Fallout 4 Companion Affinity Guide – In Fallout 4, companions are more than just backup in combat—they add personality, story depth, and can offer unique perks based on how much they like you. Each companion has a unique set of likes and dislikes, and maximizing their “affinity” level will unlock special bonuses that can aid you throughout the game. This guide will cover everything you need to know about companion affinity, including how to boost it, what each companion prefers, and tips on unlocking those exclusive perks.

About Companion Affinity Fallout 4

In Fallout 4, affinity measures how much a companion likes or dislikes your character. Actions you take in-game affect this level, and each companion reacts differently based on their individual morals, goals, and personality. Increasing a companion’s affinity unlocks dialogue options, story insights, and at maximum affinity, a unique perk tailored to their personality and skills.

Affinity Ranks

There are four stages of affinity with each companion:

1. Neutral – Initial level when they first join you.
2. Admire – They start to show approval of your actions.
3. Like – They frequently approve of your choices and may initiate personal dialogue.
4. Love – Maximum affinity level, granting their unique perk.

Once a companion reaches “Love” affinity, their perk becomes available, and you can choose to keep them as a companion or switch to another without losing the perk.

How to Increase Companion Affinity

To maximize a companion’s affinity, focus on actions that align with their values. These actions include choices in quests, speech options, crafting, and even item use. Each companion has preferences, and understanding these will allow you to maximize affinity faster. When they approve of an action, you’ll see an on-screen notification, and the affinity score will rise.

Activities that Impact Affinity

• Speech Choices: Dialog options can significantly affect affinity. Some companions appreciate honesty, kindness, or sarcasm, while others might prefer aggressive or persuasive approaches.
• Lockpicking and Hacking: Some companions enjoy the challenge of lockpicking or hacking, while others view these actions negatively.
• Stealing: Some companions like it when you take things (even if it’s stealing), while others will be repulsed by such behavior.
• Chem Usage and Addiction: Many companions have strong feelings about drug use in the game; while a few may approve, others strongly disapprove, especially if your character becomes addicted.

Companion-Specific Affinity Guide

Each companion in Fallout 4 has unique preferences that influence how they react to your actions. Here’s a rundown of the main companions and how to win their approval.

1. Preston Garvey

As a noble and lawful character, Preston appreciates when you help others and stand up for justice.

• Likes: Helping settlements, being generous and selfless, assisting people in need.
• Dislikes: Chem use, theft, violent actions that don’t involve self-defense.
• Unique Perk: United We Stand – Grants a boost to damage resistance and damage output when facing multiple enemies.

2. Piper Wright

Piper, the adventurous reporter, values truth and justice. She’s also quite anti-authority.

• Likes: Generosity, dialogue choices that expose the truth, standing up to corruption.
• Dislikes: Selfishness, joining the Institute, rude dialogue options.
• Unique Perk: Gift of Gab – Doubles the XP gained from successful persuasion checks and discovering new locations.

3. Nick Valentine

Nick, a synth detective with a heart of gold, appreciates honor and helping others. He’s especially sensitive to issues involving synths.

• Likes: Honesty, supporting synths, helping people in distress.
• Dislikes: Cruelty, joining the Institute, drug use.
• Unique Perk: Close to Metal – Grants one additional hacking attempt and shortens the lockout time when hacking terminals.

4. Curie

Originally a Miss Nanny robot turned synth, Curie is fascinated by science and kindness toward others.

• Likes: Scientific actions, generosity, non-violent approaches.
• Dislikes: Cruelty, stealing, excessive violence.
• Unique Perk: Combat Medic – Heals your character 100 HP once every 24 in-game hours when health is low.

5. Paladin Danse

Danse is a Brotherhood of Steel soldier, so he favors loyalty to the Brotherhood, combat readiness, and patriotism.

• Likes: Supporting the Brotherhood, power armor usage, being honorable.
• Dislikes: Dishonesty, joining the Institute, drug use.
• Unique Perk: Know Your Enemy – Provides additional damage against feral ghouls, super mutants, and synths.

6. Cait

Cait has a troubled past and values freedom and survival. She often approves of morally gray actions and tends to dislike overly good or lawful behavior.

• Likes: Lockpicking, chem use, selfish or violent dialogue choices.
• Dislikes: Generosity, helping too many people without personal gain, condemning drug use.
• Unique Perk: Trigger Rush – Speeds up your Action Point regeneration when your health is below 25%.

7. MacCready

This former Gunners mercenary has a rebellious nature and appreciates skills that reflect independence and self-reliance.

• Likes: Greedy or selfish actions, using sarcasm in dialogues, lockpicking.
• Dislikes: Helping others for no gain, excessive kindness.
• Unique Perk: Killshot – Increases headshot accuracy in V.A.T.S. by 20%.

8. Deacon

Deacon is a mysterious and sarcastic character, devoted to the Railroad. He values freedom, secrecy, and outsmarting opponents.

• Likes: Helping synths, sneaky and stealthy actions, lying when it’s for the greater good.
• Dislikes: Killing synths, siding with the Institute.
• Unique Perk: Cloak & Dagger – Increases stealth damage and the duration of Stealth Boys by 40%.

9. X6-88

A dedicated Institute Courser, X6-88 aligns closely with the Institute and supports any actions that reinforce their goals.

• Likes: Institute loyalty, combat efficiency, power armor usage.
• Dislikes: Helping synths outside the Institute, assisting the Brotherhood or Railroad.
• Unique Perk: Shield Harmonics – Grants an energy resistance boost of 20.

10. Dogmeat

Dogmeat is unique in that he doesn’t have an affinity system, so you can take any action you want without worrying about approval or disapproval.

Tips to Maximize Affinity Faster

1. Understand Their Preferences: Each companion has specific actions they prefer. Use these to your advantage to increase affinity more quickly.
2. Dialogue Choices: Conversations play a significant role. Choosing options that align with a companion’s personality can lead to substantial affinity gains.
3. Avoiding Disliked Actions: If your companion dislikes a particular action (like chem usage or theft), avoid these activities while they’re with you.
4. Regular Interaction: Chatting with companions regularly can sometimes trigger additional affinity gains, especially if their approval level is already high.

Summary

Building affinity with companions in Fallout 4 can enhance your gameplay experience, open up unique storylines, and unlock powerful perks. By understanding each companion’s preferences, using tactics to maximize affinity quickly, and making thoughtful choices, you’ll build stronger relationships and enjoy the full benefits that each companion has to offer.

Maximizing companion affinity not only brings practical in-game benefits but also enriches the storyline, helping you explore new layers of character and depth in Fallout 4.