How to Unlock All Followers in New Vegas Easily

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The Mojave Wasteland is filled with danger, but you’re never truly alone—especially if you recruit one of the many followers available throughout Fallout: New Vegas. Each companion brings unique skills, dialogue, and storylines that can shape your journey in surprising ways. However, finding and unlocking all of them can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to easily unlock all the companions in New Vegas, providing tips, precise locations, and requirements to ensure you don’t miss a single follower on your path to dominance in the Wasteland.

Contents

TL;DR

There are eight main followers in Fallout: New Vegas—six humanoid and two non-humanoid. Each one can be found in specific locations and usually requires completing a quest or meeting a skill check to recruit them. Most companions can be recruited early if you know where to go and what skills to prioritize. This guide breaks down how to unlock each one quickly and efficiently.

Understanding Followers in New Vegas

New Vegas allows you to have one humanoid and one non-humanoid companion at a time. Each brings unique perks and can dramatically influence combat and story elements. Whether you’re looking for heavy firepower, stealth support, or a moral compass, choosing the right companion can enhance your gameplay experience.

All Humanoid Companions and How to Unlock Them

1. Boone

  • Location: Novac
  • Quest: “One for My Baby”
  • Requirement: Help Boone identify who sold his wife into slavery

Boone, a former NCR First Recon sniper, is stationed in the town of Novac. He only joins you after you’ve completed a personal quest that involves some detective work. Use Boone’s beret to signal him while the suspect stands in front of the Dino’s mouth at night.

2. Veronica

  • Location: 188 Trading Post
  • Quest: None initially required
  • Requirement: Positive response to technology and the Brotherhood of Steel

This cheerful Brotherhood of Steel Scribe is looking for signs that her Order should evolve. Just talk to her at the 188 Trading Post, and if you’re generally curious or supportive of technological innovation, she’ll decide to come with you right away.

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3. Raul

  • Location: Black Mountain
  • Quest: “Crazy, Crazy, Crazy”
  • Requirement: Defeat Tabitha and free Raul

Raul is a ghoul mechanic held captive by Tabitha and her cult of super mutants. To reach him, you’ll need some decent firepower or stealth capabilities. Completing “Crazy, Crazy, Crazy” and freeing Raul will unlock him as a companion. He’s especially effective in repairing equipment and using firearms.

4. Arcade Gannon

  • Location: Old Mormon Fort
  • Quest: “For Auld Lang Syne” (later)
  • Requirement: High Intelligence or positive reputation with NCR

This Followers of the Apocalypse doctor joins your cause if you display intelligence and pro-NCR leanings. Building trust with Arcade will eventually unlock one of the most morally nuanced companion quests in the game.

5. Cass (Rose of Sharon Cassidy)

  • Location: Mojave Outpost
  • Quest: “Heartache by the Number”
  • Requirement: Solve Crimson Caravan conflict and pass Speech or Barter check

Cass is a hard-drinking caravan guard with a tragic past. She won’t leave without closing out her caravan license, which requires dealing with the Crimson Caravan Company. Most players can resolve this with diplomacy or a few extra Caps for paperwork fees.

6. Lily Bowen

  • Location: Jacobstown
  • Quest: Complete “Guess Who I Saw Today”
  • Requirement: Agree to take Lily on your travels

Lily is a Nightkin undergoing experimental treatment at Jacobstown. She’s sweet, volatile, and highly effective in melee combat. Complete Dr. Henry’s quest in Jacobstown, and Lily will be ready to journey with you.

All Non-Human Companions and How to Recruit Them

1. ED-E

  • Location: Primm
  • Quest: “ED-E My Love”
  • Requirement: Repair ED-E (Repair 65 or Science 55), or pay a merchant

ED-E is a useful eyebot that can be repaired inside the Nash Residence in Primm. Players with decent Repair or Science can activate him immediately. Alternatively, spend a little money to have a Primm merchant do the work. ED-E is excellent for ranged combat and provides bonuses to detection and energy weapons.

2. Rex

  • Location: The King’s School of Impersonation in Freeside
  • Quest: “Nothin’ But a Hound Dog”
  • Requirement: Fix Rex’s brain by choosing a compatible donor

Rex is a cybernetic dog owned by The King in Freeside. Once you take on the quest to help with his degenerating brain, you’ll need to find a suitable replacement. Choosing the best donor will boost his stats and determine his combat abilities moving forward.

Tips for Efficiently Unlocking Followers

  • Fast Travel: Use fast-travel points to hop quickly between follower locations once discovered
  • Skill Check Planning: Prioritize Speech, Barter, Repair, and Science early in the game to pass recruitment requirements
  • Fame System: Maintain a positive reputation with factions like NCR or Followers to access quests easily
  • Quest Management: Many followers give quests only after traveling with you; consider rotating companions to unlock all storylines

Pro Tip: Mod Your Companion Limit

One of the minor restrictions in New Vegas is the companion cap—just one human and one robotic/animal follower. However, modders have created tools like the “Unlimited Companions” mod, allowing you to travel with all your favorites at once. If you’re playing on PC, it’s worth considering—though keep in mind this might impact game balance.

Conclusion

Unlocking all followers in Fallout: New Vegas isn’t just about finding them—it’s about engaging with their stories, meeting certain conditions, and being prepared to make choices that affect your relationships and story progression. By following this guide and planning your skills and quests correctly, you can easily build a full roster of the game’s most compelling characters, enhancing both roleplay and combat options for your playthrough.

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Whether you’re building a stealth squad, a heavy weapons team, or just looking for an emotional narrative, New Vegas’ companions are worth seeking out. Happy exploring!