After the the ability to have Homies is unlocked, circles will appear in the top right corner of the HUD, to the left of the Health/Weapon section.
There will be up to three circles, as there can be up to three Followers at once. When a Homie is recruited, their face will be displayed within the circle, along with their current health, which is shown a red quarter-circle.
In the Saints Row, the UnlockableNatural Leader allows the player to recruit Homies; it is unlocked three times throughout the game and allows the player to recruit one more maximum Homie at a time each time it is unlocked, up to three maximum Homies at a time. The ability is unlocked for the first time after completing the mission "Canonized", and a further two times after claiming 25% and 50% of Stilwater's Neighborhoods.
The Boss with Tobias, Troy and Shaundi in Saints Row 2.
There are three main types of Homies: mission, unlockable and "wannabes" (generic gang members); but they will act essentially the same.
When followers lose all their health, they will pass out and there is a 15, 30 or 39 second (depending on game's difficultly) countdown to revive them, which can be done by standing over them and pressing action.
When entering a 2 seat car with more than 1 Homie, any other Followers will enter a second car. The same applies with a motorbike, although Homies are only capable of controlling one extra vehicle, so having four 1-seat motorbikes does not work.
All 3rd Street Saints gang members can be recruited by pressing the recruit button. Holding the same button down will dismiss all followers. If followers are attacked, they will become hostile and cannot be recruited.
Wannabes can be found walking around owned hoods, or hanging out in owned Cribs. They can have different apparel styles depending on how they are customized at the Saints Hideout. Some can be found driving the streets in cars in Saints colors. If recruited, they will stop immediately and follow The Protagonist.
While Wannabes are stronger than normal Civilians, they are considerably weaker than Special Homies. As with all civilians, non-recruited gang members may carry food, alcohol or blunts which the player can pick up after they are dropped.
During some missions and activities, a character may be assigned to help The Protagonist, or to be protected. Normal Follower rules apply, and they can be revived if they lose all Health.
During a mission, if the timer runs out for reviving a mission critical Homie, the mission will fail. This failure timer can be used to trigger a Glitch which allows exiting out of a mission without a failure screen.
It is not possible to use a Mission Homie as a Human Shield.
Special Unlockable
Special Homies are Homies that are unlocked and added to the Cellphone throughout the game. These homies can only be recruited via the "Homies" menu of the cellphone. When they're called, they will spawn in their own vehicle and drive to the player, and are automatically recruited when they exit their vehicle. They have more health than regular homies and take a longer time to faint. However, attacking them mid-battle will give the message "(homie) has been dismissed!" After a homie has died or been dismissed, they cannot be called again for a certain period of time. It is only possible to call the number of Homies that can be recruited - up to 3 once all follower slots have been unlocked.
It is also possible to instantly kill a Special Homie if they are dismissed while passed out.
There is a glitch which allows the player to enter a car as a passenger, with the car being driven by a Homie. It also works with entering civilian cars and cop cars.
It is usually possible to do this by entering the car as they exit it. When trying to steal a police car as the cops are jumping out, The Protagonist can end up sitting in the back seat. Note that the police will not get back in the car when there are Notoriety stars.
It is possible do with normal civilians, sometimes after colliding with their car they will stop and get out, and it is possible to get into the car as a passenger as they are exiting or re-entering their car. This glitch does not happen with non-saints when pressing the Enter/Action button while standing on the car, and will cause The Protagonist to fall through the car.
Steps for having a homie drive
Must be able to recruit at least one homie.
Find a homie driving a car.
Recruit the homie.
Dismiss him after he gets out of the car.
Wait for the homie to head for the car door.
Press the Enter button button after he has opened the door, but before he is fully inside the car, and The Protagonist will warp into the passenger seat.
With Homies, it is generally possible to press the Enter button button while standing on top of the car, but only if the homie is already halfway into the car. Too early or too soon and The Protagonist will enter as the driver.
At this point, the homie can be recruited again.
This will only last until he chooses to get out, which will automatically make The Protagonist exit the vehicle. Occasionally, The Protagonist will also automatically be put back inside of the car if he gets back in.
It is possible to recruit two other homies who will also ride in the car if it can seat 4. With a 2 seat car, they will steal a second car and follow.
