By Okay, listen. If you’re roaming around Fallout 4’s Commonwealth and haven’t yet teamed up with Nick Valentine, well… you’re missing out. Like, big time. This guy isn’t your typical robot sidekick. Nah, he’s a synth with heart, smarts, and a trench coat that screams classic noir detective vibes.
I mean, the first time I met Nick Valentine, I thought, “Hey, finally a synth who doesn’t want to kill me or sell me out.” Spoiler: He’s way more complicated than that. Anyway, here’s what you gotta know to get the most out of your bromance with the best damn detective in the Wasteland.
Who the Heck Is Nick Valentine?
Let’s start with the basics. Nick Valentine is not just any synth. He’s a Gen 2 prototype with a patchwork of human memories from a pre-war detective. Picture a robot Sherlock Holmes, but with more rust and fewer pipe-smoking scenes.
He looks like he walked straight outta a black-and-white crime flick — trench coat, fedora, and that slightly creaky robot voice that somehow makes you trust him.
Fun fact: His voice actor is Stephen Russell, who also voiced Garrett from Thief. Yeah, the guy knows how to deliver dry wit like no other.
Where to Find This Guy?
You won’t just stumble upon Nick Valentine. Nah, you gotta go digging. (Pun very much intended.)
First, mosey on over to Diamond City. That’s where his detective agency is — or used to be, until some thugs shoved him into Vault 114.
Here’s the rundown:
- Find Ellie Perkins. She’s his assistant and not afraid to boss you around.
- She’ll tell you Nick’s missing, which is classic noir setup, right?
- Head to Park Street Station, blast through some mobster goons.
- Rescue your guy from Vault 114.
I swear, the first time I tried that, I got myself killed by those Tommy gun-wielding goons twice. Third time’s the charm, right?
The Questline: Unlikely Valentine and Beyond
Once you rescue Nick Valentine, he’s your go-to guy for solving all sorts of mysteries — including the big one: Where the heck is your kid, Shaun?
Here’s the gist:
- “Unlikely Valentine” kicks off when you find him.
- Then there’s “Long Time Coming,” his personal quest (trust me, it’s worth it).
- You hunt down some creepy ghoul mob boss called Eddie Winter by collecting ten holotapes.
Side note: The first time I played through “Long Time Coming,” I got so wrapped up in his backstory I almost forgot to keep my own health up. Yep, rookie mistake.
What’s So Special About Nick Valentine as a Companion?
Look, I’m biased. But Nick Valentine ain’t your run-of-the-mill follower.
- He’s a hacking wizard. Terminals that baffle me? He breezes right through.
- Talks like an old-school detective but with a heart. Sometimes he cracks jokes. Sometimes he calls me out for being a jerk.
- He’s not great with melee — I once handed him a baseball bat and he looked at me like I’d asked him to juggle molotovs.
- His companion perk, “Close to Metal,” is a game-changer if you’re into hacking.
How to Make Nick Like You (Affinity Stuff)
If you want to get the best perks and unlock his personal quest, you gotta earn Nick Valentine’s trust.
Things he digs:
- Hacking terminals.
- Being nice — no stealing, no killing innocents.
- Letting him do his detective thing.
Things he hates:
- Stealing.
- Jerky dialogue choices.
- Being all-in with the Brotherhood of Steel. (Sorry, BoS fans.)
Confession: I once accidentally stole a bottle of whiskey from Diamond City while traveling with him. His response? “Really? That’s how we start?” Oof.
Nick Valentine’s Story — More Than Just a Synth
Here’s where things get juicy. Nick Valentine isn’t just a walking robot detective; he’s a patchwork of memories from a human cop who loved a woman named Jennifer Landes.
His personality? Equal parts synthetic programming and very real human emotions. Kinda like me trying to remember where I left my keys… but with existential angst.
I love the idea that inside all that metal, he’s holding onto fragments of a life he never fully lived. It’s deep, I know.
Weapons & Gear: Making Valentine Your Fighting Partner
Okay, you can’t strip him down or change that iconic trench coat. It’s like his second skin.
But you can give him better weapons.
My personal fave? A laser rifle. The flickering green beam suits his futuristic noir vibe perfectly.
Pro tip: Don’t bother trying to armor him up. He’s got that synth durability thing going on already. Plus, the coat’s iconic, and no, you can’t remove it.
Why I Choose Nick Valentine Every Time
Look, I’ve rolled with plenty of companions. But Nick Valentine always steals the spotlight.
Why?
- His hacking skills saved my ass more times than I can count.
- His sarcastic, old-timey detective lines keep the mood light.
- He’s got a moral compass that feels real in a world full of gray zones.
- Plus, you get his personal quest, which is pure Fallout gold.
Nick Valentine’s Most Memorable Quotes
If you like banter, this guy delivers.
A few gems:
- “Well, isn’t this place just a monument to optimism?”
- “I may be a synth, but I’m still a detective.”
- “You’re starting to grow on me. Like moss. Or mold.”
The kind of lines you want on your post-apocalyptic mixtape.
How Nick Feels About the Big Factions
He’s no fan of the Brotherhood of Steel’s anti-synth stance.
The Institute? Hates them — fair enough.
He respects the Railroad and tends to side with the Minutemen.
Honestly, I think he’s just tired of people telling him what to do — which is honestly relatable.
Random Fan Theories Because Why Not?
Fallout fans are wild, and Nick Valentine is no exception.
Some think his memories might be faked by the Institute.
Others swear he might actually be the original human Nick somehow trapped in synth form.
Me? I just enjoy the mystery. It’s like the game’s little noir puzzle wrapped in a robot suit.
Roleplaying With Nick Valentine
Here’s the deal: If you’re into roleplay, Nick Valentine is your best mate.
Dress your character like a noir detective, talk the talk, and solve every problem without firing a shot if you can help it.
I tried this once and felt like I was starring in my own gritty 1940s detective flick — mud, rain, and radioactive cockroaches included.
The Lore Behind Nick Valentine
The guy embodies Fallout’s big themes: What really makes us human?
Is it memories? Emotions? Or just a bunch of wiring and programming?
Nick Valentine makes you ask those questions while you’re busy looting mutated rats.
Final Thoughts — Why Nick Valentine Is the Best
Alright, here’s the kicker. If you want a companion who’s:
- Smart as hell,
- Morally interesting,
- Has some badass hacking skills,
- And delivers dry humor like no other…
Then Nick Valentine is your guy.
Fast forward past all the endless raider camps and you’ll realize: he’s the one who makes the wasteland feel less… well, wastelandy.