West of Loathing is a deceptively simple game. It looks like a stickman game with flashy hats running around, and yes, it’s also a surprisingly deep and hilarious RPG.
After a brief introduction to the game (which itself gives you a lot of choices and outcomes), you have to choose a pardoner to take with you. Certain characters in this opening show interest in traveling with you, but some characters can be obtained later from certain quests, at first he can only choose one, so all Take a look at our pardoners and decide what works best for you.
Updated by Sam Hallahan on April 13, 2023. West Of Loathing is one of the best cowboy games, best RPGs, and best comedy games of all time. That’s why we’ve added information about each companion to consider before heading out on a route, tooth, or chute whatever crosses your path.
6 crazy pete
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combat ability |
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|---|---|
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lantern bash |
Deal damage equal to the difference between Pete’s and opponent’s muscle stats (modified by any hot resistance) |
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encouragement |
Target has all stats boosted while in combat |
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Dark Wisperin (Level 3) |
Deals small spooky damage to all enemies (once per battle) |
You can find Pete in The Town of Boring Springs Saloon as a crazy old man with mining know-how. Likely to be your first encounter with a potential pardoner, he will offer to join you immediately with little need for persuasion.
Crazy Pete himself is a very simple person. He’s your standard old coot and doesn’t have much to say beyond his mining experience. He adds a lot of mines to the map as you play, and has fairly basic combat skills, but nothing special, so it’s worth keeping in mind. There are plenty of other candidates to help you on your journey in combat and conversation.
Five Florence the Ghost Hunter
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combat ability |
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|---|---|
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shoot science pistol |
Blast an enemy with a science gun |
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enlightenment field |
Use your backpack to make everyone smarter |
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science blast |
blow everyone up with science |
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medicinal gas |
deploy recovery gas |
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beta blast |
Attack with the pistol set to “targeted firing mode” |
As part of the Reckonin’ at Gun Manor DLC, Florence acts as a guide to ghost encounters. She appears in battle for larger encounters and acts as the main character in quests, but is not available in the main game after that.
Over the course of the DLC, Florence gains access to some very cool and powerful abilities in combat. Her combat prowess and paranormal story made her easily high on this list, so it’s a shame she doesn’t stick around after the quest is complete.
Four Doc Alice
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combat ability |
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|---|---|
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shotgun blast |
Deal damage to all opponents (based on her level) |
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mend |
recover the target |
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Bone Saw (Level 3) |
Instantly kill a skeleton opponent |
With whiskey in hand and a deep hatred of the undead in hand, Doc Alice will bring your time to life with West of Loathing. She may weigh heavily on this aforementioned hatred, but just as necromancy takes the lives of her husband and her patients, she has some interesting quests with her along the way. I will
In addition to her disdain for necromancy, she also really hates clowns, churches, religion, or anything other than science. It has a shotgun ability that can heal. Note that she can only gain her experience by defeating the undead.
3 buffalo buffalo buffalo bill
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combat ability |
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|---|---|
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none |
out-of-control companions. Automatically targets the opponent with the highest health, dealing damage equal to half her HP to the target (rounded down) |
On the topic of necromancy: Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Bill is a character you need – yes, shorthand – but you’ll also need to revive him later in the game on a quest in the Buffalo Pile. Once done, you can choose to take him or release him.
His backstory is pretty vague, but Buffalo Bill can easily recall and recall several different past lives, so he can dab in battle. Buffalo Bill can’t be controlled in combat, but he’ll join you in addition to you and your current allies, so an extra pair of hooves comes in handy. He’s pretty strong, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t like being with him.
2 gary the goblin
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combat ability |
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|---|---|
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Gary Fu |
Attacks multiple times depending on the opponent’s level (capped at 6) |
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spawn grant |
Create a copy of yourself to use as a meat shield or attack (once per battle) |
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Fungal Spores (Level 3) |
Blows away fungal spores, reducing the enemy team’s stats by 3 |
Gary may sound like a normal guy, but you guessed it, he’s a goblin. Being such creatures not only makes them extremely interesting and surprisingly useful companions for your adventures, but they also allow you to explore races other than humans and cows in this wacky West.
In the town of Bowling Springs, one of your tasks will be dealing with goblins in the basement. Now you can walk in there and beat it. Gary excels in combat, but is generally a fun and interesting character, as well as unique encounters with other goblins. is better than making a
1 Susie Cochrane
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combat ability |
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|---|---|
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rifle shot |
Deals ranged damage based on the difference between her and the target’s Moxie stats |
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build cover |
Build cover to protect your team from ranged attacks (once per battle) |
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Lasso (Level 3) |
Binds the opponent and incapacitates them for 1 turn |
A slightly more tragic addition to the game, Susie is a character with the perfect combination of combat effectiveness and an interesting backstory. It craves vengeance like a cow.
Cows pose a great threat while playing. This may be unexpected, but you should be prepared. Luckily, if Susie is by your side, she can actively build cover during combat and shoot enemies that would otherwise be out of reach of other characters to protect you. Additionally, her cattle redemption story appears as a consistent and interesting activity as you play, and you can take part in some fun quests as you get to know her character.