Once I finish my current playthrough (I find myself always planning future characters even before I've finished the one I'm currently on, this game is so good), I want to try a pure energy weapons character. Amazingly, I've yet to do this.

So I want to try a Van Graff family member. I might try my The Tops/Nipton Convention roleplay character, Robin Van Graff (Energy Weapons, Speech, Science - 4, 7, 5, 5, 7, 4, 8). For some reason, I really like the Van Graffs, they are so cool.

But if I did, what allegiance/ending would be most suitable? The Van Graffs tend to eliminate anyone who gets in their way, so that would tend to suggest Independent/Yes Man, but I've already done that. NCR is obviously out. I've also considered supporting the Legion, as Gloria respects the Legion's methods, though thinks little of their primitive weaponry. Also, I would obviously want to complete Birds of a Feather, which will make any Legion alliance impossible. So, perhaps Mr House?

Thoughts and suggestions most welcome.

I think Mr. House would be the best. The only reason that the Van Graff's help the NCR at the end of Birds of a Feather is because they were payed a lot more and they aren't strong enough to resist them anymore. House can pay the Van Graff's a lot of caps, both House and the Van Graffs have it in their best interests to eliminate the Brotherhood(who would obviously be bad for business) and with his upgraded Securitron army he is powerful enough to seriously worry the NCR.

I'm sure that the Van Graff leadership would also appreciate the brilliance of having the NCR drain itself dry in the casinos of New Vegas.

I think you may be right. Other than Independent/Yes Man, its the only one that makes sense. Though you can't imagine the Van Graff family carrying out tasks for anyone other than themselves, really. That's the only problem I have with them supporting House.

Eliminating the Brotherhood seems like a good idea, since they are a powerful threat. But perhaps also supplying them with energy weapons is an option, too?

But your other point, about NCR draining themselves dry at the Strip casinos, is a good one. Maintaining the Strip is a huge drain on resources for the NCR, so anything that weakens them would allow for Van Graff expansion in other areas.

I think that the Van Graff's would do almost anything if enough caps were involved.

The Van Graff's supplying the Brotherhood wouldn't really for long. The Brotherhood would just try to take all of their weapons and would also try to discover how they were getting them.

I played a Van-Graff based character not too long ago and sided with House. House has no interest in regulating their business and isn't going to interfere with their affairs unless they cross him.

They also get protection and a bargaining chip with a weakened NCR.

House sounds like the most reasonable choice for that RP, yes. Caesar, though they both may be brutal factions, would be a market blackout for the whole regional branch.
NCR well they already have connections there and those two... they don't exactly butt heads directly anymore but they aren't friends by any means at all. With the ncr taking the strip establishing general order across the region, and with no further major threats, there's no business little for Van Graff's to gain financially. Besides the same taxes they branched out into NV enjoying the reach outside of them, perhaps. They'd be worse off from the deal.

Yes/Man would be good. Great in fact.

I think creating good relations with House however, could be just as good for them, if not close, or possibly better. Might result in less chaos and thus conceivably a measure less business, but when you're in good grace with House incomes going to be secure. New customers could flow in every day.
House is a reasonable man. A man who can remember to reward those who are useful with his favor; and he's militarily strong; And, he is very rich. There are possibilities in that relationship.

Might be just at the opportune moment for a Van Graff to help him out with any problems.

NCR isn't actually ruled out, since Van Graff quest ends up helping them(I don't remember were there other options, so I'm not sure can you help, for example Legion) and helping relations between Van Graffs in the west and NCR.

The only reason the Van Graff's helped the NCR at the end of the quest(no choice) was because they were being paid 5 times the amount the Legion were paying. For all the amount that they hate the NCR they also realize that they can't fight them head on anymore. It is an option, but I don't think it's the best one for the Van Graff's.

Well said. I think House would be a good choice. This works out well, because House and Legion are the two endings that I've yet to do. But it makes sense, House would support the Van Graffs in return for protection. Perhaps use them as his own personal police force/problem solvers, in exchange for them expanding their business around the New Vegas area.

I'm looking forward to this playthrough already.