Fallout 4 Hancock: Affinity, Romance, Isodoped Perk
The details in this article were checked against the Fallout Wiki pages listed at the end, on November 4, 2026. Fallout 4 is a single-player game with no seasons. We have not re-checked them in the game. Where we could not confirm something, the text says so.
Goodneighbor, a haven for outlaws in The Commonwealth, is led by its charismatic mayor, the companion we're introducing today: John Hancock. Despite being a Ghoul, he possesses a strong sense of justice, a love for chems (drugs), and a profound respect for freedom, making him a complex and fascinating character. This article covers how to recruit him, what raises his affinity, romance, and his companion Perk, "Isodoped."
Who is Hancock, the Maverick Mayor?
John Hancock is a Ghoul who serves as the mayor of Goodneighbor, a town in The Commonwealth where outlaws gather. He champions the philosophy of "government for the people, by the people," earning him immense support from Goodneighbor's residents. Contrary to his appearance, he is deeply compassionate and has a loyal nature, unable to ignore those in distress. However, his brand of justice is extremely direct and violent, showing no mercy to evildoers. He also openly enjoys using chems, holding values that diverge significantly from conventional morality.
As a companion he is a Ghoul. His combat style is set to ranged (Fallout Wiki). We could not confirm how he handles radiation.
How to Recruit Hancock as a Companion
Side Quests "The Big Dig" then "Recruiting Hancock"
Hancock becomes a companion after you finish the side quest "The Big Dig" and then complete the miscellaneous quest "Recruiting Hancock" (Fallout Wiki). "The Big Dig" is Bobbi No-Nose's plan, taken in Goodneighbor, to dig a tunnel to the Diamond City vault.
You can still recruit him if you sided with Bobbi and killed his bodyguard Fahrenheit. In that case he first asks you to track down Bobbi and bring back the caps she stole (Fallout Wiki).
Complete Guide to Raising Affinity
To raise Hancock's affinity, understanding his dual nature as an "outlaw with a heart of gold" is key. In the Fallout Wiki lists, he likes chem use and harsh treatment of those who deserve it, and dislikes stealing and cruelty to innocent people.
Hancock's Preferred and Disliked Actions List
The main actions that will raise or lower his affinity during your journey with him are as follows. Please refer to this when acting in his presence.
| Preferred Actions (Affinity Up) | Disliked Actions (Affinity Down) |
|---|---|
| Using chems, becoming addicted, giving chems to others | Stealing |
| Moving between areas while naked (repeatable) | Cruelty towards innocent people |
| Harm or cruelty towards those who rightfully deserve it | Joining the Brotherhood of Steel |
| Joining the Minutemen | Joining the Institute |
| Joining the Railroad | Flirting with others after being romanced (hates) |
| Asking people what they need | Murdering innocent people (hates) |
How to Efficiently Raise Affinity
Here are some specific methods to efficiently maximize Hancock's affinity.
- Regular Chem Use
This is an easy method. Using chems while Hancock is with you counts as an action he likes (Fallout Wiki). Actions that raise affinity have a cooldown, so repeating the same action does not raise it every time. We could not confirm how long the wait is for chems. - Join the Minutemen or the Railroad
Joining the Minutemen and joining the Railroad are both actions he likes (Fallout Wiki). We could not confirm whether settlement quests raise his affinity on their own. - Be Mindful of Dialogue Choices
He has many likes and dislikes tied to quest choices. Joining the Brotherhood of Steel or the Institute is something he dislikes. The full list is on the Fallout Wiki page.
Romance and the Perk "Isodoped"
Romancing Hancock
Hancock is a companion you can romance (Fallout Wiki). From the second conversation at affinity 500, a "flirt" option appears, and in the final conversation at maximum affinity a "romance" option appears. Both are Charisma checks, and a successful flirt makes the final check easier (Fallout Wiki). We could not confirm whether the player's gender matters.
Resting in a bed that is not owned by someone else, with your romanced companion nearby, gives you the Perk "Lover's Embrace" (+15% experience for 8 hours; Fallout Wiki).
Companion Perk "Isodoped"
When your affinity with Hancock is at its maximum, you get the companion Perk "Isodoped" (Fallout Wiki).
- Perk Name: Isodoped
- Acquisition Condition: Maximize Hancock's affinity.
- Effect: When the player has 250 or more radiation damage, the critical meter fills 20% faster (equal to radiation filling 25% of maximum health).
This effect suits builds that rely on V.A.T.S. criticals, but you must keep radiation damage at 250 or more, so you have to manage your health.
Summary
Goodneighbor's Mayor Hancock, though appearing as a radical outlaw at first glance, is one of Fallout 4's most unique companions, harboring an unwavering sense of justice and love for people within. While his preferred actions, such as "using chems" and "violent solutions," may seem unusual, they are rooted in a simple sense of justice: "aid the weak and crush the strong."
Traveling with him and raising his affinity will grant you the "Isodoped" Perk. Use this article as a guide to deepen your bond with this maverick charismatic leader and further enjoy your adventures in The Commonwealth.
Sources and What We Checked
The details were checked against the following Fallout Wiki pages on November 4, 2026. The wiki can change, and we have not re-checked these in the game.