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Who Can You Flirt With in Fallout? A Wastelander’s Guide to Romance

In the vast, irradiated landscapes of the Fallout universe, companionship can be a key to survival. But beyond simply having someone to watch your back, Fallout 4 introduced a robust romance system, allowing players to form meaningful relationships (or at least, entertaining flings) with several companions. You can flirt with Piper Wright, Curie, Preston Garvey, MacCready, Paladin Danse, Cait, Porter Gage, Magnolia, and Hancock. These characters offer diverse personalities and backstories, adding depth to your post-apocalyptic journey. The game allows for bisexual and polyamorous relationships, meaning you are not limited by gender or the number of partners you can pursue.

Understanding Fallout 4’s Romance System

Fallout 4 takes a unique approach to relationships. It’s not about choosing a single path from the start. Instead, it’s about building affinity with your companions. As you travel and make decisions, your companions react. Performing actions they approve of will increase their affinity towards you. Reaching certain affinity milestones unlocks deeper conversations, personal quests, and ultimately, the option to flirt and potentially enter a romantic relationship. Success depends on your Charisma and Luck stats, which aid in passing Persuasion checks.

Building Affinity: The Key to Romance

The core of the Fallout 4 romance system is raising a companion’s affinity towards you. Understanding how to do this is essential for unlocking the ability to flirt and pursue a relationship.

Companions have likes and dislikes: Each companion has specific actions, dialogue choices, and factions they approve or disapprove of. Pay attention to these cues! Piper, for instance, enjoys honesty and helping innocents, while Cait has a soft spot for lockpicking and enjoys more chaotic decisions.
Actions speak louder than words: Completing quests, giving gifts, and even the way you resolve conflicts in the wasteland will affect your companion’s affinity. Be mindful of their reactions and tailor your behavior accordingly.
Talk, talk, talk: Engage in conversations with your companions frequently. These interactions can reveal their backstories, personal struggles, and motivations. As you learn more about them, you will find opportunities to express empathy and support, further increasing their affinity.
Avoid negative actions: Stealing, killing innocents, and siding with factions they despise will rapidly decrease affinity. Remember, consistent negative behavior can make a companion leave altogether.

Flirting and Persuasion

Once you’ve reached a high enough affinity level, you’ll unlock dialogue options marked as “Flirt.” These choices allow you to express your romantic interest.

Charisma and Luck matter: While flirting is always an option, your character’s Charisma and Luck stats influence the success rate of Persuasion checks. These checks determine whether your flirtatious advances are well-received.
Save scumming is an option: If you’re really set on romancing a specific character, quicksaving before a Persuasion check is a viable strategy. If you fail, simply reload and try again. There’s no limit to how many times you can attempt to persuade a companion.
Don’t be afraid to fail: Failing a flirtation attempt isn’t the end of the world. You can always try again later, provided you continue to build affinity with the companion.
The “Romance” Option: Once you’ve maxed out affinity, the option to solidify a relationship appears. Selecting this option and passing the subsequent Persuasion check solidifies your bond.

Beyond Flirting: The Benefits of Romance

Romancing a companion in Fallout 4 is more than just a fun side quest. There are tangible benefits to pursuing these relationships.

Affinity Perks: Each companion, once their affinity is maximized, grants a unique perk. These perks provide valuable stat boosts, improved abilities, or other gameplay advantages. Paladin Danse, for example, gives the “Know Your Enemy” perk, granting bonus damage against ghouls, synths, and super mutants.
“Lover’s Embrace”: After sleeping near your romanced companion, you’ll receive the “Lover’s Embrace” bonus, temporarily increasing experience gained.
Story Enrichment: Romantic relationships add depth and emotional resonance to the game. They can also offer unique perspectives on the world and its challenges.

