Can I Steal Power Armor in Fallout 4? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can steal Power Armor in Fallout 4, but the process isn’t always straightforward. The most common method involves removing the Fusion Core, the suit’s power source. This forces the occupant out and allows you to claim the frame. There are other, less direct methods, and various factors to consider, which we’ll delve into in this comprehensive guide.

Understanding Power Armor Ownership in Fallout 4

Before we dive into the mechanics of stealing Power Armor, it’s crucial to understand how the game handles ownership. By default, any Power Armor frame you find that isn’t already owned becomes yours when you enter it. However, if an NPC is wearing Power Armor, it’s considered theirs, hence the “stealing” aspect. The game distinguishes between frames and armor pieces. The frame is the underlying skeleton, while the armor pieces are the components attached to it. Removing and equipping pieces doesn’t usually trigger the ‘stealing’ flag unless you remove them from an owned frame before you’ve claimed it.

Methods of Stealing Power Armor

The Fusion Core Gambit

This is the most reliable and widely used method. Here’s how it works:

1. Pickpocketing: The most common way to steal is by pickpocketing the fusion core right out of the enemy armor. With the right perks, you can easily take the Fusion Core out of the back.
2. Combat (Targeting the Core): In V.A.T.S. (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System), you can target the Fusion Core on an enemy’s Power Armor. Repeated shots to the core can cause it to eject, forcing the NPC out of the armor. Be warned: this can also cause a nuclear explosion dealing damage to both the NPC and yourself if you’re too close.
3. The Aftermath: Once the NPC is forced out of the armor, quickly hop in to claim it as your own.

The “Setownership” Console Command (PC Only)

For PC players, there’s a much simpler method:

1. Open the Console: Press the tilde key (~) to open the in-game console.
2. Select the Power Armor: Click on the Power Armor frame while the console is open. A line of numbers/text will appear, indicating the frame is selected.
3. Enter the Command: Type setownership and press Enter.
4. Done: The Power Armor is now yours and entering it will no longer be considered stealing.

This method circumvents the usual mechanics and makes the Power Armor yours instantly.

Strategic Placement and AI Manipulation

While not strictly “stealing,” you can sometimes trick NPCs into exiting Power Armor in strategic locations, making it easier to acquire. For example, leading an NPC into a narrow doorway where the Power Armor hampers their movement can sometimes cause them to exit the suit, leaving it vulnerable. This is a less reliable method, but worth trying if pickpocketing isn’t an option.

Consequences of Stealing

Stealing Power Armor, like any act of theft in Fallout 4, can have consequences:

• Companion Disapproval: Some companions, like Preston Garvey, strongly disapprove of stealing. If you steal Power Armor in their presence, you’ll likely lose affinity with them.
• Settler Aggression: If you steal Power Armor in a settlement, settlers may become hostile towards you.
• Brotherhood of Steel: Stealing power armor from the Brotherhood of Steel will make Danse “dislike that”.

Maintaining Your Stolen Power Armor

Once you’ve acquired a stolen Power Armor frame, it’s crucial to maintain it. Power Armor degrades over time, especially when taking damage in combat. Regular repairs are essential to keep it in optimal condition. Visit a Power Armor station and have the necessary resources on hand. Damaged Power Armor pieces decrease your defensive capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Power Armor Theft

1. Can settlers steal my power armor?

Without mods, only you and your companions can run around in power armor. You cannot assign your settlers or provisioners to wear it. However, if you leave a suit lying around with a power core inside of it and the settlement is attacked, a nearby settler will jump into it to defend the settlement. Remove the Fusion Core!

2. Will a Power Armor stay where I leave it?

If you DROP your PA from your inventory with R button, the PA counts as an owned item which cannot be stolen and/or equipped by anyone except for the owner. You can leave it in your stash and leaving it in the open will make it be recalled back to your inventory.

3. How do I keep power armor from being stolen in Fallout 4?

Easiest (but not safest) is to just take the Fusion Core out. However if anyone else has a Fusion Core they can jump right in. The best safest (but annoying) method is to take out the Fusion Core AND put the Armor on a raised platform that only you can reach.

4. What is the weakness of power armor?

Because power armor uses fusion cores as a power source, removing it by any means (stealing it, or dealing a sufficient amount of damage) will force it to power down, forcing its pilot to exit, unless they have a spare fusion core in their inventory.

5. What happens if you shoot the fusion core in Fallout 4?

While in V.A.T.S., a player can even target the fusion core specifically to cause an explosion and force the enemy out of their armor instantly. It’s a devastating attack, but requires the player to be behind their enemy.

6. Can you recharge fusion cores in Fallout 4?

No, you can’t recharge them, but you can sell them for other cores.

7. What drains power armor Fallout 4?

Extra Drain – this is simply tied to your AP consumption/usage. Any activity that uses/drains your AP will cause extra drain on the fusion core. This is understood that power attacks, sprinting in power armor and jetpacks should drain the core quickly.

8. What’s the best power Armour in Fallout 4?

It depends on your preference and the situation, some of the best power armors include: Vim! Power Armor, Piezonucleic T-45/T-51 Torso, Honor T-60 Left Leg, Visionary’s T-60 Helmet, Quantum X-01 Armor Set, Tesla Armor Set, Nuka T-51 Armor Set, Overboss Power Armor Set.

9. Should you sprint in power armor?

Sprinting while inside power armor will cause the fusion core to deplete, and it is one of the mistakes that players make on a power armor playthrough. There is no reason to Sprint other than to get around quickly, so players shouldn’t ever do it if they are trying to save their fusion cores for battles.

10. Does what you wear under power armor matter?

Nope, when you put on power armor it disables all normal armor and clothing. There is one oddball exception. If you remove the power armor helmet, then head wear still counts.

11. Can you have multiple sets of power armor?

Yes, just take off all the power armor and enter the frame then the put all the armor back on it.

12. Can you steal from the Brotherhood of Steel Fallout 4?

If you choose to quest with the Brotherhood of Steel, Eventually you will be rewarded with a free set of T-60b BOS Power Armor. What you may not know is that you can easily steal some of the spares they have laying around the Prydwen. Stealing these yourself causes Danse to “dislike that”.

13. Can power armor respawn?

Yes. Sometimes you’ll find a abandoned Power Armor suit complete, or incomplete. It depends on the place where you find it.

14. Can you repair power armor?

Have the armor piece in your personal inventory (not the workshop inventory if at a settlement). Then, go to the power armor workstation your frame (with other pieces attached) is at and you’ll see it in the list of items to work on. Once it’s repaired, you can re-equip it on your frame.

15. How do I stop power armor from being recalled?

Any suit you enter will be recalled to your inventory unless you drop it. Power cores automatically swap out as long as you have multiple in your inventory. If you always wear the suit then I’d invest in power armor perks to make it easier to repair and make cores last longer.

Conclusion

Stealing Power Armor in Fallout 4 is a viable strategy, and allows you to get very powerful early game. Whether you choose the stealthy approach of pickpocketing Fusion Cores, the destructive method of targeting the core in combat, or the more technical solution of using console commands, knowing the intricacies of ownership and consequences is key. So, get out there, explore the Wasteland, and claim that Power Armor for yourself – just be mindful of who’s watching!

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