Who is the most powerful companion in Fallout 4?

Who is the Most Powerful Companion in Fallout 4? A Definitive Guide

The wasteland can be a lonely place. Thankfully, Fallout 4 offers a colorful cast of companions to help you navigate the dangers of the Commonwealth. But when the ghouls are swarming and the Raiders are breathing down your neck, you need more than just company – you need raw, unadulterated power. So, the burning question is: who is the most powerful companion in Fallout 4?

The answer, unequivocally, is Curie, specifically after you transfer her consciousness into a synth body.

While in her original Mr. Handy form, Curie is relatively weak, more suited for support than direct combat. However, upon completing her personal quest, “Emergent Behavior,” you can transfer her into a synth body provided by Doctor Amari at the Memory Den in Goodneighbor. This transformation unlocks her true potential, turning her into a powerhouse capable of dishing out significant damage and absorbing a remarkable amount of punishment. Let’s delve into why Curie reigns supreme and examine the factors that contribute to a companion’s overall strength.

Why Synth Curie Takes the Crown

Several factors contribute to Curie’s dominance as a companion:

  • High Base Health and Damage: Synth Curie possesses inherently higher base health and damage stats compared to other companions. Her synth body gives her a significant physical advantage, allowing her to withstand more damage and inflict more pain on enemies.

  • Effective Weapon Proficiency: Curie excels with energy weapons. Give her a well-modded laser rifle or plasma gun, and she’ll become a formidable force on the battlefield. Her ability to efficiently use these weapons significantly boosts her damage output.

  • Unique Perk: Combat Medic: Curie’s unique companion perk, Combat Medic, heals you for 100 HP if you fall below 10% health, once per day. This perk is exceptionally valuable in tough situations, providing a crucial lifeline when you’re facing overwhelming odds.

  • Versatility: While Curie shines in combat, she also offers utility outside of battle. Her medical background provides unique dialogue options and insights into the world, making her a well-rounded companion.

Factors Influencing Companion Power

While Curie may be the strongest overall, a companion’s effectiveness can depend on several factors:

  • Player Level: Companion stats scale with your character’s level. A companion picked up early in the game will be significantly weaker than one recruited at a higher level.

  • Equipment: Equipping your companions with powerful weapons and armor dramatically increases their combat capabilities. A weak companion with a strong weapon can often outperform a strong companion with a weak weapon.

  • Companion Perk: Each companion has a unique perk that they grant you upon reaching maximum affinity. These perks can significantly enhance your character’s abilities, making companion choice more strategic than simply choosing the “strongest” fighter.

  • Playstyle: A companion’s effectiveness also depends on your playstyle. If you prefer stealth, a companion like Deacon might be more useful than a powerhouse like Strong.

Other Strong Contenders

While Curie emerges as the strongest, other companions are also formidable in combat:

  • Strong: As a Super Mutant, Strong boasts high strength and durability. He excels in melee combat and can soak up a tremendous amount of damage. However, his limited intelligence and reliance on melee can be a disadvantage in certain situations.

  • Danse: A devoted member of the Brotherhood of Steel, Paladin Danse is a skilled soldier equipped with power armor. His proficiency with heavy weapons and energy weapons makes him a deadly opponent. He is a solid tank that can soak up damage.

  • Cait: As a former cage fighter, Cait is a tough and resilient companion. She excels in close combat and can use chems without becoming addicted, giving her a temporary stat boost.

  • Automatron Companions: The Automatron DLC allows you to build custom robots with various weapon configurations and armor plating. A well-designed robot can be an incredibly powerful companion. Don’t forget that Ada and the buildable robots from the Automatron DLC, don’t have a real affiliation, and the Institute has no clear grudge against them.

Why Preston Garvey Isn’t the Answer (and Why He’s Annoying)

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Preston Garvey. While essential to the Minutemen questline, he’s often considered one of the weakest and most annoying companions. His base stats aren’t particularly impressive, and his constant stream of radiant quests (“Another settlement needs our help!”) can be grating. Many consider that Without a shadow of a doubt, the worst companion in the franchise’s history is Fallout 4’s Preston Garvey. The NPC is incredibly annoying throughout the entire game, while never really being even remotely helpful.

