Outer Worlds 2 Complete Companion Guide: All 6 Recruits & Strategies

In The Outer Worlds 2, your crew defines your journey through the Arcadia solar system. This comprehensive guide covers all six unique companions, their recruitment methods, abilities, and optimal team strategies.

Quick Reference: All Companions

Companion	Role	Recruitment	Key Ability
Niles Abara	Military Leader	Early game	Tactical expertise
V.A.L.E.R.I.	AI Support	Early game	Healing volley
Ines	Combat Medic	Early story	Magic Bullet
Marisol	Diplomat/Strategist	Story choice	Mathematical analysis
Aza	Technical Expert	Dangerous quest	Combat/technical hybrid
Tristan	Mystical Guide	Side quest	Melee specialist

Companion System Overview

Party Composition

• Active Limit: Maximum 2 companions can accompany you at any time
• Early Access: 2 companions available immediately from game start
• Total Recruits: 6 unique companions to discover and recruit
• Story Integration: Companions influence dialogue and quest outcomes

Core Mechanics

• Tactical Flexibility: Each companion offers unique abilities for different scenarios
• Relationship Building: Loyalty systems unlock special content and story branches
• Strategic Selection: Choose companions based on playstyle and mission requirements
• Narrative Impact: Party composition affects NPC reactions and available information

Recruitment Process

• Immediate Options: Niles Abara and V.A.L.E.R.I. join at the start
• Story Progression: Remaining 4 companions require specific quest completion
• Faction Alignment: Some recruits affect your standing with major factions
• Missable Content: Certain companions may become unavailable based on story choices

Niles Abara: The Strategic Leader

Recruitment

You can recruit Niles Abara during the early stages of your journey. He is first encountered in The Incognito's Cockpit at the navigation terminal in the front area of the ship. After you exit the navigation room, you will find Niles waiting in the main area of the ship, ready to join your crew.

Earth Directorate: This is the powerful military organization that Niles represents, bringing formal military structure and authority to your expedition.

Niles Abara is an Earth Directorate soldier who brings military discipline and tactical expertise to your team. He represents the military backbone of the expedition, making him an invaluable asset from the moment he joins.

Abilities and Skills

• Military Discipline: Provides structured approaches to challenges and enhances team coordination
• Combat Reliability: Ensures consistent performance in firefights and tactical encounters
• Tactical Insight: Boosts team effectiveness through strategic planning and battlefield awareness
• Weapons Handling: Specialized proficiency with military-grade armaments
• Earth Directorate Background: Delivers both mechanical combat benefits and unique narrative opportunities

Companion Quest

Niles Abara's personal companion quest is called 'Pressing Cares.' This mission explores his background as an Earth Directorate soldier and provides deep insight into his motivations for joining your crew.

Completing 'Pressing Cares' not only advances his personal story but also strengthens the bond between him and the player character. This strengthened relationship may unlock additional abilities or perks that enhance his effectiveness in combat and team support roles.

Optimal Builds

Niles Abara comes equipped with military-grade gear that reflects his professional background. For optimal performance:

• Combat Focus: Primary weapon proficiency with tactical perks for team coordination
• Support Role: Team enhancement abilities and leadership qualities that boost overall team morale
• Versatile Approach: Balance his natural combat prowess with strategic team support

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V.A.L.E.R.I.: The AI Companion

Recruitment

V.A.L.E.R.I., also known as Valerie, is an advanced automech drone companion who works alongside Niles. She functions similarly to SAM from the first Outer Worlds game, bringing reliable robotic support to your crew.

Automech Drone: A robotic companion unit designed for specialized support functions in combat and exploration scenarios.

To recruit this valuable companion, players must head to Praetor and explore the area northwest of the Landing Pad. This specific location houses the key to adding V.A.L.E.R.I. to your team. Approaching the Automech Production Facility triggers V.A.L.E.R.I. to automatically speak up about detecting a Mod Kit.

Unique AI Abilities

V.A.L.E.R.I. is described as a pure support character whose ability grants a strong heal-over-time effect. This makes her invaluable for team survival during combat encounters.

Support Character: A companion focused on buffing, healing, and protecting the team rather than dealing direct damage.

• Healing Volley: V.A.L.E.R.I. fires syringes that provide sustained healing and protective buffs to your team
• Character Respec Service: After completing the prologue quest 'A Cause Worth Killing For', V.A.L.E.R.I. can help players respec their character once
• System Upgrades: V.A.L.E.R.I.'s perks and mod kits can be enhanced through quest progression

Companion Quest

V.A.L.E.R.I. has multiple companion quests that develop her character and capabilities. Her first quest is 'A Healthy Improvement' and her second quest is 'Better by Factors', which focuses specifically on upgrading her systems.

