Introduction
Venturing into the irradiated wasteland of Fallout 4 is a perilous endeavor, a constant dance with danger. From the ferocious Deathclaws to the relentless Super Mutants, survival demands more than just a sturdy pair of boots and a quick trigger finger. Your success hinges on the allies you gather, the companions who bravely stand by your side. But even the most loyal companions can become liabilities if they’re not properly equipped. Watching your favorite companion, perhaps the stalwart Dogmeat or the resourceful Piper, repeatedly fall in battle due to a pea-shooter against a behemoth can be incredibly frustrating.
This guide dives deep into the critical mechanic of giving weapons and armor to your followers in Fallout 4. We’ll explore why this is an essential aspect of the game, how to execute the process flawlessly, and offer advanced strategies to optimize your companions for maximum effectiveness. Equipping your companions isn’t just about making them more resilient; it’s about enhancing your overall gameplay experience, managing resources efficiently, and deepening the role-playing aspect of Fallout 4. By the end of this guide, you’ll be an expert at arming your team and ensuring their survival alongside your own in the harsh Commonwealth. Prepare to fortify your allies, turning them into formidable partners in the struggle for survival!
The Essentials: Prepping Your Arsenal and Allies
Before you can turn your companions into walking arsenals, you’ll need a few essentials. First and foremost, you need your companions! Fallout 4 boasts a diverse roster of fascinating characters who can accompany you on your adventures. Each companion brings their unique personality, background, and sometimes, their own preferences to the wasteland. Having access to them is vital.
Then, you’ll need the tools of the trade: weapons and armor. The arsenal in Fallout 4 is vast and varied, from simple pistols to devastating rocket launchers, and from light leather armor to heavy power armor. The best weapons for your companions are often those that complement their skillsets and your overall combat strategy. You’ll also need ammunition, plenty of it. The best weapon in the world is useless without the bullets or energy cells to fire it. Keep an eye on your ammo reserves, and regularly supply your companions with enough to get them through a firefight.
Armor is just as crucial as weaponry. Providing your followers with decent armor significantly boosts their survivability, allowing them to withstand more damage and stay in the fight longer. Consider the armor type and its protective capabilities to get the maximum protection for your follower.
Finally, you’ll need the interface, the ability to trade with your companions. That’s right, you’re going to be making trades, exchanging items with your loyal comrades. This allows you to transfer weapons, armor, and other gear to them.
Mastering the Trade: Giving Weapons to Your Companions
Now that you have the necessary items and companions, let’s break down the simple, yet essential process of equipping your followers. This straightforward guide will have your allies armed and ready in no time.
First, find your chosen companion. Locate them in the game world. They might be following you or waiting at a settlement. Once you’ve found them, it’s time to initiate the trade. Approach your companion and activate the trade dialogue. This is usually done by pressing a button near them, the specific button depends on your platform (for example, the “Trade” prompt on your PC, etc.)
Once the trade window opens, you’ll see an inventory list. This lists your inventory on one side, and the companion’s inventory on the other. This is where the magic happens: selecting the item you wish to transfer. In your inventory, navigate to the weapon or armor you want to equip on your companion. Highlight the item.
Then, transfer the item. Press the button or input command to transfer the item from your inventory to the companion’s inventory. This action places the item directly in their hands. Now, most companions will automatically equip the best weapon and armor in their inventory. However, you have to put the item in their inventory.
It is worth mentioning that companions typically prioritize the highest damage weapon or the best armor rating available to them.
Also, it is important to note that providing your companions with ammunition is paramount. Give them the right type of ammunition for the weapon you’ve given them. Ammunition doesn’t automatically transfer, you need to specifically move it to the companion’s inventory. They will automatically load the weapons.
Once you have equipped your companion, step back and watch. You’ll immediately see if they’ve equipped the weapon or armor. Engage in combat, and assess their performance.
Advanced Techniques: Optimizing Companion Performance
Giving your companions weapons is just the starting point. To truly optimize their effectiveness, you need to consider a few advanced strategies.