Since this is a glitch and not a real function, it is not possible to choose where he will drive and he will drive on his own accord.
There are unconfirmed reports that a recruited homie driver will follow a blue mission path. This will not happen in Saints Row: The Third.
During the Saint's Row: The Third mission "Learning Computer" it is possible to use this glitch to man the machine gun on the tank.
Police Homies
There is a glitch that allows recruiting police as homies while playing co-op.
After starting a co-op game of FUZZ, the host must eject the disk.
Save when prompted.
It is also possible to do this with the BEAT cop uniform from the dlc Ultor Exposed.
The cops should now appear with a green cross and are recruitable like normal Homies, and Saints will appear as enemies. This also affects Ultor Masako, FBI, SWAT, Ultor guards, prison guards, and armored vehicle drivers.
Unavailable Homies
There is a glitch in Saints Row: The Third on Xbox and PC, which causes Homies to be unavailable or greyed out permanantly. This can be solved on PC by editing the saved game file in Notepad.[2] On the Xbox, it can be solved by going into your friend's game, and having the friend calling the homie.
If the player can only summon one Homie and is playing in co-op they will be unable to summon Homies, as the second player in co-op counts as a Homie.
Homie conversations
In Saints Row: The Third and Saints Row IV, when the player has certain Homies with them, they may briefly converse with one another. The dialogue may highlight the characters' opinions of each other, their past, or simply serve to add some humor.
Angel: "It's been a long time, Reynolds." Burt: "Do I know you?" Angel: "Mexico, '96. Murderbrawl XIII." Burt: "Oh. You look... different when you're not unconscious." Angel: "I underestimated you. I thought you were just an actor. I didn't realize you were the man who trained Bear Trap Calhoun." Burt: "Not your fault, kid. The Cutter can come from anywhere."
A
O
Angel: "Ever consider Murderbrawl? You have the size of it." Oleg: "I don't waste my time with exhibitions. When I fight, I fight to kill." Angel: "Ever consider Murderbrawl? You have the bloodlust for it." Oleg: "[Sigh]"
A
S
Angel: "You're consumed by something - what is it?" Shaundi: "Revenge." Angel: "For your friend?" Shaundi: "Johnny was with the Saints longer than anybody; he was more than a friend - he was family." Angel: "And what are you gonna do to avenge him?" Shaundi: "Whatever it takes." Angel: "I knew I liked you."
A
V
Angel: "Hello, Viola." Viola: "It's been a while." Angel: "How could you stand by Killbane after what he did to me?" Viola: "It was business, Angel. You lost." Angel: "I was cheated!" Viola: "Just because something's not fair doesn't mean it didn't happen. If you couldn't live with the consequences, you shouldn't have agreed to the match." Angel: "I just didn't think, even if he won, Killbane would humiliate me like that." Viola: "I'm gonna tell you a secret: Killbane's an asshole."
B
K
Burt: "Didn't think I'd see you again, my dear." Kinzie: "Burt, you knew that was a one-time thing." Burt: "Kinzie... come on." Kinzie: "You had your chance, it's time to let it go." Burt: "Oh..."
B
O
Burt: "Oleg Kirrlov." Oleg: "I should kill you where you stand, Reynolds." Burt: "The Cold War is over, son." Oleg: "Do you think I'm naïve enough to believe that?" Burt: "Ha, guess not." Oleg: "I owe a debt to the Saints, but when this is all over, you and I will settle what we started in Moscow." Burt: "Anytime, you commie."
B
S
Burt: "You're the girl with the reality show, right?" Shaundi: "Yeah, I'm Shaundi." Burt: "You look less of a slut in person." Shaundi: "...Thanks?"
B
V
Burt: "I'm sorry to hear about your sister, Viola." Viola: "Thank you, sir." Burt: "Before the whole goddamn city got turned upside down, we had some pretty good times, didn't we?" Viola: "[Laughs] Remember that first dinner you had with Phillipe?" Burt: "[Laughs] Oh man, that Frenchman sure knew how to tell a joke." Viola: "He was Belgian." Burt: "Whatever."
B
Z
Burt: "Zimos! Where the hell have you been, buddy?" Zimos: "Your girl, Viola, turned me into a human pony and rented me out for eighty bucks an hour." Burt: "Well... this just... got a little awkward." Zimos: "A little bit."