The 'Better by Factors' quest begins automatically when approaching the Automech Production Facility in Praetor. V.A.L.E.R.I. detects another Mod Kit inside the building on the ground floor, initiating this important upgrade mission.

Optimal Builds

When building around V.A.L.E.R.I., players should focus on her role as an automech support unit. Upgrading her systems through the companion questline maximizes her effectiveness in both combat and exploration scenarios.

V.A.L.E.R.I. represents an essential addition to any team. She offers unique automech capabilities that complement the other available companions. Her role as a support character makes her valuable for any team composition.

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Ines: The Combat Specialist

Recruitment

Inez Silang is one of the earliest companions available in The Outer Worlds 2. This timing makes her particularly valuable for new players who want to expand their party beyond the default Niles and VAL.

Her recruitment process is straightforward and occurs naturally through main story progression. You won't need to complete obscure side objectives or meet hidden requirements to add her to your crew. Simply follow the main narrative and you'll encounter Inez during your journey.

The early availability means you can rely on her combat support through many challenging encounters. She's a reliable addition to any team composition from the moment you meet her.

Combat Abilities and Skills

• The Magic Bullet: Inez's signature companion ability that serves as her primary combat contribution to your party and evolves based on quest choices you make
• Combat Drugs: A trait that enhances her effectiveness in combat situations, suggesting experience with pharmaceutical enhancements and chemical warfare
• Combat Medic Background: She survived brutal experimentation by the villainous Auntie Cleo, giving her a unique backstory among the available companions
• Starting Equipment: Inez comes equipped with Inez's Rifle as her starting weapon and Inez's Body Armor as her starting equipment

Companion Quest

Inez's companion quest is titled "A Most Extraordinary Specimen." This quest becomes available shortly after recruitment and is crucial for her long-term development and combat effectiveness.

The "Better Than Nature" quest is automatically triggered when you recruit Inez. It presents a crucial permanent decision that fundamentally changes how her Magic Bullet ability functions. During "Better Than Nature," players must choose between two graft options:

• Crabble Claw: Obtained from Skeleton Crabble, makes Magic Bullet fire armor-piercing attacks
• Raptidon Fin: Offers different tactical capabilities

The graft choice made during "Better Than Nature" is permanent and cannot be changed after completion. This makes it one of the most impactful companion decisions in the game.

Optimal Builds

The Crabble Claw graft transforms The Magic Bullet into a more offensive ability. It fires armor-piercing attacks at enemies, making it particularly valuable against heavily armored foes that resist standard damage types.

Inez works best when paired with aggressive companions like Aza or Marisol. This combination provides the best balance of damage and survivability according to companion guides. Her support abilities complement aggressive companions perfectly, creating a well-rounded team.

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Marisol: The Diplomatic Strategist

Recruitment

Marisol Delgado is known as a 'deadly mathematician' and assassin tied to the mysterious Order of the Ascendant: a faction that wants to take control of Arcadia. She brings distinct mathematical and analytical skills to your crew.

You can recruit Marisol during the 'Beginning at the Endpoint' quest. This questline introduces you to her unique talents and the faction she represents in a dramatic confrontation. At the quest's conclusion, players must ultimately choose between her and Proctor Svoboda.

The choice to recruit Marisol has significant story implications. She represents the Order of the Ascendant's interests and can influence faction relationships throughout the game. Recruiting her means aligning yourself with the Order's goals.

Once aboard your ship, Marisol immediately begins analyzing crew efficiency and offering strategic advice. Her mathematical mind never stops calculating optimal outcomes for every situation you face.

Diplomatic Abilities

• Order Membership: Marisol is a member of the Order of the Ascendant and is also known by the codename 'The Endpoint'
• Mathematical Expertise: Her mathematical expertise makes her particularly valuable for social interactions that require logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and strategic persuasion approaches
• Unique Problem-Solving: Marisol brings distinct skills, gear options, and moral priorities to your crew
• Companion Compatibility: Despite ideological differences, Marisol finds herself getting along well with other companions

Companion Quest

Marisol's first companion quest is titled 'Midpoint to the Endpoint.' This quest involves resolving a perceived debt to a former colleague and presents moral dilemmas between loyalty, scientific ethics, and corporate interests.

Her second companion quest is called 'Endpoint's End.' This continuation of her storyline provides additional character development and rewards for players invested in her narrative.

The quests challenge players to balance mathematical precision with moral flexibility. This makes her an intriguing companion for those who enjoy intellectual approaches to problem-solving.

Optimal Builds

Marisol is consistently ranked as the absolute best companion in The Outer Worlds 2. Sources describe her as 'absolutely crucial in tearing apart your enemies quickly and efficiently,' making her a top-tier choice for any playthrough.

She works well in diplomatic/social team builds. Marisol is particularly effective when paired with Aza for social solutions, creating a powerful duo for dialogue-heavy encounters.

