- First of all, sorry for my bad English, it is my second language. Ty -

I'm just starting to play FNV and I like to take my time, I like to explore and go slow through the content (I still play on normal difficulty). I'm having a blast, this game is awesome. I’m a happy noob!

However, since I have companions (Boone and Rex right now), I enjoy the game A LOT less. Even on passive, they run like kamikazes towards enemies as soon as I'm detected. Boone attacks in melee most of the time like a moron and they get in the way all the time.

They detect enemies through walls and on other floors, and then they walk away from me, doing as they please, going random places towards enemies. Since I have companions, I feel I’m following them more than they follow me.

Of course, they are powerful. I think I could just follow them around and watch them kill everything on their path if I wanted. I also like the perks they give, that’s for sure.

Now, me being a "happy noob", as I said earlier, do you think I could manage to play the entire game without any companion?

I searched these forums and the ones from fallout.wikia.com and everyone seems to be pleased with companions. Heck, many people ask for more choices o0… I don’t get it. Is there something I do wrong?

I even read somewhere that if I send them to Lucky 38, they will use my consumables I left in the suite. Is that true?

Do you think a newbie like me could just tell them to wait in a random room somewhere and play through the entire game without any help, or will I get my butt kicked?

Any advice?

Thank you for your help!

Im currently companion free, for many of the reasons you stated. Exploration is just so much better that way.

You should be able to get through w/out companions w/ out a problem.

I don't see any reason why someone should use companions. I have fun with them although I prefer having one to two but I don't think the game would be too difficult without companions.

You should be able to play through the entire game without ever using a companion; so don't worry about it.

As to companions raiding the fridge, I believe they do. That's just what friends do I guess when you leave them alone in your house


Greetz,

Milt

I tend to use them in a pack mule capacity. Enter an area, tell them to wait, go forth and kill, load them up, and finally have them follow me away. I love their banter (most of the time) and their stories are great and worth having them.

It wouldn't be too hard without them. A bunch of Nightstalkers could get annoying and getting jumped by Deathclaws would kill you, but that's just tactics developing.

I feel that you will miss a big part of the game without the companions. You can always have them wait somewhere if you don't want them with you at something. Their quests are compelling and their stories are not to be missed, especially Boone's. Also, he's not chatty so you can explore away without him yapping in your ear. Also, on Normal, I thought the game was a little difficult in the beginning and I stayed out in the Wastes instead of going into New Vegas. Have a great time.

Just expect more fights.

I know combat in NV is far in between compare to FO3, but sometimes I just don't want to fight.

I have played through FNV without any companions. It is definetly doable. I have the same playing style as you, and like to take my time and explore and find everything. I did the same with Fallout 3 the first time through. The second time through, I kept Fawkes on after we left the vault. I didn't think I would enjoy it, but I really did! Fawkes was pretty funny to have as a companion though. His dialogue made me laugh even after I had heard it 1000 or so times. "There is safety in mindfulness....." classic.

Anyway, I am going to try out the companions on my next playthrough. I think I will try Ed-E and Boone to see what it's like.

Moore-D

ps: Your english is much better than some posts on here.

I played through once from start to finish on Hard with no companions. No problem.

I also agree that companion AI leaves a lot to be desired. [CAUTION] does not mean [SHOOT EVERYTHING IN SIGHT! NOW!!]

Yeah I'm doing it without any companions, I like the loner feel.

I played the entire game alone wearing a 10mm SMG and a cowboy repeater (not modded) and a grimy pre-war suit so yeah I'd say it's possible, was for me.

You could just take their bonuses and leave them behind with 'Wait Here'. For example ED-E has Enhanced Sensors which you can get once you get ED-E but you can always park him somwhere safe and keep the perk; means you get away with PER 1.

Reno

You don't need companions...it's up to you how you play.

As others said, it's very possible to solo the game. Companions are completely optional, which is one great thing about the game (vs. others that force them on you at least some of the time). If your playstyle suits being alone better, I'd go for that on first run...leaving the companions for later playthrus doesn't hurt and gives you more stuff to do on replays.

And yea, companions initially annoyed me a little too. When I 1st picked up Boone I thought he svcked because using the tactics I'd become used to using while alone, he kept getting mobbed dying, w/his default armor. They require different approaches to the game and even so sometimes you just sit and watch them as they go berserk. But now I love that aspect...like they have their own minds which I can't always control, rather than being robotic obedient slaves. :laugh:

I never use companions, and it's very doable and enjoyable.

Sneak is a great option, it allows you to either sneak attack hostiles, or just slip by them unnoticed.

Guns (or if you want more of a challenge Energy Weapons), Sneak and something else (I usually take repair, but Lockpick is potentially more useful to level faster) make sure you manage your loot (lightweight high cap items, I generally only loot weapons, some of them are pretty worthless, but many are worth hundreds or thousands of caps for a few pounds) well so you can stay well stocked on chems, food and ammo, and you're golden.

Explosives are a decent choice as secondary skills, less for grenades and more for mines. Set up your kill box, mine the approaches, and when you get spotted and rushed, fall back to a secondary position and continue potshotting while they run through your mines. Mines aren't all that strong in NV and the timers are pretty long, but they are good for crippling your foes. Except Deathclaws, don't even bother.

I like sneaking and sniping so I never used them. That and I like to hog all of the glory for myself.

On my last character I didn't bother with recruiting companions. It was a very fun (even challenging at times) playthrough!

I think the game would be without a doubt a lot harder without using any companions in certain areas, even if they're there just to get the attention of some of the enemies. I specifically remember exiting a building and immediately being attacked by 3 giant radscorpions (possibly scripted event) at level 14. If boone and ed-e wasn't there, I'd be easily killed. I also remember vault 3 getting swarmed by multiple fiends in the entrance area...maybe like 7-8 at a time.

I tend to agree with what most of the others have said.
Now that I have collected the trophy associated with companions, I basically play without them. I also don't like the way their A.I. drives them into an almost suicidal frenzy even on "passive". In fact, I find very little difference between the "passive" and "aggressive" settings. LOL!

As Bomfy mentioned, if I use them then it is for their pack-brahmin capacity. If I am planning on collecting a lot of things then I will grab ED-E, set him on "passive" and "keep distance". Also, if I am planning on heading someplace I think may be overly harsh (re: having an abundance of Deathclaws or Cazadors) then I will grab Boone. Otherwise, I like to wander the Wasteland on my own.

I usually dont use a companion, but I took Veronica because well I didnt want to get jumped by the BoS. They are good for carrying stuff and their stories and quests are good, but in combat they can be a pain.

So do what ever makes your game experience more enjoyable.

I thought about letting Boone go, as I do find him overpowered. In the end, I decided to use him to ambush enemies. When entering a new area, I get Boone to hold position, and move forward on my own. If I get overwhelmed, I fall back, and me & Boone take on larger groups together. I like it that way.