Choosing the Right Weapons is a crucial first step. Consider the different weapon types available in Fallout 4. Automatic weapons are excellent for sustained fire and clearing out large groups of enemies. Shotguns are brutal at close range. Sniper rifles allow companions to engage enemies from afar. Energy weapons offer unique damage types, and the Heavy Weapons are just devastating.
Then, consider the damage type of the weapon. Does it deal ballistic damage, energy damage, or even radiation? Ballistic damage is effective against unarmored targets, while energy damage bypasses a degree of armor. Some enemies are vulnerable to specific damage types, so you’ll want to have a diverse selection of weapons available.
Next, remember weapon modifications. Almost all weapons in Fallout 4 can be modified. Adding scopes, improved barrels, or larger magazines can dramatically improve a weapon’s performance. Consider what modifications would work best to improve your companion’s performance.
Armor also makes a huge difference. Just like with weapons, the right armor can significantly enhance your companion’s survivability. Consider their armor rating, which determines how much damage they can absorb. Then think about their resistances to radiation, energy, and other hazards. A companion in power armor can become nearly invincible, but it does come with a considerable resource investment.
While you can’t directly control your companions’ weapon selection with complex commands, it’s important to know each companion has a default set of skills they will use to defend themselves. Some companions, like those with more of a melee focus, might perform differently.
Understanding Companions, their preferences, and their strengths is also essential. Consider the individual companion’s personality and background.
Dogmeat
As mentioned before, Dogmeat can’t use weapons, but is still invaluable. Give him armor and items that boost his survivability. His primary use is to distract enemies, which he does quite well!
Piper
A charismatic journalist, Piper excels with automatic weapons. Give her an assault rifle, combat rifle, or a submachine gun. She benefits from armor.
Cait
Cait favors shotguns or automatic weapons. A combat shotgun or a submachine gun will work.
Preston Garvey
Preston is at his best with rifles.
Paladin Danse
Equip him with high-damage weapons and heavy armor to make him a true tank. An explosive weapon is a great choice for Danse.
By considering their strengths and weaknesses and matching them with appropriate weapons and armor, you can transform each companion into a powerful asset.
Addressing Common Issues: Troubleshooting Weapon and Armor Problems
Even with careful planning, issues may arise when equipping companions. Here’s a guide to troubleshoot problems you may encounter.
Sometimes, your companion might not equip the weapon you gave them. This is usually because a better weapon is already in their inventory. Check their inventory to ensure they have the right weapon. If the weapon still won’t be equipped, try unequipping all their current weapons and armor and re-equipping them.
If your companion persistently uses a default weapon, make sure they have the proper ammunition. Sometimes, if they run out of ammo for a better weapon, they will automatically default to their less effective starting weapon. Always ensure they have a supply of the right bullets or energy cells.
Another common issue is ammunition management. Companions can quickly run out of ammo, especially if you give them powerful, automatic weapons. To mitigate this, provide them with a generous supply of ammo.
Conclusion: Arming Your Allies and Conquering the Wasteland
Equipping your companions is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity in Fallout 4. By taking the time to provide your followers with the right weapons, armor, and ammunition, you’re making them more effective in combat, improving your overall survival chances, and deepening the role-playing experience. This seemingly simple action can dramatically alter the balance of power in your favor.
We’ve covered the basics, from initiating the trade to advanced optimization strategies. You’ve learned how to analyze your companions, choose the best gear, manage your resources, and troubleshoot any issues that might arise. You are now armed with the knowledge you need to ensure the survival of your team, and your own.
Now, go forth and gear up your companions! Venture into the Wasteland, fully prepared to face whatever horrors await. Explore the Commonwealth, uncover its secrets, and build a legacy of survival alongside your trusty companions. Remember, in the harsh world of Fallout 4, a well-equipped team is a winning team.
Consider expanding your knowledge by exploring weapon crafting, companion perks, and the dynamics of companion relationships.
