I have the Flaregun and am aware that supposedly if I fire it MM will come to my rescue? Is this accurate? How many come? What happens when they do?

You could fire it and answer your own questions.

Touche! I could, but I like to try and strategize my plans of actions and since not everything in this game happens logically or intelligently its hard to predict stupidity. Its like playing a sports game with AI. Except its really simulating a experience closely resembling the special olympics! Besides I was just stiring up a friendly conversation while at a conference I'm supposed to be paying attention to!??

I think it'll only work when you're in one of your settlements, and can't be used everywhere. (Not sure, never tested it) Or if you're outside the settlement, fire into it. I haven't used it more than once, only 2 came and they weren't much help. Haven't used it since.

So it's probably only for settlement defense.

They work at approximately 3 squares range from closest minutemen settlement (look at the grid on a map). Range is calculated from position flare went of, so you can extend it to approximately 4 if you fire it towards settlement at a 45 degree angle.

Group of minutemen (sometimes with dog) will come running from that settlement to you. Not sure what their number is depended on, but they are at last 3 of them. They ale low level, with basic weapons and usually no armor so don't expect much from them on their own.

You can summon them only once per day.

Before they come, they will also fire flare, that's how you know if they are responding to your call or not.

If there are no enemies, they will leave after shot while.

From what I have read the Minutemen that arrives are very low level; level 1 - 3 if I am not mistaken. I never bothered using it because they would just be cannon fodder. If you are low level, I suppose they can be useful.

I left the flare gun at Sanctuary. If it is ever attacked by deathclaws again, I might decide to use it so that I can see them in action while I am sipping a Nuka Cola.

It works. Once time one of my settlements was being attacked and as I approached my settlement I fired 2-3 flares into the air and several Minute Men came to help out with the battle. One or two even died, letting you loot their equipment.

Yeah sorry was sitting in an airplane waiting for the engine to warm up. Was going to type out a long response but then I got a phone call and all I could get out was that.

. Lol! That's cool!like I said just board at a conference and I already scanned through all the posts! Your right though, I need to just to shoot it and see what happens??

One thing it is NOT particularly useful for, is shooting down Super Mutants. One time, my wife was distracting me and I was peltering this SM as he was charging on me, and I was like "DAMMIT! I'm shooting him with flares!"

Apparently they are very "cool burning" flares.

Here this may help

Actually do use some thing like that to pre-heat them before starting when its really cold out.

Oh my! My crazy ideas do work!

I was excited to use it on soft targets after that badass flare gun in NV...Set those beeotches on fire and watch 'em frenzy! Here, finally something good from NV, I thought...gleefully I told myself: see Bethesda remembers what goodness NV brought to the franchise...and if they have this, then more to come....!!!!!

Wrong. It was utterly underwhelming, like so much other weaponry. It is nothing like the Flare gun you find in the Divide. So don't even think that way. It's a very limited use item, that calls forth (if you're lucky) a few low-level MM to be slaughtered like sheep...and like most weapons in this game, is best left at home in a storage box labeled "Why bother?"

Best to save a little weight, where you can. Bethesda has developed this intense love affair with over-weighing the PC with underwhelming items.

Its pretty worthless all things considered. Artillery is at least *mildly* effective.

But half the time the MM don't show up in time to actually fight, and if they do, they're usually slaughtered within seconds.

I've only ever used it twice.

The first time nobody turned up.

The second time a Minuteman turned up but he was squashed by a Warlord in seconds.

I think i should have used it early on in the game when the opponents and my character were low level rather than later in the game where my character is called upon to assist the Minutemen from being wiped out.

I wish i could equip them better out in the field.

I sometimes drop weapons, armour and ammo at their feet in the vain hope that they will pick them up as i have seen them pick up weapons dropped by foes.

I have found it somewhat useful. I like to use it when I know I'm approaching an area of with hostiles and have I have not yet been spotted. They draw the enemies attention so I can try and get the drop on them with a more stealthy approach.

why won't MM come to College Square? I have settlements close by