I'm writing a Guide to Nuka World, piece by piece. Here are the newest/most popular pages:
- New - A guide to making a Pistol/Gunslinger Build
- New - A guide to making a Melee Build
- New - Scav Magazine - All locations and details
- For New Players - Read the walkthrough.
- New - Open Season
- New - Power Play Quest
- New - Raider Outposts
- New - Nuka World Endings Guide - Options and Benefits
- The Grand Tour
- Faction Perks and New SPECIAL Ranks in Nuka World
- Gage (Companion)
See a full list of guides on the Nuka World page. I've written over a dozen in just a week and plan to continue. There is much more to this DLC, it will just take time to write it all. Check back for more. Comment on the appropriate page if you have a tip to share with other readers.
Companion Benefits, Level, and Where to Find Dog Armor

This guide to Dogmeat discusses the benefits to keeping her around as your main companion (though all companions have benefits), and how you can make good use of the dog companion in your travels. I'll also reveal where the Dog Armor can be found for those not in-the-know, and elaborate on some tests I did to determine how well dogmeat keeps up as the player's level rises.
Dogmeat Characteristics

About the Dog
If you're confused because your follower is named 'dog' like mine, it's because a conversation early-game didn't happen - it doesn't matter, the dog's name is Dogmeat. Dogmeat is the first companion you'll meet in Fallout 4, and for many players is the last ally they'll ever really need. While it's worth traveling with other Companions for a time in order to do their special quests and raise the relationship with them to get their special hidden Perk, it's usually back to bringing Dogmeat once that's done unless you've got a favorite. Some prefer playing completely solo, for sneaky purposes.
Dogmeat cannot die, and will recover after a time when injured. If you'd like to get her back into the fight, you can run up and use a stimpak with the action button to restore some of her life. I did some testing by shooting my dog with a reliable weapon and determined that a stimpak will fully restore Dogmeat's considerable life. She seems to have at least 400 at level 18, though resistances come into play - she can take about that much damage, regardless. 14 blasts from a 31 damage weapon brought Dogmeat to critical, and it took another 14 to bring it down again after using a Stimpak. So you can damage Dogmeat, be careful where you fire when your companion has engaged a target in melee.
Dogmeat Level Up
Yes, Dogmeat seems to scale in level with your character. At level 60, it took 40 shots from my 31 damage weapon to bring Dogmeat down. Very nice! I originally only had logic to back this, but testing proved it. When playing at a low level, Dogmeat was not invincible and would occasionally be injured. The same happens later in the game; if she did not scale in power just as all other companions do, she would have been an unstoppable powerhouse stealing all my kills at low level and would not die to one hit from anything in the level 30-50 range given the extra damage enemies do as you level up.
Since she can't have gear, she must have some innate resistances and scaling HP to prevent demise every time I bump into a raider with a good weapon. She's also completely unaffected by Radiation as she should be, and gradually regenerates health after a battle without the need to give her a Stimpak. The only reason to do this is if you need her back in the fight.
Lone Wanderer and Carry Weight of Dogmeat
Although this is reported to be a glitch, currently Dogmeat does not break the Lone Wanderer Perk's bonuses, meaning you can still use Dogmeat while gaining a whopping +30% damage resistance, +100 Carrying Capacity, and increased damage with the last rank. Dogmeat itself can also carry exactly 150 pounds of weight for you, so you don't have to leave as much scrap behind. So with Dogmeat and Lone Wanderer, you're getting 250 pounds of carry weight, while companions may have to carry more gear in order to stay viable in combat later in the game - meaning that even with their perks, you won't be able to carry as much loot.
Battling with Dogmeat as a Follower

Benefits of Using Dogmeat in Combat
Sure, other Companions can help you directly with firepower and you may even romance them, but Dogmeat is always on the prowl for loot you may have missed and can tackle enemies to bring them down, allowing you to score some easy aimed shots. With Perks in Attack Dog, Dogmeat can also give you an increased chance to hit in V.A.T.S. when she has bitten an enemy and tangled them up.
Dogmeat's weakness comes against robotic enemies (even those that look like humanoids) and large opponents, though she can grapple normal Supermutants. I've never seen her tackle one of the humanoid robots nor beasts, perhaps due to their big strength. Obviously, she can only distract big enemies like Yao Guai, Radscorpions, and Deathclaws though in fights with them she will attempt to dodge attacks and strafe the opponents to keep them tied up. One less enemy on you is a good thing, and she will fight to the death but cannot necessarily distract them long for you.

