The Outer Worlds 2 Companions Guide | All 6 Characters & Recruitment Locations 2025

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All Companions

Meet the crew

📍

Recruitment

Where to find them

⚡

Upgrades

Power up your team

❓

FAQ

Common questions

All 6 Companions

Each companion has unique skills, quests, and perks. Choose wisely based on your playstyle!

Aza

📍 Location: Halcyon Transit Authority

A skilled engineer with a mysterious past. Aza excels at technical solutions and provides unique dialogue options during science-based encounters.

Engineering Tech Weapons Science

Inez

📍 Location: Byzantium Upper District

A charismatic diplomat from the elite class. Inez provides persuasion bonuses and opens doors in high-society situations.

Persuasion Leadership Charm

Marisol

📍 Location: Groundbreaker

A battle-hardened mercenary with unmatched combat skills. Marisol excels in ranged combat and tactical positioning.

Long Guns Tactical Defense

Niles

📍 Location: Edgewater Settlement

A resourceful scavenger who knows the colonies inside out. Niles provides bonuses to lockpicking and treasure hunting.

Lockpicking Stealth Scavenging

Tristan

📍 Location: Stellar Bay

A former corporate security officer with a strong sense of justice. Tristan specializes in close-quarters combat and crowd control.

Melee Combat Intimidation Protection

V.A.L.E.R.I.E. (VAL)

📍 Location: Research Station Alpha

An advanced AI in a robotic chassis. VAL provides hacking abilities, technical analysis, and unique solutions to electronic challenges.

Hacking Energy Weapons Analysis

How to Recruit Companions

Follow these steps to add each companion to your crew. Most require completing a quest first.

💡 Pro Tip: You can only have 2 active companions at a time, but you can swap them at your ship anytime. Choose based on the mission ahead!

1

Travel to Their Location

Each companion is found in a specific location (see cards above). Most are in major settlements or story-critical areas.

2

Complete Their Quest

Talk to the companion and accept their personal quest. Completing it will unlock them as a recruitable member.

3

Invite to Your Crew

After completing their quest, you'll have the option to invite them to join your crew aboard your ship.

4

Manage at Your Ship

Return to your ship to swap active companions, upgrade them, or talk to them for additional dialogue and quests.

Need detailed walkthrough for each companion?

📖 View Complete Recruitment Guide

Detailed step-by-step instructions for recruiting all 6 companions.

Companion Upgrades System

Make your companions more powerful with Mod Kits and Workbench upgrades

Companion Mod Kits in The Outer Worlds 2

What Are Companion Upgrades?

Companion upgrades allow you to enhance your crew members' abilities, making them more effective in combat and exploration. Upgrades are applied using special Mod Kits found throughout the game.

Increase damage output
Unlock new abilities
Boost survivability
Enhance support skills

How to Upgrade

Step 1: Find Companion Mod Kits (loot, vendors, quests)

Step 2: Go to a Workbench at your ship or settlements

Step 3: Select "Party Upgrades" from the menu

Step 4: Choose companion and apply Mod Kit

Workbench Party Upgrades in The Outer Worlds 2

Access the Party Upgrades option at any Workbench

⚡ Upgrade Tiers: Each companion has 3 upgrade tiers. Higher tiers require rarer Mod Kits and unlock more powerful abilities.

Want to maximize your companions' potential?

⚡ Complete Upgrade Guide

Learn where to find all Mod Kits and the best upgrade paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about companions in The Outer Worlds 2

How many companions can I have active at once?

You can have 2 active companions with you at any time. However, you can recruit all 6 and swap them at your ship based on your needs.

Can companions die permanently?

On normal difficulty, companions cannot die permanently. If they fall in combat, they'll be unconscious until the fight ends. On Supernova difficulty, death is permanent.

Which companions work best together?

Aza + Marisol (Tech + Combat), Inez + Niles (Social + Stealth), or Tristan + VAL (Melee + Tech) are strong combinations.

Do I need to recruit companions to finish the game?

No, companions are optional. However, they provide significant combat help, unique dialogue options, and their own storylines that enrich the experience.

Can I romance companions?

The Outer Worlds 2 features deep companion relationships and some romantic options depending on your dialogue choices and actions throughout their quests.

Where do I find Companion Mod Kits?

Mod Kits can be found in loot containers, purchased from vendors, or rewarded from completing quests. Check the Upgrades section for details.

Do companions level up with me?

Yes! Companions automatically scale to your level, ensuring they remain effective throughout your journey.

Can I miss recruiting a companion?

Most companions are available throughout the game, but some quests may lock out certain companions if you make specific story choices. Save often!

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All Companions in The Outer Worlds 2