Who are your potential allies in The Outer Worlds 2? You’ll discover six incredible new companions, each with their own rich backstories and distinct personalities. These characters aren’t just for show; they’ll join your party, assist in combat, and react to your decisions. Be warned, though – a single wrong choice can send them packing, leaving you adrift in the vast reaches of space.
The highly anticipated sequel, The Outer Worlds 2, has arrived, and we’ve been hard at work uncovering every potential ally for your journey. While you can only actively explore with two companions at a time, those waiting back on the Incognito aren’t useless; specific perks in The Outer Worlds 2 allow them to become valuable resource gatherers. Much like its predecessor, this RPG features a diverse cast of companions discoverable and recruitable across the entire world. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of all six The Outer Worlds 2 companions, detailing their abilities, recruitment methods, and more. Be advised, some companion quest details may be revealed.
The Outer Worlds 2 companions are:
- Niles
- Valerie
- Inez
- Marisol
- Aza
- Tristan
Niles
Location: The Incognito
How to unlock: Automatically available after character creation
Ability: Spread Out, I’ll Hold ’em! – Niles draws the attention of all nearby enemies, then unleashes three powerful, high-damage shots at your chosen target.
Mod kits: Earned by completing the “Pressing Cares” quest in Westport, Eden (Basic)
Niles, a former Earth Directorate agent, was once your subordinate before the cosmic event that launched you into the stars. He’s an ideal companion for stealth-focused players, offering various perks that enhance camouflage and provide taunting capabilities for crowd control.
Even if stealth isn’t your game, Niles is a formidable early-game ally, capable of dishing out significant damage with his potent ability. For those who prefer a more direct, “go loud” approach, Niles offers invaluable utility. His Self-Repairing Armor Mod is particularly noteworthy, providing armor plates that regenerate, much like a shield in a classic sci-fi shooter.
Valerie
Location: The Incognito
How to unlock: Automatically available after character creation
Ability: Emergency Protocols – Valerie deploys a healing syringe volley towards you, providing substantial heal-over-time and massive damage reduction for a brief period.
Mod kits: Acquired by completing “A Healthy Improvement” on The Incognito (Basic)
Valerie is The Outer Worlds 2’s dedicated medical companion, offering substantial active and passive healing with the right perk investments. If you favor a heavy-hitting melee playstyle, Val’s Strength Supplement Module buff will prove incredibly useful, boosting your damage while ensuring your health remains high.
Since Valerie isn’t primarily a damage dealer, she pairs best with a companion who can cover that aspect. Alternatively, if you’re fully committed to melee DPS, Niles makes a perfect complementary choice, creating opportunities for massive sneak attack damage while diverting enemy aggression from your crew.
Inez
Location: Ministry of Accuracy, Eden
How to unlock: Persuade Inez to leave Minister Milverstreet’s service after completing “A Refreshing Bit of News” in Fairfield, Eden.
Ability: The Magic Bullet – [Raptidon graft] Inez becomes invisible and returns to your position, releasing a healing mist upon arrival. [Crabble graft] Inez unleashes a volley of scorching plasma at the target, inflicting heavy damage.
Mod kits: “Better Than Nature” (Graft)
Inez functions as a combat medic, a survivor of Auntie’s Choice human experiments where she received animal grafts. You first encounter her while working for Minister Milverstreet, later collaborating to repair her graft. Interestingly, the choice between two possible graft parts significantly alters her ability and perks.
Inez excels as a mobile healer, providing powerful buffs to your ranged weapons as you progress through her perk upgrades. If you frequently find yourself needing to use your inhaler, Inez can help replenish your charges. With the Raptidon graft, she can apply party-wide buffs with her mist, while the Crabble graft unlocks perks that increase the plasmatic potency of her ability. Regardless of your graft choice, Inez is an exceptional early-game companion, offering a blend of solid damage and reliable healing.
Marisol
Location: Zyranium Manufactory VII, Dorado
How to unlock: Align with Initiate Alva (Marisol) during the quest “Beginning at the Endpoint” in Dorado.
Ability: Torpifying Blast – Marisol fires an energy bolt at a target, stunning them. The target is immobilized for the duration of the ability, and all subsequent attacks against them register as critical hits.
Mod kits: To Be Confirmed
Marisol is an incredibly intelligent assassin and a member of the Order of the Ascendant. In traditional RPG terms, she acts as a saboteur, using her potent ability to crowd control multiple targets when enhanced with the Dispersed Glare and Chain Paralysis perks. Her perks also introduce new functionalities to your gadgets, effectively transforming your N-Ray Scanner into a versatile tool, reminiscent of a Pip-Boy.
Aza
Location: Decommissioned Autonomous Extractorium, Dorado
How to unlock: Rescue Aza from the treacherous cultists within the Extractorium.
Ability: Spread the Message – Aza launches an explosive charge in a cone towards the designated area, inflicting significant physical damage and staggering all affected enemies.
Mod kits: Acquired by looting Hierarch Ziegler during the quest “The Dawn of Glorious Betrayal” in Eden (Basic)
Aza is a ruthless cultist, making her one of the more dangerous and intriguing companions you can recruit. She’s deeply involved with a sub-faction that reveres The Rifts, which makes her an… interesting addition to any team.
With a thirst for combat, Aza ensures her blade is never dull. While not a traditional assassin, she’s a superb choice for stealth-focused players thanks to the +50% sneak attack damage provided by her Assisted Takedowns perk. Pair her with Niles for the ultimate stealthy, backstabbing experience.
Tristan
Location: The 2nd Choice, Free Market Station
How to unlock: Complete the “Arbitrary Measures” quest at Free Market Station.
Ability: Judgment – Tristan charges at the target, delivering a devastating blow. All nearby enemies suffer massive damage and are launched backward. Additionally, all enemies within a moderate radius of Tristan are taunted.
Mod kits: To Be Confirmed
Tristan serves as a Protectorate arbiter, embodying the role of “judge, jury, and executioner.” His imposing physique and grenade-laden arm clearly signal what to expect from his combat style, complemented by the massive hammer he wields.
Indeed, Tristan operates as a formidable brawler with explosive capabilities. Similar to Niles, he can also taunt enemies, drawing their aggression and providing an alternative tanking option. This allows him to easily group up melee-focused foes and smash them into oblivion. The true highlight of Tristan’s perk list is Frenzied Charge, which transforms him into an unstoppable berserker; watching him in action is incredibly satisfying.