Previously a member of Grun's war party that landed on the Island sometime before 2287, after weeks spent there, Erickson found he had overcome the rage and hatred typical of super mutants; he attributes this miraculous mental clarity to his extended exposure to the Fog,[1] though another possibility could be plentiful consumption of the Vim soda drink after the war party took over the Vim! Pop factory.[2]
Now able to look at super mutant society through different eyes, Erickson began questioning their actions, such as why they were attacking humans when there was plenty of wildlife to hunt. However, when the other mutants heard his ideas, they threatened to kill him if he turned "weak" like a human. Grun himself took a swipe at Erickson, although the behemoth was slow enough that he was quick enough to dodge it.[3] Unwilling to stay with the group any longer, Erickson devised a plan to ensure he would be left alone for good. Before departing the factory, he managed to lock Grun up in the basement storage area, then, while the others were busy trying to let their leader out, Erickson slipped away, heading off to find someplace quiet to live on his own. He postulates that if Grun were to ever escape from his prison, he would probably be so mad he would attack the others in a blind rage.[4]
After separating from his former brothers, Erickson traveled all over the Island, learning abouts its many landmarks and inhabitants,[5][6][7][8][9][10] before eventually settling down within the crashsite of Horizon Flight 1207 near the center of the Island. Building a home for himself in the ruined hulk of the airplane, Erickson has gotten by through a combination of hunting (including killing a yao guai at some point and using its skinned pelt as headwear), dog breeding (ranging from junkyard dogs through mutant hounds to the Island's native wolves)[11] and trading with whoever passes through his little hermitage in the wilderness (so long as they don't attack him).[12][13][14] In previous years, he traded with some locals from Far Harbor, however, the Fog's encroachment leading up to 2287 meant they now seldom left the settlement to travel inland.[15] That said, Old Longfellow is certainly the exception, as Erickson considers him an old friend[16] and one he can count on not to fear traveling through the Fog.
Due to his extensive time living on the Island, Erickson is an experienced trapper and skinner, having created his signature bearskin outfit himself.[17] He also shows himself to be a kind and hospitable sort who truly loves dogs, and will appreciate seeing that same love from others.[18][19][20][21]
When talked to, he will occasionally give the player character some food items.
If Old Longfellow is an active companion when first meeting Erickson, he will have unique dialogue with the super mutant. Longfellow will also like the first time the Sole Survivor converses positively with Erickson as well as when they purchase the first and second of Erickson's hounds.
If Dogmeat is an active companion when first meeting Erickson, Erickson will have unique dialogue, asking about Dogmeat and will gift a blue bandana to put on him.
If Strong is an active companion when first meeting Erickson, he will dislike the player character talking to Erickson, but will not say anything.
If the player character arrives and Erickson isn't present, his dogs may attack. If they attack and the player character kills them, one might be forced to kill Erickson too.
If the player character steals from his camp, even hidden at the edge, he or his dogs will attack on sight.
If asked for tips about the Island, Erickson will provide the locations of a few places on the Island, such as Brooke's Head Lighthouse, Acadia and the Harbor Grand Hotel, if they were not already discovered.
Selling guard dogs
Erickson serves as both a general store vendor as well as a unique vendor in which he will sell guard dogs to the player character to live in any allied settlement of their choice.
He always has three dogs to choose from: a wolf (or variant of a wolf), a junkyard dog (or another variant) and a mutant hound. Their names are randomly selected after the first three, Gracie, Duke and Mishka are bought.
Once the player character buys one of Erickson's dogs, it will take him about a week to "refill" that spot with a new one.
If a wolf or mutant hound is assigned by the player character to guard Bunker Hill, the radiation they emit will cause the caravan workers to attack them. This may also happen at other settlements where Bunker Hill caravans visit if the wolf or hound gets close enough for the caravan workers to sustain radiation damage from their presence.
If a wolf or mutant hound is assigned to guard a raider outpost in the Commonwealth, the radiation they emit will cause the raiders to attack them.
All dogs may spawn as any variety every time a new one is available, but the types which can spawn depends on the player character's level. However, all purchased dogs will level with the player character and will be just as strong as their type regardless of which variant they are (for example a purchased grey wolf is going to be just as strong as a purchased glowing wolf other than the lack of radiation of the glowing variant).
PCPlaystation 4Xbox One Erickson will frequently walk away from the player character while they are attempting to converse with him. This interrupts whatever Erickson is saying, and the game assumes the player character heard everything and moves to the next dialogue when they return.[verified]
PC players can prevent this by pulling down the console, clicking on Erickson and typing the command SetRestrained 1. This will prevent him from moving until it's undone by typing SetRestrained 0.