Dogmeat has three types of attacks - a main bite that just deals damage, a tackle, and the occasional persistent grip of a limb - she holds on until she's kicked off. She must have a cooldown on this second move, or else I'm pissed it's not used consistently. Dogmeat shines most when she takes a limb or brings an enemy completely to the ground, allowing you to easily pop them without V.A.T.S.
XP from Kills
In order to get XP from Dogmeat or any other Companion's kills, you need to have at least hit the enemy once. To get full XP, you must deal at least half the damage.
The Attack Dog Perk
Previously mentioned, this perk is recommended if you plan to use Dogmeat as your main follower in Fallout 4. The Perk doesn't take as much Charisma as Inspirational, so it's good for low Charisma builds. The first rank is the most important to take - any time Dogmeat has an enemy grabbed, you can get a chance to hit in V.A.T.S., Rank 2 will make Dogmeat's attacks more likely to cripple a limb, and Rank 3 allows bleed damage from her attacks - it happens frequently enough, and seems to cause a percentage bleed. So long as you do most of the damage, you'll still get full XP so it's a non-issue in that regard, it makes Dogmeat a better Companion.
Commanding Dogmeat

While everyone should notice Go, Stay, and Follow when instructing Dogmeat, something not immediately noticeable is that if you select 'Talk' to Dogmeat, you can command the canine to play fetch and locate items, containers, or enemies for you in the nearby area. It's a really useful fetch trick!
Using her nose, she may take off in a direction and if so, you should follow because she's found something. It's very useful if you are a hoarder and think you may have missed something in the general area. When 'good' items, like magazines and Bobbleheads are around, there's a good chance she will alert you to them.
By the way, you press the Pip-boy key to stop commanding Dogmeat.
Dogmeat will not be a problem when you're sneaky, though most Companions will hunker down and lighten their steps when you do - she seems to rarely trigger enemies to attack, though at times you may want to manage her by telling her to stay, when entering a particularly sticky situation. She's very obedient though, so please do remember to tell her to follow you again afterward.
Finding Dog Armor

To find Dogmeat's Armor, which is cosmetic (and cannot be upgraded), head to Rocky Narrows Park, west-southwest of Corvega Assembly Plant and 5 squares south of Museum of Freedom (for those who haven't been to Corvega). Do note this area is notorious for Yao Guai (freaking mutant bears). Here it is on the map:

From there, you can roam to the area I've indicated below: My character is pointing directly toward the cave you need to find, which is guarded by a few mongrel dogs.


