Ranger Ghost is a member of the New California Republic's Rangers stationed at their border outpost in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281. She appears in Fallout: New Vegas.
Background[]
Known by the nickname "Ghost,"[1] derived from being born with albinism and the resulting pale complexion,[Non-game 1] she is a veteran Ranger and a skilled marksman. Under orders of the outpost's commander Ranger Jackson,[2][Non-game 2] Ghost inhabits a rooftop sniper's nest, providing a long line of sight while defending against any threats coming up Interstate 15 from the deserts of the Mojave. Though committed to her duty as a Ranger, Ghost has come to despise being left to watch over the relatively peaceful outpost and being stymied by bureaucratic red tape that prevents the Rangers from taking meaningful action against actual nearby threats;[2][3] her curt demeanor fueled by this frustration has earned her the ignoble moniker of "bitch" from some of the merchants, although her skill with a rifle ensures that none will ever say that to her face.[4] In a roundabout way, her generally negative reputation has perks of its own: a good word about someone from her, who is known to hate "most everyone," is "as good as gold."[5]
Although she is an NCR patriot through and through, Ghost does not share in the imperialist zeal of the republic's upper echelons championed by President Aaron Kimball around the turn of the 2280s. In fact, she is world-wise enough to both recognize a load of malarkey and dismiss its validity just as quickly.[6] Her intuition is sharp enough to understand fully that the impending battle between the NCR and Caesar's Legion in 2281 will be far bloodier than anything the Mojave has seen before.[7] The ability to perceive the qualities of her surroundings extends to a reading of people and their intentions;[8][9] after a long time being stuck in a literal go-nowhere bureaucratic sinkhole, she holds a good deal of respect for those with the will and grit to take action and solve problems, though she still advocates for having the sense to back out of a dangerous situation should it occur.[10][11]
Despite the calm surroundings she finds herself in daily, Ghost admits she is constantly on edge,[12] particular ever since she started seeing trails of smoke rising to the east, in the area of the town of Nipton.[13][14] While she can explain away the absence of travelers from that direction, the old adage of "where there's smoke, there's fire" rings true and it concerns her to no end; in her mind, the lack of westbound traffic indicates that either the attack wasn't too bad, or it was really, really bad. With her only working theory being an attack by the Powder Gangers,[15][16] Ghost laments not being able to go and verify her suspicions, as she knows that it will result in harsh disciplinary actions.[17]
Interactions with the player character[]
Interactions overview[]
| Interactions | ||
|---|---|---|
  |
This character starts quests. | |
Quests[]
- Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: The Courier is asked by Ranger Ghost to investigate signs of trouble at the nearby town of Nipton and then report back to her.
Other interactions[]
If the player character has a Sneak skill level at or above 60 when speaking to Ranger Ghost for the first time, she will have unique dialogue commenting on their ability to surprise her;[8] with a Sneak skill level below 60, she will instead remark on their footsteps being unusual for a local of the outpost.[9]
Inventory[]
| Apparel | Weapon | Other items | On death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger vest outfit Ranger grey hat Authority glasses |
Cowboy repeater |
Notable quotes[]
- "Yeah, her name's... Ghost or something... fucking scary, ooooooh. Guess it's cause you'll never see her till you're dead." – Rose of Sharon Cassidy
- "Fucking Mojave's going to hell, and all I can do is sit here and watch."
- "Hm. Didn't even hear you come up the ramp. You don't broadcast your movements, I like that."
Notes[]
The Gun Runners' Arsenal challenge Armed For Bear can be advanced/completed by killing Ranger Ghost with the required weapons; see the article for details.
Appearances[]
Ranger Ghost appears only in Fallout: New Vegas.
Behind the scenes[]
- Area designer J.R. Vosovic wrote for Ranger Ghost, in addition to working on the rest of the Mojave Outpost. He cited Ranger Ghost and Major Knight as two of his favorite characters in the game and described Ghost as a "badass sniper" who could bunker up on the sandbags if the outpost was ever attacked.[Non-game 3]
- On a Formspring post, Joshua Sawyer stated his belief that Vosovic always intended for Ghost's character to include her having albinism.[Non-game 1]
Bugs[]
- Ranger Ghost may repeat some of her lines when first introducing herself.[verified]
- Ranger Ghost may not be on top of the barracks but to the right of the barracks entrance when facing it, although when speaking to her for the first time she will still say she heard the player coming up the ramp.[verified]
- Ranger Ghost may be bugged and stay completely frozen in position with her gun out. Trying to initiate dialogue does absolutely nothing. To stop her being frozen and be able to interact with her as normal, shoot her once, and then immediately holster your weapon. She will then turn hostile and begin shooting along with other NCR troopers, but only for a second or two - they will then become friendly again and the player can interact with her as normal.[verified]
References[]
- ↑ The Courier: "Sniper on the roof?"
Rose of Sharon Cassidy: "Yeah, her name's... Ghost or something... fucking scary, ooooooh. Guess it's cause you'll never see her 'til your dead. NCR and their goddamn nicknames, as if Caesar himself's gonna piss and run if he hears them. Anyway, go on and head up top, ask her what's going on, if you haven't already. I don't much give a shit."
(Rose of Sharon Cassidy's dialogue) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Courier: "Anything you can tell me about the Outpost?"
