Can You Use Console Commands and Still Get Achievements in Fallout 4?

The short answer, and perhaps the one you’ve been desperately searching for, is: yes, you can use console commands in Fallout 4 and still get achievements, but with a significant caveat. The game does not permanently disable achievements simply by opening the console. However, executing any command via the console will disable achievements for that particular game session. This means you can still play, use commands as needed, but any achievements earned after using a console command will not register until you restart the game.

It’s a bit like a temporary pause on your achievement progress. You can utilize the console for debugging, experimentation, or just good old-fashioned cheating, but you will need to exit the game and reload for any achievement progress made after command use to count. Therefore, you might want to plan your gaming sessions around your achievement goals, separating them from command-heavy play sessions.

Understanding How Console Commands Affect Achievements

The key is the difference between simply opening the console and actually using it. Just bringing up the console (typically done using the tilde key ~) will not disable achievements. It’s the act of entering and executing a command that triggers the temporary lock. This gives you the freedom to look up commands without worry.

This behavior contrasts with older games like Fallout: New Vegas, where console commands permanently disabled achievements. Fallout 4 is more forgiving in this respect, allowing you to essentially “reset” the achievement lock by simply restarting the game. This makes experimentation and troubleshooting significantly less nerve-wracking.

The Role of Mods and Third-Party Tools

While console commands have a straightforward effect on achievements, mods introduce a different layer of complexity. As a general rule, most mods will disable achievements entirely while they are enabled. This is because mods often alter the core game code, making it difficult for the game to properly track achievement progress. There are exceptions. The official HD texture pack and Creation Club mods do NOT disable achievements. This means you can use any of them while still progressing towards that perfect 100% achievement completion.

There is a silver lining for the modding community. On PC, you can use a mod to re-enable achievements even with other mods active. This allows you to have the best of both worlds, enjoying all the fantastic content that the modding community has made, whilst also still being able to get those coveted achievements.

Furthermore, third-party tools like trainers often offer more powerful options than the console, often allowing you to manipulate aspects of the game beyond what the console itself offers. While some players are wary of such tools, many find them invaluable for getting the most out of the game. However, like console commands, some trainers can also temporarily lock achievements during your current play session.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the use of console commands and their impact on achievements in Fallout 4:

1. Do console commands permanently disable achievements?

No, console commands do not permanently disable achievements in Fallout 4. They only prevent achievements from unlocking during the current play session. Restarting the game will allow you to earn achievements again.

2. Does opening the console itself disable achievements?

No, simply opening the console using the ~ key will not disable achievements. You must enter and execute a command to trigger the achievement lock.

3. Do mods always disable achievements?

In most cases, yes. Most mods will disable achievements. However, the official HD pack and Creation Club mods do not. Also, there are mods (especially on PC) that allow achievements to be re-enabled.

4. Does using a trainer disable achievements?

Like console commands, some trainers may temporarily disable achievements for the current play session. It’s best to avoid their use if you are actively pursuing achievements.

5. Is there a command to get all achievements?

Yes, the command caqs (Complete All Quest Stages) can grant you all quest-related items and achievements but is very buggy and may cause crashes. It’s generally not recommended.

6. Can I advance a quest with console commands?

Yes, you can use the command SetStage <QuestID> <Quest stage number> to advance a quest to a specific stage. This is useful for bypassing bugged sections.

7. Are Fallout 4 achievements tied to difficulty?

No, there are no difficulty-related achievements in Fallout 4. You can play on any difficulty without impacting your ability to earn achievements.

8. Can I use console commands to level up?

Yes, the command player.setlevel [insert number] will boost your level to the number specified. However, using this will disable your achievements until you load a previous save or restart your game.

9. Is there a level cap in Fallout 4?

There is no official level cap. However, the game becomes unstable around level 65,535. Reaching level 300 will give you all stats and perks.

10. What is the hardest achievement in Fallout 4?

The hardest achievement is considered to be Benevolent Leader, which requires you to achieve 100% happiness in a large settlement.

11. How can I get 100% happiness in a settlement?

Focus on having more food, water, and beds than settlers. Ensure high defense, and use clinics and shops. The more settlers, the harder this is to achieve.

12. Can you get all trophies in one playthrough?

Yes, you can get all trophies in a single playthrough but you will need multiple saves to go down different faction quest lines as they will often lock you out of other trophies.

13. How long does it take to get every achievement in Fallout 4?

The estimated completion time for all 50 achievements is between 80-100 hours.

14. How do you give an achievement using console commands?

You can’t directly give achievements via the in-game console. Achievement commands, such as /achievement give achievement.overkill, typically work in server based games. For Fallout 4, you can use the “caqs” command, or get them legitimately.

15. What is the max companion affinity you can achieve?

You can increase the affinity above 1000 using commands such as setav ca_affinity 999, and then do actions that the companion likes or loves.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of console commands and achievements in Fallout 4 can seem tricky, but it’s quite manageable with a bit of planning. You can certainly enjoy the flexibility and power that console commands offer while still progressing towards your achievement goals. The key is understanding the temporary nature of the achievement lock and ensuring to restart the game after command usage to resume normal achievement tracking. Remember, while mods can introduce complexities, there are ways to enjoy modding and still chase down those achievements. Happy gaming and good luck in the Commonwealth!