Fallout: New Vegas holds a unique status within the Fallout franchise, mixing the more advanced technology and combative aspects of the newer Fallout 3 and 4, with the more story-focused and RPG elements of the original two Fallout games.

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However much Fallout: New Vegas does or doesn't hold up, it still has some of the most unquestionably unforgettable characters of the franchise, especially regarding companions. And it's time those companions were fully examined and ranked.

Updated October 11, 2021, by Olivia Titus: Over a decade after its initial release, New Vegas still holds up in the Fallout franchise. With memorable mechanics, memorable quests, and memorable characters, it's a favorite game for many a fan. Many of these memorable characters obviously include the possible followers that can accompany the Courier. And it's time to take a better look at them.

8 ED-E

ED-E flying over road

This specialized Enclave eyebot certainly has an interesting story behind it. In fact, the same can be said about every companion in the Mojave, though ED-E being pure machine certainly sets him apart from other allies.

  • Prerequisites: Must be assembled in Primm through 65 Repair, 35 Repair, and 55 Sicence, or 3 scrap metals, 2 sensor modules, and scrap electronics.
  • SPECIALs: 6(S), 10(P), 5(E), 5(C), 5(I), 7(A), 9(L)
  • Stats: Starts at level 10 and caps at 22. HP starts at 180 and caps at 396. Damage is capped at 8. Carry weight is capped at 210.
  • Karma: Neutral
  • Faction: Courier, Primm

Being a robot, his armor rating and weaponry cannot be modified, unlike other companions. His built-in laser weapon is fantastic to have, especially in early-game, but if all else fails, at least he makes a good pack mule.

7 Rex

Rex wandering through the strip

Man's best friend returns yet again, this time not in the form of Dogmeat, but Rex, a cybernetically enhanced canine who dates all the way back to the 21st Century. And this ancient hound has gotten around quite a bit, from being a pre-war police pup, to a Legion attack dog, and much more.

  • Prerequisites: Players must complete the "Nothin' But a Hound Dog" quest to unlock him as a follower.
  • SPECIALs: 6(S), 8(P), 8(E), 4(C), 2(I), 8(A), 5(L)
  • Stats: Starts at level 8 and caps at 22. HP starts at 176 and caps at 484. Unarmed Damage starts at 40 and caps at 100. Damage Threshold starts at 10 and caps at 20.
  • Karma: Neutral
  • Faction: The King/King's Gang, Courier

Being a non-human ally, Rex, like ED-E, can't have his weapons customized, so Couriers are stuck with the usual canid attacks. On the plus side, this dog's bite can match his ferocious bark.

6 Rose of Sharon Cassidy

Rose of Sharon Cassidy speaking to players

This former caravan owner has quite a bone to pick with both the NCR and the Legion. And lucky for players, she's a possible companion for any hardened Courier roaming the Mojave.

  • Prerequisites: Completing the "Heartache by the Number" quest unlocks her. Completing "Birds of a Feather" locks her out of companionship permanently.
  • SPECIALs: 7(S), 6(P), 4(E), 4(C), 4(I), 6(A), 4(L)
  • Stats: Starts at level 5, caps at 22. HP starts at 210, caps at 295 (345 with Calm Heart). Guns and Sneak start at 47. Melee Weapons starts at 49.
  • Karma: Neutral
  • Faction: Cassidy Caravans, Courier

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Befriending Cassidy also gives better access to some of the Mojave's merchants via her caravans. And if players want a less-talking, more-shooting type of ally, then Rose of Sharon Cassidy is a perfect pick. If not, best to mozy on to greener pastures ahead.

5 Arcade Israel Gannon

Arcade Gannon talking to player

Within the Fallout universe, the Enclave - the last remnants of the US Federal Government - has been a recurring antagonist throughout almost every game. And it just so happens that seemingly good-boy Arcade has a not-so-clean past with them.

  • Prerequisites: Befriend the Followers of the Apocalypse, complete the "High Times" quest, pass a Speech check of 75, have the Confirmed Bachelor perk, or have an Intelligence of 3 or lower to unlock him as a companion. Joining the Legion locks him out of companionship.
  • SPECIALs: 6(S), 6(P), 4(E), 6(C), 10(I), 6(A), 4(L)
  • Stats: Starts at level 5, caps at 22. HP starts at 170, caps at 255. 4 percent Critical Chance. 15 percent Poison Resistance. 6 percent Radiation Resistance. Unarmed Damage is 1.10. Carry Weight is 210. Energy Weapons starts at 50. Medicine starts at 59. Melee Weapons starts at 51.
  • Karma: Neutral
  • Faction: Followers of the Apocalypse, Courier

If Couriers want a good guy with a good heart, good brains, and good aim, then Arcade might just be a good fit.

