Crafting a unique character is what Fallout is all about, and players will have more options than ever before in Fallout 4. Bethesda has been releasing hilarious yet informative "Vault-Tec" videos explaining the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character stat system in the game, and now the publisher has taken the time to go in-depth about Fallout 4's new and improved perk system.
Leveling up in Fallout 4 lets players choose a perk. These perks are determined by your character's S.P.E.C.I.A.L. scores. Unlike Fallout 3, Fallout 4 won't have a level cap, so players will be able to continually earn experience and improve their character over time. Bethesda says leveling will be faster than it was in Fallout 3 and that it's balanced the game to remain challenging into higher levels.
When it's time to choose a perk, you can see which perks are available to you by checking out the huge (and awesome to look at) perk chart. The perks are broken down into categories according to the various S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes, with available perks highlighted. Each stat has 10 perks, bringing the total number of perks to 70. However, each of those perks has a number of ranks that when upgraded, grant better bonuses or additional effects. With the various ranks taken into account, that allows for 270 different perk options.
The perk system has been streamlined by merging some perks from Fallout 3 with Fallout 4. One example Bethesda uses is the Fallout 3 perk "Paralyzing Palm." Instead of being its own perk in Fallout 4, it is instead built into the rank five version of the "Iron Fist" perk. Higher rank versions of perks will often require an overall character level requirement in addition to having the previous ranks of that particular perk.
There is also a "Training" perk for each S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attribute that allows players to give up a traditional perk in exchange for raising one stat by one — opening up new perks in the future.
Skills have also been folded into perks. Sneak, for example, was a skill in Fallout 3, but it is now a perk that incorporates other perks like "Light Step" and "Silent Running" into its rank system.
Bethesda has also revealed that players will be able to gain perks from finding and reading various in-game magazines. Players who find the Grognak the Barbarian comics in Fallout 4 will be given access to a special Barbarian Perk, with each issue of the comic found increasing the perk's rank.
Last but certainly not least, Bethesda says those who pre-order the game will receive the perk chart in poster form. You'll want to get acquainted with everything on the poster, because you'll no doubt be spending a lot of time choosing which perk to grab for your character next. You can check out the full chart below.
Fallout 4 releases on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on November 10.
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