Companion Perks & Quests

Companions in Fallout: New Vegas are more than just extra firepower; they offer unique perks that can significantly enhance your Courier's abilities and provide engaging side quests that deepen the lore of the Mojave Wasteland. Successfully completing a companion's personal quest will unlock their special perk, making them invaluable allies.

Understanding Companion Mechanics

Equipping Companions: Companions can utilize most weapons and armor you give them, provided they are proficient. Always equip them with the best gear you find to maximize their effectiveness. Remember to supply them with ammunition for their chosen weapon, as they consume it.
Companion Wheel: The companion wheel (accessed by holding the "Companion Command" button) allows you to issue commands, manage inventory, and dismiss companions.
Hardcore Mode Considerations: In Hardcore Mode, companions can be permanently killed. Prioritize their survival by giving them good armor and healing items.

Companion-Specific Quests and Perks

Arcade Gannon: The Enclave Remnant

Arcade is a highly intelligent former Enclave scientist found at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside. His personal quest, "For Auld Lang Syne," is one of the most impactful in the game, offering a powerful perk and a glimpse into the Enclave's past.

Recruitment: You need an Intelligence of 7 or a Speech skill of 75 to convince him to join. Alternatively, completing "High Times" for the Followers of the Apocalypse or having a good reputation with them can also recruit him.
"For Auld Lang Syne" Walkthrough:
1. Triggering the Quest: Arcade needs to trust you. This typically involves gaining a "Liked" or "Idolized" reputation with the Followers of the Apocalypse, or progressing far enough in the main questline (e.g., reaching "The House Always Wins, V" or "Render Unto Caesar"). You'll know it's triggered when he mentions his past or asks about your plans for the Mojave.
2. Gathering the Remnants: Arcade will ask you to help him locate his former Enclave colleagues. You'll need to visit several locations and speak to specific individuals:
  - Cannibal Johnson: Found in a cave north of Cottonwood Cove.
  - Daisy Whitman: Located at the Lucky 38 Casino, usually on the lower levels.
  - Doctor Henry: At Jacobstown, inside the lodge.
  - Judah Kreger: Found in the NCR Sharecropper Farms, near the entrance.
  - Roxie: Also at Jacobstown, near Doctor Henry.
  You'll need to pass Speech checks or complete small tasks for each of them to convince them to gather.
3. The Meeting: Once all are convinced, they will meet at the Hidden Valley bunker (Brotherhood of Steel base).
4. The Final Decision: At the bunker, you'll face a critical choice regarding the Remnants' future and their involvement in the upcoming battle for Hoover Dam. Your decision will impact the ending and Arcade's final disposition.
Companion Perk: "Better Criticals" (Arcade's Perk): After completing "For Auld Lang Syne" and convincing the Remnants to fight for the NCR or independent New Vegas, Arcade will grant you the "Better Criticals" perk, increasing your critical hit damage by 50%. This is a powerful perk for any build focused on critical hits.

Cass: The Caravan Master

Rose of Sharon Cassidy, or Cass, is a disillusioned caravan owner found at the Mojave Express Outpost in Primm. Her quest, "Heartache by the Number," delves into the corruption within the Mojave's trade routes.