A
J
Josh: "So Angel, I've been looking for a personal trainer while I'm in Steelport. You game?" Angel: "I'll train anyone who wants to learn." Josh: "Excellent. So what do you wanna start with? Conditioning? Pilates? Yoga?" Angel: "Punching beehives." Josh: "Wh-what?" Angel: "Before we can train your body, we need to train your mind." Josh: "Yeah... yeah... I love it."
B
J
Josh: "Hey Burt, got a second for another practitioner of the craft?" Burt: "What is it, kid?" Josh: "Well, I was thinkin'... how would you like to be involved on Nyte Blayde?" Burt: "What are you talking about?" Josh: "Definitely a guest spot, at least, but I bet I could talk the producers into making you a series regular." Burt: "No! What the hell is this Nyte Blayde?" Josh: "Are you not familiar with the transmedia explosion that has taken the world by storm?" Burt: "No." Josh: "I play Nyte Blayde, a vampire hunter who's become the very thing he vowed to destroy." Burt: "A vampire?" Josh: "Yes." Burt: "I think I'll pass." Josh: "But... you don't even know the part yet." Burt: "I've heard enough. Good luck, kid. Try to get shot."
J
O
Josh: "A soldier of the working man, huh? I know what you're going through." Oleg: "Do you?" Josh: "I played Torvald in A Doll's House when I was nine." Oleg: "Never talk to me again."
J
S
Josh: "Hello, my love." Shaundi: "Stop saying that." Josh: "Why do you fight what you feel in your heart?" Shaundi: "Because if I did what I felt in my heart, they'd never find your body." Josh: "So you admit there's some pull that keeps you from wanting to be hurt. I knew you felt the same way I did." Shaundi: "[Sigh]"
J
V
Josh: "Stay away from me, temptress." Viola: "Wait, what?" Josh: "My heart belongs to Shaundi. I won't fall to your wiles." Viola: "Josh, I don't want to sleep with you." Josh: "Really?" Viola: "Yeah." Josh: "Tease!"
J
Z
Josh: "Hey Z, listen. I'd really appreciate it if you don't say anything about the Nyte Blayde wrap party." Zimos: "Your secret is safe with me, baby."
A
K
Kinzie: "So you spent years in hiding, huh?" Angel: "Yes." Kinzie: "I understand, I wanted to do that too." Angel: "So you know what it is to feel shame beyond all measure?" Kinzie: "No, I was really into Y2K." Angel: "Please don't talk to me."
J
K
Kinzie: "You know, first I thought that Nyte Blayde was a media trick trying to obfuscate the reality of our vampire problem." Josh: "Yeah, I don't think that was a..." Kinzie: "Then I realized that it was just a shitty vampire show." Josh: "That's a relief." Kinzie: "Of course, then, by the time I realized that, I realized that I really liked it. It kind of spoke to me." Josh: "That's... that's great." Kinzie: "And that's when I realized it was because it fell perfectly into the 31 Theory." Josh: "Wh-wha...?" Kinzie: "The 31 Theory. "Anything important is always connected to a 31". Nyte Blayde Season 3; best season, aired in January, had thirteen episodes." Josh: "I have... no idea what you're... talking about." Kinzie: "You are a good actor."
K
O
Kinzie: "KGB, right?" Oleg: "Is it that obvious?" Kinzie: "You're a giant Russian Superman. You don't have a whole lot of options, unless you're really Rasputin." Oleg: "I think I like you, mousey-one."
K
S
Kinzie: "You don't like me very much." Shaundi: "That's not true." Kinzie: "I tapped your phone - I know what you said about me to Pierce." Shaundi: "And this is why I don't like you."
K
V
Kinzie: "I like your hair." Viola: "Excuse me?" Kinzie: "Your hair - it's shiny." Viola: "Umm, thanks. You know, if you washed your hair, it would look like mine." Kinzie: "Can you show me how?" Viola: "...Sure?" Kinzie: "We're like sisters now."
K
Z
Kinzie: "So how's your cane work?" Zimos: "What do you mean?" Kinzie: "Well, you don't really always hold it up the same distance away from your trach hole, and sometimes you don't even hold it up at all." Zimos: "I don't know, it just does." Kinzie: "Lame."
