The Mojave Wasteland can be harsh, but the right companion can turn the odds in your favor. From the loyal Boone to the unpredictable Arcade, here’s where to find every recruitable ally in Fallout: New Vegas-and what makes each worth traveling with.
Every companion location in Fallout: New Vegas
Companions can be found at several key locations across the Mojave, including Boone in the NCR Ranger Safehouse, Cass in the Mojave Outpost, Veronica at the 188 Trading Post, Raul at the Gomorrah or beneath the Thorn, Arcade at the Old Mormon Fort, and Lily at the Followers’ Safehouse in “New Vegas.”
To recruit a Fallout: New Vegas companion, you must find them and complete a few requirements, which usually involve a few Speech checks (one of the SPECIAL stats), small tasks, or side quests. Here’s where to find every companion and how to recruit them.
Arcade Gannon
Arcade resides in the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside. Fast-travel to Freeside’s north gate and it’ll be on the left as you walk into Freeside. To recruit Arcade, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Speech level 75 or higher.
- Intelligence level 3 or lower.
- Have the Confirmed Bachelor perk.
- Reputation “liked” or higher with the Followers.
- Completed the “High Times” quest for Julie Farkas (Arcade Gannon will direct you to her if you offer him your help).
Boone
Boone is in Novac, the large town in the east, where he works as a nightguard. To find him, enter the dinosaur statue’s mouth during the night. The statue is on the east side of town, and you can simply enter the gift shop and take the stairs to get there. Boone should be there from 10 p.m. onward.
To recruit Craig Boone in Fallout: New Vegas, you must complete the “One for my Baby” quest. Boone wants to know who abducted his wife, but instead of finding the real culprit, you can also sacrifice someone innocent and lie about it.
Veronica
This is one of the easiest Fallout: New Vegas companions to recruit. Go to 188 Trading Post in the east (north of Novac), where you’ll find Veronica near the outdoor bar with the picnic tables. All you must do is talk to her and say nice things about the Brotherhood of Steel when she starts questioning you.
Lily
Lily is one of the nightkin who reside in Jacobstown in the northwest part of the map. She’ll be guarding the Bighorner herd in front of the lodge, but to recruit her, you must enter the lodge and speak with Doctor Henry first (go directly right after entering). Offer your help to start the “Guess Who I Saw Today” quest and ask Lily for help to make her your companion.
Raul
Raul is imprisoned by Super Mutants on Black Mountain, east of Goodsprings. As you approach the mountain, a related side quest, “Crazy, Crazy, Crazy”, will start automatically. Defeat the Super Mutants and enter the first building on the left as you reach the top of Black Mountain, the Prison Building.
Raul is inside the prison cell, which can be opened by hacking the terminal next to the cell door. Although it’s got a “very hard” difficulty level, which requires Science level 100, you can easily open the lock by reading “Entry 6” on the other terminal in the room, which will give you the password: 123456789. Interact with the “very hard” terminal again, and press “disengage lock” to open Raul’s cell. Ask Raul to tag along to make him your Fallout: New Vegas companion.
Cass
Go to the Mojave Outpost in the southwest corner of the Mojave Wasteland. Enter the barracks, where you’ll find Cass sitting at the bar. Ask her what troubles her, and the “Heartache by the Number” quest will start. Follow this questline until you receive the Crimson Caravan’s offer to buy Cass’s caravan. Cass will initially refuse to sell, but you must convince her through one of these methods:
- Have Barter level 50 and throw in an extra 750 caps.
- Have Barter level 75 and partake in a drinking contest (you don’t have to win).
- Convince her with Speech level 50 and complete the “Can You Find it in Your Heart?” quest.
- Choose the Speech level 75 option.
Once she’s sold the caravan, you can ask her to join you as a companion.
ED-E
Go to Primm, the town south of Goodsprings, and enter the Mojave Express building, which is the one with the big red neon letters (called “Nash Residence” on the map). Repair the broken robot on the counter through one of the following methods:
- Have Repair level 65 or higher.
