


Josh Sawyer states the Companion Wheel offers ease of companion interaction. The new Companion Wheel offers command execution by selecting commands that are presented in a radial and graphical menu. Companion behavior and tasks are controlled using the new "companion wheel." Fallout 3 presented companion commands in a conversational dialogue menu. The success or failure of speech is dependent on skill level rather than chance as seen in Fallout 3. Skills have a bigger effect on conversation choices. Availability of dialogue options with NPCs are based upon skills, reputation and karma. Reputation affects the behavior of faction non-player characters (NPCs) toward the player, and reflects the impacts of selected choices in the world.

The degree of faction loyalty influences the player's reputation. The quantity of factions prompted developers to reintroduce the reputation system that was absent in Fallout 3. In addition, a plant-harvesting system similar to The Elder Scrolls series will be in place for the player to use such plants in bullets, chems, for healing, stats, and for other handy uses. Crafting will also play a role in weaponry, with the player being able to craft ammunition, such as hand-loaded rounds. The modification system allows for weapon modifications, such as mounting scopes, modifying rate of fire, and changing size of magazine. New weapons, some Fallout 3 weapons, and a weapon modification system are introduced in Fallout: New Vegas. Also, the developer added the ability to use the iron sights on almost all guns, excluding larger weapons that are shot from the hip, with better over-the-shoulder view for third-person combat. For example, using a 9 iron would show up as "Fore!", and sends the enemy reeling for a period of time. Usage of certain melee weapons will trigger unique attack animations. The Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., will have the ability to use new special attacks.
