There is no official best-companion ranking in Fallout 4. This editorial list weighs the lasting affinity perk first, then field usefulness, access requirements, character and quest value, and how easily a companion fits different playstyles. The order is a broad, all-build ranking—not a measured test—and a stealth, V.A.T.S., or role-play run may call for a different pick.
It covers the 16 fixed named recruitable companions across the base game and official add-ons. Custom robots you build in Automatron are variants, not additional named companions. Affinity perks are permanent player benefits once earned, so a companion can be valuable even after you stop travelling with them.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Fallout 4 Game of The Year Edition - Xbox One | $28.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Fallout 4 - Xbox One (Renewed) | $8.21 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Fallout 4 Game of The Year Edition - Xbox One | $33.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Fallout 4 | Anniversary Edition | XBOX and Windows Digital | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Fallout 4 GOTY (Xbox One) | $33.29 | Buy on Amazon |
Fallout 4 companions ranked
- Deacon — The strongest specialist perk for stealth builds: Cloak & Dagger adds 20% sneak-attack damage and 40% Stealth Boy duration, according to GameSpot’s companion guide. Stealth Boy duration is niche, but sneak-attack damage has clear value for a dedicated sneak attacker. Deacon also brings the Railroad’s perspective and a personal story suited to players interested in that faction. His approval can be awkward if your choices frequently oppose his preferences.
- Porter Gage — Lessons in Blood grants 5% XP per kill and +10 Damage and Energy Resistance, per Plarium’s companion roster. The mix of progression and defense is useful across many builds. The catch is access: Gage is a Nuka-World companion, and his outlook may not suit a playthrough that rejects the raiders.
- Piper Wright — Gift of Gab doubles XP from successful Charisma checks and discovering locations, according to GameSpot. It is especially attractive while exploring new places and making dialogue checks, making Piper a natural early-playthrough choice. Her reporter’s perspective and conversations add character to a trip through the Commonwealth.
- Robert MacCready — Killshot adds 20% V.A.T.S. headshot accuracy, according to GameSpot. For a V.A.T.S. marksman who aims at heads, that is a direct combat benefit; outside that playstyle, it loses much of its appeal. GameSpot also lists completion of “Long Road Ahead” as a requirement for the perk.
- Preston Garvey — United We Stand gives 20% damage and 20 Damage Resistance when facing at least three enemies, per GameSpot. That is a potent package in group fights, but the enemy-count condition limits its value in one-on-one encounters. Preston is also central to the Minutemen storyline, which can make him a natural narrative fit or an unwanted reminder of settlement duties.
- Curie — Combat Medic restores 100 HP when health drops below 10%, once per day, according to GameSpot. It can rescue a dangerous run, but the very low-health trigger and daily limit make it an emergency effect, not steady healing. Her perk requires max affinity and completing “Emergent Behavior.”
- Paladin Danse — Know Your Enemy adds 20% damage against feral ghouls, synths, and super mutants, according to GameSpot. It rewards players who regularly fight those enemy types; its usefulness depends on what they encounter and on the story path. Danse’s Brotherhood perspective makes him a substantial story companion, though faction loyalties can create friction.
- Hancock — Isodoped speeds critical-hit accumulation by 20% at 250 rads or more, according to GameSpot. Critical-focused characters who deliberately maintain that radiation level can benefit, but the threshold makes it far from universal. Hancock’s unconventional politics and Goodneighbor ties are a draw for players who want a companion with a strong point of view.
- Nick Valentine — Close to Metal adds a hacking guess and reduces terminal cooldown time, according to GameSpot. It is a useful convenience if you hack often, not a broad combat upgrade. Nick’s detective story and distinctive synth identity give him unusually strong narrative value, particularly on quests tied to his past.
- Codsworth — Robot Sympathy provides +10 resistance against robotic energy weapons, according to GameSpot. The defense is narrow: it matters when facing the relevant attacks, not as a general damage buffer. Codsworth is an early, loyal robot companion with a personal connection to the opening of the game.
- X6-88 — Shield Harmonics grants +20 Energy Resistance, per GameSpot. It is a straightforward defensive perk, but protects against a narrower category of damage than a general offensive or XP bonus helps with. X6-88’s Institute allegiance and recruitment circumstances make him a better fit for some story paths than others.
- Old Longfellow — Hunter’s Wisdom reduces animals’ and sea creatures’ damage and energy resistance by 25%, according to Plarium. Its value is concentrated in wildlife encounters, especially in the Far Harbor setting where Longfellow belongs. His experience and local knowledge make him a strong thematic fit for that add-on, but less compelling as an all-purpose perk pick.
- Cait — Trigger Rush speeds Action Point regeneration when health is below 25%, according to GameSpot. That low-health condition suits players willing to fight on the edge, rather than those who prioritize staying safe. Her personal quest is also required for the affinity perk, per GameSpot. Cait’s blunt personality and history give her a substantial arc, though her approval patterns may clash with some role-play choices.
- Strong — Berserk adds 20 melee damage below 25% health, according to GameSpot. Both the melee-only effect and low-health trigger make it a narrow pick. Strong is distinctive as a super mutant companion, but his preferences can make affinity progression inconvenient for characters who often choose actions he dislikes.
- Ada — Ada has no fixed unique affinity perk listed by Plarium. Her appeal is instead tied to Automatron and its robot-building experience, which lets players shape robot companions. She is a good thematic and practical choice for a robot-focused run, not a source of a named permanent affinity bonus.
