Hancock



John Hancock (born John McDonough) is a ghoul and potential companion in Fallout 4.

Background
John Hancock is a ghoul who resides in the settlement of Goodneighbor, serving as its unofficial mayor. After Diamond City's mayor, Mayor McDonough, banished all ghouls, Hancock relocated to the town of Goodneighbor, viewing it as a place 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 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, Hancock 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 overthrew Vic from power. From then on, he became the Mayor of Goodneighbor.

Currently, Hancock serves as the self-elected mayor of Goodneighbor. The majority of citizens look up to him for guidance, 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,) which involves stealing 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.

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 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.

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.

Appearances
John Hancock appears only in Fallout 4.

Behind the scenes
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.

Bugs

 * Hancock will ask to "Confront Bobbi" if sided with Bobbi No-Nose and killed Fahrenheit during The Big Dig side quest upon returning to Goodneighbor. Upon arriving at Hawthorne Estate, she will ignore the player character and be non-interactive, thus preventing player character from obtaining Hancock as a companion.
 * Hancock can get stuck in a loop requesting player character to head to "southie" to confront Bobbi, any attempts to speak to him for any other quest will get this response. setting the quest stage ffgoodneighbor07 from 65 to 70 will fix this and he will complete his speech. No fix on console currently.
 * 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 Mongrel.
 * He can also occasionally be killed as the companion by Elder Maxson during the mission Rockets' Red Glare causing his body to spawn each time the player character fast travels or enter a new area until the end of The Nuclear Option (Railroad) leaving his body in the Mass Fusion Executive Suite.
 * While traveling with Hancock he may become invisible. Luckily his clothes are still present, and the bug is only temporary.