Can You Infect Father with FEV in Fallout 4? Exploring the Twisted Possibilities
The grim reality of the Fallout universe often leads players down dark paths, exploring ethically questionable choices. One such question that surfaces in Fallout 4 is: Can you infect your son, Shaun (also known as Father), with the Forced Evolutionary Virus (FEV)? The short answer is a conditional yes. The game allows a way to forcibly turn Father into a super mutant with the FEV if you complete the Project Valkyrie ending, but this requires a very specific sequence of events.
The FEV and Father: A Morbid Experiment
While Fallout 4 provides numerous choices shaping your character’s moral compass, infecting Father with FEV is one of the most drastic and irreversible. The standard game narrative does not readily offer this option, highlighting its intended status as an extreme and unconventional decision. But let’s dive into how it can be done.
Achieving the FEV Transformation of Father
The ability to turn Father into a super mutant hinges on these conditions:
- Project Valkyrie Ending: The key is to complete the Project Valkyrie ending.
- Failure to Cure: You must have failed to find a proper cure for Father’s illness.
- Volkert’s Sample: You need to convince Volkert to provide a sample of the FEV. This is an alternative to finding a standard cure.
If all these conditions are met, and Father is following you at the time, you can use the FEV on him.
The Consequences of Your Actions
Choosing to infect Father with FEV comes with significant consequences. While it cures his terminal illness, it irrevocably transforms him into a super mutant. This decision not only alters his physical form but also raises profound ethical questions about your character’s motivations and the lengths they are willing to go to save their son. Furthermore, it’s a one-way street; there’s no going back.
Volkert’s Role in the Process
Volkert is crucial to this grim experiment. He holds the key to obtaining the FEV sample. Convincing him to relinquish it requires specific dialogue choices and a willingness to deviate from conventional solutions. His cooperation opens the door to an ending that many players might find both shocking and unsettling.
The Moral Implications of Using FEV
The FEV is a recurring element in the Fallout universe, often associated with morally ambiguous characters and organizations. Its use is rarely portrayed as a benevolent act, and its effects are often unpredictable and devastating. Turning Father into a super mutant aligns with this theme, forcing players to confront the ethical implications of wielding such a powerful and dangerous tool.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into FEV and Father
Here are some frequently asked questions to further explore the nuances of FEV, Father, and the broader Fallout 4 universe.
1. Can I use the FEV to become a super mutant myself?
No, the game prevents you from using FEV on yourself. Attempting to do so results in your character’s death. The narrative strictly limits the player’s ability to become a super mutant, emphasizing the inherent dangers of the virus.
2. Can I save Father without turning him into a super mutant?
Yes, there are alternative methods to save Father without resorting to FEV. These typically involve pursuing different quest lines and acquiring specific medical treatments or technology. The Cabot serum is one example of a potential cure.
3. Is Father evil in Fallout 4?
Father’s morality is complex. While he serves as the leader of the Institute, an organization often perceived as antagonistic, his motivations are rooted in a desire to advance scientific progress and ensure the survival of humanity. Whether he is truly evil is a matter of perspective and depends on the player’s chosen allegiances.
4. What is the purpose of FEV in the Fallout universe?
The FEV was originally intended to be a potential cure for diseases and bioweapons. However, it was quickly weaponized and used to create super mutants and other mutated creatures. Its primary purpose shifted from healing to military applications and forced evolution. The ethical questions around this research are frequently explored in the Fallout games.
5. How tall is a super mutant?
A standard super mutant stands approximately 10.4 feet tall, though they often hunch over, reducing their apparent height to around 7.8 feet. They weigh around 800 pounds, making them physically imposing figures.
6. Are super mutants sterile?
Yes, super mutants are completely sterile and asexual. The FEV effectively removes their reproductive capabilities, rendering them unable to procreate.
7. Are deathclaws made with FEV?
The origins of deathclaws are complex. They were initially created through genetic engineering before the Great War. While the Master later “refined” them using FEV in some regions, the deathclaws in Fallout 76 predate this refinement and are not directly FEV-derived.
8. Are super mutants friendly?
While most super mutants are hostile to humans, some individuals have chosen to live peacefully alongside humans in settlements across the wasteland. These exceptions demonstrate the potential for coexistence despite the inherent aggression often associated with super mutants.
9. What happens if you say no to Shaun in Fallout 4?
If the Sole Survivor leaves Shaun in the Institute following the sabotage of the reactor, Shaun expresses disappointment and dies in the resulting explosion. This decision significantly impacts the narrative and reinforces the consequences of your choices.
10. How did Vault 87 get FEV?
Vault 87 contained a supply of FEV, which was used to transform its inhabitants into super mutants. These super mutants then kidnapped other humans and subjected them to the FEV, perpetuating the cycle of mutation.
11. Is FEV contagious?
While not contagious in the traditional sense of spreading through airborne transmission, the FEV can be transmitted through direct exposure, resulting in genetic alteration and mutation. It is not a virus that spreads like the common cold. The FEV is a transmittable genetic-engineering virus, allowing for infectious evolution.
12. Is Shaun really your son in Fallout 4?
Yes, Shaun, also known as Father, is biologically the son of the Sole Survivor. However, his identity as the director of the Institute and his complex motivations add layers of moral ambiguity to the player’s relationship with him.
13. What was the purpose of creating Deathclaws?
Deathclaws were created by the U.S. government as a weapon before the Great War. They were designed to be formidable combatants, capable of operating independently in harsh environments.
14. Are all super mutants female?
No, super mutants do not have a defined gender after transformation. The FEV process eliminates sexual characteristics, rendering them asexual.
15. How much can super mutants lift?
Super mutants possess immense strength, estimated to be comparable to that of a gorilla. They can likely lift approximately twice their own mass, which is considerable given their size and build.
Exploring the Ethical Depths
The possibility of turning Father into a super mutant in Fallout 4 serves as a stark reminder of the morally gray choices that define the Fallout experience. It forces players to confront the consequences of their actions and grapple with the ethical implications of wielding powerful technologies like the FEV. These narratives, which blend complex ethical quandaries with engaging gameplay, are important areas of study in game design. The Games Learning Society supports game-based learning by providing resources and opportunities to researchers and educators. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more. Whether you choose to embrace the darkness or strive for a more benevolent outcome, the decisions you make in Fallout 4 will shape the fate of the wasteland and the legacy of your character.