Here’s why the Courier from Fallout New Vegas is one of gaming’s most powerful human characters, despite being just like you and me in essence and having humble beginnings.
First of all, a little bit of background information is needed. The Courier, also known as Courier 6, was a mailman for the Mojave Express. He had no renown, no significant other, no considerable abilities or skills except roaming the wasteland and delivering mail.
He was the pinnacle of the ordinary. He’s also an unlucky individual who got caught up in a web of political turmoil. After being shot in the head and left for dead, he rises again and changes the Mojave Wasteland, for the better, or otherwise.
In this article, I will list the reasons why Courier 6 is one of the most powerful human characters in gaming history. And I will refer to him as a male solely because I played as a male courier in my game. We’re focusing on the highest-level Courier here, where he’s at his peak.
He’s charismatic, confident, and (when the need arises) manipulative and intimidating.
You may have seen countless characters from other games, films, books, and anime that are extremely convincing and manipulative. There are great reasons for me to say that the Courier is equal to the greatest orators in fiction – that is, if not the greatest.
The best example of him being extraordinarily convincing and persuasive is the way he negotiated with the most terrifying commander of Caesar’s Legion, Legate Lanius. Lanius is a bloodthirsty brute in nature and one of the most unhinged psychopaths in games, incapable of feeling remorse, guilt, or other human emotions.
Attempting to negotiate with such an animal in human form is a quick path to the grave if the negotiator wasn’t Courier 6. He talks him into ceasing his relentless attack. This is a feat that I’ve only seen done by a handful of characters in the history of fiction.
He is extremely intelligent and perceptive
Problem-solving is easy as cake for the Courier. He’s able to sense danger like a wolf, and he’s as wise as an owl. Understanding any subject related to medicine, science, and engineering is not a great deed for him.
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We see often in the game how his knowledge of the aforementioned subjects far surpasses those of doctors, scientists, and inventors. This great knowledge and intellect are thanks to his reading often and constantly learning with experience.
He outsmarted one of the most intelligent characters in the game: Father Elijah. And that’s a testimony to his intellect.
From saving a critically wounded soldier to hacking the most well-encrypted computer terminal, the Courier can do it all.
He’s vastly influential and wealthy
Everyone in the Wasteland has heard of the Courier and his doings. There is practically nothing he can’t afford with the immense wealth he has amassed through his adventures. His influence affects entire armies and communities alike.
He’s deadly with any weapon
From unarmed combat to wielding highly dangerous explosive weapons, the Courier is exceptionally deadly with any weapon in the Wasteland. Coming up with tactics and strategies to fell even the most powerful of foes is merely a daily activity for him.
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Fallout: New Vegas is available on PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.