The Outer Worlds is a wonderful science fiction adventure in which you take on the role of a passenger of the Hope (an abandoned colony ship), who has been awoken suddenly and asked to save the rest of the passengers before it is too late. This satirical, captivating RPG has a unique solar system to explore, full of various planets, thrilling quests, and of course, exciting companions to join you along the way.

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The companions you recruit along the way can help you out during quests, navigate challenges that they are experts in, and offer advice when you need it. So, it's incredibly useful to have a couple of companions with you during your adventures, especially when trying to level up fast. The companions help you feel a little less lonely on your big adventure through the Halcyon colony. But, which out of the six of them is the best companion in the solar system?

Updated September 29, 2022, by Luke Ackroyd: While you wait for the sequel, The Outer Worlds is still worth returning to time and time again. The Outer Worlds companions are a great highlight of this wonderful game. They offer their own insights on the decisions and dilemmas you face throughout your adventure. You can also get to know them more and by helping them out with their own personal quests. This Outer Worlds best companions ranking list has been updated to provide you with more information about each companion. This includes where to find them and what skills they assist you in when you have them by your side.

6 SAM

SAM is a sanitation and maintenance auto-mechanical that can easily be found onboard the Unreliable in the supply closet. The robot is inactive until you complete the Cleaning Machine quest, which involves finding a storage facility on Roseway to locate a missing part. This missing part will activate SAM.

SAM can provide bonuses for intimidation, hacking, and science skill checks when joining you on a quest. The cleaning-bot is helpful against other machines in combat, but if you have Robophobia, you will have a debuff around SAM as well. Despite some perks, SAM isn't the most interesting to be around. He also isn't too helpful when trying to ask your crew about important decisions.

SAM does not have a companion quest, which can be pretty disappointing, especially when there are so many great side quests in the game already. There is not much opportunity to learn more about SAM (besides his brief romance with Ada). He is still quite amusing, though, with his many upbeat slogans to share.

5 Ellie

Ellie is a medic and mercenary that you can encounter aboard the Groundbreaker. In order to hire her to join your crew, you will first need to help out her acquaintance, Jessie. This is achieved during the Worst Contact side-quest, and once completed, Ellie offers to work for you.

Ellie is excellent for boosting your healing capabilities, as well as providing bonuses for your lie, medical, and engineering skills. But Ellie is very untrusting, and mainly does things in her own interest rather than for other people. This doesn't make for the friendliest of companions. Still, she will get along with you on a professional level (even if your profession slides into illegal activities from time to time).

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Ellie's companion quest sheds some light on why she's so distrusting and distant, as you meet her parents and learn a little bit more about her upbringing. Choosing to help Ellie during this encounter certainly isn't a tough decision, especially compared to other moral choices presented elsewhere in the game. Unfortunately, even after helping Ellie out, she's still quite guarded around you, and you do not form quite as big of a bond as you do with the others.

4 Felix

When you first step foot on the Groundbreaker, you will witness a dispute between some guards and a rebellious fellow called Felix. You learn that he's lost his job after attacking his foreman with a Tossball stick. Not the greatest of first impressions, but when you find Felix waiting beside the Unreliable, it's clear he's very eager to join your crew and prove himself.

He can help you with persuasion, lockpicking, and sneaking skill checks. He's also great with melee weapons, especially Tossball equipment (he's a big fan, after all). As you spend more time with Felix, you get to find out a lot more about his fascinating past, including the old gang he used to associate with. If you're supportive and willing to help Felix out, he begins to see you and the crew like his family. Having Felix in your party makes you feel like a parental figure, guiding Felix and helping him grow as a person.

3 Nyoka

Nyoka is likely the last crewmate you will encounter due to her home being on the somewhat dangerous Monarch. She can be found at the Yacht Club in Stellar Bay. You can have a drink with her, and after completing her Passion Pills side-quest, she will join you as a guide to Monarch.

Nyoka is an incredibly tough mercenary and a fantastic ally during a fight, especially against monsters. Alongside this, she offers bonuses to your lie, medical, and sneak stats. Despite her violent tendencies, She has a caring side to her too.

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Nyoka's companion quest has quite an epic finale, as you take down a terrifying Mantiqueen to avenge her fallen allies. It's definitely up there as one of the best companion quests in the game. You learn about her loyalty to her companions and help her move on from her past. As an added bonus, Nyoka also always has exciting stories to share during your travels, which are always entertaining to hear.

2 Vicar Max

Max is a Vicar who can be recruited in Edgewater. In order to convince him to join your crew, you first have to retrieve a forbidden book found during the Illustrated Manual side-quest. He's obsessed with finding this book, having devoted himself to Scientism and "the plan."

The Vicar is quite helpful for enhancing your intimidation, hacking, and science skill values. Alongside this, he's pretty handy with a shotgun, as well as amplifying your dialog combat effects during a fight. But these perks are not the main reason he's a great companion.

Max has a wonderful character arc during his side quest. His entire worldview is crumbled, and with your help and support, he can finally find peace. After this, he's a joy to be around (even if he's still a little pompous at times), offering advice and trying to make the world a better place.

1 Parvati

Never mind the best companion, Paravati is probably one of the best characters in the entire game. She's excellent for boosting your persuade, lockpick, and engineering skills. Alongside this, she can help you find additional mods when scavenging, and her Overload ability is great for stunning enemies for a short time.

Parvati is upbeat, friendly, and incredibly kind-hearted, despite sometimes being quite shy around others. You can help her come out of her shell and even support her as she gathers the courage to ask Junlei out on a date. It's incredibly heartwarming to see Parvati become more confident and fulfilled as the game progresses. She can be your best friend in The Outer Worlds.

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