Hancock

John Hancock (born John McDonough) is the ghoul mayor of Goodneighbor in 2287, and a potential companion of the Sole Survivor.

Background
John Hancock is a ghoul who resides in the settlement of Goodneighbor, serving as its de facto mayor. Born John McDonough, Hancock is the estranged brother of Diamond City's mayor, Mayor McDonough; the then non-ghoul John cut ties with his brother after the mayor banished all ghouls from Diamond City, resulting in the deaths of numerous innocent ghouls as the inhabitants turned on them. John tried to save as many ghouls as he could by relocating them to the town of Goodneighbor, but many couldn't adjust to Goodneighbor. Their deaths would continue to torment him into the present day. John relocated to Goodneighbor, viewing it as a haven for those who didn't fit in anywhere else. He is exceptionally punitive toward his enemies or those that break Goodneighbor law but can be a good friend and valuable ally to those who treat him with respect, punish the guilty, and protect the innocent.

He became a ghoul sometime after 2282, following the use of an experimental radioactive drug. In spite of his ghoulification, John Hancock considers the high "so worth it," as well as noting the near-immortality he obtained as a benefit. Before John Hancock became mayor, the town was run by a ruthless mob boss named Vic. After witnessing the death of a fellow drifter by Vic's henchmen, John got high and passed out. When he came to, he found the clothes of the real John Hancock and, inspired by their presence, he took it upon himself to raise a militia and overthrow Vic. From then on, he became John Hancock, the mayor of Goodneighbor.

Currently, Hancock serves as the self-appointed mayor of Goodneighbor. The majority of citizens look to him for leadership, and he acts as a source of reassurance concerning the looming synth threat. Following the events of Bobbi No-Nose's big plan (The Big Dig), a plot to steal from his stronghold, he claims to feel too pampered and comfortable. He gives a speech proclaiming his leave of absence. ("No one in power should be comfortable for too long.") Hancock then proceeds to offer his services to the Sole Survivor as a possible companion.

Effects of player's actions

 * When John Hancock's approval with the Sole Survivor reaches the highest level, he will grant the Isodoped perk, which makes the critical meter fill +20% faster as long as the Sole Survivor has at least 250 rads.
 * Hancock is a potential candidate for romance, an option that unlocks after reaching the highest level of affinity.

Other interactions

 * Hancock will occasionally give the character chems. Like most other companions, he will also make comments regarding places visited or generally about the Commonwealth.
 * If spoken to after gaining more than 500 affinity, Hancock will refer to the Sole Survivor as his friend. It is then possible to flirt with Hancock, and by passing his Speech challenge he will mention that he has impure thoughts about them, and hints at acting on those thoughts. This is obtainable without the Silver Shroud costume while he is a companion and flirted with in the second private conversation.

Fallout: The Board Game
Hancock can be found randomly when taking a card from the loot deck. While Hancock is the active companion, the player character can exhaust him to move one enemy to their space and fight it. If the player character fails to kill that enemy, he must be discarded.

When the player character performs the camp action, he will become unexhausted. However, if the player character does not have Perception at that time, he must be discarded.

Appearances
John Hancock appears in Fallout 4 and Fallout: The Board Game.

Behind the scenes
At one point during development, Hancock was not marked as essential, and could be killed normally. Unused commentary from Finn alludes to this fact.

John Hancock was a statesman and prominent patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He also took part in Paul Revere's Midnight Ride.

Hancock appears to be wearing John Hancock's coat and the hat of Major Thomas Melville, both of which are in reality currently housed and on display in the Old State House in Boston, the building in which Hancock makes his home.

Bugs

 * Hancock can be killed by the player character regardless when he is dismissed as a companion.
 * Hancock issues a misc quest to investigate Pickman Gallery, but if he is available as a companion, on returning to report to him there will be no dialogue available to complete the misc quest. This also the case with the interaction with Hancock in The Silver Shroud mission. To finish this quest, speak with Hancock and let him join as the companion. Then speak with him again and in dialogue, there will be an option to finish mentioned quest. Hancock will say something like: "When I wanted you to investigate Pickman Gallery, I didn't mean you to take me there." He does it even if one didn't take him with or had another companion on that quest. After that, the quest will be finished.
 * As Hancock somehow seems to be non-essential, dismissing him while being far away from a settlement the Sole Survivor wants him to be (e.g. the Sole Survivor is at Sanctuary Hills, dismissing him back to Goodneighbor) will cause him to be killed halfway through his journey way back. He can be killed by anything in the wasteland, even a mongrel.