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All Companions in Fallout 3: A Comprehensive Guide

Exploring the Capital Wasteland in Fallout 3 can be a daunting task. Radiation, Super Mutants, and Raiders lurk around every corner, making survival a constant challenge. However, you don’t have to face these dangers alone. Fallout 3 offers a variety of companions who can join you on your journey, providing combat support, carrying your burdens, and offering unique perspectives on the post-apocalyptic world. This guide will delve into all the available companions in Fallout 3, detailing their locations, requirements for recruitment, skills, and unique perks.

Why Choose a Companion in Fallout 3?

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s discuss why having a companion in Fallout 3 is beneficial:

Combat Assistance: Companions provide valuable firepower, helping you take down enemies more efficiently.
Carry Weight: They can carry a significant amount of extra gear, allowing you to loot more items and avoid becoming encumbered.
Moral Support: Companions offer dialogue and interactions that can enrich your gameplay experience and provide different viewpoints on the events unfolding.
Unique Perks: Each companion has a unique perk that they grant to you, offering various bonuses to your character.

The Available Companions in Fallout 3

Here’s a detailed look at each of the companions in Fallout 3:

Dogmeat

Dogmeat is arguably the most iconic companion in Fallout 3. He’s a loyal and brave dog who can be found at the Scrapyard, located just south of Vault 101.

Location: Scrapyard
Requirements: None. Simply encounter him at the Scrapyard, and he’ll join you.
Skills: Dogmeat excels at combat, particularly melee attacks. He can also be instructed to search for items.
Perk: None directly, but Dogmeat’s presence provides significant combat assistance.
Notes: Dogmeat is essential for the quest “Those!” where he helps track down Fire Ants. He can be killed in combat, but you can obtain the “Puppies!” perk from the Broken Steel DLC, ensuring he will eventually be replaced by a new puppy.

Butch DeLoria

Butch, the greaser from Vault 101, is a potential companion in Fallout 3 available through the Point Lookout DLC. He is a melee-focused character.

Location: Point Lookout (after completing certain quests)
Requirements: Complete the main quest line of the Point Lookout DLC.
Skills: Melee Weapons, Small Guns
Perk: Butch gives you +25% Melee Critical Damage.
Notes: Can only be acquired after finishing the Point Lookout DLC storyline.

Fawkes

Fawkes is a Super Mutant with a surprisingly gentle demeanor. You’ll encounter him during the main questline, specifically in Vault 87.

Location: Vault 87
Requirements: Complete the Vault 87 quest and free him. You must have good karma to recruit him.
Skills: Fawkes is a powerhouse, excelling in Heavy Weapons and Energy Weapons.
Perk: Fawkes grants the “Fawkes’s Gift” perk, providing increased radiation resistance.
Notes: Fawkes is immune to radiation, making him invaluable in highly irradiated areas. His dialogue is quite insightful, offering a unique perspective on the Wasteland.

RL-3

RL-3 is a Mister Gutsy robot with a sarcastic and humorous personality. He can be purchased from a traveling merchant named Tinker Joe, who roams the Wasteland.

Location: Traveling with Tinker Joe (random encounters)
Requirements: Purchase RL-3 from Tinker Joe for approximately 1000 caps (price may vary based on barter skill).
Skills: RL-3 is proficient with energy weapons, particularly lasers.
Perk: RL-3 grants the “Robot Repair” perk, providing a small bonus to repairing robots.
Notes: RL-3’s humorous dialogue makes him a fun companion to have around. He can be somewhat fragile in combat, so keep him well-maintained.

Sergeant RL-3

Some sources mistakenly call RL-3 “Sergeant RL-3.” There is no Sergeant RL-3. The companion robot is simply named RL-3.

Jericho

Jericho is a former Raider who can be found in Megaton. He’s a hardened mercenary with a cynical worldview.

Location: Megaton
Requirements: You must have evil karma and pay him 1000 caps (or pass a speech check).
Skills: Jericho is skilled with Small Guns, particularly rifles.
Perk: Jericho grants the “Jericho’s Cover” perk, providing a small bonus to damage resistance.
Notes: Jericho’s dialogue reflects his past as a Raider, and his motivations are primarily driven by personal gain. He’s a good choice for players pursuing a more morally ambiguous playthrough.