A
Z
Zimos: "The Syndicate fuck you over too?" Angel: "Yes, Killbane. You?" Zimos: "Viola and Kiki." Angel: "Don't worry, we'll have our revenge."
O
Z
Zimos: "Hey big man, I have a question." Oleg: "What?" Zimos: "I know a lot of lonely ladies who would love a chance to spend the night with a man of your talent." Oleg: "I'm not one of your whores, old man." Zimos: "No, you're a civil servant giving poor widows a chance to feel what it's like to be with a real man for the first time in their cold lives." Oleg: "Hmmm, I will consider."
S
Z
Zimos: "So, how you been girl?" Shaundi: "Z, don't talk to me." Zimos: "Is this about the..." Shaundi: "This is about Spring break when I was in college." Zimos: "Oh shit, I didn't recognize you without the dreads, irie."
V
Z
Zimos: "So, which one are you again?" Viola: "You are such an asshole." Zimos: "I'm sorry, who was whoring out who for years?" Viola: "You deserved it." Zimos: "Look, there were two of you - how was I supposed to tell you apart?"
O
S
Shaundi: "So, what did you do before you were a glorified pin cushion?" Oleg: "I worked for the Russian government." Shaundi: "What did you do for them?" Oleg: "Whatever my country needed of me." Shaundi: "That's... very vague... and really unnerving."
O
V
Oleg: "I'm onto you, woman." Viola: "What are you droning on about?" Oleg: "You fooled the Saints, but I know your true colors." Viola: "People change, Oleg." Oleg: "No they don't. I'm watching you."
S
V
Viola: "Hey Shaund-" Shaundi: "Don't talk to me, don't look at me; I want to pretend you don't even exist."
Trivia
Taunting female Wannabes, some may say "Why haven't you called me?" or "Did the sex mean anything to you?"
The "Super Saints" Cheat Code will prevent followers from being killed. Doesn't apply to police homies during Fuzz.
Homies, recruited or not recruited, will attack anyone that tries to beat up The Protagonist or runs over The Protagonist.
After shooting a targeted person and killing them, they may shoot at anyone who is running away from the scene.
Homies usually attack/shoot law enforcement on sight, even if The Protagonist is not wanted. This can be a problem during the activity, Fuzz, for Homies will attack The Protagonist's cop homies, and the cop homies will shoot the regular Saints Homies. Saints Homies also shoot at The Protagonist's homie with the camera holding and occasionally The Protagonist himself. However, both cop homies and Saints Homies will shoot at the targeted people creating the crimes in the activity.
The Protagonist cannot run too far away from recruited Homies. If he does so, a red circle will appear on the Mini Map surrounding the homies that are too far from The Protagonist. The Protagonist has a time limit to make it back to the far away homies before they get dismissed.
If a law enforcement officer follows The Protagonist into a Crib, the Homies inside won't do anything unless they get shot with a bullet from the officer.
Homies with Molotov Cocktails and RPG Launchers are very weak and useless. Because they do not try to attack The Protagonist, Homies carrying these weapons only tend to aim at enemies and very rarely ever shoot, making them useless.
Homies usually pick up any weapon that is stronger than theirs found on the ground.
While it is possible for The Protagonist to become Idle, Homies cannot do so when recruited. Homies in Cribs often perform standard Idle actions, such as dancing, sitting at a table or on chairs, sofas, sitting on a couch and having a Stripper dance on them, on a computer, smoking, drinking, talking on the phone, etc.
If The Protagonist has three followers and he uses a Taxi, they will lose one follower. Also, The Protagonist must use a Boat, Helicopter, or Plane that can fit three followers, or they can lose a follower doing so.
Homies' weapons cannot hurt The Protagonist at all, however, their thrown weapons can.
Not all Homies walk/drive around an owned hood. Some Homies can be found sitting on a helmet, smoking, or guarding an owned building.
If The Protagonist is trying to evade law enforcement chasing him and passes by a Homie driving, the Homie will give chase behind the law enforcement. Homies on foot will shoot the officer's car. They will then attack the officer if The Protagonist happens to stop the car and the Homies can reach the officer. Driving Homies also join in when they see other Homies attacking someone.