- Have Repair level 35 and Science level 55.
- Choose “repair with parts” and repair it with three pieces of scrap metal, two sensor modules, and one bundle of scrap electronics. While there’s some scrap metal on the counter, the best place to find the remaining materials is at the Lone Wolf Radio camper, just northwest of Primm.
Once he’s repaired, ED-E will become a pet companion.
Rex
Rex the cyberdog is found in Freeside. Find the large building with “The Kings” written above the entrance (King’s School of Impersonation), and once inside, speak with the guard ahead of you. Pass a Speech check or bribe him with 50 caps to let you through, then speak with The King and offer your help. Rex will be right next to him, but you can’t recruit him just yet.
Best companion combos and perks in Fallout New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas allows one humanoid and one non-humanoid companion at a time, with “best” combos depending on playstyle like sniping, energy weapons, or melee. Top picks pair utility perks (e.g., enemy detection) with damage boosts for synergy.
Sniper Builds
Boone and ED-E dominate stealth sniping. Boone’s Spotter perk highlights enemies through walls in V.A.T.S., while ED-E’s Enhanced Sensors (Followers upgrade) boosts player Perception for early detection; ED-E also provides laser damage boosts and ammo repair.
Energy/Melee Builds
Veronica and ED-E excel for close-range fighters. Veronica’s Scribe Counter offers portable workbenches for crafting/repair (great for energy weapons), plus DT from alcohol; pair with ED-E for detection and free energy ammo.
Tank/Generalist Builds
Cass and Raul with ED-E or Rex. Cass’s Drunkard removes alcohol negatives and adds Gun damage; Raul speeds revolvers. ED-E adds utility, or Rex (Lupa brain) for +10 DT tankiness.
Companion Perks Overview
| Companion | Key Player Perk | Companion Upgrade Perk |
|---|---|---|
| Boone | Spotter (V.A.T.S. highlights) | – |
| ED-E | Enhanced Sensors (+Perception, laser dmg) | Followers: +DPS/crit |
| Veronica | Scribe Counter (workbench) | Bonds of Steel (+4 DT) |
| Cass | Drunkard (alcohol perks) | Hand of Vengeance (+15% Guns) |
| Raul | Ghoul Within (revolver speed) | Old Vaquero (+33% fire rate) |
| Arcade | Better Healing (stimpack efficiency) | – |
| Lily | Rad Child (rads heal HP) | Fully Medicated (no breaks) |
| Rex | Charisma Boost (Search & Loot) | Lupa: +10 DT |
Dismiss extras to The Lucky 38 for swapping; complete personal quests for upgrades.
Best companion combos for stealth sniper builds
Boone and ED-E form the top companion combo for stealth sniper builds in Fallout: New Vegas.
Why This Combo Excels
Boone’s Spotter perk reveals enemies through walls in V.A.T.S., enabling precise long-range headshots without breaking stealth. ED-E’s Enhanced Sensors (after Followers quest upgrade) boosts player Perception for spotting foes early, plus it provides free energy ammo and laser damage perks that complement silenced rifles. Both companions stay quiet and distant during sneaking, minimizing detection risk compared to noisier options like Cass or Veronica.
Key Perks Breakdown
| Companion | Player Perk Benefit | Stealth Synergy |
|---|---|---|
| Boone | Spotter (V.A.T.S. enemy glow) | Perfect for lining up sniper shots unseen |
| ED-E | Enhanced Sensors (+2 Perception, laser boosts) | Early warnings keep you hidden longer |
Usage Tips
Command Boone to “be stealthy” via dialogue before fights; ED-E auto-follows silently. Park them with the stay command during approaches, then whistle them forward post-kill cleanup. Complete Boone’s “I Forgot to Mention…” and ED-E’s upgrades for max value.
