The Ultimate Melee Companion Showdown: Who Reigns Supreme in Fallout: New Vegas?
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.
The Mojave Wasteland is a brutal place, and venturing alone is a quick ticket to becoming gecko chow. A good companion can be the difference between survival and a swift, painful demise. But when you’re a melee-focused Courier, not just any companion will do. You need someone who can wade into the fray, soak up damage, and deliver a brutal beatdown of their own. So, who is the absolute best companion for a melee build in Fallout: New Vegas?
The clear winner, hands down, is Veronica Santangelo. While other companions have their strengths, Veronica’s combination of pre-existing melee skills, ability to wear Power Armor (post-Dead Money), and perk compatibility makes her the ideal brawler for your wasteland adventures. She’s a walking, talking, Power-Fisted wrecking ball.
Why Veronica is the Undisputed Champion
Let’s break down why Veronica stands head and shoulders above the other companion candidates for a melee-focused Courier:
- Natural Melee Prowess: Veronica starts with a decent Unarmed skill. Equip her with a powerful melee weapon like the Ballistic Fist, and she’ll quickly become a force to be reckoned with.
- Power Armor Potential: This is the big one. Complete the Dead Money DLC and acquire the Elijah’s Ramblings perk, and Veronica can finally wear Power Armor. This significantly boosts her damage threshold (DT), making her incredibly resilient in combat. Forget delicate flower – we’re talking armored assault unit.
- Melee-Friendly Perk: Veronica’s companion perk, Caring Touch, allows the player to regain more health from all sources. This synergizes perfectly with a melee-focused build that will inevitably take damage in close-quarters combat. More healing = longer survival = more enemies smashed.
- Easy Recruitment: Unlike some companions who require lengthy quests or specific karma, Veronica is incredibly easy to recruit. Simply find her at the 188 Trading Post, have a brief conversation about the Brotherhood of Steel, and she’s yours. Minimal effort, maximum reward.
- She’s Funny: Okay, this isn’t a combat-related advantage, but spending hours in the Mojave can get lonely. Veronica’s sarcastic wit provides a welcome dose of levity amidst the grim reality.
- Access to Brotherhood of Steel: Veronica can help players gain access to the reclusive Brotherhood of Steel chapter in Fallout: New Vegas.
Honorable Mentions: Other Viable Melee Companions
While Veronica is the top choice, a few other companions can hold their own in melee combat, albeit with caveats:
- Boone: While primarily a sniper, Boone’s high damage output and ability to spot enemies from afar can provide valuable support. However, keeping him in melee range is a waste of his potential.
- Lily: Lily, with her stealth capabilities and powerful melee attacks due to her Super Mutant heritage, can be a solid choice. However, she lacks the survivability of Veronica in Power Armor and can sometimes go into a rage, attacking friend and foe alike.
- Raul: Raul is A-Tier. While Raul lacks in combat effectiveness, he makes up for with his other useful services. Raul’s companion perk makes players’ gear lose up to 75% less durability, and Raul can also repair players’ gear when he isn’t an active companion.
Why the Others Fall Short
Other companions, like Cass and Arcade, are better suited for ranged combat or support roles. They simply don’t have the inherent melee skills or potential to become true brawlers like Veronica. Furthermore, non-humanoid companions like ED-E and Rex provide ranged support and crowd control but lack the raw damage output needed in melee.
Gearing Up Your Melee Companion: Essential Equipment
To maximize your companion’s melee effectiveness, equipping them with the right gear is crucial.
- Weapon: For Veronica, a Ballistic Fist or Greased Lightning is ideal. The Ballistic Fist deals incredible damage, while the Greased Lightning offers fast attack speed.
- Armor: Once Veronica can wear Power Armor, the best options are the Remnants Power Armor or the T-51b Power Armor. The Remnants Power Armor offers superior damage threshold and stat bonuses, making her incredibly durable.
- Other: Equip your companion with any stat-boosting apparel that enhances their Strength, Agility, or Endurance. Items that increase their damage resistance are also highly beneficial.
The Verdict: Veronica is Queen of the Melee Companions
When it comes to choosing the best melee companion in Fallout: New Vegas, Veronica Santangelo is the clear winner. Her natural melee skills, Power Armor potential, and excellent perk synergy make her an invaluable asset to any melee-focused Courier. While other companions can provide support, none can match Veronica’s raw power and survivability in the brutal close-quarters combat of the Mojave Wasteland.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I have two companions in Fallout: New Vegas? Yes! You can have one humanoid companion (like Veronica) and one non-humanoid companion (like ED-E or Rex) simultaneously. This allows for a balanced party with both melee and ranged support.
- What is the strongest melee weapon in Fallout: New Vegas? Oh Baby! is considered one of the strongest melee weapons. It’s a unique variant of the Super Sledge with higher base damage and a unique VATS attack.
- Is unarmed or melee better in Fallout: New Vegas? Both are viable. Melee weapons generally have higher DPS in real-time combat, while unarmed excels in VATS. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and build specialization.
- Is melee worth it in Fallout: New Vegas? Absolutely! A melee build can be incredibly powerful and rewarding, especially with the right perks and equipment. Plus, you don’t have to worry about ammo!
- Where can I find Veronica? Veronica can be found at the 188 Trading Post, located south of New Vegas along the highway.
- What is the easiest companion to recruit in Fallout: New Vegas? Veronica is widely considered the easiest companion to recruit. You just need to have a brief conversation with her.
- What is the strongest Power Armor in Fallout: New Vegas? The Remnants Power Armor is generally considered the best due to its high damage threshold and stat bonuses.
- Does Agility affect melee combat in Fallout: New Vegas? While not as crucial as Strength and Endurance, Agility does provide benefits, such as improved Action Points for VATS attacks and access to certain melee-related perks.
- How does Veronica’s companion perk, Caring Touch, work? Caring Touch increases the amount of health the player regains from all sources, including food, chems, and healing items.
- What perks are essential for a melee build in Fallout: New Vegas? Key perks include Super Slam!, Ninja, Slayer, Unstoppable Force, and Melee Hacker.
- Can companions die in Fallout: New Vegas? In normal mode, companions are marked as essential and cannot die. However, in Hardcore mode, they can be killed permanently.
- What is the best way to repair weapons and armor in Fallout: New Vegas? The Repair skill is essential. You can also pay merchants to repair your gear or use other pieces of the same item to repair them.
- What is the hardest boss in Fallout: New Vegas? Legate Lanius, the final boss of the main questline, is often considered the hardest due to his high damage output and tough armor.
- Which DLC is best for a melee build in Fallout: New Vegas? Dead Money is highly recommended for the Elijah’s Ramblings perk, which allows Veronica to wear Power Armor.
- Where can I learn more about game-based learning and the educational impact of games?
Visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to explore research, resources, and discussions on the intersection of games and learning.