Romance | Fallout 4 Wiki

All Romanceable Companions

• Cait - Combat Zone, Cage combatant
• Curie -Vault 81 Medical Robot
• MacCready - Goodneighbor, Mercenary for hire at The Third Rail
• Paladin Danse - Brotherhood of Steel Paladin
• Piper - Diamond City Journalist
• Porter Gage - Nuka-Town USA Raider
• Preston Garvey - Lieutenant General of the Minutemen
• John Hancock - Mayor of Goodneighbor

Romanceable NPCs (Flings)

• Gilda Broscoe - Far Harbor, a robobrain which also used to be a famous actress before the Great War started.
• Magnolia - Goodneighbor, Singer at the Third Rail is not a romance in the traditional affinity sense but rather an individual you can have an intimate encounter with.

Cait Romance Guide

Cait is a little difficult to romance if you're helping every settler you see and, of course, have joined the Minutemen. She will dislike it if you help anyone, and will like it if you are a violent and sarcastic person. For example, when Sturges gives you the job of rebuilding Sanctuary Hills, choose sarcastic dialog options. Although you'll actually help, her affinity towards you raises. Lockpicking, picking a pocket, stealing, bribing, and using alcohol and chems will raise her affinity too. Two first talks with Cait lead to her introducing herself to the Vault Dweller. The third is when the quest Benign Intervention begins.

Where to Find Cait

You will first encounter Cait at Combat Zone, where she will ask for your assistance to clear out the area. This will also allow the player to purchase Cait's contract, which recruits her as a companion temporarily.

At this time, Cait confesses that she's been using Psycho all the time you were together, and she wants to get that "shite" out of her "system".
This quest is really difficult! On your way to Vault 95, you encounter several Super Mutant infested places. The entrance to Vault 95 is literally hell on earth. Two Assaultrons and a bunch of Gunners are guarding that place and are more than happy to eliminate you, so, go and get yourself some levels before going there. As a side note: if her affinity towards you raises during this quest (even if you decide to do this quest later while having it in your quest list, it is during the quest), it counts but won't take effect till you complete the quest. After doing this mission, the factors that raise her affinity towards you changes. She'll dislike it when you use chems, and will no longer like it when you use alcohol. After getting the message "Cait idolizes you", simply go talk to her. She tells you that she wanted to look you in the eye and tell you how she feels, and then will tell the Vault Dweller to do the same. Here's where the romance option becomes available. You need to pass a difficult Charisma check in order to romance her. There might be another chance to romance her.

How To Increase Cait's Affinity

A couple of dialog options that raises her affinity:

• In Diamond City, while talking to Moe Cronin for the first time, ask what baseball is. Then choose "More violent".
• While talking to Sturges about rebuilding the Sanctuary, choose "Sarcastic".
• In Unlikely Valentine quest, when confronting Skinny Malone, while talking to Darla, choose "Encourage violence" option. Unlike Piper, you have to successfully pass the Charisma check, and that's a very difficult one.
• Give Mama Murphy some jet. (Before completing the quest Benign Intervention)

Curie Romance Guide

Curie is one of the companions who has a good moral alignment. This means that while she's traveling with you, your dialogue choices will be limited to avoid selfish and unkind choices. Curie was originally created as a Nanny Robot before the Great War Started, then later on, she was repurposed into a research robot by the scientists in Vault 81.

To improve your relationship with Curie, complete her quests Dangerous Minds and Emergent Behavior. Once you have raised her affinity level, you will get a prompt saying that Curie idolizes you. At this point, you can decide whether you want to romance her or remain platonic with her. If you choose the former, then take advantage of the flirt command whenever it pops up. This is a charisma-based skill check so make sure to stack up on that special stat before you attempt the Flirt option. Eventually, the "Romance" dialogue option will replace flirting if you succeed with your endeavors with Curie, eventually leading to a private moment with them.

Where to Find Curie

To begin your romance journey with Curie, you first need to get access to Vault 81. Once inside, you will complete the quests: Here Kitty, Kitty, and Hole in the Wall. At the end of the second quest, you will find Curie locked inside a room as she presents you with a cure-all that she has formulated. From there, she can now join you as a companion.

