What To Do With Excess Power Armor in Fallout 4

So, you’re swimming in Power Armor in Fallout 4? Congratulations, Wastelander! You’ve clearly been exploring and looting with gusto. But now you’re facing a classic problem: what to do with all that metal? Here’s the lowdown on managing your surplus Power Armor, turning potential clutter into assets.

The answer is multifaceted: you can store it safely, use it strategically, sell it, or even purposefully ditch it (though I wouldn’t recommend the latter unless you are extremely fed up!). The best approach depends on your play style, your character build, and how much of a completionist you are. Let’s break it down:

Strategic Storage: Your Personal Power Armor Museum

The first step is getting organized. Power Armor frames, with or without attached pieces, can quickly become a visual mess in your settlements. Here’s how to keep things tidy:

• Designated Display Areas: Construct dedicated Power Armor stations within your settlements. These provide a convenient and visually appealing way to store and display your collection. Think of it as your own personal museum of pre-war (and post-war) technology. Place them in a garage, a workshop, or even a custom-built exhibit for maximum impact.
• Strategic Placement: Distribute Power Armor stations across your settlements. This ensures that a suit is always readily available in case of attack.
• Fusion Core Management: Always remove the Fusion Core from any suits you’re not actively using. This prevents NPCs from hopping in and taking them for a joyride (or, more likely, getting themselves killed).
• Labelling System: Consider using signs or custom naming conventions to label your Power Armor sets. This will help you quickly identify and select the right suit for the job. Name them based on their primary function such as, “Exploration Armor”, “Combat Armor”, or “Radiation Armor.”

Utilization: Power Armor for Every Purpose

Don’t let your Power Armor collect dust. Each suit, or even individual pieces, can serve a specific purpose.

• Companion Deployment: Equip your companions with Power Armor. This dramatically increases their survivability, especially in challenging combat encounters. They won’t drain Fusion Cores, making them walking tanks.
• Settlement Defense: As mentioned, strategically placed Power Armor can be used by settlers during attacks. A settler in power armor can turn the tide of a battle, providing a significant boost to your settlement’s defenses. This is an especially effective strategy for settlements that are frequently targeted by raiders or Super Mutants.
• Specialized Suits: Create specialized Power Armor sets for different situations. For instance, a T-60 set with radiation resistance modifications for exploring irradiated zones, or a set focused on melee damage for close-quarters combat.
• Early Warning System: Consider placing a suit of Power Armor near a settlement’s entrance. When enemies approach, a settler can quickly don the armor and provide early warning to the rest of the settlement.

The Art of the Deal: Selling Power Armor

If you’re truly overflowing with Power Armor, selling it can be a lucrative option. However, it’s not as straightforward as selling other items.

• Rowdy at the Atom Cats Garage: Rowdy is your primary buyer for Power Armor frames. Located at the Atom Cats Garage, she’s always looking to expand her collection. To sell her a frame, place it near her station, enter and exit the crafting menu, leave the armor, and then talk to Rowdy. The frame will appear in the “Misc” section of the barter menu.
• Selling Individual Pieces: While you can’t sell the frame itself to most vendors, you can sell individual Power Armor pieces. Check with vendors in Diamond City, Goodneighbor, and other major settlements to see who offers the best prices. The Brotherhood of Steel and Atom Cats are most interested.
• Component Scrapping: If you’re not concerned about caps, consider scrapping Power Armor pieces at a settlement workbench. This will provide you with valuable resources like steel, aluminum, and plastic.

Controlled Demolition: Getting Rid of Unwanted Armor

Sometimes, you just need to get rid of Power Armor. Maybe it’s damaged beyond repair, or you simply don’t want it anymore.

• Underwater Disposal: A humorous, albeit impractical, method is to walk the frame into a deep body of water without a Fusion Core. This effectively removes it from the game world.
• Strategic Abandonment: You can simply leave Power Armor frames anywhere in the Wasteland. After a while, they will despawn. However, this is not recommended, as it contributes to clutter and can potentially cause glitches.
• Component Donation: Consider donating Power Armor pieces to settlements that are struggling to defend themselves. While settlers can’t equip them independently, having the raw materials available for repairs and upgrades can be beneficial.

Remember, Power Armor is a valuable resource in Fallout 4. With a little planning and organization, you can transform your excess into a well-managed arsenal, a source of income, or a strategic advantage in the Wasteland.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Power Armor

1. Can settlers steal my Power Armor?

Settlers will only use Power Armor during an attack if a Fusion Core is inside. Remove the core, and your armor is safe.

2. Do companions drain Fusion Cores in Power Armor?

No, companions do not drain Fusion Cores when wearing Power Armor. They are essentially free mobile tanks.

3. What is the best Power Armor in Fallout 4?

Generally, the X-01 Power Armor is considered the best due to its high damage and energy resistance. However, the best choice depends on your play style and available modifications.

4. Where can I find X-01 Power Armor?

X-01 armor spawns at high-level locations. Possible locations include the Court 35 building and a location east of Mass Pike Interchange. The specific pieces and mods are often random, so you may need to visit several locations before finding a full set.

5. Can I repair Power Armor?

Yes, Power Armor can be repaired at a Power Armor station using materials like steel, aluminum, and plastic.

6. Does Power Armor negate fall damage?

Power Armor significantly reduces fall damage, but it doesn’t completely eliminate it. Certain modifications, like the leg mods, can further mitigate fall damage.

7. How do I get Power Armor modifications?

You can acquire modifications by finding them in the world, purchasing them from vendors, or crafting them yourself with the appropriate perks.

8. What is the weakness of Power Armor?

The main weakness is the Fusion Core. Targeting the core in V.A.T.S. can force the wearer out of the armor. Also, certain weapons with armor-piercing capabilities can be effective against Power Armor.

9. Can you recharge Fusion Cores?

No, you cannot recharge Fusion Cores in Fallout 4. However, you can sell depleted cores for caps or trade them for fresh ones.

10. What drains Fusion Cores the fastest?

Sprinting, using V.A.T.S., and using a jetpack drain Fusion Cores quickly. Managing your AP usage is key to conserving power.

11. Can I customize the paint job on my Power Armor?

Yes, you can customize the paint job on your Power Armor using different paint schemes and modifications. Certain factions, like the Brotherhood of Steel, offer unique paint jobs.

12. What is the best armor to use if I don’t want to use Power Armor?

The Marine Armor set is considered the best non-Power Armor option, offering high damage and energy resistance.

13. Can you give Power Armor to settlers without them using it?

Yes, you can store Power Armor pieces in a settlement’s workbench. Settlers can then use these materials to repair their own armor and weapons.

14. Does Power Armor protect against radiation?

Yes, Power Armor provides significant radiation resistance. Certain modifications and paint jobs can further increase this resistance.

15. How do I remove a Fusion Core from Power Armor?

Simply approach the Power Armor and interact with it. An option to remove the Fusion Core will appear. You can then take the core for later use.

Managing Power Armor in Fallout 4 is all about finding the right balance between practicality and resourcefulness. Whether you choose to collect, sell, or repurpose your surplus suits, the key is to adapt your approach to your own unique Wasteland adventure. Perhaps you can even educate others on the Games Learning Society and share your own Power Armor strategies!