You can see this tiny outcropping which someone used for shelter and likely had a bad time in doing so. There you will find a dog helmet, dog armor, and chain dog collar. None of these will raise Dogmeat's stats, but they do make her look a little tougher. If you prefer to put a handkerchief and goggles on her, go for it - it's all cosmetic.
More Fallout 4 Guides
Share Tips and Strategies Below
- Raider Outposts in Nuka World
- Nuka World - Play as a Raider in this DLC
- Far Harbor - Learn about the DLC, its secrets, and read walkthroughs
- Automatron - Guides to building bots and quest walkthroughs
- Settlements - An in-depth guide to Settlements and managing them
- Melee Build - the best perks for a melee character
- Sneaking - Learn to be stealthy
- Critical Hits - Shots to Crit and Crit damage mechanics
- Tips for Making a Build - General advice for creating your own build
- Action Points - AP and all the things that affect it
- VATS - all about the V.A.T.S. and AP usage on weapons
- Gameplay Tips - pointers that will help new players
- Making a Sniper Rifle Weapon mod examples. Heavy hitter and fast-firing Comparison - two guns from the same base.
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FAQs
What is the code for Dogmeat armor Fallout 4? ›
The item ID codes for the collar, helmet, and light armor are 0018B210, 0018B210, and 001B5ACC, respectively. While console gamers can't use this cheat, it doesn't take too much work to gather the items normally, so they're not at too much of a disadvantage here.
Where does Dogmeat go when you switch companions? ›If you get separated from Dogmeat, you should go to where you first found him by the Red Rocket gas station just outside of Sanctuary. If you can't find him there, try looking for any doghouses in your settlements.
Can you have a human companion and Dogmeat? ›Dogmeat is just one of around a dozen companions in Fallout 4, including Mister Handy, Piper and Preston Garvey. (And for those in the mood for love, you can romance any human companion – regardless of gender.)
Do you get lone wanderer with Dogmeat? ›– The 'lone wanderer' perk (Charisma 3) is not affected by keeping Dogmeat as your companion, allowing you to rack up the benefits without getting lonely.
Where can I find armor for Dogmeat? ›Where to find armour for Dogmeat. The nearest spot to the armour is Rocky Narrows Park. If you haven't discovered that location, you want to look directly west of Corvega Assembly Plant and south of Concord.
Does dog armor do anything for Dogmeat? ›Dogmeat can be equipped with a range of cosmetics, including three varieties of dog armor. Despite being differentiated as light, regular, and heavy dog armor, none of these items actually provide any defensive benefits with the only difference between them being purely aesthetic.
Is Dogmeat the best companion? ›Dogmeat doesn't actually count as a companion, so you can unlock the Lone Wanderer perk freely while he's around. He can find hidden items, and can incapacitate enemies in fights. He's not too concerned with your ethics, which makes him a pretty handy companion in that regard.
What breed is Dogmeat? ›In this game, Dogmeat is a German Shepherd, and can not die. Dogmeat also appears in Fallout Shelter.
Who eats Dogmeat? ›Dog meat is a traditional food in China, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Vietnam, and it is eaten or is legal to be eaten in other countries throughout the world.
Can you romance two companions? ›Companions all have specific dialogue they say depending on who your removing from the party and who is joining. Never changes. And yes, you can "romance" every romanceable companion in the game at once.
What happens if Dogmeat dies? ›
Upon death, Dogmeat is simply respawned with a new name and increased health. If there are two followers in the current party, then one will have to be fired once this perk is chosen as if the original Dogmeat was still alive.
Is Dogmeat a synth? ›No, Dogmeat is not a synth. He is a Ghoul.
Is codsworth or Dogmeat a better companion? ›Codsworth is a better fighter, can carry far more and will give you a purified water once a day when you talk to him, he's the better choice unless you use the Lone Wanderer perk which doesn't count dogmeat as a companion.
Does Dogmeat count as a settler in Fallout 4? ›Dogmeat does not count as a settler when in a settlement and will not respond to the "Settler Rally" bell. He will stay wherever he is at the time, likely near the closest doghouse.
Where can I get companion armor? ›- Delve Bosses.
- Public Dungeon Bosses.
- Dolmen, Harrowstorm, Oblivion Portal and other “World Event” bosses.
- World Bosses.
- Normal and Veteran Group Dungeon Bosses.
- Normal and Veteran Trial Bosses.
In Fallout 4, Dogmeat is named Dog until the player character, dubbed the Sole Survivor, speaks to Mama Murphy about his true name, or until companion character Nick Valentine reveals his name as part of a quest that involves Dogmeat sniffing out one of the game's main enemies.
Can Dogmeat wear welding goggles? ›He can definitely wear welding goggles, so you must be doing something wrong. You need to trade with Dogmeat, put the goggles in his inventory, and then Equip them (triangle on PS4, don't know about other platforms).
Can you upgrade Dogmeat armor? ›not possible. Dog Armor is asthetic only, doesnt actualy do anything to protect the dog.
Why is my companion not showing up at the settlement Fallout 4? ›As far as companions not going to the settlement you send them to; There is a bug with Nick where after dismissed he will sometimes return to the last settlement you had him at instead of the settlement you just sent him to. He then can be found at that earlier settlement. Other companions have their own random bugs.
What happens if a companion dies Fallout 4? ›All companions are marked as "essential" when in your employ, meaning that they can't die by you or anyone else, they simply just go into a down state.
Who is the strongest companion fo4? ›
Paladin Danse tops the list for being the best and most loyal companion that will fight by your side. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Steel. But when it comes to killing and protection, you may see him in his Power armor, making him a juggernaut for enemies.
