Far Cry 5 Specialists Guide – How to Unlock Every Companion
One of the defining features of Far Cry 5 is its Guns for Hire system, allowing you to recruit Specialists to assist you in combat. While the game encourages cooperative play with a friend, not everyone has a co-op partner. Fortunately, these AI-controlled companions offer a variety of skills that can help turn the tide in battle.
In this guide, we’ll cover all nine Specialists in Far Cry 5, detailing how to unlock them, what unique abilities they bring, and how to use them effectively. Whether you want a stealthy sniper, an explosives expert, or even a bear as a bodyguard, this guide has you covered.
Animal Specialists
Animal companions are excellent for stealth and distraction. They don’t use weapons but rely on their instincts to aid you in battle.
Boomer (The Scout Dog)
- Type: Animal (Dog)
- How to Unlock: Complete the Man’s Best Friend quest (John’s Region, Rae-Rae’s Pumpkin Farm).
- Skills:
- Pointer – Tags nearby enemies, making him invaluable for scouting.
- Retriever – Sometimes fetches weapons from downed enemies.
- Best Use: Ideal for stealth players, Boomer marks enemies before you engage.
Cheeseburger (The Tank Bear)
- Type: Animal (Bear)
- How to Unlock: Liberate the F.A.N.G. Center and complete Bear Necessities (Jacob’s Region).
- Skills:
- Bear Arms – Attacks enemies with sheer brute strength.
- Cross to Bear – Acts as a distraction, drawing enemy fire.
- Best Use: A great frontline tank, useful for overwhelming enemy outposts.
Peaches (The Stealthy Cougar)
- Type: Animal (Cougar)
- How to Unlock: Complete Here Kitty, Kitty (Faith’s Region, Peaches Taxidermy).
- Skills:
- Pounce – Silently takes down enemies without alerting others.
- Stalk – Stays hidden when moving through tall grass.
- Best Use: Perfect for stealth-focused players who want silent eliminations.
Human Specialists
Human allies provide support using firearms, explosives, or air support. They are more versatile than animals but require strategic placement to be effective.
Nick Rye (The Air Support Ace)
- Type: Human (Pilot)
- How to Unlock: Complete Wingman (John’s Region, Rye & Sons Aviation).
- Skills:
- Bomb’s Away – Drops bombs on command.
- Light ‘Em Up – Executes strafing fire runs.
- Best Use: Aerial support is great for clearing out large enemy camps and stopping convoys.
Hurk Drubman Jr. (The RPG Specialist)
- Type: Human (Explosives Expert)
- How to Unlock: Complete The Prodigal Son (Jacob’s Region, Fort Drubman).
- Skills:
- Heat Seeker – RPGs will track air and land vehicles.
- Junk It – Explosions deal extra damage to vehicles.
- Best Use: Excellent for taking out helicopters and armored vehicles.
Sharky Boshaw (The Pyromaniac)
- Type: Human (Flamethrower Expert)
- How to Unlock: Complete Burn, Baby, Burn (Faith’s Region, Moonflower Trailer Park).
- Skills:
- Fire It Up – Fire-based attacks cause extra damage.
- Shatterproof – Resistant to most explosions and impacts.
- Best Use: Effective for causing chaos in enemy camps and flushing enemies out of cover.
Adelaide Drubman (The Helicopter Queen)
- Type: Human (Pilot)
- How to Unlock: Complete Friendly Skies (Faith’s Region, Drubman Marina).
- Skills:
- Call a Chopper – Provides air support and delivers a helicopter.
- Less Reload – Her LMG has an extended magazine for more sustained fire.
- Best Use: Great for patrolling enemy roads and providing suppressive fire.
Jess Black (The Silent Huntress)
- Type: Human (Stealth Expert)
- How to Unlock: Liberate Baron Lumber Mill and complete A Dish Served Cold (Faith’s Region).
- Skills:
- Concealment – Harder for enemies to detect her.
- Feral Friendly – Wild animals ignore her.
- Best Use: Ideal for stealth gameplay, as she silently eliminates enemies with a bow.
Grace Armstrong (The Sniper Expert)
- Type: Human (Sniper)
- How to Unlock: Complete Grace Under Fire (John’s Region, Lamb of God Church).
- Skills:
- Boom Boom – Sniper shots instill fear in enemies, causing them to flee.
- Friendly Sight – Her laser sight is easier to see.
- Best Use: Perfect for long-range support in open areas.
Best Specialists for Your Playstyle
| Playstyle | Best Specialist(s) |
|---|---|
| Stealth | Peaches, Jess Black, Boomer |
| Explosives | Hurk, Sharky |
| Aerial Support | Nick Rye, Adelaide Drubman |
| Tanking | Cheeseburger, Sharky |
| Long-Range | Grace Armstrong |
No matter your approach, there’s a Specialist that fits your playstyle. If you’re struggling with a mission, switching out allies can make all the difference.
With the right Specialists by your side, you can tackle any challenge in Far Cry 5. Whether you prefer stealth, firepower, or aerial support, there’s a companion to fit your playstyle. But having the right gear is just as important. If you want to enhance your look and vehicle arsenal, check out our guides on how to unlock the Flight Crew outfit, where to find the Deer Season outfit, and how to get the Widowmaker semi-truck to complete your Far Cry 5 experience.
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