Fallout 4 Companion Out Of Power Armor

Fallout 4 Companions Out of Power Armor: A Comprehensive Guide

Meta Description: Learn how to effectively utilize your Fallout 4 companions, even when they're not decked out in power armor. This guide explores strategies, builds, and the pros and cons of keeping them unarmored.

Many players in Fallout 4 rely heavily on their companions' power armor for added protection and firepower. However, there are several compelling reasons to consider having your companions fight without power armor. This guide explores the benefits and drawbacks, providing strategies and build suggestions for maximizing your companions' effectiveness in unarmored combat.

Why Take Your Companions Out of Power Armor?

While power armor provides significant protection and boosts Strength, there are situations where removing it can be advantageous:

• Increased Mobility and Speed: Power armor is bulky and slow. Removing it significantly increases your companion's movement speed, allowing them to flank enemies, reach better tactical positions, and generally be more nimble on the battlefield. This is especially crucial in cramped interiors or when facing fast-moving opponents.

• Improved Sneak: Power armor is notoriously noisy and makes stealth incredibly difficult. Taking it off allows your companions to participate in stealth attacks, providing a significant tactical advantage, particularly when paired with stealth-oriented perks and weapons.

• Different Combat Styles: Power armor often dictates a heavy weapons, close-range combat style. Removing it allows for experimentation with lighter, faster weapons, and encourages the use of ranged attacks. This adds diversity to your squad's tactical capabilities.

• Resource Management: Fusion cores are a precious resource in Fallout 4. Keeping companions out of power armor frees up these cores for your own use, extending your own power armor's operational time.

• Aesthetic Preference: Some players simply prefer the look of their companions without the bulky power armor.

Strategies and Build Considerations for Unarmored Companions

To maximize your companions' effectiveness without power armor, consider these strategies:

• Prioritize Agility and Perception: These stats boost Action Points, speed, and VATS accuracy, all critical for unarmored combat.

• Invest in VATS perks: Perks such as "Toughness" and "Gun Nut" offer significant benefits when paired with light weaponry and agile maneuvers.

• Equip lighter weapons: Automatic rifles, pistols, and even some melee weapons like combat knives can be highly effective without the weight penalty of power armor.

• Utilize stealth: Use cover, stealth boys (if available), and sneak attacks to maximize damage output and avoid taking unnecessary damage.

• Choose appropriate companions: Some companions, with their unique skill sets and combat styles, are naturally better suited to unarmored combat than others. Experiment to find the best fit for your playstyle.

• Utilize Chems and Stimpaks: Unarmored companions will be more vulnerable, so having a ready supply of healing items is crucial.

Disadvantages of Removing Power Armor

It's crucial to acknowledge the downsides of removing power armor from your companions:

• Increased Vulnerability: Without the armor's protection, your companions will take significantly more damage.

• Reduced Carrying Capacity: Power armor significantly increases carrying capacity. Removing it might limit the amount of loot and ammunition your companion can carry.

• Loss of Power Armor Perks: Power armor provides various perks and buffs, including increased strength and radiation resistance. Removing it eliminates these benefits.

Conclusion

Choosing whether or not to keep your companions in power armor is a strategic decision dependent on your playstyle, the specific challenges you face, and the resources available. Weighing the advantages of increased mobility, stealth, and resource management against the increased vulnerability and loss of protective benefits is crucial for optimizing your Fallout 4 experience. Experimentation and adaptation are key to finding the best approach for you.