Companions and Lone Wanderer Perk

The Lone Wanderer perk is something to consider, as companions will nullify it, but you can still have Dogmeat as your companion. Dogmeat doesn’t count as a companion in the same way as other companions, and if you have the “Lone Wanderer” perks you can take Dogmeat along and still use the Lone Wanderer perks (which are inactive when using other companions). You can also get the Attack Dog perk.

The Chosen One’s Superiority

All in all, the Chosen One is, without a doubt, the strongest Fallout protagonist. They’re then followed by the Courier and Nate, who are neck-in-neck. After them is the Vault Dweller, followed by Nora and the Lone Wanderer of Fallout.

Understanding Character Strength in Games

To deepen your knowledge of game design and character development, explore resources such as the Games Learning Society. Visit their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to discover a wealth of information and insights into the field. Learning about game design principles can enhance your appreciation and strategic approach to games like Fallout 4.

Conclusion

While companion strength can be subjective and dependent on various factors, synth Curie stands out as the most powerful companion in Fallout 4. Her high base stats, energy weapon proficiency, and unique Combat Medic perk make her a formidable force on the battlefield. So, if you’re looking for a companion who can reliably take down enemies and keep you alive, look no further than the synth version of our favorite Miss Nanny.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about companions in Fallout 4, providing further insights and clarification:

  1. Can companions die in Fallout 4? No. While previous Fallout games allowed companions to die, Fallout 4 companions cannot be killed. They can be knocked unconscious in combat but will eventually recover.

  2. Does Dogmeat count as a companion for the Lone Wanderer perk? No, Dogmeat does not disable the Lone Wanderer perk. You can enjoy the benefits of both having Dogmeat as a companion and receiving the Lone Wanderer bonuses.

  3. Can I romance all companions in Fallout 4? No, not all companions are romanceable. Some companions, like Dogmeat, are strictly platonic. Others, like Nick Valentine, are also not available for romance in the base game.

  4. How do I increase my affinity with a companion? Affinity is increased by performing actions that the companion approves of and avoiding actions they disapprove of. Each companion has their own preferences, so pay attention to their dialogue and reactions.

  5. What happens when I reach maximum affinity with a companion? Reaching maximum affinity unlocks the companion’s unique perk, which provides a permanent bonus to your character.

  6. Can companions wear power armor? Yes, companions can wear power armor. Equipping them with power armor significantly increases their survivability in combat.

  7. Can I customize my companions’ weapons and armor? Yes, you can equip your companions with weapons and armor of your choosing. This allows you to tailor their combat style to your preferences.

  8. How do I dismiss a companion? You can dismiss a companion by talking to them and selecting the “Dismiss” option. You can then send them to a settlement of your choice.

  9. Can I have multiple companions at once? No, you can only have one human or synth companion at a time. Dogmeat is an exception and can accompany you alongside another companion.

  10. What is the best companion for stealth builds? Deacon is often considered the best companion for stealth builds due to his perk, Cloak & Dagger, which increases stealth duration and damage.

  11. What is the best companion for melee builds? Strong is an excellent choice for melee builds due to his high strength and durability. His perk, Berserk, increases melee weapon damage when your health is low.

  12. Is it possible for companions to get jealous if I romance another character? Yes, companions can make snarky comments if you dismiss one for another near someone you’ve romanced, indicating jealousy.

  13. Where can I find Curie’s synth body? You can find Curie’s synth body at the Memory Den in Goodneighbor. You must complete her personal quest, “Emergent Behavior,” and speak with Doctor Amari to initiate the transfer.

  14. Are any companions synths? Yes, Nick Valentine and Curie (after her transfer) are synths. Within series lore, Nick Valentine is a resident of Diamond City. He is a Synth, a term used in the Commonwealth to refer to a type of advanced self-aware android built by an organization of elusive technocrats known as the Institute. Preston Garvey isn’t a synth.

  15. What is the rarest creature in Fallout 4? Like mythic Deathclaws or super-mutant behemoths, Dusky Yao Guai are one of the rarest and most powerful.

This information should help you choose the companion that best suits your needs and play style. Remember to consider the factors that influence companion power and experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.

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