How to Increase Curie's Affinity

Curie appreciates actions that are helpful and kind. She likes it when the Sole Survivor is generous with non-hostiles and when it comes to dialogue choices, it is always a good idea to go for positive and peaceful options. This means avoiding unnecessary conflict or de-escalating a situation before it gets out of hand. To steadily increase her Affinity, make sure to avoid actions that she disapproves of such as chem use, getting addicted to chem, negotiating for additional caps, and committing various crimes like stealing, pickpocketing, and lockpicking.

Repeatable Actions to Improve Relationship with Curie

• Heal Dogmeat (this should be done in Curie's presence)
• Donating items
• Choosing either "Nice" or "Mean" dialogue options when talking to other characters
• Resolve conflicts peacefully (without resorting to violence)

John Hancock Romance Guide

Hancock comes off as one of the violent companions in Fallout 4, however, this man actually wants what's best for the citizens of the Wasteland, especially the ghouls who were abandoned. He was originally from Diamond City, and a brother to the current mayor. He decided to leave after his brother drove the ghouls out of the city. He wanted to save them and found them a place in Goodneighbor, where he would later become their leader. John Hancock took an experimental drug that transformed him into a ghoul. He thinks the transformation was worth it. After a series of events and driving out the then-leader Vic, he became the mayor of Goodneighbor and other ghouls look up to him for his guidance.

Where to John Hancock

John Hancock is located at the Old State House in Goodneighbor.

Repeatable Actions to Improve Relationship with John Hancock

• Donate items (Generous)
• Give away items during side quests
• Choose peaceful dialogue options (avoid unnecessary conflict)
• Use chems
• Make violent dialogue choices

To reach the maximum affinity with John Hancock, make sure to avoid making Mean and Selfish dialogue choices. He also doesn't like it when you walk around naked and commit crimes like stealing and murdering non-hostiles. 

MacCready Romance Guide

MacCready's motivator lies in finding a cure for his son while his morals are loosely based on his mercenary life. He likes it when the Sole Survivor acts Nice, Mean, and Peaceful, and dislikes it when they are being Violent. While this is not a regular mix of preferences, MacCready likes being able to watch out for themselves, while not being Violent towards non-hostiles.

Robert MacCready is a character who was first introduced in Fallout 3. He became the leader of the small settlement called Little Lamplight when he was at the tender age of 10. Later on, he became a mercenary-for-hire where he met a woman named Lucy during his travels, and the two found love. They started a small family and had a child by the name of Duncan, but ghouls shortly killed Lucy and this event became a catalyst that would change MacCready's ways.

He made a promise to his son to be a better man and gave up his mercenary work. He turned to a quiet life raising his son and one day, his son was exposed to an unknown disease in the fields. It rapidly affected his health and this prompted MacCready to go on a search for a cure. He traveled looking for a doctor who could provide a cure for his son and after a long time of doing this, he'd always reach a dead-end, or that a doctor didn't know how to help them.

Where to Find MacCready

MacCready is located at the Third Rail in Goodneighbor.

Repeatable Actions to Improve Relationship with MacCready

• Lockpicking
• Speech  Success (related to the success of lying, threats, and negotiating for more caps)
• Stealing from others
• Helping the Minutemen

Avoid using chems and having a chem addiction while with MacCready. As part of his promise to his son Duncan, he wants to be a role model or a man that his son can look up to. Avoid being overly generous with others and harming non-violent NPCs if you don't want to reduce your Affinity level with Robert MacCready.

Paladin Romance Guide

Paladin Danse simply known as Danse comes from the group Brotherhood of Steel. His personality upholds the beliefs of his group and so his moral alignment is in check. He likes it when the Sole Survivor uses Nice and Violent dialogue choices, and dislikes it when they're being Mean and Peaceful. While this may be an opposing mix of preferences, the context is usually what matters. To increase your affinity with Paladin Danse, make sure to complete tasks in favor of his faction. You can also complete all quests related to him to earn a significant boost with his Affinity Level.

