Summary

• Non-human companions in Fallout offer unique perspectives and aid, enhancing gameplay with variety and backstory.
• Characters like Marcus, Codsworth, and Curie bring different abilities and experiences, adding depth to the wasteland journey.
• From intelligent deathclaws to faithful robots, these non-humans offer diverse personalities and skills to aid players in their quest.

When travelling around the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout, it is best to have someone to help share any burdens and to watch each other's backs. In each game of the franchise there is a host of amazing companions to recruit who all have their own backstories and views on the world. And while there are plenty of humans to choose from, some of the most memorable companions in Fallout history are the non-humans who offer their aid in saving the day.

There have always been non-human companions to recruit going back to the original Fallout in 1997. However, it wasn't until Fallout 2 that the number increased, adding variety to the assistance the player could have. Recruiting any non-human in Fallout enhances any playthrough by offering a different perspective on the wasteland and its people. Throughout the franchise, there have been so many excellent non-human companions that some deserve honorable mention, such as Raul, Skynet, and Hancock, a ghoul companion from Fallout 4.

10 Marcus - Super Mutant Sheriff

Appears In Fallout 2 & Fallout: New Vegas

Unlike their brutish cousins on the East Coast, super mutants on the West Coast of the former United States are as intelligent as they are strong. No one demonstrates this better than Fallout's first super mutant companion, Marcus, who was part of the first generation of super mutants created by the Master. After the fall of Unity, Marcus went on to found the settlement of Broken Hills with a former Brotherhood of Steel Knight, Jacob, where Marcus would eventually become the mayor and sheriff of the town.

Marcus can be recruited in Fallout 2 after completing a certain number of quests for Broken Hills and is a remarkably charismatic companion. The fact that the Chosen One will need to have high karma and not have a Slaver or Childkiller reputation speaks to Marcus' integrity and moral com, as the sheriff often strives to be a force for good through Fallout 2. Marcus can also be met again in Fallout: New Vegas, once again in a super mutant settlement attempting to help his nightkin cousins, although sadly, he is not available as a companion.

Marcus named Jacobstown in New Vegas after his late friend and co-founder of Broken Hills.

9 Sargeant RL-3 - Mr. Gutsy Combat Robot

Appears In Fallout 3

Perhaps some of the most iconic non-human beings in Fallout are the Mr. Handy robots, with their distinctive eye stalks and shape. When visiting Tinker Joe, near the RobCo facility, the Lone Wanderer will get to meet one of these robots in the form of a Mr. Gutsy named Sergeant RL-3. Just like other Mr. Gutsy robots, Sarge is combat ready with extra shielding to take on anything the Capital Wasteland can throw at him, and due to a bug in Fallout 3, Sarge will gain extra HP at each level up, making him virtually impossible to kill by level 30.

What makes Sarge interesting is his unique approach to good and evil, as his programming means he is incredibly picky about who he will ally with. Only Lone Wanderers with neutral karma will be able to successfully purchase him from Tinker Joe, but unlike some other companions, Sarge will not leave should their karma shift in either direction. Sarge is also one of three companions that can enter the irradiated chamber at the end of the main questline of Fallout 3 if Broken Steel is installed.

8 Goris - Intelligent Deathclaw Scholar

Appears In Fallout 2

One of the most novel Fallout companions in the entire franchise can be found in Fallout 2 when the Chosen One visits Vault 13. After Vault 13 was seized by the Enclave and its inhabitants rounded up, the shady faction released the deathclaws into the vault to cover up the mission. Inside is a community of intelligent deathclaws who rebelled against their Enclave masters along with potential companion Goris.

Goris is a rare albino deathclaw who is able to disguise himself as a human by wearing loose hooded robes. Goris is a curious and scholarly character who wishes to travel with the Chosen One to learn more about the world, and can be recruited simply by talking to him. Amusingly, Goris isn't described as a deathclaw when first encountered, as his true nature will only be revealed when entering combat with him as a companion for the first time.

7 Codsworth - Faithful Mr. Handy Robot

Appears In Fallout 4

Codsworth is one of the first companions many Sole Survivors will meet when playing Fallout 4, although he won't be immediately recruitable. As the loyal Mr. Handy of the Sole Survivor, Codsworth spent the 210 years after the bombs tending to the family home and surrounding area. Upon meeting his owner once more, Codsworth will make comments about the futility of dusting a collapsed house and getting radioactive fallout out of vinyl floors.

Codsworth is an upbeat character who prefers lawful and kind acts when traveling in the Commonwealth, making him a great early game companion for good playthroughs. Although he has decent damage resistance and good melee weapons, Codsworth is terrible at stealth, making combat all but inevitable in certain areas. As with other robot companions, Codsworth can be modified using Fallout 4's Automatron DLC robot workbench, which allows his body to be altered to make up for any initial shortcomings.

