Summary

• There are 16 unique companions in Fallout 4, but many fantastic NPCs in the wasteland could have been fun to travel with as well.
• Characters like Hawthorne, Proctor Ingram, and the Atom Cats offer intriguing backstories that enrich the game world.
• Potential companions like Captain Zao, Mel, and Pickman could have added unique perspectives and gameplay options for the Sole Survivor.

Fallout 4 has plenty of interesting and unique companions for the Sole Survivor to meet and team up with throughout the game. Each companion watches the Sole Survivor’s back and has plenty to say about events and quests as the wasteland is explored. However, as good as Fallout 4’s companions are, there are also tons of awesome NPCs all over the Commonwealth that would have been fun to travel with as well.

There are 16 permanent companions in Fallout 4 to track down and recruit, with each offering their own unique perspectives on the Commonwealth and the wider world. But there are many other fantastic characters in the wasteland who make such an impact, that it leaves any who meet them wanting just a little more. While some of these characters are only present for a short time, each of them makes such a lasting impression, that it is hard not to wish they could have ed the team.

15 Hawthorne's Stories Make Him Sound Like A Seasoned Companion

Dugout Inn

Hawthorne is an easy-to-miss character who can be spotted in Diamond City’s Dugout Inn chatting with Vadim and comparing monster stories. Chatting with Hawthorne is intriguing as he has stories from all over the Commonwealth and seems to be quite the adventurer. However, he has no quest attached to him, leaving the Sole Survivor with only his tales of exploring. Hawthorne could've made an interesting companion as it would have been fun to travel with a seasoned fellow adventurer or to expose his tall tales as nothing more than bar stories.

14 Proctor Ingram Would Have Been A Great Alternate Companion From The Brotherhood Of Steel

The Prydwen

Proctor Ingram is the head engineer of the Prydwen and a very cool character who would be itching to the Sole Survivor on their travels. Having lost both her legs in a super mutant attack in the Capital Wasteland, Ingram now moves around the ship in a modified power armor frame. However, Ingram has been denied the authorization to go on field missions by Elder Maxson. Proctor Ingram would have made a great companion character in place of Danse if Elder Maxson is sided with in "Blind Betrayal" or just as another Brotherhood option.

13 Atom Cats Are The Coolest Cats In The Wasteland, Daddy-O

Atom Cats Garage

The Atom Cats are an extremely cool group that can be met as part of a random Fallout 4 encounter or if their base is discovered just north of Qunicy. This Greaser gang modifies suits of power armor, giving them custom paint jobs that certainly make them stand out from any of the other groups in the Commonwealth. Having a companion from this smaller faction would have been really fun as all of them would offer something a little different and quirky to traveling through Boston’s ruins.

12 The Mariner Is A Tough, Determined, & Fiercely Loyal Harborman

Far Harbor

The Mariner is an intriguing and tragic character that can be met and helped in the Far Harbor DLC. As the original resident of the pier which the entire town lives on, she has taken it upon herself to ensure that Far Harbor's defenses remain standing long after she's gone. At first, the Mariner is quite an abrasive character who slowly softens to the Sole Survivor. It would have been nice to show her more of the world and expand on her character a little more than the glimpse shown in Far Harbor.

11 Honest Dan Could've Made Covenant's Dilemma A Great Recruitment Quest

Covenant

Honest Dan is a caravan guard that can be met during the quest "Human Error" in the settlement of Covenant and will the Sole Survivor as a temporary companion for the end stages of the quest. During the quest, Dan comes across as an honorable and decent person and easily lives up to his nickname, yet he is still very pragmatic about the realities of the Commonwealth. Given his background with caravans, Dan could have offered some much-needed insight into trading and settlement separate from the Minutemen questline and settlement building.

10 Brian Virgil's Quest For An FEV Serum Could've Been Better If He Was A Companion

The Glowing Sea

Brian Virgil is a former Institute scientist who can be met as part of the main questline and is found hiding out in the Glowing Sea, having fled the shadowy faction. He's a surprisingly sympathetic character, with a wry sense of humor and a unique background. Having him as a companion would have opened up his story more and allowed for a more refreshing take on the Commonwealth from someone who lived their entire life underground. Watching Virgil slowly change back into a human would also have been a fascinating process as he traveled with the Sole Survivor.

9 Mel Knows His Way Around Robots

"The Big Dig"

Part of Bobbi No-Nose's crew in the quest "The Big Dig," Mel is the robotics expert who built and operates Sonya. Although Mel only appears in Fallout 4 as part of this quest, his sense of humor is wonderful, and he seems genuinely heartbroken by Bobbi's betrayal. Having a cheeky robot expert on hand would have been a lot of fun out in the wasteland, with Mel perhaps able to offer his hacking skills to less law-abiding Sole Survivors in place of Nick. Plus, with the Automatron DLC, the chance to upgrade Sonya would have been too good to up.

8 Pickman Would Be A Fantastic Companion For A Truly Evil Playthrough

Pickman Gallery

Pickman might seem like an odd choice for a potential companion, but the raider-hating serial killer would have been perfect for evil Sole Survivors to travel with. Pickman can be met during “Pickman’s Gift,” where his artwork can be viewed before the well-spoken killer can be saved from a group of disgruntled raiders. Pickman’s views of the Commonwealth, the various factions, and key story moments would have been strange, dark, and undoubtedly intriguing. And taking Pickman to meet the raiders of Nuka-World or have him interact with Far Harbor’s Trappers would have been something to behold.

7 KL-E-O Is A Deadly Assaultron Who Can Flirt & Fight Her Way Through The Commonwealth

Goodneighbor

KL-E-O is a flirtatious and dangerous Assaultron who runs a weapons shop in Goodneighbor and is also one of the best merchants in Fallout 4. Shopping at KL-E-O's store is always great fun as she shows off her dark sense of humor in her banter with the Sole Survivor. With her knowledge of weapons, her backup plans to take out everyone who crosses her, and her distinctive point of view, KL-E-O would have made a fantastic companion.

6 Sturges' Mechanical Know-How Could Be A Huge Benefit In The Wasteland

Sanctuary

Sturges is one of the first characters often encountered by the Sole Survivor, along with Preston and the rest of the Quincy survivors. After arriving in Sanctuary, the handyman will take on the role of unofficial leader of the settlement as well as take part in the Minutemen versions of key main quests. However, despite being such a crucial character, very little is ever learned about Sturges. Taking him out on adventures and even having him assist in the retaking of Quincy would have been a great opportunity to expand his character.