Equip her with gear that enhances her analytical strengths. This will maximize her effectiveness in both combat calculations and social negotiations. Consider building your own character to complement her abilities. A leadership or dialogue-focused build synergizes perfectly with her skill set.

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Aza: The Technical Expert

Recruitment

Azahelia Leitenger, known as Aza, waits in the Decommissioned Autonomous Extractorium: a dangerous facility filled with automated traps and hazards. This optional area sits in Golden Ridge and is notoriously described as being crawling with triggers.

Reaching Aza demands careful navigation through this facility packed with deadly traps. Players must avoid numerous hazards while making their way deeper into the Extractorium to find her locked-away location. The journey tests your ability to detect and disarm environmental dangers.

Every corridor could hide a new threat that would end your recruitment attempt prematurely. Once you locate Aza, you'll engage in dialogue to convince her to join your crew.

She is a faithful member of The Glorious Dawn: a cult that worships the Rifts, which adds complexity to your conversation. Her cult affiliation means you'll need to navigate religious conviction alongside practical concerns.

This recruitment process stands out as one of the more dangerous companion acquisitions. The trap-filled environment makes it a true test of survival skills before you even begin the dialogue sequence.

Technical Abilities

• Combat Temperament: Aza is characterized as someone who wakes up everyday and chooses violence. This mindset makes her a formidable companion in combat situations despite her cult background
• Dimensional Expertise: Her background as a member of The Glorious Dawn: a cult that worships the Rifts, suggests she may have unique technical knowledge related to dimensional phenomena
• Specialized Perks: Aza possesses distinct perks and upgrades similar to other companions in the game

Companion Quest

Aza's companion quest is titled The Dawn of a Glorious Betrayal. This quest begins immediately upon recruiting her and follows her journey as she questions or potentially betrays her cult affiliations.

The storyline explores her internal conflict between faith and new loyalties. You'll witness her struggle with the teachings of The Glorious Dawn as she bonds with your crew and faces new experiences.

Players have reported issues with this quest being bugged. Some find that The Dawn of a Glorious Betrayal may not progress correctly, requiring workarounds like reloading saves or checking for game updates.

Optimal Builds

For optimal builds, Aza works well in combat-focused builds that emphasize her natural aggressive tendencies. You should also incorporate technical skills for utility functions during exploration and puzzle-solving.

Aza represents a compelling companion choice for players who appreciate characters with complex backgrounds. Her strong combat capabilities are matched by her unique philosophical dimension, which creates interesting dialogue options and story interactions.

Consider equipping her with gear that boosts both combat damage and technical aptitude. This dual focus maximizes her versatility in the field while staying true to her character design as a hybrid specialist.

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Tristan: The Mystical Guide

Recruitment

Tristan Rao is a Protectorate Arbiter who can be recruited through the side quest 'Arbitrary Measures' in The Outer Worlds 2. This side quest represents your only opportunity to add this unique companion to your crew.

Tristan is one of the rare Protectorate citizens who doesn't immediately attack you on sight. This makes him unique among his faction and allows for dialogue and recruitment instead of combat. Most players will find this behavior surprising given the hostile nature of the Protectorate.

The recruitment of Tristan through 'Arbitrary Measures' provides insight into the Protectorate faction. It offers an alternative perspective on the game's major conflicts that you won't get through other storylines.

Mystical Abilities

• Melee Dominance: Tristan is described as one of the strongest melee companions available in The Outer Worlds 2, with particular effectiveness in close-quarters combat situations
• Faction Liaison: Tristan's character serves as a bridge between the player and the Protectorate faction, offering unique dialogue options and story interactions
• Optimized Builds: Tristan has specific perk configurations and equipment recommendations for optimal performance, with his build focusing on melee combat effectiveness
• Combat Synergy: His melee specialization complements ranged companions well

Companion Quest

Tristan's first companion quest is titled 'Listening For a Clue.' This serves as the introduction to his character and establishes his role within your team. The quest lays the groundwork for his personal storyline.

When you first meet Tristan, he presents himself with a demanding presence. This is fitting for his role as a Protectorate official. His authoritative demeanor reflects his training and position.

Optimal Builds

Tristan represents a compelling companion choice for players who appreciate characters with complex backgrounds and strong combat capabilities. This is particularly true for melee-focused builds that emphasize close-range power.

The best companions in Outer Worlds 2 are Tristan and Marisol, according to multiple tier lists and companion guides. This makes them the top-rated team combination for overall effectiveness.

For equipment, prioritize melee weapons with high damage output. Armor should balance protection with mobility. Perk selection must focus on enhancing his natural melee strengths and survivability.

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Companion Relationships and Romance

No Romance Options

The Outer Worlds 2 does not include romance options. Companions are written as strictly platonic allies with no dating system for party members or other named NPCs. This design choice establishes the game's focus from the beginning.