Where to Find Paladin Danse

Danse or Paladin Danse is located outside the Cambridge Police Station.

Repeatable Actions to Improve Relationship with Paladin Danse

• Modify Armour and Weapons
• Us Power Armour
• Use Vertibird

Avoid doing actions like eating corpses, murdering non-hostiles, and committing petty crimes like stealing or pickpocketing. NOTE: Players may only increase their affinity before reaching Blind Betrayal, after doing so, the affinity level can no longer be altered. It is also possible to lose Paladin Danse as a companion if the player becomes disloyal to the Brotherhood. Once you have raised his affinity level, you will get a prompt saying that Paladin Danse idolizes you. At this point, you can decide whether you want to romance him or remain platonic with them. If you choose the former, then take advantage of the flirt command whenever it pops up. This is a charisma-based skill check so make sure to stack up on that special stat before you attempt the Flirt option. Eventually, the "Romance" dialogue option will replace flirting if you succeed with your endeavors with Danse, leading to a private moment with them.

Piper Romance Guide

Well, Piper is one easy to romance character (And the only one I tried.). When talking to individuals through the wasteland, make sure to choose peaceful dialog options and avoid selfish and violent ones. For example, if someone says "Hey, let's split this 50-50," just accept it and do not try something like 70-30 (Referring to the quest Diamond City Blues). Remember that even if you fail the Charisma check while persuading, the affinity still will be calculated, should you fail to convince two people to stop fighting each other, Piper will still love that (Well, at least you tried.). She also likes it when you talk positively about love in front of her.

Where to Find Piper

Piper is located outside Diamond City. She was kicked out by the mayor after she criticized him and her current objective is to find a way to get back inside Diamond City. 

How To Increase Piper's Affinity

• Lockpicking un-owned containers and doors (which aren't red) also raises her affinity towards you.
• Never take owned items (a.k.a. stealing) and/or pick others' pockets in front of her.
• Through dialog, you can choose to flirt with her. Failing in the Charisma check doesn't affect her affinity towards you (Don't know if it raises it if you succeed.). When she says that the Vault Dweller is the only reliable friend she always had, you can choose to romance her (Beware: a very difficult Charisma check is in order. You may want to use Grape Mentats as they raise your Charisma by 5 points.)
• Building settlements raises her affinity too, so most of the Minutemen quest raises her affinity.

A couple of dialog options that raise her affinity:

• In Diamond City Blues quest, convince Paul to spare Cooke. Later, choose that you don't kill Trish if she tells you the location of the lab.
• In Unlikely Valentine quest, when confronting Skinny Malone, while talking to Darla, choose "Go Home" option (If I recall the name correctly).

Porter Gage Romance Guide

Porter Gage is a raider by profession and he comes from the Nuka World Raiders. His morals lie in a pretty gray area and he doesn't mind petty crimes like stealing, pickpocketing, and lockpicking. However, he is not one to turn a blind eye when you hurt non-hostile characters, and he is also the one who will help you throw the Overboss in Nuka Town. Porter Gage likes it when you use the Selfish, Mean, and Violent dialog choices and dislikes it when you are being Generous and Peaceful. Always consider the context when you are trying to raise his affinity. 

He also dislikes it when you use chems, drink alcohol, or have substance dependency. 

Where to Find Porter Gage

Porter Gage is located in Nuka-Town USA.

How To Increase Porter Gage's Affinity

• Engage in petty crimes: theft, stealing, pickpocket.
• Modify your weapons.
• Help with rebuilding settlements.
• Refuse radiant quests (from settlers)
• Opt for violent dialogue choices.
• Negotiate for additional caps. 

Preston Romance Guide

Preston is the easiest to romance if you decide to do the Minutemen quests. Helping settlers, establishing settlements, and killing bad guys greatly help raise his affinity towards you. He also likes it when you customize your guns using Materials (Not attaching a mod). He hates it when you pick a pocket and dislikes it when you trespass, and use a chem. Once you get the message "Preston idolizes you", it's time to take your shot at romancing him. At this point, he tells you that if it wasn't for you, he would have just ended it. You can romance him by succeeding in a difficult charisma check.

