Who Leads the Fallout New Vegas Companion Tier List?

Fallout New Vegas companions affect more than damage. Boone spots targets at long range, ED-E improves awareness, Veronica provides workbench access, and Raul reduces equipment decay. The best partner is the one whose perk and combat range cover something the Courier does not already handle well.

Which Fallout New Vegas Companions Belong in S Tier?

Boone is the strongest broad humanoid companion through rifle damage and target highlighting. ED-E is the best non-humanoid partner and can join him in the same party. Veronica and Raul form A tier because their strong combat roles come with useful crafting or equipment perks and substantial personal stories.

The normal party can include one humanoid and one non-humanoid companion. That makes Boone and ED-E partners, not direct competitors. Hardcore mode raises the stakes because companions can die permanently.

How were these rankings decided?

The list measures Fallout New Vegas companions for players choosing one humanoid and one non-humanoid partner for exploration and combat. Its main rule is broad base-game usefulness with companion perks and personal quests valued alongside direct damage. Each entry is checked against the four topic-specific standards below.

Why does each choice belong in its tier?

Why is S tier placed here?

Boone removes distant threats with high rifle damage and Spotter highlights targets. ED-E fills the separate non-humanoid slot, improves awareness, and gains useful upgrades through its quest.

Entries: Boone, ED-E.

Why is A tier placed here?

Veronica is a powerful close fighter with a useful workbench perk, while Raul offers strong gun skill and a perk that reduces equipment decay. Both add substantial quest and character value.

Entries: Veronica, Raul.

Why is B tier placed here?

Cass is a durable ranged partner with useful alcohol-related perk options. Arcade brings Energy Weapons, healing support, and one of the game’s important late faction stories.

Entries: Cass, Arcade Gannon.

Why is C tier placed here?

Lily can deal heavy melee damage and support stealth, but her size and health behavior can complicate tight fights. Rex adds speed and melee pressure in the non-humanoid slot but lacks ED-E’s broad utility.

Entries: Lily, Rex.

Why is D tier placed here?

Companion value can collapse when the Courier’s choices make the partnership unstable or when friendly fire and positioning work against the follower’s combat style.

Entries: A faction-hostile companion in the wrong route, A close fighter paired with an explosive build.

Which companion fits each Courier build?

A melee Courier benefits from a ranged partner such as Boone, Cass, Raul, or Arcade. A sniper may prefer Veronica or Lily to hold close enemies, although companions can block a shot or rush into explosives. ED-E supports nearly every plan because its slot is separate and its awareness perk helps detect threats.

Stealth characters should consider companion aggression and wait commands. A powerful follower can start a fight before the Courier reaches position. Companion tactics and preferred range are part of the build, not settings to ignore after recruitment.

How much should personal quests affect the tier?

Companion quests reveal factions, change perks, and force choices that can reshape the ending. Arcade connects to important late-game history, Veronica explores the Brotherhood’s direction, and Boone’s story explains both his skill and his distance from others. That narrative value is a major reason to rotate the party.

A pure combat board may keep Boone at the top, but a first playthrough should not use only one pair. Travel with each recruit long enough to hear location comments and unlock quest conditions. New Vegas rewards learning why a companion wants to be there.

Which New Vegas companion choices create poor pairings?

• Comparing ED-E directly with Boone while forgetting they occupy different companion slots.
• Ignoring Hardcore mode, where a companion can die permanently.
• Ranking only damage and leaving out companion perks and quests.
• Pairing a melee follower with frequent explosives without planning for friendly fire and blocked shots.

Which mode and mods should be stated with the ranking?

The base game is stable, but platform patches and mods can change AI, perks, and companion survival. State whether the ranking uses Hardcore mode and whether balance mods are installed.

Turn this Fallout New Vegas companions ranking into a personal board for players choosing one humanoid and one non-humanoid partner for exploration and combat with the free RespawnGuide tier list maker. If letter grades hide an important difference, choose descriptive tier labels that state this topic’s scoring rule clearly.

What are the most common questions?

Who should travel with the Courier?

Boone and ED-E are the easiest powerful pair. Swap Veronica in for melee force and a workbench, Raul for equipment care, Arcade for Energy Weapons and story value, or Cass for a durable rifle partner. In Hardcore mode, give survival and positioning more weight than the fastest possible damage.