Star Paladin Cross

Star Paladin Cross is a member of the Brotherhood of Steel who can be found at Citadel. She’s a dedicated and honorable soldier.

Location: Citadel
Requirements: You must have good karma. She becomes available as a companion after completing the quest “Liberty Prime.”
Skills: Cross is proficient with Heavy Weapons and Energy Weapons.
Perk: Cross grants the “Star Paladin Cross Training” perk, providing a bonus to Small Guns and Big Guns skills.
Notes: Cross is a strong and reliable companion, and her presence reflects a commitment to justice and order in the Wasteland.

Clover

Clover is a slave who can be purchased from Eulogy Jones in Paradise Falls. She’s a skilled fighter with a troubled past.

Location: Paradise Falls
Requirements: You must have evil karma and purchase her from Eulogy Jones for approximately 1000 caps.
Skills: Clover is skilled with Small Guns and Melee Weapons.
Perk: Clover grants the “Clover’s Gift” perk, providing a small bonus to Luck.
Notes: Clover’s backstory is dark, and her dialogue often reflects her experiences as a slave. Choosing her as a companion in Fallout 3 represents a morally questionable decision.

Choosing the Right Companion for You

The best companion in Fallout 3 depends on your playstyle, karma, and personal preferences. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:

For good karma players: Dogmeat, Fawkes, Star Paladin Cross
For evil karma players: Jericho, Clover
For neutral karma players: RL-3
For melee-focused players: Butch
For heavy weapons users: Fawkes, Star Paladin Cross
For those who value humor: RL-3

Companion Perks and Their Benefits

As mentioned earlier, each companion in Fallout 3 offers a unique perk. Here’s a breakdown of the perks and their benefits:

Fawkes’s Gift: Increased radiation resistance. This is invaluable for exploring irradiated areas.
Robot Repair: Bonus to repairing robots. Useful if you frequently encounter robots or plan to use robots as companions in the future (through mods).
Jericho’s Cover: Bonus to damage resistance. Provides a small but consistent increase in survivability.
Star Paladin Cross Training: Bonus to Small Guns and Big Guns skills. Improves your accuracy and damage output with these weapon types.
Clover’s Gift: Bonus to Luck. Increases your critical hit chance and improves your gambling odds.
Butch’s Gift: +25% Melee Critical Damage.

Managing Your Companions

Once you’ve recruited a companion in Fallout 3, it’s important to manage them effectively. Here are some tips:

Equip them with appropriate weapons and armor: Ensure they have gear that matches their skills and combat style.
Use the command wheel: The command wheel allows you to instruct your companion to attack specific targets, move to different locations, or wait in place.
Monitor their health: Keep an eye on their health bar and provide them with stimpaks when necessary.
Be mindful of their morality: Some companions may disapprove of certain actions, so be aware of their moral alignment.
Dismiss them when necessary: If you need to complete a quest that requires you to be alone, you can dismiss your companion and have them wait at a designated location.

Potential Companion Issues

While companions in Fallout 3 are generally helpful, they can sometimes present challenges:

Pathfinding issues: Companions may occasionally get stuck or have difficulty navigating complex environments.
Friendly fire: It’s possible to accidentally hit your companion during combat, which can lead to them turning against you.
Companion death: Most companions can be killed in combat, which can be frustrating. However, some mods can prevent companion death.

Mods that Enhance Companions

The Fallout 3 modding community has created numerous mods that enhance the companion experience. Some popular mods include:

Companion Sandbox Mode: Allows companions to interact more realistically with their surroundings.
Companion Share and Recruit: Expands the number of recruitable companions.
Companion Overhaul: Improves companion AI, combat abilities, and customization options.

Conclusion

Companions in Fallout 3 can significantly enhance your gameplay experience, providing valuable support, companionship, and unique perspectives on the Wasteland. By carefully considering your playstyle and moral alignment, you can choose the perfect companion to accompany you on your journey. Remember to manage your companions effectively and explore the modding community for even more ways to improve their functionality and immersion. Whether it’s the unwavering loyalty of Dogmeat or the insightful commentary of Fawkes, each companion in Fallout 3 offers something unique and valuable to your adventure. So, venture forth, explore the Capital Wasteland, and don’t forget to bring a friend!

[See also: Fallout 3 Best Weapons]
[See also: Fallout 3 Factions Guide]
[See also: Fallout 3 Tips and Tricks]