Walter Phebus is big horner rancher whose been herding big horners since he was young.[1] Walter lives back west on Phebus Ranch with his wife Ethel. However, he has allegedly had some of his land taken by force by Heck Gunderson and his men at gunpoint.[2][3] Pheebus, deciding that Gunderson needs to be taken down, has followed him to New Vegas, with his wife Ethel Phebus, seeking his revenge.[4] He is also a very stubborn man.[5]
Walter and his wife will continue to mill around the Strip even after they choose to return to their ranch.
It's possible to pickpocket Walter Phebus infinitely. Each time you attempt to pickpocket him, you lose karma but the item is never removed from his inventory. If you have a high enough sneak skill, you can exploit this glitch and get the Artful Pocketer achievement very easily. The item you select is never actually added to your inventory, however each time you take the Karma loss then exit the inventory menu, it counts as a successful pickpocket. (confirmed on multiple characters)
If Walter is in the Las Vegas Boulevard Station, he will not react to any acts of violence committed, even against his wife.
↑The Courier: "Are you a Bighorn rancher?" Walter Phebus: "Bighorners' my trade since I was a youngin. I confess it's hard living these days, kid. The Wasteland ain't the same anymore." (Walter Phebus' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "Were are you from?" Ethel Phebus: "Oh, a good ways west of here, in a place you've never been. Far as we concerned, only name it ever had was "Phebus Ranch." That was before we lost some land to Heck Gunderson. The bank demanded payment in full the day after the Stockmen's Association bailed it out." (Ethel Phebus' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "What was that about settling a score?" Walter Phebus: "There's a long list of grievances that Heck Gunderson's got to answer for, kid. I'm here to make sure that "rancher" stops stealing our lands. If he ain't chiseling behind your back, he just sends his men, ready for a fight. Then you either "sell" your ranch for a penny or you're dead. I'm tired of being trampled over, kid, and I got a good mind to stop Heck once and for all." (Walter Phebus' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "What's life like as a Bighorn rancher?" Ethel Phebus: "A good life if you don't mind hard work. The only real fuss is the constant bother with varmints. Fail to catch Molerats early in their breeding, and you'll have three or four head breaking their ankles in Molerat holes every day. Of course, the worst varmint at all is a Brahmin Baron with his hands in the pockets of a Republic senator. That's a problem you can't solve with a Varmint Rifle, though I fear my husband's apt to try. He's got Heck Gunderson in his sights right now." (Ethel Phebus' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "What are you and he up to on the Strip?" Ethel Phebus: "He's got his reasons. And when that man gets a notion stuck in his head, he's like a Bighorner bull that's seen red. And if it means Heck Gunderson's involved, then you better step aside before the stampede tramples you over." (Ethel Phebus' dialogue)
