at the Mechanist’s Lair are an exception: instead of returning to a settlement, they will be destroyed.

Mechanics of Companion Downed State

When a companion’s health reaches zero in combat (on difficulties other than Survival), they enter a “downed” state. They’ll slump to the ground, unable to fight, and essentially become a temporary obstacle. While downed, they’re vulnerable, but generally immune to further damage from enemies, and definitely immune to death.

In Survival mode, the rules change. While companions still can’t be killed by enemies, if they are knocked unconscious, companions will not get back up after combat. They must be healed first, or they will return to their designated settlements. This makes healing companions a much more tactical consideration in Survival mode.

Consequences of Neglect

Let’s break down the consequences of ignoring your downed companions:

• Temporary Loss of Combat Support: Obviously, a downed companion isn’t contributing to the fight. This can be detrimental in tough encounters, especially against powerful enemies like Mythic Deathclaws or large groups of raiders.

• Return to Settlement: After a certain amount of time (usually a few in-game hours), or immediately following combat, the companion will announce their departure and return to their default location. This could be Sanctuary Hills, Diamond City, or even the Prydwen, depending on the companion. You’ll have to travel back to their location to recruit them again.

• Effect on Affinity: Repeatedly allowing your companion to be downed can negatively impact their affinity towards you. Each companion has specific actions they approve or disapprove of. Consistently neglecting their wellbeing will likely lead to a decrease in affinity, potentially locking you out of their personal quest and unique companion perk.

• Robot Companion Destruction: This is the most significant consequence. If a robot companion goes down, neglecting to repair it will result in its permanent destruction. You’ll need to rebuild it from scratch, which can be resource-intensive. This makes keeping robot companions alive a high priority, especially in Survival mode.

• Storyline Implications (Rare): In specific scenarios, such as quests involving companion choices, letting a companion be downed might (though very rarely) affect the storyline progression. However, Fallout 4 is usually quite forgiving, and the departure itself is more likely the consequence.

Proactive Healing Strategies

So, how do you prevent these negative outcomes?

• Carry Stimpacks: The most obvious solution. Stock up on Stimpacks and use them liberally during combat. Target your companion directly with the Stimpack (using the d-pad on consoles, or assigning it to a hotkey on PC) to quickly restore their health.

• Companion Armor: Invest in sturdy armor for your companion. This reduces the amount of damage they take in the first place, minimizing the need for healing.

• Companion Perks: Some companions have perks that benefit both themselves and you. Maximize your affinity with these companions to unlock these useful buffs.

• Tactical Positioning: Don’t let your companion run headfirst into danger. Position them strategically, ideally behind cover or flanking enemies.

• Automatron DLC Customization: If you have the Automatron DLC, you can customize your robot companions with powerful armor and weaponry, making them more resilient and effective in combat. You can also add healing modules that automatically repair them.

• Chems and Food Buffs: Utilize chems like Med-X and food items that provide damage resistance to bolster your companion’s survivability.

Failing to heal your companion in Fallout 4 isn’t the end of the world, but it can lead to inconveniences and potentially affect your relationship with them. Especially in Survival mode, being proactive about healing is crucial to keeping your allies alive and well. Remember, a happy companion is an effective companion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are companions unkillable in Fallout 4?

In Normal difficulty, yes, companions are essentially unkillable by enemies. They can only enter a downed state. However, in Survival mode, neglecting to heal them after they are downed will result in them returning to their home settlement or being destroyed (in the case of robots). Technically, you can kill specific companions through certain storyline choices, but it requires deliberate action on your part.

2. Can companions die permanently in Fallout 4?

No, unless they are robot companions that you fail to repair after they are downed, or unless you deliberately kill certain companions through storyline choices. They are marked as “essential”, which prevents them from dying due to enemy attacks.

3. Do companions use my Stimpacks?

No, unless you specifically give them Stimpacks and instruct them to use them. Generally, you need to manually heal them by targeting them directly.

4. What happens if my companion’s affinity drops too low?

If a companion’s affinity drops too low, they might leave your service permanently, and you’ll lose the opportunity to gain their unique perk and complete their personal quest. Some companions may even become hostile.

5. Can Dogmeat die in Fallout 4?

Dogmeat is truly immortal! He cannot die, even in Survival mode. He can be downed, but he’ll always get back up.

6. What’s the best way to heal my companion in Survival mode?

The most efficient way is to use Stimpacks directly on them. You can assign Stimpacks to a hotkey for quick access. Also, ensure they have good armor and avoid letting them get overwhelmed.

7. Can I lose a companion perk if they leave?

No, once you’ve earned a companion perk, it’s permanent. You’ll keep the perk even if the companion leaves your service or their affinity towards you changes.

8. Do companions run out of ammo in Fallout 4?

Active follower companions use their own weapon and will never run out of ammo for that weapon. This is because they use “companion ammo”, which doesn’t show up in their inventory.

9. Who is the strongest companion in Fallout 4?

This is debatable and depends on your playstyle, but Paladin Danse is often considered one of the strongest in combat due to his power armor and high damage output. Curie in her synth form is also a contender due to her sturdy health pool and damage output.

10. Can I romance all companions in Fallout 4?

No, you can only romance certain companions who are open to a romantic relationship with the Sole Survivor. These include Piper, Cait, Curie, Hancock, MacCready, Preston Garvey, Porter Gage, and Paladin Danse.

11. Is it possible to accidentally kill a companion?

It is very difficult to accidentally kill a companion, since they are classified as essential NPC’s. However, it is possible to kill certain companions by completing certain questlines in certain ways.

12. Are robot companions from the Automatron DLC as essential as the main companions?

No, robot companions built in the Automatron DLC are not essential like the core companions. If they are downed and you fail to repair them, they will be permanently destroyed.

13. Can I equip my companion with any weapon or armor?

Yes, you can equip your companions with a wide range of weapons and armor, provided they meet the requirements for the gear. This allows you to customize their combat role to suit your playstyle.

14. Does difficulty level affect companion survivability?

Yes, significantly. On lower difficulties, companions are nearly invincible. On Survival mode, they are much more vulnerable, requiring constant attention and healing to prevent them from being downed and leaving.

15. Can deathclaws be companions?

Yes, with the Wasteland Whisperer perk (rank three in the Charisma skill tree), you can pacify and temporarily have a deathclaw as a companion. However, this is limited to outdoor areas, and you must keep your weapon drawn to maintain control.

Understanding companion mechanics is crucial for a successful and enjoyable Fallout 4 experience. Keeping your companions alive and happy not only provides valuable combat support but also unlocks unique quests, perks, and even romantic relationships. So, stock up on those Stimpacks, customize their gear, and embark on your wasteland adventures together! The intersection of gaming and education continues to grow. To learn more about the evolving landscape, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.