Curie: The Companion You Need in Fallout 4

Introduction

Fallout 4, the sprawling post-apocalyptic RPG from Bethesda, offers players a vast wasteland to explore, settlements to build, and a host of interesting characters to meet. Among the diverse cast of companions, Curie stands out as a truly unique and endearing presence. She begins as a Miss Nanny robot in Vault 81, programmed to serve and assist, but her journey leads her to crave more than just fulfilling her basic programming. This article will explore Curie’s story, how to find her, her personal quest, her combat abilities, her personality, and why she’s become such a beloved and essential companion in Fallout 4. From her innocent curiosity to her heartfelt desire for understanding, Curie’s transformation into a synth embodies the question of what it means to be human, or, in this case, what it means to be more than just a machine.

Finding Curie in Vault 81

Curie isn’t simply stumbled upon during your wasteland wanderings. To find her, you’ll need to locate Vault 81, a relatively well-preserved vault hidden beneath the town of Cambridge. Vault 81 is a fascinating place, seemingly untouched by the ravages of the nuclear war. Gaining access, however, requires a bit of effort. There are a couple of ways to get inside. The first, and arguably more common, involves offering blood packs to the vault’s security. They’ll ask for three blood packs to ensure you’re not carrying any diseases into their pristine environment. If you’re lacking in blood packs, you can attempt to persuade them with a successful speech check. Once inside, you’ll discover that all is not as idyllic as it seems.

A hidden sickness is plaguing Vault 81, and the quest “Hole in the Wall” is what ultimately unlocks Curie as a companion. This quest begins by noticing that the children are sick or by speaking directly to the vault doctor. He will tell you he needs help to find a cure for the disease. Once you accept the quest, you’ll need to venture into a secret section of the vault, a place where experiments were conducted on vault residents long ago. Navigating this area is challenging, as you’ll face hostile robots and mutated creatures. The lab contains the Molerat Disease, and a young boy has already contracted it. Your character must now help find a cure. As you progress, be prepared for some tough combat. After you find a cure for the Molerat Disease you must return to the Doctor. After giving the cure, you will be able to find Curie in a small office near the vault Doctor. She’s eager to escape the confines of the vault and experience the wider world, making her an enthusiastic addition to your party.

Curie’s Quest: The Emergence of Behavior

One of the most compelling aspects of Curie’s story is her personal quest, “Emergent Behavior.” As she travels with you, Curie begins to question her existence and purpose. She desires to understand human emotions and experiences on a deeper level than her programming allows. She expresses a yearning to feel and learn in a way that only a human, or something closely resembling one, can. This leads her to the idea of transferring her consciousness into a Synth body, a more advanced and adaptable form.

To fulfill her quest, you’ll need to take her to Doctor Amari at the Memory Den in Goodneighbor. Doctor Amari is a skilled neurosurgeon capable of transferring consciousness from one brain to another, and she agrees to help Curie with this extraordinary procedure. The process of transferring Curie’s consciousness is not without its moral implications. Some players may question the ethics of essentially creating a new being or altering Curie’s fundamental nature. However, Curie is insistent on this transformation, driven by her desire for greater understanding and connection.

Once the procedure is complete, Curie emerges in a Synth body, retaining her memories and personality but with a newfound sense of physical presence and the ability to experience emotions more fully. As a bonus, the Sole Survivor has a choice to help craft her new personality, helping to shape Curie into a new person. Whether it is being more assertive or more emotional, Curie has choices based on the conversation with the Sole Survivor. You can choose to ignore Curie’s quest altogether, but doing so will leave her trapped in her robotic form, unable to fully realize her potential or explore her growing sense of self. Completing this quest is crucial for unlocking Curie’s full potential as a companion and for witnessing her remarkable character development.

