Within the Saints Row franchise, Homies are followers that Playa can call for backup. Sometimes they require unlocking while others are fun little Easter eggs. The best part about them is that even when a character dies, chances are they can still be called up as a zombie version of themselves, just in case the player isn't ready to give them up.

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While not every Homie is worth dragging through every mission, some earn the right. Whether they are great fighters or just great company, these followers put themselves on speed dial and make for more fun terrorizing the streets of Stillwater and Steelport.

10 Carlos Mendoza Earned The Attachment He Got

Saints Row 2 Carlos Mendoza

Carlos showed up at the very beginning of Saints Row 2 after purposefully getting himself shanked in order to meet Playa. After that point, there are only two missions where Carlos is required, but if the player puts off doing all of the Brotherhood-based missions, they can keep him around for a good chunk of the game.

Carlos is a charming character who tried too hard and got himself into the wrong places. He was one of the most loyal of the Saints to date, and very little stung more than his death. Unlike how in most games where the player is supposed to feel attachment for a character that barely gets seen in an official capacity, Carlos actually manages to earn player's affections just as much as he earned Playa's.

9 Chicken Ned Is More Funny Than Useful

Saints Row Chicken Ned And Jackrabbit

One of the strange little recruitables Playa can call up for backup is Chicken Ned. Around the city is plastered the number 555-2445, and if the player calls it, this guy will show up in his beaten-up old car with a baseball bat to help out.

He's not exactly fast or hard-hitting, but the fact of the matter is that he is hilarious. Chicken Ned really set in motion some more of the subtle silliness of the franchise, and there are even subtle nods to him in later installments.

8 Johnny Gat Is The Ultimate Follower

Johnny Gat Agents Of Mayhem

Johnny Gat is one of the best followers in video game history. He's fiercely loyal to both Playa and the Third Street Saints, while also having the wit and firepower to back up his claims. Out of all of the original characters, Gat is the only one to have not betrayed Playa.

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He was so well beloved that his death in The Third caused a massive outcry from fans. He also managed to spawn his own game, Gat Outta Hell, where he got to fight his way through Hell itself. He was even brought back from the dead in later installments to continue helping the Saints up until the world itself was destroyed.

Saints Row 2 Appointed Defender Johnny Gat Legal Lee Gat On Trial

Near the beginning of Saints Row 2, while Playa is still gaining footing after his five-year coma, he discovers that Johnny Gat is still alive and is standing trial for his crimes against humanity. With him is his legal defense lawyer, who was probably forced to take his case in the first place.

After rescuing Gat, Playa can then call up Legal Lee as a follower. He does have some worried lines to say about it, but he is definitely still going to show up and help out whenever he's called.

6 Oleg Is A Massive Tank

Saints Row Oleg

Oleg showed up in Saints Row: The Third and quickly became a fan favorite due to his tanky status. He's massive and capable of taking tons of hits before going down. He's also quite capable of obliterating opponents with his bare hands and will bull rush entire vehicles out of his path. He has enough of an attitude that he won't forgive the accidental friendly fire either, so caution needs to be used around him.

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The best part about Oleg isn't necessarily that he's a big tank, though that's a big part of it. He's also a brilliant guy, with enough brains to back up his brawn.

5 Pierce Washington Never Lets Up

Saints Row Pierce Washington

Pierce Washington is one of the characters in Saints Row 2 that Playa picks up for his newly reformed Third Street Saints and becomes a staple after that, constantly appearing as a high-profile member full of style. He's the face of the Saints' promotional and marketing side of things, managing their finances and cooking the books for their benefit.

One of the interesting things about Pierce throughout the series is that many of his lines have alternate phrasing and meaning depending on the voice chosen for Playa. He's fiercely loyal to the Saints and loves his time in the spotlight, but how much Playa supports him is entirely based on the customization choices the player has made for them.

4 Shaundi Takes Nothing From Nobody

Saints Row Shaundi

Shaundi started out in Saints Row 2 as a typical hippie drug user but drastically changes her appearance in The Third to account for her appearances on her dating show. Her look changes the most throughout the series compared to the other reoccurring characters, and her fighting skills jump up with each installment as well.

Shaundi is a tough, witty character who stands on her own and doesn't take heat from anyone. She's not a girl to mess around with, and she'll be there to back Playa up whenever they need it.

3 SWAT Has Become Corrupted Enough To Drag Along

Saints Row SWAT

In Saints Row: The Third there is a mission where zombies attack. In it, Playa is given the opportunity to either destroy the virus or keep it, and if they choose to destroy it, they are rewarded with having SWAT added to the Homie Roster.

The best part about them is that they typically don't show up alone, making for a useful group when the player is in a bit of a pinch. They also all show up with decent weapons, gear, and vehicles so they actually can be some help.

2 The Zombie Horde Is There To Spread The Virus

Saints Row The Third Zombie Horde

On the flip side from getting SWAT, the player can choose to keep the virus during the "Zombie Attack" mission, and if they do, they can then get a whole horde of zombies to use instead.

The zombies are a little more interesting than useful, though, and tend to go down a little bit easier than SWAT depending on playstyle, but they definitely do have an awesome effect.

1 Zombie Lin Is A Unique Zombie Follower

Saints Row Zombie Lin

Zombie Lin set the stage for the zombies in the series as she was the first. Unlike most of the zombies after her, she can rip off her arm and maul her opponents. When she's done, she will actually eat the corpses to regain health. None of the other zombies have as much of a punch as Lin does, making her just as useful post-death as she was before.

She is also one of the fandom's favorite Homies to date, due to being an absolute powerhouse and interesting to boot. Plus, due to being a zombie, Lin needs less babysitting from the player.

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