6 Curie - Medical Robot To Curious Synth

Appears In Fallout 4

Another Mr. Handy type robot companion in Fallout 4 takes the form of the upgraded Miss Nanny medical assistant Curie. Curie can be met when visiting Vault 81 and completing the quest "Hole in the Wall," after which she will happily accompany the Sole Survivor out into the Commonwealth. With a child-like curiosity and wonder about the world, Curie is an absolute delight to travel with and will frequently gift Stimpaks.

Curie can also be upgraded to a human form by ing her memories into a synth body to allow her to progress her learning capabilities further. After she is humanoid, she will explain she is now capable of experiencing new and confusing human feelings, and Curie can be romanced. With her charming French accent and innocent outlook, it's no wonder that Curie is a firm fan favorite.

5 Fawkes - Super Mutant Prisoner Turned Hero

Appears In Fallout 3

The super mutants of the Capital Wasteland noticeably lack the intelligence of their West Coast cousins, which is why it's such a surprise when the Lone Wanderer meets Fawkes in Vault 87. Fawkes' story is a tragic but a familiar one for the area, with him once being human but snatched by super mutants and exposed to the FEV kept in the vault. Unlike all the other captives, Fawkes managed to retain his intelligence, but this came at the cost of all the memories of his past life.

Left in isolation, Fawkes was able to study many different subjects, such as history and science, which not only stopped him going insane from loneliness but inspired his choice of a new name, taken from Guy Fawkes. Fawkes is a fantastic companion and particularly skilled with melee weapons and big guns. Once he is freed, Lone Wanderers with good karma will be able to recruit Fawkes after escaping from Raven Rock during the quest "The American Dream."

4 Lily Bowen - Grandmotherly Super Mutant

Appears In Fallout: New Vegas

Another super mutant companion who is fantastic to have around is Lily Bowen, or Grandma Lily, who can be met in Fallout: New Vegas by the Courier. Lily was originally from Vault 17 where she lived a long life with her family until the vault was attacked by Unity. At the age of 75, Lily was transformed in a vat of FEV and became one of the first generation of nightkin, where she would work alongside Tabitha.

Unfortunately, by the time the Courier meets Lily, prolonged exposure to the Stealth Boy's field has begun to affect Lily's mind, just as with all other nightkin. While traveling with Lily, she will frequently mention her medication and "Leo," a manifestation of Lily's mental illness, and on some occasions Leo will speak through Lily. Lily can be found in Jacobstown and recruited immediately with the quest "Guess who I Saw Today," where she will be a helpful and friendly companion when not suffering from psychotic breaks.

Lily can be encouraged to take her pills more, which will help with her confusion but will lead to her forgetting her past and her grandchildren.

3 ED-E - Cute & Determined Eyebot

Appears In Fallout: New Vegas

In the town of Primm, the Courier will be able to find a special and unusual companion inside the trading post and Mojave Express outpost. Once "My Kind of Town" is completed, the residents of Primm will be able to return, including Johnson Nash, who will offer a broken eyebot to the Courier. Once repaired, this eyebot known as ED-E will follow the Courier as a companion and is a tough little robot with some important secrets.

ED-E was originally built by the Enclave on the East Coast and sent by its creator with valuable datalogs across the country with the aim of giving them to the Enclave base at Navarro. However, ED-E never made it there and once fully functional again, the data can be accessed and traded during the quest "ED-E My Love." ED-E is a great early game companion with a cute R2-D2 feel as it only communicates in beeps that the Courier interprets.

2 Dogmeat & Rex - Best Boys No Matter The Name

Appears In Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas & Fallout 4

Since the very first Fallout game, there has been a faithful canine companion available to travel beside the hero, whether it be the Vault Dweller, Courier, or Sole Survivor. While the majority of these dogs have been named Dogmeat, Fallout: New Vegas bucked this trend with the over 200-year-old cyberdog Rex. While each dog so far has been different breeds, such as Australian Cattle Dogs and German Shepherds, there is still speculation that each Fallout dog companion is linked somehow.

Generally, Fallout’s dog companions are easy to recruit, often found after the death of a former master or, in Rex’s case, completing a quest to help them. Perhaps one of the best and most well liked aspects of Fallout’s canine followers is that all will remain with the hero character, regardless of moral alignment or actions. This guarantees at least one follower during any playthrough to aid however they can with quests and in combat.

1 Nick Valentine - Synth Detective

Appears In Fallout 4

As well as having the honor of being Fallout 4's best and most popular companion, the synth private eye Nick Valentine holds the top spot in many hearts for Fallout's favorite non-human companion. Created by the shadowy Institute, Nick has the memories of a pre-war Boston detective, leading him to set up shop in Diamond City and offer his skills to those in need. As part of the main quest, the Sole Survivor will need to rescue Nick to get his help in their mission to find their missing son.

It would have been very easy for Nick to slide into a film noir cliché or one-note personality, but what draws many to the prototype synth is his fascinating and nuanced personality. Coupled with his backstory and strong moral code, Nick is a force for good in the Commonwealth, even in the face of distrust from its citizens. Along with his top-notch hacking skills and dry comments while traveling, Nick is perhaps the perfect traveling companion any Fallout player could wish for.