Homies are very violent when it comes to Civilians. They will beat up and kill a Civilian just for bumping into them. However, if The Protagonist does so, they will not beat him up.
When there are more than 2 Homies fighting one person, the additional Homies will cheer.
If The Protagonist hasn't changed his clothes within a few game days, the Homies, like Civilians, will instead criticize him by saying he smells bad, needs to change, etc.
If The Protagonist recruits Homies and enters a mission, most of the time the recruited Homies are with The Protagonist during the mission's gameplay. This can make taking out swarms of enemies easier, for it will be The Protagonist and Homies in the same mission fighting enemies.
Homies also appear in owned hoods during missions.
It usually takes a couple hits or shots to make a Saints Homie angry enough to attack The Protagonist with a comment such as "I'm Sick of You!". When this happens not only does the reticule on the attacking Saints Member changes from a green X to a red circle, but all other nearby Saints Homies will attack and kill the attacking Saints Homie.
Homies do talk very often when recruited. They cheer when they have successfully killed someone or when The Protagonist makes a Stunt Jump or any other jump involving Big Air. However, they also comment The Protagonist about his driving. Non recruited Homies always compliment The Protagonist, unless The Protagonist has not changed his clothes in a while.
While a Notoriety may be earned if recruited Homies shoot at someone in front of a law enforcement officer, it will not be earned only if the Homies are the ones shooting. This means if The Protagonist gains Notoriety for his Homies shooting near a law enforcement officer, he will not make his Notoriety rise if he does not attack back. This makes losing a Notoriety level much easier, for The Protagonist does not gain Notoriety if his Homies fight off enemies attacking.
If The Protagonist gets Smoked and had Homies that needed to be revived, the Homies that weren't revived will also die with The Protagonist. All other recruited Homies either walk away or continue to attack what they were attacking. Homies cannot be Busted.
Fire must be avoided with regular Saints Homies. Recruited Saints Homies that touch fire can lose all health with one touch, making them unconscious and needy to be revived. Other Homies that touch fire will die with one touch. Explosions and explosive weapons/obstacles must also be handled carefully when around Homies.
Human Shields must be performed carefully when having recruited Homies, for if a recruited Homie is grabbed they will be dismissed and attack The Protagonist. The same goes for a non-recruited Homie. Taunts must also be performed carefully when around recruited Homies. Taunted Homies will be dismissed if taunted twice and occasionally once.
A dismissed Homie cannot be recruited back unless The Protagonist dismissed him.
It is possible to use 2 of the same Homie if they are a Mission Homie, by recruiting them before starting the mission. This is easiest to do via the Newspaper Clipboard replay feature. See gallery for an example of using 2 Johnny Gats in Pyramid Scheme.
In Saints Row 2 when playing Co-op, and the guest has a Homie, and the host takes them as a Human Shield, then it would become an enemy, then you can do a Glitch by Jumping on top of a car. Your Co-op partner gets in and when the homie gets about half way in get in the car, you will be in the car in the same seat as the Homie (Front Passenger).
While Homies can be found inside the Prison Lighthouse Crib, they cannot be found anywhere else on the island. Saints Homies never appear in the Nuclear Power Plant district or Saints Row District.
When Rounds Square Shopping Center becomes an owned neighborhood to The Protagonist, Saints Homies will spawn inside the mall. However, UltorSecurity Guards still spawn inside the mall, owned or not owned. This is the only location where Ultor Security Guards and Saints Homies can be found together in the same place, even though the two are enemies
Even though Homies can be made to look like Pimps and Hos, they do not behave like them.
While the majority of Civilians tend to disappear when it rains in, Saints Homies still will appear very often.
If the Stored Vehicle Delivery driver is killed, there is an on-screen messages reading "Drive-up Homie is down".
Saints Row: The Third
The Mollusk Launcher can be used to have any character fight for The Protagonist, although they cannot be recruited.
In Saints Row and Saints Row 2 , Homies will shoot at whatever The Protagonist shoots at. In Saints Row: The Third, homies do not shoot at cars if The Protagonist does.
While driving a second vehicle, if Homies fall too far behind, their vehicle may disappear. If a Driving Homie loses his vehicle, they will steal another one and continue driving.
Homies can also now fly helicopters, which may disappear if they fall too far behind.
