If you’ve spent any time trekking through the Mojave, you know the sound. It’s that sharp, metallic crack followed by the sudden, jarring cinematic of a Legionnaire's head turning into a red mist three hundred yards away. You didn't even see the guy. You were just trying to pick some Xander root. But Craig Boone saw him. He always sees them.
Boone is easily the most iconic companion in Fallout: New Vegas, but honestly, he’s also the most misunderstood. People call him "overpowered" or "edgy," but those labels barely scratch the surface of why this guy has stayed relevant for over fifteen years. He isn't just a walking aimbot in a red beret. He’s a tragic, deeply broken man whose story reflects the absolute worst of the NCR-Legion conflict.
The Man in the Dinosaur: Meeting Boone
You usually find him in Novac. He’s the guy pulling the night shift inside the mouth of Dinky the Dinosaur. At first glance, he’s a jerk. He’s cold, he’s dismissive, and he clearly doesn't want to talk to you.
But there’s a reason for the frostiness. His wife, Carla, was kidnapped by Legion slavers, and the whole town of Novac seems to be looking the other way. When you first talk to him, he’s a man possessed by a single, dark goal: finding out who in town betrayed her.
One for My Baby: The First Real Choice
The quest to recruit him, One for My Baby, is a masterclass in detective work. You have to poke around, talk to the local "conspiracy coot" No-bark Noonan, and eventually break into the floor safe at the Dino Dee-lite motel.
Finding that Bill of Sale is one of those "stomach-drop" moments in gaming. Seeing that Jeannie May Crawford—the grandmotherly woman running the town—sold a pregnant woman into slavery for a few thousand caps? It’s brutal.
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When you lead Jeannie May out in front of the dinosaur at night and put on that beret, you aren't just finishing a quest. You're presiding over an execution. Boone’s reaction afterward isn't one of triumph. It’s just... empty. That's the core of his character. He doesn't want glory; he just wants the scales to be balanced, even if he has to break himself to do it.
Why Boone is Basically a Cheat Code (and Why That’s Okay)
Let’s talk gameplay. If we're being real, Boone is a monster on the battlefield. His default weapon, a scoped Hunting Rifle, is better than most mid-game guns you’ll find.
His companion perk, Spotter, is arguably the best in the game for anyone who likes long-range combat. It highlights hostiles in red when you’re aiming down sights. In the hazy, brown-on-brown landscape of the Mojave, this is a godsend. It turns every encounter into a shooting gallery.
- Weaponry: Give him an Anti-Materiel Rifle with Match Hand Load ammo? Forget it. The game is over. He will delete Deathclaws before you even hear the combat music.
- The Kill-Cam Curse: We’ve all been there. You’re walking peacefully, and suddenly the camera zooms 200 meters away to show a Mole Rat exploding. It’s hilarious, but it can also be a bit of a jumpscare.
- Aggro: Boone is a "shoot first, ask questions never" type when it comes to the Legion. If you’re trying to do a neutral or pro-Legion run, do not bring him. He will start a war at Cottonwood Cove before you can even say "Ave, true to Caesar."
The Ghost of Bitter Springs
If you stick with him long enough, you realize Carla wasn't the start of his trauma. It goes back to Bitter Springs.
Boone was a member of the NCR's 1st Recon. During a botched operation, they were ordered to fire on what they thought were Great Khan warriors. It turned out to be the "back door" of the camp—filled with women, children, and the elderly. Boone pulled the trigger because he was a soldier following orders.
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That guilt is what defines his secondary quest, I Forgot to Remember to Forget. To trigger it, you need to earn "history points" by doing things Boone likes:
- Killing Vulpes Inculta (the wolf-hat guy in Nipton).
- Rescuing NCR hostages from the Legion.
- Wiping out the Legion camp at Nelson.
Once you get five points, he finally breaks. He takes you back to Bitter Springs to face his demons. This is where the writing really shines. You can either encourage him to be vengeful or help him move toward some kind of peace.
The Ending Variations
Your choices here change his fate and his armor.
- If you tell him he was just a soldier, he gets the 1st Recon Survival Armor (it looks like the standard NCR uniform but better).
- If you tell him to embrace the hate, he gets the 1st Recon Battle Armor (a cool, darker variant).
In the end-game slides, a "vengeful" Boone often ends up as a wandering killer or a suicide-mission assassin. A "forgiven" Boone might actually find a life after the war. It's one of the few times New Vegas feels truly heavy with the weight of PTSD and veteran struggle.
What Most People Get Wrong About Boone
There’s this common theory that Boone is a "boring" character because he’s so quiet. I'd argue it's the opposite. The voice acting by Jason Marsden is intentionally flat. It’s the voice of a man who has "shut off" to survive.
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People also think he’s a "good guy" just because he’s NCR. He’s not. He’s a killer who knows he’s a killer. He tells you straight up: "I'm not a good person, but I'm the one you want in a fight." He’s a tool for justice, not a hero.
Another misconception? That he’s the "best" companion for every build. If you're a melee character, Boone is actually kind of annoying. He’ll kill everything before you can even get close enough to swing your Rebar Club. If you want to experience the story of the Legion or the Great Khans, leave the sniper at home. He will ruin your reputation faster than a Cazador ruins a low-level player.
Survival Tips for Traveling with Boone
If you're going to keep him around, you need to be smart about it. Here’s the "pro" way to handle the Mojave's grumpiest sniper:
- Watch your Rep: If you help the Legion, he will leave. He gives you one warning. If you do it again, he becomes hostile. He is the only companion who will legitimately try to kill you for your political choices.
- Ammo Management: His default rifle has infinite ammo, but if you give him a better gun (like the Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle), you have to supply the bullets. Snipers drink .308 like water.
- The Beret: He gives you his 1st Recon Beret after his first quest. Wear it. It gives you +1 Perception and a +5% Critical Hit Chance. It’s arguably the best headgear in the early-to-mid game.
- The Quest Bug: Sometimes his "history points" don't register correctly. If you're trying to trigger his quest, make sure he is actually with you and not "waiting" nearby when you kill Legion leaders.
Moving Forward in the Mojave
Craig Boone isn't just a sidekick; he's a reminder of what the wasteland does to people. He lost his wife, his child, and his soul in the desert. Whether you use him as a long-range bodyguard or treat him as a project for redemption, he changes the way you play the game.
If you haven't done a full "NCR Revenge" run with Boone and ED-E (the robot eye-bot), you haven't lived. The two of them together create a bubble of safety that the Legion simply cannot penetrate.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
Check your current "trust" points with Boone by heading to Nelson or Cottonwood Cove. If you've already cleared those areas without him, you might need to hunt down Vulpes Inculta at The Strip or wait until you get to The Fort to take out Caesar himself. Just remember to bring plenty of stimpaks—the Legion doesn't take kindly to snipers.