This guide will go through each of the special perks Fallout 4 companions have, as well as the play styles that these perks are best used for. There are many types of play styles players can try out. For example, stealth is a popular build. Melee is another. The more adventurous player may combine these two and create a stealth melee build. There are endless possibilities, it all hinges on your creativity and preference.
Companion | Perk | Description |
| Trigger Rush | Regenerate Action Points more quickly if health drops below 25% |
| Robot Sympathy | +10 Damage resistance vs. Robotic Energy Weapons |
| Combat Medic | Once per 24 hours if you fall below 10% health you gain 100 HP |
| Know Your Enemy | +20% Damage against Feral Ghouls, Super Mutants, Synths |
| Cloak & Dagger | +20% Sneak Attack damage, +40% Stealth Boy duration |
| Killshot | +20% V.A.T.S headshot accuracy in theory, in reality much higher |
| Close to Metal | Gain 50% faster terminal cooldown and an extra guess when hacking terminals |
| Gift of Gab | Gain x2 XP for conversations and location discovery |
| United We Stand | +20% Damage and +20 damage Resistance against 3+ opponents |
| Berserk | +20% Weapon Damage after dropping below 25% health |
| Isodoped | Gain 20% Damage when your rads are at 250 or more |
| Shield Harmonics | +20 Energy Resistance |
Builds that Work with Specific Companions
Below you can find some builds that work well with specific companions and to suite your play style. These take advantage of certain perks that the companions have and enable you to play that style more effectively.
Stealth Build
The best perk for a stealth build would be Deacon’s Cloak & Dagger. Obviously a large part of a stealth build would be sneak attacks, and Cloak & Dagger adds +20% damage to them. On top of that, the duration of stealth boys (a consumable that turns you invisible) is increased by 40%. This is a must for anyone who wants to play stealthily.
Alternatively, if you wish to wander the commonwealth alone, (or atleast without the company of another person) Dogmeat will be your best bet. Although he doesn’t have a perk, he has special commands that can be used. He can stealthily search for both enemies and items in the surrounding environment. He can also pin down enemies and will also stay in place if commanded. He can also be paired with the Lone Wanderer perk, meaning you get all the advantages the perk grants you while still having a loyal companion by your side.
The Gunslinger
Are you obsessed with guns? Are you excited when you find a new weapon to try out? Do you hoard each new shiny toy? Macready’s Killshot perk will be best for you. It grants a buff of +20% headshot accuracy in V.A.T.S. This is perfect for dropping enemies with your favorite gun before they can even get close to you.
Danse is an alternative substitute for this playstyle. The Know Your Enemy perk grants +20% Damage against Feral Ghouls, Super Mutants, and Synths, perfect for quickly taking down these enemies with your much loved gun.
A third option, Preson Garvey, is also useful for pretty much every combat situation you will find yourself in. The United We Stand perk grants +20% Damage and +20 damage Resistance against 3+ opponents in a fight. You’l l have a significant advantage in the beginning of the majority of the battles you will fight.
Hacker/Thief
If your focus is on opening every locked door, terminal, trunk or safe you come across in your travels, Nick Valentine is for you. Nick’s Close to Metal perk grants Gain 50% faster terminal cooldown and an extra guess when hacking terminals. For the lockpicking aficionado, unfortunately, there is no companion that really buffs it. Cait is your best bet, because sometimes, if loaded up with A LOT of bobby pins, she may open a master lock for you.
VATS Master
If you love to use V.A.T.S., the aforementioned Macready may be a good fit. Cait and her Trigger Rush perk is also a welcome alternative. With Trigger Rush, regenerate Action Points more quickly if health drops below 25%.
Well, there you have it. These are a few types of player builds that these companions and perks work well with. Have fun with either following these or creating your own!