Where to Find Preston

Locate Preston at the Sanctuary Hills and help him rescue the Minutemen at Concord, then bring them to the Sanctuary Hills. After completing this side quest, you can now recruit Preston Garvey.

A couple of dialog options that raises his affinity:

• Choosing Minuteman in doing the radiant settlement quests.
• Modify Weapons
• Choose Generous, Peaceful, and Sarcastic dialogue choices

Avoid eating corpses, murdering non-hostiles, using chems, getting addicted to chems, and engaging in petty crimes like stealing, pickpocketing, and picking owned locks.

How Does Romance Work in Fallout 4?

Romance is an option that becomes available after reaching the maximum Affinity Level of individual companions. Affinity is directly affected by the actions and inactions of the Sole Survivor which will merit the approval or disapproval of the companion. Every companion follows a unique set of likes and dislikes which is largely based on their background, objectives, and way-of-life. When you first meet a companion, they will begin at Affinity Level of 0, at this point you can work your way up to 1000 (maximum level) to unlock their permanent companion perk and a romantic relationship if available. With a romantic relationship, players will unlock a new "Flirt" option in their dialogues with that character. This is a Charisma-based skill check so you might want to consider increasing your Special Stats as you interact with romantic partners. Over time, a series of successful "Flirt" options will lead to an intimate scene with partners which grants Lover's Embrace, a perk that gives an additional 15% XP gain for 8 in-game hours after the scene.

Charisma skill checks are color coded. The easy ones are in yellow, normal is orange, while the difficult ones are in red. Additionally, there are also two kinds of romances that the Sole Survivor will find themselves in. The casual interaction is with non-companion characters such as Magnolia and Gilda Broscoe, which is a one-time thing. On the other hand, the more serious and long-term relationships is established and earned by questing with companions and earning their approvals. Reaching the maximum affinity also unlocks the Lovable Trophy and Achievement.

Earning Approvals and Disapprovals in Fallout 4

Companion reactions are measured in 4 levels. Below, you will find the amount increased/decreased depending on the response shown by the companion:

• "(Name of Companion) liked that" is equal to +15 Affinity Level
• "(Name of Companion) loved that" is equal to +35 Affinity Level
• "(Name of Companion) disliked that" is equal to -15 Affinity Level
• "(Name of Companion) hated that" is equal to -35 Affinity Level

Approvals and Disapprovals in Fallout 4 may be earned and lost through General Behavior, NPC Interactions, in-game Activities, Faction alignment, and specific quest outcomes. When Affinity Level reaches 249, 499, 749, and 999, it will sometimes be temporarily frozen, while the companion in question will try to talk with the Sole Survivor. Companions also have a general affinity which gives a general guideline of what they like and dislike, however, context of the action and conversation also greatly matters.

Building Relationships in Fallout 4

Raising the Affinity Level to build a relationship with companions will take time. You will start at 0 Affinity Level and work your way up to the maximum of 1000 Affinity Level. You can raise companion affinity by doing actions, choosing dialogue, and completing quests that are aligned with a specific companion. Each companion in Fallout 4 has their preferences and they will react differently to the same activities, dialogue choices, and NPC interactions. The table above can be used as a reference to increase the affinity of your companions. However, make sure to consider the context of your actions because some companions will not like it if you donate your items to other NPCs, but they will like it when you are generous with them. Additionally, it is important to consider the background and story of the companion when you are making decisions. Your actions and inactions throughout will affect the main companion, and thus, switching out is necessary.

NOTE: When your affinity with a companion gets low, they may refuse to travel with you. On that note, once the Affinity has reached the maximum level and the Companion Perk has been unlocked, companions will still react and disapprove of disliked actions, but this will not take away the unlocked perk.

Fallout 4 Romance Rewards

As your Affinity Level reaches the maximum in Fallout 4, the Sole Survivor unlocks additional interaction with that companion like Romance options (if available) and Companion Perks. Each companion comes with a unique perk that can be earned by reaching 1000 Affinity Level and usually requires a specific companion quest. Aside from the intimate scene and having someone to rely on, you will acquire a permanent companion perk listed below.