Can Dogmeat heal himself? ›To heal Dogmeat, you must use a stimpak manually. Any other human companions can heal himself, (Only) if they have a stimpak in their inventory.
Which companion has the best perk in Fallout 4? ›The Best Companion Perk
While all Companion Perks are useful in some circumstances, it's hard to argue with McCready's incredible Killshot bonus in V.A.T.S, which requires no special conditions to activate.
The Labrador Retriever holds the top spot, and this friendly favorite has been No. 1 since 1991. Below, find ranked annual lists of AKC-recognized breeds.
What breed is Hellhound? ›The gwyllgi (compound noun of either gwyllt "wild" or gwyll "twilight" + ci "dog") is a mythical black dog from Wales that appears as an English mastiff with baleful breath and blazing red eyes.
Can you revive dogmeat? ›Well at level 22 (you need Broken Steel loaded to raise the level cap from 20 to 30) you can get a perk that allows Dogmeat to respawn, sort of. It allows one of his many puppies (he seems to have been quite friendly with all the lady wasteland dogs) to appear at Vault 101 and take his place besides you.
How do I give dogmeat his name? ›How to reveal Dogmeat's name? Back in the Museum of Freedom, I just recently found out that when you speak to Mamma Murphy you can trigger a dialogue where she tells you about Dogmeat and what his true name is.
What happens if you try to romance Judy as a male? ›Simple as that, and Judy's heart is yours to win over, regardless of your gender. Surprisingly, romancing Judy doesn't cause the game to act up so much. Judy's voice lines as well as male V's voice lines are complete for the whole quest involving their romance.
How to get Cait to love you? ›To quickly raise Cait's affinity, pick locks, pickpocket, use chems and drink alcohol; with four easy actions, you won't need to keep her around for long. After her sidequest, if you still need to raise your affinity, skip the chems.
Can you date Panam as a female? ›Only male Vs can romance Panam. Only female Vs can romance Judy. Only male Vs can romance Kerry.
Can Dogmeat be killed? ›
Dogmeat is immortal across all time. Any apparent death (eg FO4) is an illusion. Dogmeat is immortal unless you intentionally turn off essential.
What happens if you send Dogmeat to Vault 101? ›If you ask Dogmeat to return to Vault 101, you can pickpocket him and store items too. Dogmeat's Inventory can be accessed any time after he has been told to "Go wait by Vault 101," simply by a standard pickpocket maneuver.
Does Sturges know hes a synth? ›At no point during any quests in the game is it revealed that Sturges is a synth. The truth is only found out if the player manages to kill him with console commands despite him being an essential, as he drops a synth component.
Who was Dogmeat's previous owner Fallout 4? ›Who was Dogmeat's previous owner Fallout 4? Dogmeat is modeled after River, a female German Shepherd, and the pet of Joel and Michelle Burgess. After River passed away in June 2021, Joel Burgess wrote a Twitter thread talking about River's role in development.
Is Dogmeat immortal Fallout 4? ›On one hand, it sounds a bit far-fetched though this is a series about living in a nuclear wasteland that's infested with mutated monsters. In a way, it also does kind of makes sense explaining why Dogmeat can never die in the later games. He may get injured, but he always gets up again ready to keep fighting.
Can you marry multiple companions in Fallout 4? ›Simply put, Fallout 4's romance options are not mutually exclusive. You can flirt with, sleep with, and develop relationships with multiple characters concurrently, with both companions and regular NPCs.
Who is the youngest companion in Fallout 4? ›Boone is the youngest companion, Veronica is ten years younger than Cas, Rex is second oldest of them all…
Why does Codsworth call me mum? ›You are the "Mum" of the family. Yes, but that's really not it, it's just an accent/regional pronunciation thing. I just took as mum bc the well the female is a mother. There is no such thing as a British accent.
What is Dogmeat ID Fallout 4? ›showTechnical | ||
---|---|---|
Editor ID | dogmeat | |
Base ID | 0001d15c | 00000000 |
Editor Factions | DogmeatFaction HasBeenCompanionFaction PlayerAllyFaction | |
Actor | River |
- Open up the Console by typing Tilde (~)
- Type 'prid 0001d162'
- Hit Return/Enter.
- Type 'moveto player'
- Hit Return/Enter.
- Hit Tilde (~) again to close the console.
- Dogmeat will shoot to you like he is being magically summoned and be next to you!
How do you get your companion to wear armor in Fallout 4? ›
Speak with your follower and ask them to trade with you. When they open up their inventory, scroll over an item you would like them to wear, then look down in the menu at the bottom of the screen and scroll over to Equip. This works for your companion so long as the item in question is in their inventory.
How do you make companions wear armor? ›To find out what they will wear, trade over to their inventory any armors you want to see if they can equip. Then from that same screen, scroll across those armors. If the equip option is available, they can wear those.
Why is his name Dogmeat? ›For some reason, Mama Murphy never called him Dogmeat when I rescued the Minutemen, so all of a sudden in the middle of my game after playing with him named Dog, my character out of nowhere called him Dogmeat to Nick and now that's his name.
Can Dogmeat get the Cryolator? ›Once you have Dogmeat, make your way back to Vault 111 and head to the office that houses the Cryolator on the wall. All you need to do then is give Dogmeat the following commands. Talk, then Fetch, and then Items. Dogmeat will then magically grab the Cryolator for you.
Can Dogmeat open Cryolator case? ›Once you have your faithful companion, return to Vault 111 and head to the area with the Cryolator. Now look at Dogmeat, and give him an order to FIND ITEMS. Being the ever-helpful companion that he is, Dogmeat will bash open the case holding the Cryolator, and bring it to you. Presto.