Fallout companions

Permanent companions
Permanent companions require that a few requisites be met in order for them to join the player's party. For a few non-player character's, there is more than one possible way to have them join your party. The possible conditions that must be met for each companion are listed below their names. Their locations are listed next to their names.
 * Dogmeat (Junktown)
 * Player is wearing a leather jacket.
 * Player gives Dogmeat some iguana bits or iguana-on-a-stick.


 * Ian (Shady Sands)
 * Player convinces him to tag along with a Speech check.
 * Player gives him 100 bottle caps.


 * Katja (Boneyard)
 * Player asks her to join them.


 * Tycho (Junktown)
 * Player must start the quest to Save Killian's life and inform Tycho about it.

Companion controls
Once an non-player character becomes the player's companion, their dialogue menu changes to a list of tactical and combat-oriented options. Unlike Fallout 2, there is no "Combat Control" menu added to the Pip-Boy interface. In Fallout, the controls are rudimentary, at best.

There are no controls whatsoever for Dogmeat. For the human companions, the options are shown as follows:

You can leave now.
 * This orders the companion to leave the party, and return to their original location in the game world.

Draw your best weapon next time we go into battle.
 * At first, this doesn't do anything, because the companions originally only carry their default weapon. However, the player may so gift them with a better weapon (and ammunition, for guns), then the non-player character will make use of that weapon instead. Alternatively, the companion can pick up weapons found on the ground.

I need to change formation.
 * Stay close to me. - non-player character stays within a 2 hex vicinity.
 * Keep a moderate distance. - non-player character stays within a 4 hex vicinity.
 * Move out to longer range. - non-player character stays within a 4-6 hex vicinity.

In order to get companions to use equipment, the player has to either use Steal on them (it does not give experience and always succeeds, but can turn non-party witnesses hostile) or Barter with them (they will accept all deals).

Companions stick with whatever armor they were wearing when recruited, thus surplus armor can be sold.

Statistics
* Katja uses a leather jacket sprite, despite her armor.

Temporary companions
Like permanent companions, there are a few conditions that must be met to have temporary companions join the player's party:
 * Tandi (Khan Base)
 * The player must complete the quest Stop the Radscorpions.
 * After passing one week of in-game time, the player must return to Shady Sands and initiate the quest Rescue Tandi from the Raiders.
 * She will automatically join the player once she is free of her jail cell.


 * Four Followers of the Apocalypse (Cathedral)
 * Nicole, the leader of the Followers, must be asked for help destroying the Children of the Cathedral
 * The four companions will be awaiting the player just outside the Cathedral building and will follow all the way into the Los Angeles Vault.
 * They are dispersed, rarely remain stationary and constantly move around the player at a longer range.
 * Are comprised of two male and two female fighters wearing metal armor.


 * Brotherhood invaders

Companion Controls
Tandi or the four Followers have no means of control in their companion forms; Instead of having a dialogue menu, they only display floating text.

Trivia

 * The unofficial patch/mod, Fixt, allows your companions to use all weapons except grenades and flares, wear armor and adds minor control improvements such as a step aside command. The armor fix in particular allows one to make use of the 3 extra Power armor suits the game allows you to obtain.