Nyoka is one of the companions you unlock in The Outer Worlds and one of the most fun to have around, too, in my opinion.
In today’s article, we are going to learn everything about Nyoka: her Quest line aka Nyoka’s Sidequests, details about her as a companion and everything else you need to know to get the most out of her. Let’s begin!
Nyoka Overview
The big game hunter who likes to drink a lot is probably the final companion that you get to unlock in the game.
This usually happens after your visit to Monarch, which will result in you getting Nyoka as a companion, after completing a small quest for her, one that involves getting her some anti-hangover pills. Fun way to start an adventure!
Either way, she comes with three unique perks (like most companions in the game), which are listed below:
– Bonus Support Lie: +10 Lie
– Hunter: -20% Radius of Footstep Sounds
– Exterminator: +20 Damage to Creatures
She also has a special ability (the special attack) called Barrage: Nyoka uses her personally modified LMG to deal damage to her target and set enemies near it ablaze.
This also gives the target a -30% Armor rating for 1.5 seconds and Burn effect (Damage over time).
She proved to be pretty efficient when I had her around (and I generally have her around since she’s one of my favorites) – not only that her special attack is fun to watch and extremely destructive, but all her perks are useful.
Sure, if you haven’t chosen already a character path with many points in the Dialog skills (where Lie is), you will probably not get a ton of benefit from her +10 to Lies – but every little bit helps.
However, she is great when creature hunting and especially for keeping the sounds low, allowing you to sneak past enemies or take them out by surprise.
If you want to get better at playing the game, I recommend reading my The Outer Worlds Tips and Tricks article where I share 30 things every player should know and take advantage of.
Nyoka Stats
I didn’t check out Nyoka’s stats early on in the game (so I don’t have a screenshot from there), but I do have this one I took at level 20, which is still relatively early:
Of course, these stats are there just to have something to look at, as everything is influenced by the Perks you select for her (she’s my only companion that didn’t get the health boost perk, for example), weapons and armor.
But all in all, there is nothing to make Nyoka’s stats much worse or much better than the other companions. So she will be just as useful as others equipped similarly.
Also read: Best Horror Games to Play on Steam
Recommended Perks for Nyoka
When leveling up Nyoka, you should tailor her perks to complement your playstyle. Here are some recommended Nyoka builds you can try:
Nyoka’s combat-heavy build
- Cheetah: Increases Nyoka’s movement speed by 30%. This helps her position faster during combat, closing the gap between enemies or escaping danger.
- Quick Draw: Reduces the cooldown of her special ability (Barrage) by 20%, allowing you to use her powerful attack more often during tough battles.
- Bonus Support: Range: Increases your ranged weapon damage by +10%. If you’re focusing on a sniper or long-range build, this perk synergizes well with your overall damage output.
Nyoka’s stealth/utility build:
- Stealth Support: This increases your Sneak skill by +10 when Nyoka is in your party. It works well with her Hunter perk, giving you even more control over stealthy approaches.
- Resilient: Increases Nyoka’s health by 30%. If you find yourself getting into trouble often, this perk will help keep her alive in prolonged battles, especially during creature-heavy encounters.
- Hearty: Improves Nyoka’s health regeneration. This is particularly useful for players who want to make Nyoka more self-sufficient and less reliant on constant healing during combat.
Pro Tip: Combine Nyoka’s creature damage perk with her Cheetah perk for an agile, hard-hitting companion that can quickly position herself in combat and take down tougher enemies.
Best Weapons & Armor for Nyoka
Nyoka’s default loadout includes a Light Machine Gun, but I recommend switching that to something better ASAP. Here are my suggestions on what to equip her with:
Weapons:
Light Machine Gun Mk. 2: This upgraded version of her default LMG offers higher damage output, making it perfect for Nyoka’s Barrage ability. Pair it with a Plasma Mod to deal bonus damage against heavily armored or organic enemies.
Hunting Rifle Ultra: If you prefer to use Nyoka as a long-range support character, give her the Hunting Rifle Ultra. This sniper rifle complements her Exterminator perk, allowing her to deal massive damage to creatures from a safe distance.
Armor:
Iconoclast Apostle Armor: This medium armor offers a good protection and skill bonuses. It boosts ranged weapon skills, making Nyoka more effective with her LMG or sniper rifle.
Heavy Power Armor: If you want to keep Nyoka in the thick of combat, consider giving her heavy armor. Marauder Armor or Heavy Power Armor provides excellent protection and pairs well with her aggressive combat style.
Pro Tip: Equip Nyoka with Shock or Plasma Weapons when facing robotic enemies, and Corrosive Weapons for heavily armored foes. This will make her more versatile against different enemy types, even though it requires a bit of planning ahead.
Nyoka: Companion Quest Line
Nyoka’s companion quest line is called “Star-Crossed Troopers” and it offers some backstory on Nyoka’s past and her former team. Of course, this quest line will only be available if you recruit Nyoka as your companion on Monarch.
Here’s a guide to this quest line (to be updated as I complete it):
1. Visit Hayes’ Grave with Nyoka – Once you’re out and exploring the Monarch surroundings, you will activate the quest by talking to her and the first step is visiting Hayes’ grave.
There’s quite a walk to it and there will be some creature killing involved, but the good news is that you can complete some other side quests along the way.
When getting to Hayes’ grave, expect to fight some more creatures in the area, but nothing you can’t easily handle.
2. Give Nyoka the Medallion – after examining the grave, you will have to give Nyoka the medallion to unlock the next part.
3. Ask Hiram for Help – You will have to travel to the Information Broker (you will again visit him during other missions) and once you get there, he will give you the details on the locations of the graves of Nyoka’s other team members.
4. Search the Outpost – You will have to travel to the Emerald Vale near Edgewater to find out what happened to her colleagues, Rebekah and Anders.
5. Travel to the Abandoned Outpost – After receiving the information from Hiram, you will go to an abandoned outpost. You’ll come across a few hostile creatures and marauders, but nothing too overwhelming if you’re prepared.
Once you arrive at the outpost, search the area for clues regarding Rebekah and Anders. You’ll find some bodies and notes that will reveal their fate.
6. Collect Rebekah’s and Anders’ Medallions
After discovering what happened to Nyoka’s fallen teammates, your next objective is to collect the medallions that once belonged to them. They’re located near the bodies you’ll find at the outpost.
Expect a bit more combat as you collect these items, as the area might be guarded by marauders or creatures.
7. Return to Nyoka and Bury the Medallions
With Rebekah’s and Anders’ medallions in hand, you’ll return to Nyoka. Then, you will have to bury the medallions at Hayes’ Grave. Make your way back to the grave site where you started the quest, where things will come to an end in this quest line.
Final words
Even though she’s not getting a lot of love from the community, Nyoka remains one of my favorite companions: she looks good, she has an interesting past and a nice companion quest line and is really useful in combat – both through the damage she deals and special ability, but also from the bonuses she gives your character through her perks.
What do you think about Nyoka, though? Is she your favorite too or you prefer other companions to have around?