Recruitment: You must first complete "Ringo's Caravan" and then "My Kind of Town" in Primm. Afterwards, speak to Cass at the Mojave Express Outpost and offer to buy her caravan, or pass a Speech check.
"Heartache by the Number" Walkthrough:
1. Triggering the Quest: Travel with Cass for a while, and she'll eventually express her desire to investigate the destruction of her caravan and her father's.
2. Investigating the Attacks:
  - Crimson Caravan Company: Head to the Crimson Caravan Company office in New Vegas. Speak to Alice McLafferty. You'll need to pass a Speech check (75) or hack a terminal (Science 75) to find incriminating evidence.
  - Van Graffs: Go to the Silver Rush in Freeside. Again, a Speech check (75) or hacking a terminal (Science 75) will reveal their involvement.
3. Confrontation: Once you have sufficient evidence, you have two main options:
  - Peaceful Resolution (Speech 75): Confront McLafferty and the Van Graffs with the evidence. You can convince them to pay reparations and cease their attacks. This path earns you positive karma and Cass's respect.
  - Violent Resolution: Attack and eliminate McLafferty and the Van Graffs. This will result in negative karma but will also satisfy Cass's desire for revenge.
Companion Perk: "Whiskey Rose" (Cass's Perk): Completing "Heartache by the Number" will grant you "Whiskey Rose." This perk increases your Damage Threshold by 25% and your Damage Resistance by 25% while under the effects of alcohol. Additionally, you will no longer suffer negative Intelligence from drinking alcohol.

Boone: The NCR Sniper

Craig Boone is a former NCR sniper haunted by his past, found brooding in the dinosaur mouth at Novac. His quest, "One for My Baby," is a tale of revenge and justice.

Recruitment: You must complete the quest "One for My Baby."
"One for My Baby" Walkthrough:
1. Triggering the Quest: Speak to Boone in Novac. He'll be distant. You need to earn his trust by completing "Come Fly With Me" for Manny Vargas in Novac, or by having a "Liked" or "Idolized" reputation with the NCR.
2. Finding the Culprit: Boone will ask you to find out who sold his wife, Carla, to the Legion.
  - Jeannie May Crawford: The general store owner in Novac is the prime suspect. You can find a bill of sale in her safe (requires Lockpick 50 or the key from her).
  - Manny Vargas's Terminal: Manny's terminal in the Novac motel office contains information about Carla's disappearance (requires Science 50).
3. The Confrontation: Once you have evidence pointing to Jeannie May, wear Boone's beret (given to you earlier) and stand outside the dinosaur mouth at night with Jeannie May in your line of sight. Boone will snipe her, completing the quest.
Companion Perk: "Spotter" (Boone's Perk): After "One for My Baby" is complete, Boone grants you "Spotter." When you aim down sights, enemies within a certain radius will be highlighted in red, making them easier to spot, especially in dark environments or at long range.

Veronica Santangelo: The Brotherhood Scribe

Veronica is a disillusioned Brotherhood of Steel scribe found at the 188 Trading Post. Her quest, "I Could Make You Care," explores her desire for the Brotherhood to change or for her to leave it entirely.

Recruitment: Simply approach her at the 188 Trading Post and ask her to join.
"I Could Make You Care" Walkthrough:
1. Triggering the Quest: Travel with Veronica for a while, and she'll express her desire to find specific technologies or artifacts that could convince the Brotherhood Elders to change their isolationist ways.
2. Finding the Evidence: You need to find three specific items:
  - Pulse Gun: Found in the Vault 34 armory (requires Lockpick 100 or a key from the Overseer's office). This is a highly dangerous area due to radiation and Feral Ghouls.
  - Reverse-engineered power armor: Located in the REPCONN Test Site, in the basement laboratory.
  - A specific medical research document: Found at the Hidden Valley bunker, in Elder McNamara's office. You'll need to gain access to the bunker and potentially complete "Still in the Dark" if you haven't already.
3. The Decision: Once you have all three items, Veronica will want to present them to Elder McNamara.
  - Convince the Brotherhood: If you succeed in convincing Elder McNamara (requires Speech 80 or presenting all three items), the Brotherhood will become more open, and Veronica will be content.
  - Leave the Brotherhood: If you fail or choose not to convince the Elder, Veronica will decide to leave the Brotherhood. This can lead to a confrontation with Brotherhood Paladins.
Companion Perk: "Scribe Counter" (Veronica's Perk): Completing "I Could Make You Care" grants you "Scribe Counter." When an enemy attacks you in melee, there's a chance Veronica will perform a powerful counter-attack, knocking them down.