Ranking All Companion Perks in Fallout 4

In Fallout 4, players embody the Sole Survivor who bravely navigates a treacherous post-apocalyptic landscape filled with various dangers and adversaries. However, they don’t have to tread this perilous ground alone. The game features a diverse selection of companions, each equipped with distinct personalities and unique perks that not only assist in combat but also enhance specific skills. Understanding the utility of each companion’s perks is essential, as some offer significant advantages over others.

Companions Available in Fallout 4

Players can recruit a total of 16 companions within the base game, along with additional characters from the DLCs. While several companions require players to complete specific quests before they can join the Sole Survivor, others are readily available to accompany them on their quest to find Shaun. Maximizing affinity with companions is crucial for unlocking their unique perks, which can greatly influence gameplay strategies. While some perks may be generally beneficial, others cater to particular playstyles, making them more valuable depending on the player’s build.

15. Nick Valentine – Close To Metal

Extra Hacking Attempts and Faster Cooldowns

Nick Valentine, a synth detective, provides a wealth of hacking expertise, which can prove useful. His companion perk grants the Sole Survivor an additional attempt when hacking terminals and reduces the cooldown period for lockouts by 50%. While this may sound appealing, experienced players may find that one extra attempt often falls short of true utility, particularly as similar benefits can be realized through game mechanics like the Science bobblehead. Ultimately, many view Nick’s perk as one of the weakest among companions.

14. Cait – Trigger Rush

Enhanced Action Point Regeneration

Cait’s perk, Trigger Rush, offers rapid regeneration of Action Points when the Sole Survivor’s health is critically low. Unfortunately, this perk is plagued by bugs; it activates when Action Points drop to 25 or fewer and currently provides only an 8% boost, making its effectiveness much lower than intended. Resolving her personal quest, “Benign Intervention,”is essential for unlocking this perk, but its inconsistencies may leave players wanting more.

13. Old Longfellow – Hunter’s Wisdom

Reduced Damage from Creatures

Old Longfellow is introduced early in the Far Harbor DLC and is particularly effective against the island’s fauna. His perk reduces damage sustained from animals and aquatic creatures by 25%. While advantageous for players venturing frequently on the Island, its situational nature makes it less valuable for players focused on other regions of the game.

12. John Hancock – Isodoped

Faster Critical Hit Recharge under Radiation

Hancock, a laid-back ghoul, has a companion perk named Isodoped, which accelerates critical hit regeneration by 20% when the Sole Survivor’s radiation exceeds 250 points. Although there are some builds that can exploit high radiation levels, most players will find themselves trying to avoid high radiation, rendering his perk somewhat niche and situational, albeit more viable in late-game scenarios.

11. Codsworth – Robot Sympathy

Damage Resistance Against Robotic Foes

Codsworth stands out as the Sole Survivor’s devoted butler, providing +10 damage resistance against robot attacks. This perk is mainly useful during the Automatron DLC; however, the availability of other gear that offers similar or superior protection makes Codsworth less indispensable for general gameplay. His early-game utility may lead players to feel it’s better to utilize him in Sanctuary instead.

10. Piper Wright – Gift Of Gab

Double XP Gains for Discoveries and Persuasions

Piper is a charismatic journalist known for her quick wit. Her perk, Gift of Gab, grants double XP when discovering new locations or successfully persuading NPCs. This offers considerable benefits early in the game, although its impact diminishes as additional locations for XP become limited, especially if the player does not focus on Charisma.

9. Strong – Berserk

Melee Damage Increase When Health is Low

As a super mutant companion, Strong offers a significant melee damage boost of 20%, but this occurs only when the Sole Survivor’s health falls below 25%. This perk can be beneficial for specific melee-focused builds, yet operating with such low health is usually inadvisable, especially at higher levels where increased health pools make this situation less common.

8. Curie – Combat Medic

Daily Heal at Low Health

Curie, the Miss Nanny robot, appears in Vault 81 and is beloved for her healing capabilities. Once per day, her perk allows her to heal the Sole Survivor for 100 hit points if their health drops below 10%. While this can be life-saving in critical moments, the effectiveness of 100 hit points diminishes at higher character levels. Nevertheless, Curie’s perk can be acquired relatively easily, making her a valuable companion early on.

7. Dogmeat – Attack Dog

Enhanced Combat Effectiveness Through Multiple Ranks

Dogmeat is a loyal companion who supports the Sole Survivor without the need for affinity, allowing him to remain a steadfast partner throughout the adventures. His unique perk, Attack Dog, enhances combat effectiveness by increasing V.A.T.S. accuracy, providing extra damage, and even reducing damage taken. Players must invest four points in Charisma to access this perk from leveling up, while also retaining the benefits of the Lone Wanderer perk, making Dogmeat an all-around excellent assistant.

6. X6-88 – Shield Harmonics

Improved Energy Resistance Across the Board

Siding with the Institute grants players access to X6-88, whose Shield Harmonics perk provides a +20 energy resistance from all sources, as opposed to just robots like Codsworth. This perk becomes particularly valuable during tough battles in high-difficulty settings, especially when combined with other resistance-enhancing abilities, making him an essential companion when heading into heavy combat scenarios.

5. Deacon – Cloak & Dagger

Enhanced Stealth Operations

For players who prefer stealth gameplay, Deacon’s perk is a game changer. Cloak & Dagger increases the duration of Stealth Boys and boosts sneak attack damage by 20%. This synergy becomes even more potent when paired with other stealth-related perks, providing critical advantages during stealth operations and facilitating a strategic approach to combat within Fallout 4.

4. Porter Gage – Lessons In Blood

Increased XP Gains and Damage Resistance

Within the Nuka World DLC, players meet Porter Gage, whose perk offers the Sole Survivor an increase of 5% experience points earned from each kill and an additional +10 damage resistance. His ability to enhance leveling significantly surpasses that of many companions, making him a highly sought-after ally who can be paired with a range of playstyles.

3. Paladin Danse – Know Your Enemy

Boosts Damage Against Various Foe Types

Paladin Danse is linked to the Brotherhood of Steel questline, where gaining maximum affinity grants a formidable perk. Know Your Enemy provides a 20% damage increase against commonly encountered adversaries, including ghouls, super mutants, and synths. Unfortunately, the quest-based requirements for unlocking his perk may prevent players from fully exploiting its potential.

2. Robert MacCready – Killshot

Improved V.A.T.S. Headshot Accuracy

MacCready’s perk, Killshot, enhances headshot accuracy by 20% when targeting enemies in V.A.T.S. This highly effective perk makes him an exceptional ally for players who favor ranged builds, especially when combined with other sniping perks, promoting a strategic and rewarding gameplay experience.

1. Preston Garvey – United We Stand

Damage Resistance and Enhanced Damage Output

Preston Garvey, one of the earliest companions players encounter, offers an outstanding perk called United We Stand. This perk not only provides a 20-point boost in both ballistic and energy damage resistance, but also increases damage output by 20% when outnumbered in combat. This capability proves invaluable, especially in the challenging encounters faced later in the game, making Preston a companion worth investing time in.

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