Fallout 4 Romance Options: A Closer Look

Here’s a breakdown of the characters you can flirt with in Fallout 4:

Piper Wright: A determined journalist seeking truth in the Commonwealth. She admires honesty, compassion, and a willingness to stand up for the innocent.
Curie: A Miss Nanny robot with a thirst for knowledge and a growing sense of self. She appreciates kindness, scientific curiosity, and a desire to help others.
Preston Garvey: A dedicated member of the Minutemen, committed to rebuilding society and protecting the settlements of the Commonwealth. He values selflessness, loyalty, and a strong sense of justice.
MacCready: A hardened mercenary with a tragic past. He respects competence, honesty (to a certain extent), and a willingness to do what it takes to survive.
Paladin Danse: A loyal and honorable member of the Brotherhood of Steel. He values duty, discipline, and adherence to the Brotherhood’s ideals. Note: this questline ends with a painful decision.
Cait: A former raider with a troubled past and a penchant for chems. She appreciates boldness, independence, and a bit of chaos.
Porter Gage: The ruthless leader of the Nuka-World raiders (DLC required). He admires ambition, strength, and a willingness to seize power.
Magnolia: A sultry singer in Goodneighbor. Romancing her offers a unique, non-companion based relationship.
Hancock: The charismatic mayor of Goodneighbor. He values freedom, independence, and a willingness to embrace the unconventional.

Fallout FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions about flirting and romance in the Fallout universe, focusing primarily on Fallout 4:

1. Can you romance anyone in Fallout 4?

No, you can’t romance anyone. Romance is limited to specific companions: Piper, Curie, Preston Garvey, MacCready, Paladin Danse, Cait, Porter Gage (Nuka-World DLC), Magnolia, and Hancock.

2. Does gender matter when flirting in Fallout 4?

No, gender is not a barrier. Fallout 4 allows both male and female players to romance any of the available companions, regardless of their own gender.

3. Can you marry in Fallout 4?

Not in the traditional sense. There is no formal marriage ceremony. However, reaching max affinity with a companion allows you to solidify a romantic relationship, and you can even give them the wedding ring from your deceased spouse for symbolic value.

4. Can you have a baby in Fallout 4?

No, the player character cannot have a baby in Fallout 4. While some mods may add this feature, it is not part of the base game.

5. Can you romance multiple companions at the same time in Fallout 4?

Yes, Fallout 4 allows for polyamorous relationships. You can romance multiple companions concurrently without negative consequences, as long as they are not present when you flirt with another character.

6. What happens if a companion sees you flirting with someone else?

Companions can get jealous. They may express disapproval or lower their affinity towards you if they witness you flirting with another character.

7. Can you fail a romance option in Fallout 4?

Yes, it’s possible to fail a Persuasion check when attempting to solidify a romantic relationship. However, you can try again later after further increasing their affinity.

8. Is it possible to romance without ever using the “Flirt” option?

While skipping the initial “Flirt” options is possible, the final “Romance” option will likely require a more difficult Persuasion check.

9. What is the benefit of romancing a companion in Fallout 4?

Romancing a companion unlocks a unique Affinity Perk, providing various stat boosts and gameplay advantages. You also gain the “Lover’s Embrace” bonus for temporary experience gain after sleeping near them.

10. Can you romance Nick Valentine in Fallout 4?

Unfortunately, Nick Valentine is not a romanceable character in Fallout 4.

11. Can you romance Elder Maxson in Fallout 4?

No, Elder Maxson cannot be romanced. Your options for forming a relationship are limited to your companions.

12. What stats are most important for romancing companions in Fallout 4?

Charisma and Luck are the most important stats. They influence the success rate of Persuasion checks, which are crucial for flirting and solidifying relationships.

13. Does Piper get jealous in Fallout 4?

Yes, Piper is one of the companions known to get jealous if she sees you flirting with other characters.

14. Where can I find more information about gaming and education?

For deeper insights into the intersection of gaming and education, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Their work highlights the potential of games for fostering learning and engagement.

15. Is there only polyamory in Fallout 4?

As the latest game in the Fallout franchise, Fallout 4 is the only installment that allows polyamorous relationships. The romance system in the game is more complex than in previous games.

Whether you’re a seasoned wastelander looking for love or a newcomer eager to explore the relationship dynamics of Fallout 4, remember that building affinity and understanding your companions is key. So go forth, explore the Commonwealth, and find your perfect post-apocalyptic partner!

Who can you flirt with in Fallout?