Ghost: "Not much to tell, one of the worst posts in the NCR if you're looking to be anything more than a babysitter. Full up here, but just enough so we can't send out patrols. Got to maintain a "standing force," Jackson's orders... NCR's orders. Can't spare men for patrols or escorts, so caravans are backing up here like a Brahmin with a bottle in its ass. Typical NCR bullshit."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "If that's all you wanted, I'm done."
Ghost: "Well, thanks for hoofing it there and back, even if it was bad news. Wish we could spare the troops to go hunting, but... orders are to stay put. Fucking Mojave's going to hell, and all I can do is sit here and watch."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Any work around here?"
Lacey: "Work around here? Might check with Jackson in the main building. Or Ghost up on the roof above, but watch out, she's... well, she's kind of a bitch. Don't tell her I said that, though. Might take a bullet some night when I'm going to the latrine."
(Lacey's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "What's the pay?"
Ghost: "The pay? The pay is a good goddamn thanks from the heart of the Republic! Just shitting you with the NCR line, done wonders for morale around here. President Kimball keeps saying getting shot at is its own damn reward. Do this job for me, though, I'll do what I can. People know I hate most everyone, so if I put in a word for you... that's gold."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Hear any news from the West?"
Ghost: "Kimball's Kimball, not sure which end is his ass or his head. Caravan families are causing trouble, Big Circle getting tense - the usual. Look, you want gossip, go to the bar downstairs and listen to a whole lot of nothing. Me, I got to keep watch, then fill out the daily log."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Didn't mean to be the bearer of bad news."
Ghost: "Unless you burned the town, don't take blame that's not due. Things are going to get uglier before the year's out."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ghost: "Hnh - didn't even hear you come up the ramp. You don't broadcast your movements. I like that."
(Ghost's dialogue) This dialogue only occurs if the player character's Sneak skill level is at or above the minimum of 60. - ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ghost: "Hnh. Heard your footsteps coming up the ramp, didn't sound like a trooper or one of the merchants. You a Courier? If so, this might be your lucky day... if you don't mind walking a bit and your eyes are good."
(Ghost's dialogue) This dialogue occurs if the player character's Sneak skill level is below the minimum of 60. - ↑ The Courier: "[NCR] If I can help, I'm here to assist."
Ghost: "Hnh. Maybe Jackson got some additional soldiers after all. Didn't take you for a trooper at first, you seem a little... livelier than most. All right, if you're here to assist, good, that's what I want to hear."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "I'll do it."
Ghost: "All right. Look at you, all fired up and ready to go. Wish the others around here had that kind of attitude. Listen - I don't want you getting killed for this, so if you head there and run into trouble, I'm asking for eyes and ears, not your life. All right?"
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Already been there, Nipton was attacked by the Legion."
Ghost: "Legion this far West? You're fucking kidding me. That's not outside the border, they're moving in - and fast. Nipton wasn't the most friendly town, but... All right - thanks for checking on that, wish it set my mind at ease, now I'm more on edge than ever."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ Ghost: "Change your mind? Offer's still open, lot of smoke from Nipton in the East, could use a set of eyes over there."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Not interested."
Ghost: "Had to try. Smoke trail's getting thicker by the hour - wish Jackson could spare some men."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Town's been attacked, not sure by who."
Ghost: "Well, if you didn't see anyone, they might be gone - be just like Powder Gangers to hit and run. See what you can find in the Town Hall, there might be survivors."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Depends on the work."
Ghost: "I think there's trouble in Nipton - no traffic from there on the roads, and while I can explain that away, the smoke from the town I can't. I'm sure it's been hit - what I need to know is if they survived it. Might be Powder Gangers with all that smoke in the air. If there's anybody left, they'd be in the Nipton Town Hall. Go there, check it out, let me know what you find."
(Ghost's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Why don't you go check it out?"
Ghost: "Got my post. Don't think I wouldn't go, too - if trouble's hit Nipton, town's got enough camping spots to rack up some easy kills. Not about to have Jackson bust my ass again, though, even if I came back with Caesar's head - rather be sitting here than in a cell."
(Ghost's dialogue)
Non-game
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Question: "Is Ranger Ghost an albino?"
Joshua Sawyer: "JR Vosovic created Ranger Ghost, and I believe that was his intention."
(Joshua Sawyer Formspring posts/2011) - ↑ Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p.390-391:"Mojave Outpost headquarters"
"Major Knight runs the front desk of this office, but Ranger Jackson is in charge of this Outpost. Knight needs to note down your details. Knight is an incredible tinkerer, and offers up his unsurpassed Repair skill for the right price. Nearby is a Vending Machine, offices empty of items you need, and a corridor leading to Ranger Jackson. He’s also able to speak to you about NCR Troop levels, as part of Side Quest: My Kind of Town. The rear of the building has a number of rooms with the usual fridge Food and scraps to optionally check. But you’re here to see Ranger Jackson, who you can quiz about the state of the Outpost, and who offers you a job of clearing Ants; Side Quest: Can You Find It in Your Heart. You’re given some Caps and a weapon, plus Food, depending on your demeanor. Jackson also plays a secondary role in Side Quest: Heartache By the Number." - ↑ Memories of New Vegas With J.R. Vosovic - F:NV The Cutting Room Floor