The Mojave Wasteland isn't a place that should be traveled lightly. Between raiders, slavers, government troops, and mutated wildlife, exploring alone may not always be the best idea. Luckily, Fallout: New Vegas players don't have to trek across the desert alone. Plenty of recruitable companions are available who are willing to throw in their lot with the Courier.
If players have grown tired of listening to the sulky Boone or the tough-as-nails Cass, there exists plenty of companion mods to spice up the proceedings. A small handful of these mods really stand out from the rest due to the stellar level of work and creativity that went into their creation.
8 Delilah, The Mojave MD
The Delilah mod is an excellent choice for players wanting to maintain a lore-friendly atmosphere. As Doc Mitchell's nurse, Delilah aspires to be a legitimate doctor of the Mojave Wasteland. It's an aspiration the player can help her accomplish.
With over 300 lines of unique dialogue, Delilah feels like a natural extension of the game's world. The mod contains a handful of quests related to her medical pursuits as well as additional perks the Courier can learn. It's definitely a well-crafted mod that's worth trying.
7 Rusty The Bear
Delilah is an example of a lore-friendly companion mod. Rusty the Bear is the complete opposite. Rather than humans or robots, players will be assisted by Rusty — a giant teddy bear. One could even say that Rusty is "loaded for bear," considering the diverse range of offensive weaponry he brings to the table.
Rusty even comes fully voiced if the player is so inclined. He's a bit of a potty-mouth, so be prepared. However, there is a silent version of this mod also available if players don't want to listen to a chattering stuffed animal. Rusty is a recommended companion for more lighthearted playthroughs.
6 The Storyteller Companion
Not every companion mod is built for pure combat. One of the more unique mods on Nexus is the Storyteller Companion. It was created by ShoddyCast, a Youtuber who specializes in Fallout lore. His follower mod reflects that same lore-centric focus.
The mod adds two companions, the Storyteller and ED-NA. Aside from being used as traditional followers, the Storyteller also possesses a few interesting interactions. Giving him pre-war books will prompt him to tell a story drawn from the Fallout universe's lore. It's a neat feature, one that breaks up some of the monotony of routine exploration.
5 RobCo Certified
The RobCo Certified mod allows players to live out their dreams of becoming brilliant inventors. The Courier can finally put all that extra scrap metal and spare parts to good use by building their own robotic companions. Robots the player destroys can be repaired and turned into faithful allies. Alternatively, brand new followers can be built from scratch once the player is well-versed enough in their craft.
These mechanical servants can be customized in many different ways. New and dangerous weapons can be attached to one's creations, amplifying their deadliness. Eventually, players can even craft cyborgs from their deceased enemies. Step aside, Dr. Frankenstein!
4 Sunny Smiles, The Goodsprings Do-Gooder
Sunny Smiles is actually a vanilla character in Fallout: New Vegas. She shows the Courier the ropes after waking up from their near-death experience. Sunny is down-to-earth and likable, so much so that a mod exists that makes her a fully functioning companion.
The Sunny Smiles Companion mod is the very soul of simplicity. Sunny, along with her dog Cheyenne, become recruitable followers after a simple Speech check. It's the perfect add-on for beginners looking to experiment with mods in general.
3 Russell, The Bounty Hunter
Yet another lore-friendly option, Russell is one of the more popular companion mods. A former Desert Ranger, Russell is a tough and experienced bounty hunter who's more than capable in a fight. He comes with his own questline, which features over 2 hours of additional content.
Russell is a fully-fleshed character, featuring 1,200+ lines of unique dialogue. His story is a grim one, so it fits the overall setting rather well. It's certainly a great mod for those looking to enhance their playthrough with more realism and verisimilitude.
2 Desmond Harper, The Wasteland Adventurer
The Desmond Harper mod is a solid choice when trying to inject more variety into the game. Desmond possesses over 200 lines of dialogue, commenting on various notable locations throughout the Wasteland. In addition, he also has two quests associated with his backstory players can complete.
Desmond is certainly worth tagging along with for a few hours to get to know him. Wasteland explorers need to stick together, after all.
1 Baby Deathclaw Commander
Who needs flesh and blood companions when players can grow their own Deathclaw? The Baby Deathclaw Commander mod allows them to do just that. Finding a Viable Deathclaw Egg starts the process of breeding one's own carnivorous killing machine.
Once players find an egg, they need to take care of it. Regular feedings will progressively grow the Deathclaw to its full maturity. Then, the real fun can begin! Enemies won't know what hit them after coming face-to-face with this faithful apex predator.