Gallery[]
Without his hat
References[]
↑The Sole Survivor: "So, why don't you hate humans like the rest of your kind seem to?" Erickson: "Started seeing things more clearly when we came here. Who knows, maybe it's the fog. I just don't see what the point of us all killing each other is." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Got any tips about the island?" Erickson: "Hm... There's a lighthouse on the south end of the island. Big family of trappers lives there." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Got any tips about the island?" Erickson: "Hm... Northwest of Far Harbor there's a big building on a cliff. Full of ghouls. But every once in a while I've seen robots come out of there too." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Got any tips about the island?" Erickson: "Hm... Overheard a couple trappers saying that lumber yard would be a good place to build a camp." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Got any tips about the island?" Erickson: "Hm... Near the center of the island, there's an old military base. The Children of Atom live there." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Got any tips about the island?" Erickson: "Hm... Watch your back if you head to the Harbor Grand Hotel, the super mutants there aren't as friendly as me." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Got any tips about the island?" Erickson: "Hm... There's a group of humans living at the top of the mountain. Heard someone call them Simps. Maybe you know what that means." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Did you train these dogs?" Erickson: "Yeah. As guard dogs. Not all can be trained though. Most are used to being kicked or shot at. I can only manage a few at a time though, so unless I find a new home for one of them, I can't really take on any more." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Easy there big fella, I was just looking around." Erickson: "I'm plenty calm, considering you invaded my home. Look, I don't really want any trouble. I broke off from the group I came here with a long time ago. I just... started seeing things differently when we came to the island and I couldn't stand how the other super mutants act to humans. I keep to my self up here and train my dogs. Do a bit of trade with people too. At least those that don't open fire on me. Don't see any reason we can't do the same. Come on up if you'd like." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Die mutant scum!" Erickson: "Like hell! Look, I don't really want any trouble. I broke off from the group I came here with a long time ago. I just... started seeing things differently when we came to the island and I couldn't stand how the other super mutants act to humans. I keep to my self up here and train my dogs. Do a bit of trade with people too. At least those that don't open fire on me. Don't see any reason we can't do the same. Come on up if you'd like." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "You're a super mutant? I'm surprised you didn't attack me." Erickson: "Yeah well, maybe you shouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions. Look, I don't really want any trouble. I broke off from the group I came here with a long time ago. I just... started seeing things differently when we came to the island and I couldn't stand how the other super mutants act to humans. I keep to my self up here and train my dogs. Do a bit of trade with people too. At least those that don't open fire on me. Don't see any reason we can't do the same. Come on up if you'd like." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "You just live out here by yourself?" Erickson: "My kind are mostly stupid brutes. Used to trade with a couple people in Far Harbor, but they don't leave the settlement much these days. The rest of the people on the island are worse." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑Erickson: "Come on out stranger, this doesn't have to get messy." Old Longfellow: "Erikson? That you out there?" Erickson: "Longfellow? You're still alive eh? Tell your friend to come on out here. Mind telling your friend to ease off the weapon?" Old Longfellow: "I've had dealings with him before. Not a bad sort." The Sole Survivor: "Easy there big fella, I was just looking around." Erickson: "I'm plenty calm, considering you invaded my home. Look, I don't really want any trouble. I broke off from the group I came here with a long time ago. I just... started seeing things differently when we came to the island and I couldn't stand how the other super mutants act to humans. I keep to my self up here and train my dogs. Do a bit of trade with people too. At least those that don't open fire on me. Don't see any reason we can't do the same. Come on up if you'd like." Erickson: "You guys alright?Yeah, you're good." Erickson: "Longfellow. Good to see you're still kicking." Old Longfellow: "Yeah, you too." Erickson: "You vouching for him?" Old Longfellow: "Absolutely. No one I'd trust more." Erickson: "Sorry about pointing a gun at you earlier, I just get a bit jumpy when a stranger might be killing my dogs. There's probably a bed around if you need a rest." (Erickson and Old Longfellow's dialogue) Note: DLC03_ADV017_LongfellowIntro
↑The Sole Survivor: "Nice hat." Erickson: "Uh... thanks. I skinned it myself. Look, I don't really want any trouble. I broke off from the group I came here with a long time ago. I just... started seeing things differently when we came to the island and I couldn't stand how the other super mutants act to humans. I keep to my self up here and train my dogs. Do a bit of trade with people too. At least those that don't open fire on me. Don't see any reason we can't do the same. Come on up if you'd like." (Erickson's dialogue)
↑Erickson: "You guys alright?Yeah, you're good." Erickson: "Huh. That's a nice lookin' dog you've got there. Where'd you find him?" The Sole Survivor: "I found him in the Commonwealth, near Boston." Erickson: "Hm. Long way. Got a good coat on him. Here. Something for your pup." (Erickson's dialogue) Note: DLC03_ADV017_IntroEndDogmeat
↑Erickson: "You guys alright?Yeah, you're good." Erickson: "Huh. That's a nice lookin' dog you've got there. Where'd you find him?" The Sole Survivor: "It's none of your business." Erickson: "Alright fine. You just be on your way then. Here. Something for your pup." (Erickson's dialogue) Note: DLC03_ADV017_IntroEndDogmeat
↑Erickson: "You guys alright?Yeah, you're good." Erickson: "Huh. That's a nice lookin' dog you've got there. Where'd you find him?" The Sole Survivor: "To be honest, he kind of found me." Erickson: "Hm. Yep, certainly had a few follow me home before. Here. Something for your pup." (Erickson's dialogue) Note: DLC03_ADV017_IntroEndDogmeat
↑Erickson: "You guys alright?Yeah, you're good." Erickson: "Huh. That's a nice lookin' dog you've got there. Where'd you find him?" The Sole Survivor: "Why do you ask?" Erickson: "Just curious. Never seen one with that coloring before. Here. Something for your pup." (Erickson's dialogue) Note: DLC03_ADV017_IntroEndDogmeat
↑Drew Langlois on Twitter: "In one of the Fallout 4 DLCs I added a vendor who would sell dogs for your settlements. I asked the team for names of their pets they'd like, expecting a dozen or so. There was more than 100, if I recall correctly."
If a wolf or mutant hound is assigned to guard a raider outpost in the Commonwealth, the radiation they emit will cause the raiders to attack them.
Erickson will frequently walk away from the player character while they are attempting to converse with him. This interrupts whatever Erickson is saying, and the game assumes the player character heard everything and moves to the next dialogue when they return.[verified]
