Centurions are the highest ranking officers of Caesar's Legion in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281. They work as the main commanders of the Legion army.
Background
Caesar based this rank on the unit leaders (centurio/centuriones in Latin) of the ancient Roman army. Ancient Roman centurions were recognizable by the horizontal fanned plume on their helmets and the greave plates on their shins.
Centurions are the most skilled and experienced members of the Legion's military; a legionary must personally serve in many campaigns and kill numerous opponents before they can qualify to become a centurion. Each centurion leads a centuria of 80 men (which includes 8 to 16 Decanus officers). A group of 8 centurions leads a cohort of 480 men (the largest military unit in the Legion). Centurions are rarely encountered in the Mojave wasteland; due to their vast experience they are too valuable to squander on minor scouting skirmishes, and Caesar is saving most of his centurions for his climactic assault on Hoover Dam.
While centurions do not have quite as much health as specialist elite units such as Legionary assassins, Legion vexillarii, or Praetorian guards, their armor is by far the strongest armor available to Caesar's Legion; built from armor pieces taken from enemies that a centurion has personally killed (including components from super mutant armor and power armor), it offers virtually the same level of protection as NCR Ranger combat armor. They are also equipped with the best weaponry the Legion has available.
Two different types of centurions appear in Fallout: New Vegas. The first type, referred to as Legion centurion, will appear randomly in the Wasteland leading hit squads sent after the Courier if they have heavily negative factional reputation with Caesar's Legion. Their health and stats are actually identical to those of a Veteran decanus officer. However, their Legion centurion armor is vastly superior to the armor worn by lower-ranking Legion officers. They are also noticeably better equipped, carrying both a chainsaw and a hunting shotgun.
The second type of centurion, referred to as simply centurion, appears exclusively during the Second Battle of Hoover Dam. Their level and stats are random, based primarily on the Courier's current level. They are equipped with thermic lances or super sledges as well as hunting rifles, Marksman carbines or anti-materiel rifles. Also, they carry several healing items on them, such as purified water, healing powder, and bitter drink.
Interactions with the player character
Interactions overview
Interactions | ||
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This character is essential. Essential characters cannot be killed. | ||
This character is a permanent companion. They grant the - perk. | ||
This character is a temporary companion. | ||
This character starts quests. |
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This character is involved in quests. |
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This character is a doctor. |
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This character is a merchant. | Sells: - | -|
This character can repair items. | Max Repair condition: - | |
This character can modify weapons. |
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This character rents beds. | -. | |
This character plays Caravan. | They can bid caps. |
Inventory
Apparel | Weapon | Other items | On death |
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Legion centurion armor | Machete gladius or Chainsaw or Thermic lance or Hunting shotgun or Marksman carbine or Super sledge |
Legion ear |
Notable centurions
- Aurelius of Phoenix
- Gaius Magnus
- Silus
- Testacles the Debug Centurion (Used as a debug tool on the PC version)
Notes
- Just like Caesar, Centurions are referred to with legitimate Latin pronunciation. Instead of the common English pronunciation ("Sen-tur-ree-on"), notable members of the Legion will use proper Latin pronunciation and say "Ken-tur-ree-on."
- The Legionary assassins that come after the Courier can be centurions.
- The Centurions that appear at the Second Battle of Hoover Dam appear to have their faces covered with bandanas and biker goggles. Even with their entire inventory removed, their faces remain covered.
Appearances
Centurions appear only in Fallout: New Vegas.
Behind the scenes
In the ancient Roman military, centurions were professional officers who commanded a centuria of 83 legionaries. They often fought in the front line among their subordinates.