Obsidian Entertainment made their stance hilariously clear in their companion reveal trailer. The trailer bluntly states "No, you can't sleep with them," emphasizing the game's focus on Platonic relationships: connections based on friendship and loyalty rather than romance.

Building Meaningful Relationships

Companion relationships in The Outer Worlds 2 focus on building meaningful friendships through Loyalty systems: mechanics that can unlock alternate cutscenes and affect story outcomes. The systems reward players for developing bonds through consistent actions and dialogue choices.

The Outer Worlds 2 has zero romance options with no flirting dialogue trees. There are no intimate cutscenes or companion courtship mechanics. This allows the game to focus entirely on platonic crew dynamics and professional interactions.

Story Impact

Good or bad relationship values with companions can unlock alternate cutscenes. They provide access to different endings and affect various story outcomes throughout the game. These values create tangible consequences that shape the narrative experience.

Since companions are integrated into the story, your choice of party members may influence how certain NPCs react to you. Different companions provide what information becomes available during conversations.

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Team Strategies and Combinations

Top-Tier Combat Team

Tristan and Marisol Partnership

Multiple tier lists and companion guides identify Tristan and Marisol as the best companions in The Outer Worlds 2. This pairing represents the top-rated team combination for overall effectiveness.

Strengths:

• Excellent balance between melee combat prowess and ranged damage output
• Versatility makes them effective for most combat encounters
• Strong individual abilities that complement each other

Balanced Starting Team

Niles and V.A.L.E.R.I. Combination

Niles and VAL form a natural starting team combination for new players.

Niles Provides:

• Military tactical expertise
• Combat reliability and structured approaches
• Weapons handling proficiency

V.A.L.E.R.I. Provides:

• Automech support and healing capabilities
• Character respec services
• System upgrades through quest progression

This pairing gives beginners a well-rounded party with offensive power, defensive support, and useful utility skills.

Aggressive Combat Teams

Ines with Damage Dealers

Inez performs best when paired with aggressive companions like Aza or Marisol. This specific combination provides the best balance of damage and survivability according to companion guides.

Team Benefits:

• Magic Bullet ability enhanced by aggressive companions
• Combat Drugs trait synergizes with high-damage strategies
• Support abilities complement offensive playstyles

Diplomatic and Social Teams

Marisol and Aza Social Solutions

Marisol works well in diplomatic and social team builds. She pairs particularly effectively with Aza for finding social solutions to various challenges.

Social Advantages:

• Mathematical background provides unique problem-solving approaches
• Aza's cult background offers alternative dialogue options
• Both companions excel in non-combat encounters

Strategic Selection Tips

Mission-Specific Pairings

• Combat-heavy missions: Tristan + Marisol or Ines + Aza
• Social/diplomatic missions: Marisol + Aza
• Early game exploration: Niles + V.A.L.E.R.I.
• Technical challenges: Aza + any companion with utility skills

Advanced Synergy Strategies

Players are encouraged to experiment with different companion combinations to find synergies that complement their preferred gameplay approach. Each partnership offers unique gameplay experiences.

Companion Synergies: These are the beneficial interactions between companions' abilities and personalities that create stronger team performance through strategic pairing.

Some players report that certain companion combinations may have personality clashes. For example, pairing reserved companions like Tristan with more aggressive ones can require mediation during missions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you romance companions?

No, The Outer Worlds 2 does not include romance options. Companions are written as strictly platonic allies, with no dating system available for party members or other named NPCs.

How many companions can you have active?

Players can maintain a party of two companions simultaneously. This creates tactical depth and encourages strategic thinking about companion selection for different encounters.

Are any companions missable?

The remaining four companions must be recruited through various questlines and story progression. Each companion has specific recruitment requirements that players must discover and fulfill.

Since companions are integrated into the story, your choice of party members may influence how certain NPCs react to you.

What's the best companion for beginners?

Niles Abara represents an excellent early-game companion choice for players who value military discipline, combat reliability, and tactical thinking. His Earth Directorate background provides both mechanical and narrative benefits.

Niles and VAL form a natural starting team combination for new players, giving beginners a well-rounded party with offensive power, defensive support, and useful utility skills.

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Conclusion

Your choice of companions in The Outer Worlds 2 shapes every aspect of your journey through the Halcyon colony. The right team can turn impossible firefights into decisive victories and unlock narrative paths you would otherwise miss entirely.

Don't settle on one favorite duo too quickly. The game's deepest strategies emerge when you experiment with unexpected combinations. You'll discover how different abilities and personalities complement each other in both combat and conversation.

Remember to complete companion quests as they arise rather than saving them for later. These missions often provide crucial upgrades and story moments that enhance your team's effectiveness precisely when you need it most.

The companion system rewards both thoughtful planning and creative experimentation. Build your squad with purpose, but remain flexible enough to adapt when the colony throws you a curveball. Your adaptability will determine your success.