4 Veronica Renata Santangelo

Veronica Santangelo speaking to Couriers outside an NCR camp

But if the plain good guy isn't players' cup of tea, then perhaps this Brotherhood of Steel Scribe can appeal to the more morally gray Couriers, given Veronica's long, complicated history between herself, her family, the Brotherhood, and the Mojave.

  • Prerequisites: Speak to her at the 188 Trading Post, and do not be an enemy of the Brotherhood of Steel at the time.
  • SPECIALs: 7(S), 5(P), 6(E), 3(C), 6(I), 7(A), 3(L)
  • Stats: Starts at level 5, caps at 22. HP starts at 235, caps at 320. Has a critical chance of 3 percent. Unarmed damage is 2.9. Has 25 percent poison resistance and 10 percent radiation resistance. Has a carry weight of 220. Has a 46 in Energy Weapons, and 48 in Science and Unarmed attacks.
  • Karma: Neutral
  • Faction: Brotherhood of Steel, Followers of the Apocalypse, Courier

If players want a good combatant with humanly complex morals, then they should seriously consider Veronica as an ally.

3 Craig Boone

Craig Boone Talking to player

Another wonderfully gray character for more complex Couriers has to be Craig Boone. This former NCR ranger left his faction not for the problems within it, but for the problems within himself.

  • Prerequisites: Complete the quest "One for my Baby" with the correct culprit, or pass a speech check. Do not become enemies with the NCR, or friends with the Legion.
  • SPECIALs: 7(S), 8(P), 5(E), 1(C), 3(I), 7(A), 6(L)
  • Stats: Starts at level 5, caps at 22. HP starts at 230, caps at 315. Has a 48 in Sneak, and a 50 in Guns and Melee Weapons.
  • Karma: Neutral
  • Faction: NCR, Novac, Courier

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Given that the main quest can easily intersect with his, players can rejoice. He's only a quick trip away to Novac.

2 Raul Alfonso Tejada

Raul Tejada speaking with Couriers; wearing modified armor via a bowling hat and fake mustache

Raul is among the few Fallout characters to have been alive before the Great War, kept alive through his ghoulification from radioactive Fallout. And like many other Ghouls or Super Mutants, his longevity means he has a rich, extensive, and somewhat tragic background.

  • Prerequisites: Complete the quest "Crazy, Crazy, Crazy." Don't become enemies with the State of Utobitha.
  • SPECIALs: 6(S), 6(P), 4(E), 2(C), 7(I), 8(A), 5(L)
  • Stats: starts at level 14, caps at 22. HP starts at 280, caps at 320. Guns start at 92, Science at 90, and Repair at 95.
  • Karma: Neutral
  • Faction: State of Utobitha, Courier

If players want another gun by their side, then Raul isn't the best fit. But if they want a powerful techie to counterbalance their own gunslinging, this vaquero is a perfect fit.

1 Lily Marie Bowen

Lily Bowen looking angry by some buildings

Lily Bowen joins the ranks of Fawkes and Strong as her respective game's recruitable Super Mutant. But what sets Bowen apart from the latter two - aside from being the only female Mutant of the three - is her long, tragic background.

  • Prerequisites: Complete the quest "Guess Who I Saw Today." Don't become enemies with Jacobstown.
  • SPECIALs: 9(S), 3(P), 8(E), 5(C), 3(I), 10(A), 6(L)
  • Stats: Starts at level 10, caps at 22. HP starts at 240, caps at 529. Has 6 percent Critical Chance, 35 percent Poison Resistance, and 14 percent Radiation Resistance. Can do 3.5 Unarmed Damage and has 240 Carry Weight. Has 100 in Sneak and 80 in Energy Weapons, Explosives, Guns, Melee Weapons, and Unarmed Attacks.
  • Karma: Neutral
  • Faction: Jacobstown, Courier

And if players want to help her with the struggle of apocalyptic life, they should head on over to Jacobstown to find and help her out.

Next: Fallout New Vegas: The Best Mods You Need To Try