There are more options for how gang members look. Gang Members can now look like Morningstar members, The Luchadores, The Deckers, Hos, Strippers, Clubbers, etc. This is the first time Homies can be made to look like enemy gang members, but will have the Saints trademark Purple on them to distinguish them from their normal counterparts.
If The Protagonist uses any of his Special Weapons or Explosives on an enemy or car with any nearby homies around that area then , they will turn on The Protagonist Unlike Saints Row and Saints Row 2.
Fewer Saints Homies spawn in owned Hoods and Cribs in Saints Row: The Third.
It is now easy for Saints Homies to leave The Protagonist even when being attacked by accident.
Regular Saints Homies are the same Homies that drive vehicles to The Protagonist when called.
Homies also have the ability to use Human Shields, much like The Protagonist and other gang members can.
Enemy Gang Members can use Saints Homies as Human Shields. If a recruited Saints Homie gets used as a Human Shield, The Protagonist has a time limit to save the trapped Homie before he gets dismissed or killed.
Homies will spawn in acquired areas only when the entire neighborhood is taken. Anything less and the Syndicate will still spawn everyone in the neighborhood. Saints will be driving in the cars selected for them to drive, but they will be in generic colors instead of purple. If recruited, they will either get out of their car or follow in their car.
Oleg and other Brute homies become hostile more quickly than other followers.
If any followers get caught in an explosion caused by the player, but did enough damage to render them unconscious and unable to react, they can be safely revived without becoming hostile.
Even homies will become hostile after being attacked, they can be recruited again just a few seconds later.
With the exception of Shaundi during Three Way when fighting Kia, essential Homies cannot be taken hostage.
During missions where essential Homies are automatically recruited, they will not turn against The Protagonist.
The Sonic Boom does not cause Recruited Homies to gain any hate when hit, and are resilient to the fully charged attack so that they only stumble rather then get ragdolled, making the Sonic Boom fairly safe to use around recruited homies. Unrecruited homies however will still be vaporized by a fully charged attack.
Shaundi is the first Homie to be unlocked (including DLC Homies) after I'm Free - Free Falling, with Zombie Gat being the last Homie to become available in the base game.
The only way to unlock all optional Homies is to buy the Unlockable Pack DLC. Those Homies gained from the decision based missions will become available after We're Going to Need Guns.
Homies with Explosive Weapons (Like the M2 Grenade Launcher and Annihilator) will stick closer to The Protagonist and lose the ability to crouch.
A Homie may change features such as hair colour while the Protagonist Is in a store.
Unlike the previous games, Homies will not be driving in controlled neighborhoods unless called upon.
To revive Homies, The Protagonist helps them stand back up. In Saints Row and Saints Row 2, The Protagonist would pour a 40 oz on them.
Saints Row IV
The primary Saints can be upgraded to Super Saints by completing their Loyalty missions. You can also call up Super Saint backup after completing most challenges in the game.
Super Saints are highly resilient to friendly attacks, as your Super Powers cannot harm them and appear to resist your firearms. They also do not stagger about when on fire. They can still be rendered unconscious by the Abduction Gun if they go into the abduction light.
Super Saints that are called in as Homies can do mid air recoveries, do super beatdown attacks, and can use most Super Powers. These include Super Sprint, Super Jump, Blast, Stomp, and Telekinesis. The Telekinesis used by Homies emit red tether from themselves to their target, while the Blast is non-elemental, and they cannot use Death From Above, Force Field or Buff. Power Suppresion Grenades can disable their Super Powers for a short amount of time.
Super Saints do not tend to pick up weapons.
Homies can be called back immediately after disbanding them and leaving their vicinity.
If there are Homies active upon exiting the Simulation, they will remain recruited, but will leave upon returning to the Simulation.
Homies from Saints Row: The Third retain their old appearence in the simulation, but will permanently change to their new outfit upon completion of their Loyalty mission's. The SR 2 Shaundi however, will retain her normal outfit.
Kinzie and Keith David are the first Homies unlocked, however Matt Miller and Shaundi are the first 2 (3 if you count both Shaundi's) Homies that can become Super Saints, while Kieth and Kinzie are the last Saints to have their Loyalty missions unlocked.
Many of the Antagonists from the previous Saints Row games can be unlocked as Homies.
