Who are The Outer Worlds 2 companions? There are six new companions in The Outer Worlds 2, that’s six new characters to disappoint by choosing the wrong option. Like with the first game, these companions can join your party and serve you in combat as well as having their own fully fleshed out backstory and personality. However, make one wrong choice and they’ll leave you high and dry.
The Outer Worlds 2 is finally here, and we’ve already been busy hunting down new allies for our cause. You can have two companions actively join your crew while exploring, but that’s not to say those left back on the Incognito can’t be helpful; certain The Outer Worlds 2 perks turn them into material gatherers, for example. Similarly to the first RPG game, all companions can be found and recruited throughout the world. Below you’ll find complete rundowns of all The Outer Worlds 2 companions, including their full kit, how to recruit them, and more. Expect some companion quest spoilers ahead.
The Outer Worlds 2 companions are:
- Niles
- Valerie
- Inez
- Marisol
- Aza
- Tristan
Niles
Location: The Incognito
How to unlock: Automatically unlocked after character creation
Ability: Spread Out, I’ll Hold ’em! – Niles taunts all enemies around him, before firing three shots at the targeted enemy that deal increased damage
Mod kits: Complete Pressing Cares in Westport, Eden (Basic)
Niles is also an Earth Directorate agent, and once served under you prior to the incident that jettisoned you into space. Niles is the perfect companion if you’re playing a sneak build, as multiple perks of his provide camouflage and the means to taunt enemies.
He’s also a powerful ally early on if you require more firepower, as his ability fires three potent shots at a target. If your playstyle is all about going loud, Niles packs useful utility. The Self Repairing Armor Mod in particular is incredibly handy, granting you Call of Duty Warzone-style armor plates that regen like a Halo shield.
Valerie
Location: The Incognito
How to unlock: Automatically unlocked after character creation
Ability: Emergency Protocols – Valerie fires a healing syringe volley at you, granting a strong heal over time alongside massive damage reduction for a short time.
Mod kits: Complete A Healthy Improvement, The Incognito (Basic)
Val is The Outer Worlds 2’s dedicated medic companion, providing huge amounts of both active and passive healing with the right perks. If you’re going for a big bonky melee build, Val’s Strength Supplement Module buff will come in handy, juicing your damage while keeping you topped up on health.
As Valerie won’t be dealing much damage themselves, they’re best paired with a companion that can make up the difference. Alternatively, if you are going all-out on melee DPS, Niles is a perfect complimentary choice, as he’ll open up opportunities for huge sneak attack damage while taking the heat from your crew.
Inez
Location: Ministry of Accuracy, Eden
How to unlock: Encourage Inez to leave Minister Milverstreet’s employ after completing A Refreshing Bit of News in Fairfield, Eden.
Ability: The Magic Bullet – [Raptidon graft] Inez cloaks and retreats to your position, throwing down a healing mist when she arrives. [Crabble graft] Inez launches a volley of hot plasma at the target, dealing heavy damage.
Mod kits: Better Than Nature (Graft)
Inez is a combat medic who survived Auntie’s Choice human experiments, where animal parts were grafted onto humans. You first meet her while out on a job for Minister Milverstreet, before later working together to fix her graft. Interestingly, there are two possible graft parts you can use that completely alter her ability and perks.
Inez is best utilized as a mobile medic, who provides potent buffs to your ranged weapons the deeper into her perk upgrades you get. If you often find yourself reaching for your inhaler, Inez can help keep your charges topped up. If she has the Raptidon graft, she can provide party-wide buffs with her mist, while the Crabble graft-only perks can, for exmample, up the plasmatic potency of her ability. Solid damage, solid healing, regardless of which graft you opt for, Inez is a phenomenal early game companion.
Marisol
Location: Zyranium Manufactory VII, Dorado
How to unlock: Side with Initiate Alva (Marisol) throughout Beginning at the Endpoint, Dorado
Ability: Torpifying Blast – Marisol shoots energy at a target, stunning them. The target cannot move for the ability’s duration, and all attacks against them are critical hits.
Mod kits: TBC
Marisol is an immensely intelligent assassin and a part of the Order of the Ascendant. She can be considered a saboteur in a classical RPG sense, utilizing her powerful ability to CC multiple targets when upgraded with the Dispersed Glare and Chain Paralysis perks. Her perks also provide new tricks to your gadgets, turning your N-Ray Scanner into a pseudo Pip-Boy.
Aza
Location: Decomissioned Autonomous Extractorium, Dorado
How to unlock: Rescue Aza from the traitorous cultists in the Extractorium
Ability: Spread the Message – Aza fires an explosive charge in a cone towards the target location, dealing heavy physical damage and staggering enemies hit.
Mod kits: Loot Hierarch Ziegler during The Dawn of Glorious Betrayal, Eden (Basic)
Aza is a violent cultist and definitely one of the more dangerous companions you can bring on board. She’s involved in a sub-faction that worships The Rifts, so as you can imagine she’s an interesting addition to the team.
With a penchant for murder, Aza ensures her knife’s never clean. Though she’s not an assassin in the classic sense, she’s a brilliant addition if you’re playing stealthily thanks to the +50% sneak attack damage Assisted Takedowns provides. Bring Niles along for the ultimate sneaky sneaky stabby stabby experience.
Tristan
Location: The 2nd Choice, Free Market Station
How to unlock: Complete Arbitrary Measures, Free Market Station
Ability: Judgement – Tristan charges at the target, landing a powerful blow. All enemies nearby take massive damage and are sent flying. Furthermore, all enemies within a moderate range of Tristan are taunted.
Mod kits: TBC
Tristan is a Protectorate arbiter, described as “judge, jury, and executioner”. His bulky disposition and grenade-lined sleeve should give a strong indication as to what you can expect from his kit; those and the giant hammer he carries around.
Indeed, Tristan operates as a heavy-hitting brawler with explosive power. Similarly to Niles, he can also taunt enemies into attacking him, offering an alternative sentinel option. This also makes it easier for him to round up melee-based enemies and smash them into the ground. The real spice in Tristan’s perk list is Frenzied Charge, which turns him into a bonafide berserker; it’s incredibly fun to sit back and watch him work.
