The Ultimate Guide to Ranking Fallout Protagonists

Highlights

The protagonist in Fallout 2, referred to as the Chosen One, skillfully encompasses the ideal combination of a predestined character following a specific narrative and a customizable player character in a role-playing game. This amalgamation allows players to connect with the Chosen One's journey while also marveling at their exceptional qualities.

The Courier in Fallout: New Vegas offers players the opportunity to create their own narratives with minimal established backstory. This freedom to role-play within the game's setting has garnered immense popularity among fans.

On the other hand, the Sole Survivor in Fallout 4 is the least ideal character for the RPG format. With a predetermined backstory, distinct objectives, and comprehensive voice acting, their character leaves little space for player-driven role-playing. Therefore, they are considered the least captivating protagonist in the entire franchise.

Fallout is renowned as one of the most influential open-world RPG franchises in history, largely due to its exceptional world-building and well-crafted characters. While the series boasts a wide range of memorable personalities, players naturally tend to focus on the main character. As an RPG, Fallout allows for freedom and creativity in defining the protagonist, but each game's player-character possesses distinct qualities and predefined attributes that set them apart.

The Fallout franchise has been developed by three different studios, resulting in considerable diversity across titles, particularly in the characterization of the main protagonist. Certain entries prioritize the role-playing experience, presenting a protagonist who serves as a blank canvas for players to shape according to their preferences. Conversely, other installments adopt a more structured approach, sacrificing some player agency in favor of a more immersive, human-centered storyline. When comparing Fallout protagonists, it is essential to consider not only their individual personalities or narratives, but also how enjoyable it is to assume their roles within the context of an RPG.

S-Tier

The Chosen One in Fallout 2 is a unique protagonist who strikes a perfect balance between being a well-developed character on a predetermined path and having enough openness to fit the role of a protagonist in an RPG. As a descendant of the first Fallout's player-character, The Chosen One grew up in Arroyo instead of a vault.

From a young age, The Chosen One received intensive training as a skilled and adaptable warrior, which equipped them for their perilous journeys across the dangerous territories of the Fallout universe in pursuit of a Garden of Eden Creation Kit (GECK). During their absence, the Enclave kidnaps their tribe, intending to employ them in constructing a cataclysmic virus. In order to rescue their people, The Chosen One single-handedly eliminates the Enclave, including the immensely powerful super mutant Frank Horrigan.

A-Tier

In Fallout games, the stakes are often deeply personal as the protagonist strives to find solutions for their own dilemmas or the issues facing their loved ones. While Fallout 2 follows this pattern to some extent by placing the Arroyo tribe in danger, it escalates further by also threatening the survival of the remaining human population. Consequently, The Chosen One becomes a relatable and immensely impressive character. The Enclave, one of the most formidable factions in the Fallout universe, can be considered conquered by The Chosen One, solidifying their status as the most powerful protagonist in the series. Remarkably, this character is also versatile enough to fit seamlessly into the RPG genre.

Fallout: New Vegas, regarded by many fans as the franchise's pinnacle, boasts a protagonist who has garnered immense praise. The game's standout feature lies in the protagonist's exceptional ability to fulfill the requirements of a role-playing game (RPG). Referred to as The Courier, this Fallout character possesses the most minimal pre-determined backstory compared to others, enabling players to project their own narratives onto them.

Players are initially introduced to The Courier right before being shot by the main antagonist, Benny, in Fallout: New Vegas. Apart from this brief encounter and the knowledge that the character works as a courier, their background and characteristics remain undefined. Through a combination of creativity, skill-building, and specific dialogue choices, players have the freedom to shape the character's backstory.

Although players can choose certain actions or traits that may make The Courier appear weaker or less impressive, their profession as a messenger implies a certain level of competence and strength, considering the extensive time they would have spent traveling through dangerous territories. Moreover, surviving a close-range gunshot to the head is undeniably remarkable. However, it is the character's potential for role-playing within the immersive world of Fallout: New Vegas that truly endears them to players, rather than their sheer power alone.

B-Tier

The Vault Dweller in Fallout is the initial protagonist who, although formidable, is not as potent as The Chosen One or as adaptable as The Courier. Their primary objective is to retrieve a purification chip to repair their vault's water-filtration system, vital for their survival. The premise of Fallout, and thus the character of The Vault Dweller, is straightforward, which can offer unique opportunities for role-playing.

Although The Vault Dweller is a resilient figure in Fallout's post-apocalyptic world, they initially lack significant power and intrigue. However, their story is captivating due to its bittersweet nature. In the canon ending, despite their heroic deeds, The Vault Dweller is banished from their vault and compelled to forge a life in the wasteland. Eventually, they establish Arroyo, which would become a legendary place within the Fallout universe. With this connection to another game in the series, The Vault Dweller is truly unique among the protagonists.

C-Tier

In Fallout 3, the first Fallout game developed by Bethesda, significant changes were made to the franchise formula. The game shifted to a real-time, first-person gameplay experience while introducing unique mechanics and systems. However, it also simplified many of the RPG elements, opting for a more personalized, narrative-driven adventure.

One notable change resulting from this shift is the main character. In Fallout 3, players assume the role of a protagonist embarking on a mission to rescue their father who mysteriously vanished from their vault. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the father is involved in Project Purity, an initiative aimed at providing clean water to the populace. While this premise is promising, the game imposes various restrictions on the character, dictating a predefined backstory. This issue becomes even more problematic in the subsequent mainline installment.

D-Tier

The Sole Survivor (Fallout 4) - The sole survivor is the least suitable Fallout character for the RPG format. Fallout 4 deviates from the traditional RPG style, making it unique in the franchise. The player-character's predefined background, specific goal of saving their son, and complete voice acting limit opportunities for role-playing. The voiced dialogue adds to the issue, as the player's experience of in-game conversations can be drastically influenced by the character's tone and attitude. While Fallout 4's story has its merits, it takes away the elements that make RPGs enticing and makes the protagonist the least captivating. However, all the protagonists in the franchise have their strengths, including Fallout 4's hero in some aspects. Additionally, the variety of main characters in the series means that each release of Fallout can provide a different experience based on what each player desires from an RPG protagonist.