How to recruit companions in Fallout: New Vegas
Companions (or followers) are NPCs who travel with you across the Mojave, pitch in during fights, and come with a unique companion perk plus a personal quest. Once you’ve got one on your crew, they’ll stick with you indefinitely unless you send them home. Note that story DLC areas don’t allow your main companions; those use temporary followers instead.
You can roll with two at a time: one human (Arcade, Boone, Veronica, Lily, or Raul) and one non-human (Rex or ED-E). If you ever dismiss a companion, you can tell them to wait at the Lucky 38 casino; they’ll hang out in the Floor 22 Suite until you’re ready to team up again.
Every companion location in Fallout: New Vegas
Recruiting a follower typically means finding them first, then clearing a small hurdle: a Speech or Barter check, a short side quest, or a reputation requirement. Here’s where to find every Fallout: New Vegas companion and what you need to bring them aboard.
Arcade Gannon
Find Arcade at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside. Fast-travel to the north gate; the fort’s on your left as you enter. To recruit him, meet any one of these requirements:
- Speech 75 or higher
- Intelligence 3 or lower
- Confirmed Bachelor perk
- “Liked” (or better) reputation with the Followers of the Apocalypse
- Complete “High Times” for Julie Farkas (Arcade will point you to her if you offer to help)
Boone
Boone works nights as a guard in Novac. Head into the dinosaur’s mouth on the town’s east side after 10 p.m. (enter through the gift shop and take the stairs). To recruit Craig Boone, complete “One for My Baby.” He wants the truth about who took his wife—though the quest does let you frame an innocent if you’re willing to live with it.
Veronica
Veronica is posted at the 188 Trading Post (north of Novac). You’ll usually spot her near the outdoor bar and picnic tables. Strike up a conversation and be friendly toward the Brotherhood of Steel when she probes you about them. Do that, and she’ll join without any extra hoops.
Lily
Lily, a nightkin with a soft spot for grandkids and Bighorners, lives in Jacobstown in the northwest. She guards the herd out front, but to recruit her you’ll need to speak with Doctor Henry inside the lodge (turn right after entering) and accept “Guess Who I Saw Today.” Ask Lily to help with the task to bring her along.
Raul
Raul is being held on Black Mountain, east of Goodsprings. As you approach, the “Crazy, Crazy, Crazy” quest auto-starts. Fight your way up, then enter the first building on the left at the summit (the Prison Building).
He’s locked in a cell that’s controlled by a “Very Hard” terminal (normally Science 100). Read “Entry 6” on the other terminal in the room to snag the password—123456789—then use “Disengage Lock.” Free Raul and ask him to join you.
Cass
Head to the Mojave Outpost in the far southwest. Inside the barracks bar, talk to Cass to kick off “Heartache by the Number.” Keep following the quest until the Crimson Caravan offers to buy her caravan. She’ll balk at first; convince her via one of the following:
- Barter 50 and sweeten the deal with 750 caps
- Barter 75 and agree to a drinking contest (winning isn’t required)
- Speech 50 and complete “Can You Find It in Your Heart?”
- Speech 75
Once she sells, you can ask her to come with you.
ED-E
In Primm (south of Goodsprings), enter the Mojave Express building—the one with the big red neon letters (it shows as “Nash Residence” on the map). Repair the eyebot on the counter using one of these routes:
- Repair 65 or higher
- Repair 35 and Science 55
- Repair with parts: three Scrap Metal, two Sensor Modules, and one Scrap Electronics. You can scrounge a good chunk of this at the Lone Wolf Radio trailer northwest of Primm.
Power him up and ED-E becomes your robotic companion.
Rex
Rex hangs out in Freeside at the King’s School of Impersonation (look for “The Kings” above the door). Inside, talk to the front guard. Either pass a Speech check or hand over 50 caps to get in, then meet The King. Rex is right beside him, but you’ll need to help out first.
Complete “G.I. Blues” for The King. After turning it in, ask about Rex to start “Nothin’ But a Hound Dog.” Speak with Julie Farkas at the Old Mormon Fort as requested, report back, and The King will place Rex in your care as your canine companion.