Depends on how much you want to rely on glitches. This section may contain end-game spoilers!
Technically, the game only allows one companion(Follower + Dogmeat) but there is a way to get up to six! Howhever, you must wait until you are exiting Raven Rock for this to work.
- 1st: Upon exiting Raven Rock, do not talk to Fawkes. Instead, fast travel to the Underworld and hire Charon(check the page for info on how to do it).
- 2nd: Fast travel back to Raven Rock and Fawkes should initiate a conversation with you. Take the Karma option and he'll be on your team. Be aware he'll only join you if you have a high karma.
- 3rd:Depending on your karma, there are different paths to take here. If you have high karma...
- 3.1: Go to the Citadel Lab and talk to Elder Lyons. When Sarah Lyons prompts you to invade the Purifier, tell her you need more time. Now, go talk to Star Paladin Cross. Be nice to her. When a Karma choice appears, DO NOT pick it. Instead, pick the one that says "I don't suppose i can stop you." She'll join you.
If you have Neutral Karma...
- 3.2: Go to the RobCo Factory, close to Tenpenny Tower. Find Tinker Joe. Before talking to him, fire Charon. By talking to him, he'll offer you Sergeant RL-3, for 1000 caps, if i remember correctly. Accept it. Now, run back to Charon and hire him back, then head to Sergeant RL-3. He'll initiate conversation with you, and will be on your team. Be aware: If he initiates conversation before you grab Charon back, Charon will not be hireable. Save before trying this.
If you have low karma...
- 3.3: Head to Paradise Falls. The trick here is the same as for hiring Sergeant RL-3. But this time, you'll be searching for Eulogy. Fire Charon, talk to Eulogy about getting a bodyguard. He'll sell Clover to you for 1000 caps(500 with a Barter of 50)). Confirm and buy it. Before Clover initiates conversation with you, rehire Charon, then head to Clover. She'll start conversation, and will be on your team.
Now, for the last companion:
Get Dogmeat (Fallout 3). Now, kill the dog. You have two options now, depending on your karma.
- 1(Neutral).Getting Butch. It's pretty simple. Go to the Muddy Rudder in Rivet City, and he'll be there, if you have finished Trouble on the Homefront. Talk to him nicely and eventually a Karma option will appear. Take it, and he'll be on your team.
- 2(Evil).Getting Jericho is equally simple. Go to Megaton and talk to him. For 1000 caps, he'll follow you. Of course, if you have blown up Megaton he'll not be avaliable.
It is advisable to hire Clover, get and kill dogmeat for Jericho, then get Sergeant, then Star Paladin Cross(all of this AFTER you get Charon and Fawkes). That is because Paladin Cross will leave you if you have low karma.
If you have done everything right, you should have a total of six companions now! More than enough to allow you to kill a Behemoth without even looking at it. While I am here, here goes a list of optimal equipment for your companions:
- Charon: Blackhawk.
- Fawkes: Nothing. His standard equipment is overkill already.
- Clover: Blackhawk as well. Charon is quite good with his shotgun already, while Clover isn't with her Sawed-off shotgun. Give it to her as priority. If you really like Charon with a Blackhawk, give her the Xuanlong Assault Rifle.
- Sergeant RL-3: He's a robot, so no equipment to him. He's stuck with his plasma pistol.
- Jericho: Vengeance or a normal Gatling Laser.
- Star Paladin Cross: Vengeance or a normal Gatling Laser.
- Butch: Blackhawk, Xuanlong assault rifle or Deathclaw gauntlet. That is because he's skilled in both Small Guns and Unarmed, but his default 10mm pistol sucks.
For Armor, every companion except Fawkes and Sergeant RL-3 should be equipped with the T-51b power armor. Since there's only one set of this armor in the game, and four companions to equip, one should get it, and the rest should wear fully repaired Tesla power armor sets. Be aware that you will need to supply your companions with ammo, if they are not using their default weapons. Don't worry about their conditions, though. Unless they are shot by enemies, weapons and armor worn by companions never will degrade.
A note for Star Paladin Cross and Jericho: they will be using rather big weapons, thus more easily shot by enemies. Check and see if they are using their weapons after every fight. You sure don't want to lose Vengeance, only to notice it was shot out of a companion's hands two hours ago. If it was shot, it will probably be around the battle field.
I think that does it. My finger is bleeding.
I found a way to get Fawkes and Charon. When in Vault 87, it's quite easy to obtain the G.E.C.K. without Fawkes' help. Just stick to the non-irradiated areas and bring a lot of RadAway. Don't release Fawkes from his cell. After Raven Rock he won't be there waiting for you but if you firstly get Charon (or any other companion) and make your way back through Vault 87, he has no option but to join you. Note that he will not have a Gatling Laser is you choose to do this. Binary-Fishing 12:43, 7 May 2009 (UTC)