Fallout 3 companions

This page lists the available companions or joinable non-player characters in Fallout 3.

Unlike previous Fallout games, the followers don't gain experience independently but are scaled to the level of the player; the player receives a debatable amount of experience while dealing damage alongside a party member.

Combat
Companions will come with some standard weapons and armor and will use these, depending on what role you ask them to play (melee vs. ranged), until you give them something better. For example, Star Paladin Cross comes standard with Brotherhood Power Armor, a Laser Pistol, and a Super Sledge. If I gave her a helmet, she'd put it on. If I gave her Tesla Armor, she'd replace the Brotherhood Power Armor for it. If she's set on 'ranged' and I give her a Combat Shotgun, she'll use that instead of her default Laser Pistol.

Companions have unlimited ammo for their standard weapon but you'll have to give them the appropriate ammo for any upgraded ranged weapons.

Standard weapons never degrade but they will wear out non-standard weapons and use up ammo just like you do. You'll have to take their weapons from them and get them repaired from time to time.

They do not seem to wear out head armor you give them, and may not wear out body armor you give them either.

Some/all companions (except Dogmeat (Fallout 3) will use grenades if you give them to them.

You can have them carry ranged weapons for you without fear of them using them by simply not giving them ammo for the weapons you don't want them to use.

Two Party Members
Normally it is only possible to have one follower, the exceptions being detailed below.

It is possible to have two followers if one is Dogmeat.

It is also possible to exploit a bug in the game by having a player with good Karma acquire Charon as a follower, then advance in the Main Quest to the point where Star Paladin Cross offers to join you. Using this technique it is possible to have the two most powerful companions in the game at the same time until captured by the Enclave (true?). Furthermore, this exploit is somewhat of a game-breaker, since for all but the hardest enemies the player can simply sit back and allow his companions to do all of the fighting, provided they are well-supplied with Stimpaks.

A player who first buys RL-3 while neutral can also have Star Paladin Cross join, giving a party of 3: Dogmeat, RL-3, and Star Paladin Cross.

It has been noted as well, that after acquiring Fawkes, you can add Charon as a companion as well in any scenario possible.

It is also possible to acquire two followers if you are evil: first obtain Jericho then go buy Clover.

You can also recruit more than one follower by having a follower with you, then recruiting and killing Dogmeat, opening up his slot for a second follower of your choice. It is unknown if you can drop that follower for a different one later on.

It is also possible to have four permanent followers (including Dogmeat) at the same time by getting one of any followers first (except Clover and Sergeant RL-3). Charon is a good choice as he has no karma requirements. After getting the first follower, bring him to Paradise Falls. Find Eulogy and fire the current follower. Talk to Eulogy and buy Clover. At this point, do not talk to Clover but ask the fired follower to join back before he walks away. Now you can have two permanent followers. After this, you can go to RobCo Factory. Fire one of your followers and talk to Tinker Joe and buy Sergeant RL-3. Again, do not talk to Sergeant RL-3 and ask the fired follower back. You can get Dogmeat any time you want as it won't affect the followers cap. By doing this, you can have four permanent followers at the same time. If you want to change any of your followers, just fire him/she and ask the new one to join. But do not fire two followers at the same time as this will decrease the followers cap back to one only.

Permanent followers

 * Butch DeLoria (neutral)
 * Charon
 * Clover (evil)
 * Dogmeat
 * Fawkes (good)
 * Jericho (evil)
 * Sergeant RL-3 (neutral)
 * Star Paladin Cross (good)

Temporary followers

 * Red
 * Shorty
 * Sticky
 * Sydney
 * Initiate Pek and Hoss