Do Settlers Have Infinite Grenades in Fallout 4? The Explosive Truth
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is both yes and no, and understanding the nuances is crucial for managing your settlements in Fallout 4. Yes, if you give a settler just one grenade of any type, they will effectively have an infinite supply. However, this comes with a significant caveat: settlers aren’t exactly known for their tactical prowess when it comes to chucking explosives.
Here’s the breakdown: equipping a settler with even a single grenade grants them the capability to throw an unlimited number of that grenade. The settler needs only a single piece of ammo for a gun to have infinite ammo, and the same goes for grenades.
The problem arises from their AI. Settlers will hurl grenades at anything they perceive as hostile, regardless of line of sight, obstacles, or even the proximity of friendlies. This means they might blow up a building, inadvertently injure other settlers, or simply waste grenades on targets that are hopelessly out of reach.
Therefore, while settlers do functionally have infinite grenades if provided with even one, giving them grenades is generally a bad idea. The potential for collateral damage and wasted resources far outweighs the benefits of equipping your settlers with explosives. Unless you are prepared to repair your structures after a raid, and you’re sure you do not care about settler deaths, keep the grenades to yourself and use weapon types that settlers are more apt to use proficiently, like assault rifles and miniguns.
Settler Dynamics: A Deeper Dive
Understanding how settlers behave in Fallout 4 is key to building thriving and safe settlements. Their quirks, limitations, and behaviors impact everything from resource management to defense. Let’s explore some common questions players have about their digital denizens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do settlers have infinite ammo in general?
Yes, settlers equipped with a weapon provided by the player character will benefit from what is effectively infinite ammo, but the way it works is that in order to use that weapon, they need to have at least 1 (one) ammo in their inventory of the type that the equipped weapon uses. That single ammo will never be consumed and acts as infinite ammo. This applies to most standard ranged weapons. So, hand your settler one 5.56mm round for an assault rifle, or one .45 for a combat rifle and they will defend the settlement until the end of time.
2. What is the settler limit in Fallout 4?
The base limit is determined by your Charisma stat. Each settlement starts with a maximum capacity of 10 settlers, and you can add one additional settler for each point of Charisma you possess. This means that with a Charisma of 10, you can reach the base maximum of 20 settlers. However, by wearing charisma boosting clothing and consumables, you can actually raise the settler limit, going over 20 settlers.
3. What is the best gun to give settlers in Fallout 4?
The best weapon for settlers in Fallout 4 depends on your priorities. One popular choice is the assault rifle. Settlers perform reasonably well with them and they’re effective at medium ranges. You could also use the minigun, as it’s an accurate automatic weapon and can function like miniature turrets. The weapons that are best tend to be accurate and automatic or semi-automatic. Shotguns, for instance, are a bad option, since settlers AI is not designed to approach enemies closely and shoot them in the face.
4. Will settlers use weapons they find or that I give them?
Yes, absolutely. Settlers will automatically equip weapons that are better than their current armament. If a hostile dies while holding a powerful weapon, expect a settler to pick it up. This can be a double-edged sword. It’s fantastic when they grab a useful weapon, but it also means they might loot a valuable item you wanted.
5. Can settlers use power armor effectively?
Without mods, settlers cannot be assigned to power armor. However, if you leave a suit of power armor with a fusion core inside within a settlement, a settler will enter it during an attack to defend the settlement. Keep this in mind, and remember to take out the core, or your power armor may walk away.
6. How do I tell if a settler is a synth in Fallout 4?
This is a tricky one. There is a chance (often cited as 50/50) that a settler could be a synth. There are only two surefire ways to confirm this: either pass a difficult speech check to interrogate them, or kill them and check their corpse for a Synth Component. Be warned that attacking a settler based solely on suspicion will likely turn the rest of the settlement against you.
7. Do settlers take weapons from my workshop?
Yes, they will, given the opportunity. If a settlement comes under attack and there are weapons stored in your workbench, settlers may grab them for defense. It’s best to keep valuable or specific weapons stored securely in a container that settlers cannot access, like a locked container.
8. How do I get a settlement to 100% happiness?
Achieving maximum happiness requires careful management. The key elements are:
- High Population: Aim for 20+ settlers.
- Resource Surplus: Ensure food, water, and beds exceed the number of settlers.
- Exceptional Defense: Build substantial defenses to ensure settlers feel safe.
- Amenities: Provide things that boost happiness.
9. Do robots count as settlers in Fallout 4?
Yes, robots built at the Automatron DLC‘s workbench and companions assigned to settlements count towards the settler limit. However, your current active companion does not count towards the limit.
10. What is Nick Valentine’s default weapon?
Nick Valentine typically uses a revolver pistol as his default weapon.
11. What perk helps with carrying capacity in Fallout 4?
The Strength perk directly influences your carrying capacity. Leveling up Strength allows you to carry more items.
12. What is the most powerful grenade in Fallout 4?
While personal preference plays a role, the Nuka Quantum Grenade is often considered the most powerful due to its sheer damage output. It deals massive explosive damage and leaves behind a lingering radiation cloud. If you like to cripple your enemies, a Cryogenic Grenade is a great choice.
13. What is the toughest creature in Fallout 4?
The Mythic Deathclaw is widely regarded as the most formidable enemy in Fallout 4. Its high damage resistance, powerful attacks, and relentless aggression make it a true test of skill. But if one is not enough, then the Ancient Behemoth is the toughest of the Behemoths.
14. Do settlers use fusion cores in power armor?
Yes, settlers do use fusion cores when they enter power armor. However, the fusion core drain mechanic only applies to the player. Settlers don’t seem to deplete fusion cores as quickly, but leaving a power armor suit with a core installed unattended is still a risky proposition.
15. How do I stop settlers from stealing my power armor?
The best way to prevent settlers from “borrowing” your power armor is to remove the fusion core when you’re not using it. Without a fusion core, the armor is just a static display. Additionally, consider storing your power armor at a less populated settlement, like the Red Rocket near Sanctuary, and always remove the fusion core.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances of settler behavior in Fallout 4 is key to building thriving and resilient communities in the wasteland. While the prospect of equipping your settlers with infinite grenades might seem appealing on the surface, the potential for chaos and destruction usually outweighs the benefits. Focus on providing them with reliable weaponry, adequate resources, and strong defenses, and your settlements will become beacons of hope in a dangerous world.
If you want to learn more about how games can be used for educational purposes, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. You will learn that video games offer various learning opportunities.