- Dogmeat — Dogmeat has no unique affinity perk listed by Plarium, but his command-based canine role gives him a different feel from humanoid companions. Bethesda states that “Dogmeat cannot die” in its 2015 companion introduction. Do not confuse the player’s Attack Dog perk-chart ability with a companion-granted affinity perk. Dogmeat ranks last only under a perk-first rubric; players who value his loyalty or prefer travelling without approval management may put him first.
Which companion has the best affinity perk for your build?
The top all-around ranking cannot account for every character build. Use the perk’s actual trigger to match it to how you play:
| Build or priority | Best-fit companion | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Stealth attacks | Deacon | 20% more sneak-attack damage; the additional Stealth Boy duration benefits players who use those devices. |
| V.A.T.S. headshots | MacCready | 20% more V.A.T.S. headshot accuracy. |
| Exploration and Charisma checks | Piper | Doubled XP from discovering locations and successful Charisma checks. |
| Frequent group fights | Preston | Damage and Damage Resistance bonuses apply when facing at least three enemies. |
| Broad XP gain and defense | Porter Gage | 5% XP per kill plus Damage and Energy Resistance, as listed by Plarium. |
| Terminal hacking | Nick Valentine | An extra hacking guess and shorter terminal cooldown. |
| Robot-heavy encounters | Codsworth | Resistance against robotic energy weapons. |
| Far Harbor wildlife | Old Longfellow | Reduces animals’ and sea creatures’ resistances. |
These effects are not interchangeable: a conditional perk can be excellent when its trigger is part of your normal strategy and nearly irrelevant otherwise. Bethesda describes SPECIAL and perks as systems for shaping distinct player builds, not as a basis for one universally correct companion order, in its character-system overview.
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- Freedom and Liberty Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours
- Be Whoever You Want With the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Character System. From a Power Armored Soldier to the Charismatic Smooth Talker, You Can Choose From Hundreds of Perks and Develop Your Own Playstyle
- New Next Generation Graphics & Lighting Engine Brings to Life the World of Fallout. From the Blasted Forests of the Commonwealth to the Ruins of Boston, Every Location Is Packed With Dynamic Detail
- Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage
How to increase companion affinity
Affinity is a relationship progression system, not just a recruitment requirement. Bethesda Support’s guide, “How do I increase Companion Affinity?”, identifies several ways to build it:
- Complete quests while the companion is active.
- Pursue that companion’s personal quest, if they have one.
- Speak with companions.
- Use certain aid items.
- Equip the Leadership social skill.
Some affinity perks also require a specific personal quest, not just a high relationship level. GameSpot lists “Emergent Behavior” for Curie and “Long Road Ahead” for MacCready, for example. Treat perk access as a companion-specific progression goal rather than assuming that travelling together alone is always enough.
Rank #2
- Next generation of open-world gaming
- Developed by Bethesda Game Studios under the direction of Todd Howard
- Fallout 4 is the follow up to the 2008 'Game of the Year' Fallout 3
- First title from the world-renowned studio since the release of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Violence
Which companions require add-ons?
Three of the 16 named companions in this ranking are tied to official add-ons. Bethesda’s current Fallout page describes six official add-ons and names these three among them.
| Companion | Add-on | Distinctive reason to recruit |
|---|---|---|
| Ada | Automatron | Robot companion and customization-focused content; no unique affinity perk is listed by Plarium. |
| Old Longfellow | Far Harbor | Local guide whose perk targets animals and sea creatures. |
| Porter Gage | Nuka-World | Perk combines XP per kill with Damage and Energy Resistance. |
The add-on connection matters when comparing the full roster: these companions are not available from the base-game cast alone. Bethesda’s page also describes Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition as including six official add-ons, but platform-specific availability and retailer contents should be checked for the edition being considered.
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- GOTY edition includes original game on disc and all available DLC as download codes.
- Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours.
- Be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system. From a Power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of Perks and develop your own playstyle.
- An all-new next generation graphics and lighting engine brings to life the world of Fallout like never before. From the blasted forests of the Commonwealth to the ruins of Boston, every location is packed with dynamic detail.
- Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage.
Why the ranking changes with your playthrough
Perk value is only one part of a travel companion decision. Faction allegiance, quest access, and approval preferences can make a theoretically strong companion inconvenient for a particular character. The available guides give examples of approval patterns, not a complete rulebook for every choice, so consider how a companion’s outlook fits your intended role-play instead of assuming their approval is predictable in every situation.
The order above is an editorial judgment, not a canonical Bethesda tier list or a measured comparison of companion damage and AI. GameSpot and Plarium are secondary guides for the perk descriptions; consult an up-to-date specialist reference if a disputed exact mechanic is central to your build.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- GOTY edition, includes original game on disc and all available DLC as download codes
- Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours
- Be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system. From a Power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of Perks and develop your own playstyle.
- An all-new next generation graphics and lighting engine brings to life the world of Fallout like never before. From the blasted forests of the Commonwealth to the ruins of Boston, every location is packed with dynamic detail.
- Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage.
Rank #4
- ANNIVERSARY EDITION — Get Fallout 4, all six official expansions, and more than 150 Creation Club items in one package.
- EXPLORE THE COMMONWEALTH — Play as the Sole Survivor of Vault 111 and shape the Commonwealth through choices, factions, and exploration.
- SIX EXPANSIONS — Explore Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World.
- CREATION CLUB ITEMS — Enrich your adventure with more than 150 items, including unique weapons, power armor sets, building packs, paint jobs, homes, and Dogmeat appearance options.
- OPEN-WORLD RPG — Explore the post-nuclear world, craft weapons and armor, and build and manage settlements.
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