How to Add Perks in Fallout 4
Perks are a crucial part of the Fallout 4 gameplay experience, allowing players to customize their character’s abilities and attributes to suit their playstyle. In this article, we’ll explore how to add perks in Fallout 4 and provide some valuable tips to help you make the most of your character’s abilities.
Understanding Perks
Before we dive into how to add perks, it’s essential to understand what they are and how they work. Perks are special abilities that your character can acquire by spending S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, Luck) on the Perk Chart. Each perk has a unique effect, such as increased damage output, improved survival skills, or enhanced combat abilities.
Accessing the Perk Chart
To access the Perk Chart, follow these steps:
- Open the Character Menu: Press the Escape key (default keybind) or Pause button to open the Character Menu.
- Select the Perk Chart Tab: Click on the Perk Chart tab to access the chart.
- Assign S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Points: Spend your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points to acquire perks by clicking on the perk icon and confirming the selection.
How to Add Perks
Here are the step-by-step instructions to add perks in Fallout 4:
- Spend S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Points: Allocate S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points to the desired perk by clicking on the perk icon.
- Confirm Selection: Click on the Assign button to confirm the selection and add the perk to your character.
- View Your Perks: Check your current perks by hovering over the Perks tab in the Character Menu.
Perk Categories
Fallout 4’s Perk Chart is divided into several categories, including:
- Combat: Perks that improve combat abilities, such as increased damage output or improved accuracy.
- Survival: Perks that enhance survival skills, such as increased health or improved disease resistance.
- Exploration: Perks that aid in exploration, such as increased map size or improved navigation.
- Stealth: Perks that improve stealth abilities, such as increased sneak range or improved armor.
Tips for Building Your Perk Tree
Here are some valuable tips to help you build your Perk Tree:
- Focus on Your Playstyle: Prioritize perks that align with your playstyle, such as increased damage output for a combat-focused build or improved survival skills for a survivor build.
- Balance Your Perks: Spread your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points across multiple categories to create a well-rounded character.
- Prioritize High-Value Perks: Focus on acquiring high-value perks, such as Nightkin (increased damage output in shadows) or Hardened Mass (increased resistance to radiation).
- Experiment and Adjust: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different perk combinations and adjust your build as needed.
Perk Tree Examples
Here are some example Perk Trees for different playstyles:
| Combat-Focused Build |
|---|
| VATS Master (increased critical hit chance) |
| Commando (increased damage output with guns) |
| Blood Sacrifice (increased health when low) |
| Survival-Focused Build |
|---|
| Hardened Mass (increased resistance to radiation) |
| Survivalist (increased food and water carrying capacity) |
| Medical Expert (increased medical skill) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs to help you better understand the Perk System in Fallout 4:
Q: How many S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points do I have?
A: You start with 7 S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points, which you can allocate to perks on the Perk Chart.
Q: Can I undo a perk selection?
A: No, once you’ve selected a perk, you cannot undo the selection.
Q: Can I reset my S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points?
A: Yes, you can reset your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points by leveling up and allocating points to the desired perks.
Q: What happens when I max out my Perk Tree?
A: When you max out your Perk Tree, you can no longer assign S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points to new perks. You can, however, still reassign points to existing perks.
Q: Can I see my available perks before selecting them?
A: Yes, you can view your available perks by hovering over the Perks tab in the Character Menu.
Q: How do I remove a perk?
A: You cannot remove a perk directly, but you can reset your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points and reassign them to different perks.
Q: Can I share my perk setup with others?
A: No, perk setups are unique to each player character.
Q: Can I import my perks from previous saves?
A: Yes, you can import your perks from previous saves by loading the save file and allocating points to the desired perks.
Q: What happens when I switch characters?
A: When you switch characters, you will lose all of your perks and S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points. You can, however, import your perks from previous saves.
By following these tips and understanding how to add perks in Fallout 4, you’ll be well on your way to creating a unique and formidable character that’s tailored to your playstyle. Remember to experiment and adjust your build as needed, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re stuck!