Summary
Obsidian Entertainmentis knownfor making quality RPGs, and alongside their great gameplay aregreat companion characters.These characters add depth to the story, react to player choices, and offer ways to change the course of an adventure. Some of these companions provide comic relief, while others offer complex insight into the game’s world.
The most popular Obsidian companions stand out for their strong personalities and memorable dialogue, as well as their impactful roles in their respective games. These characters have left a lasting impression on players and continue to be celebrated.
Nyoka fromThe Outer Worldsis a seasoned, no-nonsense mercenary operating in Monarch. She makes for a valuable combat companion with her personally-modified LMG, which deals great damage and sets enemies ablaze.
While she likes blowing stuff up and won’t hesitate to take the violent approach during conversations, she also has a compassionate side. Nyoka’s motivations and outlook on life are revealed in her companion quest, which is centered on a personal loss, tasking players with finding mementos of her lost companions. She is a nuanced character complete with firepower and a personality to match.
Buttersbrings his innocent charm and hilarious unpredictability fromSouth ParkintoSouth Park:The Stick of Truth,making his interactions entertaining. He acts as a Paladin for the player’s party and showcases an eagerness to prove himself in battle, especially with his over-the-top transformation into “Professor Chaos” for a special ability in combat.
On top of having a goofy, innocent personality in the party, Butters offers a versatile moveset that can carry the party to the end of the game. Since he is “just so innocent, he naturally makes people want to punch him,” enemies are twice as likely to target him in combat, acting as a great tank who can also heal with his Healing Touch buddy ability.
Duranceembodies religious fanaticism and philosophical conflict, serving as one ofPillars of Eternity’smost unpredictable and memorable companions. He was once part of a team of priests from Ashfall working on the Godhammer Bomb, which was used to end the Saint’s War. He is the only priest to survive the blast, with his body and soul left scarred.
As a battle mage, Durance provides powerful support through destructive magic and healing, making him an indispensable member of the party. His personal questline is filled with mystery and grim revelations that leave lasting impressions well after playing.
HK-47is a droid companion fit for a Dark Side playthrough ofKotoR 2, as these assassin series droids are known for being Jedi hunters. However,upon first meeting HK-47, players have to first find some replacement parts to fix him up. HK-47 was programmed by Revan, and brings dark humor and brutal efficiency tohis dialogue. He shows no regard for any form of life, often using the term “meatbag” when speaking of humans.
As an assassin droid, HK-47 relies on stealth and open combat, utilizing many ranged weapon types but favoring the Droid Assassin’s rifle. Since he is a Jedi hunter, he also relies heavily on grenades, plasma charges, and poison gas.
Craig Booneis a solemn ex-NCR sniperinFallout: New Vegas, residing in Novac and serving as their night watchman. He comes off as a quiet and no-nonsense character with a deadly presence. Through interactions, he’s revealed to carry a heavy burden, and a tragic backstory rife with thehorrors of war and betrayal.
His unshakable sense of justice against the horrors of the wasteland makes for intriguing dialogue and choices. Meanwhile, in combat, his sniper skills make him an effective companion, but his stoic demeanor is what really shines through.
Ederis a laid-back fighter with a darkly humorous outlook on life, stricken with a moral dilemma based on faith. He grew up as a devotee of Eothas but became lost after the church was overthrown and turned into a theocracy, beginning the Saint’s War.
Eder offers a grounded presence in a world filled with gods and political messes, allowing for deep conversations and revealing his personal struggles with faith, war, and loss. Eder has a chance toflourish into different versionsof his character based on player choices in bothPillars of EternityandPillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, which makes him an extensive, memorable character in Obsidian Entertainment’s roster.
4Atton Rand
Running From His Sins
Atton Randis a complex character. He was a pilot who defected to Revan’s side when he became Dark Lord of the Sith. Rand worked as a Jedi hunter, but after a mystery Jedi prisoner revealed that he was Force-sensitive, he went into hiding and eventually became trapped, where players could then find him and invite him to join their party.
What makes Rand so interesting is the evolution of his character from a ranged scoundrel into a formidable Jedi Sentinel. There is a possibility for him to be trained in the ways of the Jedi after he confesses to his shady past and makes amends, resulting in a deeply-satisfying character arc.
3Veronica Santangelo
A Rebel In Power Armor
Veronicawas born into the Brotherhood of Steel, brought up by the community due to her parents both dying in the same battle against the NCR. At a young age, she possessed outstanding engineering skills and curiosity and became ascribe of the Brotherhood of Steel. She’s a dedicated, but frustrated, member of the Brotherhood, seeing them as a family but desperate for social reform away from their stubborn ways.
Veronica’s sharp wit and sarcastic sense of humor while trying to maintain a chipper attitude is what draws players into having her as a companion. She also remains serious and determined in the pursuit of her goals, making her an admirable character.
2Parvati Holcomb
The Heart Of Halcyon
Parvatieasily stands out as one of the most beloved companions inThe Outer Worlds, celebrated for her sincerity, strong moral compass, and personal growth. She’s a shy but skilled engineer with a refreshing sense of optimism and empathy in an otherwise cynical universe. Every interaction with her feels genuine and rewarding as she continues to grow into a more confident character.
Not only is her endearing personality a fun contrast to corporate greed and chaos surrounding her, but she also offers improvements to Persuade, Lockpick, and Engineering skills, all highly useful in sustaining equipment and finding ways into places without too much violence. Parvati remains a fan favorite for bringing warmth and versatility into the universe ofThe Outer Worlds.
The Jedi Master Manipulator
Few companions in gaming are as thought-provoking and enigmatic asKreia, a blind Force-sensitive woman who forms a bond with the player character. She sets herself up as a mentor and teaches players to reject the divide between the Light and Dark sides of the Force, as well as rejecting the fate that the Force entails.
As a companion, she offers her power as an effective Jedi, complete with Force abilities and lightsaber combat. However, her storyline evolves into a surprising and unforgettable twist, becoming one ofthe most interesting companion charactersever.
