Strong is perhaps the most polarizing companion in Fallout 4. Found at the peak of Trinity Tower, this Shakespeare-quoting Super Mutant offers a unique blend of massive health pools and an incredibly frustrating affinity system. While most players ditch him after realizing he hates every lock they pick, Strong remains a powerhouse for specific character builds that embrace the chaos of the Commonwealth. Understanding how to utilize Strong requires looking past his constant complaints about human "weakness" and focusing on the raw mechanics of his combat AI and perk bonuses.

Reaching the top of Trinity Tower

Recruiting Strong is not as simple as walking up to a settlement. He is tied to the quest "Curtain Call," which triggers when you pick up the Trinity Tower Radio Signal near the Diamond City outskirts. The tower itself is a vertical gauntlet of Super Mutants and Mutant Hounds.

Navigating the tower is a lesson in patience. You must fight your way through floor after floor of leveled mutants until you reach the penthouse. Here, you meet Rex Goodman, an actor attempting to "civilize" the mutants through the works of William Shakespeare. Strong is the only mutant who didn't immediately try to eat Rex, instead becoming obsessed with the concept of the "Milk of Human Kindness."

To free them, you need the Trinity Tower Cell Key, found in a steamer trunk nearby. The descent is arguably harder than the ascent; you are confined to a precarious window-washing lift while mutants fire from the balconies above. Once you hit the ground, Strong becomes available as a companion. It is essential to note that Strong's starting weapon is a Sledgehammer, but he is equally proficient with heavy firearms like the Minigun or the Missile Launcher.

Combat stats and the tank role

Strong’s base stats are built for one thing: absorbing punishment. With a Strength of 24 and an Endurance of 8, he starts with more hit points than almost any other companion. His health scales with the player, starting at 245 and increasing by 5 for every level the Sole Survivor gains.

His default carry weight of 270 lbs makes him an excellent pack mule for players who don't want to invest in the Strong Back perk. In combat, Strong utilizes a specialized AI package that favors aggressive closing distances. Unlike Piper or Nick Valentine, who tend to use cover, Strong will charge into the fray. This makes him an ideal distraction for sniper builds, though his massive frame often gets in the way of VATS lines of sight.

However, Strong’s lack of stealth is a major drawback. He has a high Agility stat (18), but his "Super Mutant Race" classification gives him a massive footprint for enemy detection. If you are running a stealth-based operative, Strong will alert every Raider in a three-block radius before you can line up a shot.

The affinity struggle: Why Strong hates you

Most players fail to reach maximum affinity with Strong because his "dislikes" align with standard gameplay loops. Strong values raw strength and straightforwardness; he views the technical nuances of human survival as cowardice.

What Strong Dislikes

  • Lockpicking and Hacking: To Strong, if you cannot smash a door down, you shouldn't be going through it. Every time you pick a lock or hack a terminal, you will see the dreaded "Strong Disliked That" notification.
  • Power Armor: He views Power Armor as a "metal box" that hides human weakness. Entering or repairing Power Armor in his presence will damage your relationship.
  • Heal Dogmeat: Surprisingly, he dislikes it when you use a Stimpak on Dogmeat, likely viewing it as a waste of resources on a non-combatant animal.
  • Substance Use: While some companions like Cait or Hancock don't mind chems, Strong generally views them as an artificial substitute for natural strength.

How to gain affinity fast

To reach the 1,000 affinity points required for his perk, you must play like a Super Mutant.

  1. Cannibalism: This is the most efficient way to max out Strong. If you have the Cannibal perk, every time you eat a corpse, Strong will "Love" it. This provides a massive boost compared to standard "Likes."
  2. Violence and Aggression: Choose the mean or violent dialogue options in quests. Strong enjoys it when you threaten NPCs or demand more money for jobs.
  3. Generosity (Selective): Ironically, Strong likes it when you help settlers, as he sees it as "helping the pack." Completing radiant quests for the Minutemen is a slow but steady way to build rapport without resorting to eating people.
  4. Killing: Simply killing high-level enemies like Deathclaws or Behemoths provides a small, hidden affinity boost over time.

Unlocking and using the Berserk perk

When you reach 1,000 affinity, Strong grants you the Berserk perk. This perk provides a +20% bonus to melee weapon damage, but there is a catch: it only activates when your health drops below 25% of its maximum.

In the current 2026 meta of Fallout 4, where "Bloodied" style builds (high damage at low health) are popular, Berserk is a situational but powerful multiplier. If you are playing a melee tank with the Nerd Rage! perk, Berserk stacks effectively, turning you into a whirlwind of destruction when you are near death. However, for players who prefer to stay at full health or use firearms, this perk is essentially useless. It does not affect unarmed damage (fists/knuckles), only weapons classified as "Melee."

Best equipment for Strong

Strong cannot wear standard armor pieces. You must find specialized Super Mutant armor, which is often looted from dead mutants or found in locations like Wilson Atomatoys Corporate HQ or the Coast Guard Pier.

  • Super Mutant Heavy Armor: This provides the best damage resistance. Look for the Heavy Gauntlets and the Bladed Helmet.
  • The Super Sledge: While he starts with a regular sledgehammer, upgrading him to a Super Sledge (especially one with the "Instigating" or "Furious" legendary effect via mods or specific drops) makes him a boss-killer.
  • Heavy Weapons: If you have an abundance of 5mm ammo, giving Strong a Minigun is effective, though his accuracy is mediocre. He is much better served with a high-damage melee weapon that doesn't require constant ammo management.

The "Milk of Human Kindness" Lore

Strong's dialogue is some of the most overlooked writing in the game. His search for the "Milk of Human Kindness" is a literal interpretation of Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy. Strong believes this "milk" is a physical substance that, if consumed, will grant Super Mutants the same mysterious power that allows humans to thrive despite their physical inferiority.

As your affinity increases, Strong’s dialogue shifts. He begins to realize that the "milk" isn't a liquid, but a social bond. He starts to view the Sole Survivor as a leader of a "warband." This character arc is one of the few instances where we see a Super Mutant attempting to integrate human philosophy into their violent worldview, even if he still thinks talking about problems is "boring."

Is Strong worth it in 2026?

If you are playing a melee-focused character or a "no-nonsense" survivalist who avoids Power Armor, Strong is a top-tier companion. His high carrying capacity and ability to draw aggro make him a valuable asset in the early-to-mid game. However, for the late-game player who relies on stealth, critical hits, and high-tech gear, Strong is more of a liability.

To make the most of him, park him at a settlement like Outpost Zimonja or Murkwater Construction Site where he can defend the perimeter. Bring him along only when you plan on clearing out high-density Raider camps where stealth is impossible anyway. By leaning into his violent nature and ignoring the "Strong Disliked That" pings during your looting phases, you can eventually unlock one of the most unique combat perks the Commonwealth has to offer.