Fallout: New Vegas companions

Companion wheel
The companion wheel is a new feature that is added to Fallout: New Vegas. The wheel provides easier control over non-player companion characters in the game.

There are 8 sections on the wheel, each with a specified function.

The available orders are:
 * Toggle melee/ranged fighting - also displays weapon being used.
 * Open inventory - This displays the companion's current inventory, inventory weight, and weight limit.
 * Toggle stay close/keep distance.
 * Back up.
 * Toggle aggressive/passive AI.
 * Use stimpak - also shows current health.
 * Toggle wait here/follow me.
 * Return to normal dialogue.

Permanent companions
You can have up to two companions, one humanoid and one non-humanoid. All companions default weapons have unlimited ammo. If you equip your follower with a better weapon add ammunition and check its count from time to time - they seem to hold on to the new weapon when out of ammo and switch to melee instead.

While actively following you, permanent companions are treated as essential (unless you are playing on Hardcore Mode, see below). It is important to note that they are only essential when following you, and they can be killed both before they join you and after you tell them to leave. In Hardcore Mode, companions can be killed even while actively following you, but they do not require food or drink, and are not affected by radiation.

Should you tell your companion to wait for you at The Lucky 38 they will be waiting in your presidential suite ready to be rehired.

Humanoid companions

 * Arcade Gannon, a member of the Followers of the Apocalypse with a mysterious past. He can be found in the Old Mormon Fort.
 * Craig Boone, an Ex-NCR sniper with a grudge against Caesar's Legion. He can be found in Novac.
 * Lily Bowen, a friendly nightkin and former member of the Master's army. She can be found in Jacobstown.
 * Raul Tejada, a ghoul mechanic and former gunslinger held hostage by Tabitha, the mad leader of the State of Utobitha. He can be found in Black Mountain.
 * Rose of Sharon Cassidy, a caravan merchant and the daughter of John Cassidy. Also known as Cass. She can be found in Mojave Outpost.
 * Veronica Santangelo, a disillusioned Brotherhood Scribe. She can be found at 188 Trading Post.

Non-Humanoid companions

 * ED-E a prototype eyebot designed for combat and reconnaissance operations. It can be found in Primm.
 * Rex, a cyberdog belonging to The King. It can be found in The King's School of Impersonation.

Temporary companions

 * Neil, a disgruntled super mutant.
 * Sunny Smiles
 * Trudi
 * Deputy Beagle
 * Securitron Mk II (Or Securitron Mk I)
 * Private Halford
 * Victor
 * NCR Ranger (activated via NCR Emergency Radio)

Returning Lost Companions (PC)
Push the Tilde key and then type in.

The Ref id's for companions are listed on their respective pages.

You can use (instead of both commands stated above) too - if you want to know where you lost your companion. Be sure to make a new save before using any Console Commands.

See Console Commands for more information on how to use the console.

Returning Lost Companions (Console)
If you are unable to find your companion despite waiting or fast traveling, go to Vault 22 and take the elevator to the second floor (oxygen recycling). Your companion will be directly in front of you when you step out. It even works when the companion has been told to "Wait here." This can only be done if you have a repair skill of 50 or if you have completed the quest in that vault.

Proven: Works on both PS3 and Xbox 360.

Bugs
Things your companions kill do effect your reputation, but at a much lower rate than those you kill yourself.

Disproved with the NCR in 'New Vegas' (PS3)


 * Due to unknown reasons the robot victor will not move from the front of the Lucky 38 from the beginning of working with Mr. House where he will say that Mr. House is waiting up top and that no companions may join you. With Victor still there you cannot send your companions to the Lucky 38 when you part ways, but if they get lost they will return to the Lucky 38. Unfortunately if you go to party up with them again they will not be at the Lucky 38 and will not be where you originally found them, therefore making it impossible to party up with them again.


 * Trying to make a companion carry a faction armor, they will drop it and a message will appear on the screen saying "Companions, besides Boone, who is capable of wearing NCR armor, are not allowed to wear Faction Armor." When given the armor will drop to the ground beside them.
 * T-45d power armor is not considered Brotherhood Faction armor even though it bears their crest on the shoulders and can therefore be worn by humanoid followers.
 * Upon leaving any casino, companion inventory might be missing some gear (weapons, armor, etc), this includes unique weaponry such as the Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle, Maria, etc etc. They are unretrievable on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC that is known of.