Curie as a Companion: Abilities and Perks in Combat

Even in her initial Miss Nanny form, Curie is a valuable asset in combat. She has a natural affinity for healing and science, making her particularly skilled at using stimpaks and repairing damaged equipment. While her offensive capabilities may be somewhat limited in her robotic form, she can still provide useful support, especially against weaker enemies.

After transferring her consciousness to a Synth body, Curie becomes significantly more effective in combat. She gains access to a wider range of weapons and armor, and her agility and reflexes are greatly improved. However, her most valuable asset remains her companion perk, “Combat Medic.” This perk grants the player the ability to regain hit points when they are low.

When using Curie in combat, it’s important to consider her strengths and weaknesses. She excels at close-range combat, particularly with energy weapons. Equip her with a powerful laser pistol or plasma rifle, and she’ll be able to take down enemies quickly and efficiently. She’s not as effective at long-range combat, so try to keep her close to the action. Since her initial form is a robot, equipping her with robot armor can be a great way to bolster her defenses.

Curie’s Personality and Dialogue: More than Just a Robot

What truly sets Curie apart is her personality. She is endlessly curious, incredibly naive, and possesses an unyielding desire to learn about the world around her. Her dialogue is filled with charming observations and genuine enthusiasm. She approaches every new experience with a sense of wonder, whether it’s encountering a mutated creature or witnessing a human emotion.

Curie’s interactions with other characters are often humorous and insightful. She’s quick to ask questions, sometimes without fully understanding the social implications, leading to amusing misunderstandings. However, her genuine desire to learn and connect with others always shines through. She is also not afraid to call out the Sole Survivor on their actions and the actions of others.

Her Synth body further enhances her personality, allowing her to experience emotions more deeply and connect with others on a more profound level. She expresses a newfound appreciation for physical sensations and a desire to understand the complexities of human relationships. It’s through her interactions that we see her grappling with the nuances of morality, empathy, and what it truly means to be human.

Romance and Affinity with Curie

Yes, you can romance Curie in Fallout 4! Increasing Curie’s affinity requires understanding what actions she approves of and what she disapproves of. Curie generally likes acts of kindness, generosity, and helping others. She approves of actions that demonstrate compassion and a willingness to assist those in need. She disapproves of selfishness, violence, and decisions that harm innocent people.

To romance Curie, you’ll need to reach maximum affinity with her. This requires consistently making choices that she approves of and engaging in conversations that reveal her backstory and motivations. Once you’ve reached maximum affinity, you’ll unlock a special dialogue option where you can express your romantic interest in her.

If Curie reciprocates your feelings, you’ll enter into a romantic relationship with her. This provides several benefits, including the “Lover’s Embrace” perk, which grants a temporary experience bonus when sleeping near her. More importantly, romancing Curie allows you to experience her character development on a deeper level and form a meaningful connection with one of Fallout 4’s most endearing companions.

Curie’s Impact on the Game

Curie’s presence in Fallout 4 extends beyond her individual quest line. She offers a unique perspective on the game’s overarching themes, particularly the exploration of humanity, artificial intelligence, and the nature of consciousness. Her journey from a simple Miss Nanny robot to a Synth grappling with human emotions raises profound questions about what it means to be alive and what it means to be human.

She is a valuable companion because she can help players to see the world in a new light. Her perspective on different factions and choices can influence your decisions and gameplay style, encouraging you to consider the ethical implications of your actions. Her kindness and empathy can serve as a moral compass, guiding you towards a more compassionate and understanding approach to the challenges of the wasteland.

Conclusion

Curie is more than just a companion in Fallout 4; she is a complex, compelling, and ultimately heartwarming character. Her journey of self-discovery, her unwavering curiosity, and her genuine desire to connect with others make her a truly memorable addition to the game. She embodies the idea that humanity can be found in the most unexpected places, even within a robot yearning for a deeper understanding of the world. Whether you’re seeking a skilled combatant, a compassionate friend, or a romantic partner, Curie is the companion you need in Fallout 4. She will remain one of the most cherished and well-written characters in the Fallout series for years to come.