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Do You Always Get the Mole Rat Disease in Fallout 4?

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The short answer is a resounding no, you do not always get the mole rat disease in Fallout 4. However, the threat is very real, and the consequences of contracting it can be significant. This insidious illness, known formally as the Vault 81 mole rat disease, is a unique and often dreaded affliction found specifically within the depths of Vault 81. It’s not a guaranteed outcome, but it is a risk that players must carefully navigate during their exploration of this unique Vault. This article will delve into the details of how to avoid this disease, its effects, and the difficult choices you might face.

Understanding the Mole Rat Disease

The Vault 81 mole rat disease is not your standard ailment. It isn’t simply a temporary debuff cured by a stimpak or a visit to a doctor. Instead, it’s a disease that inflicts a permanent reduction of 10 points to your maximum health. This can be a major setback, impacting your ability to survive in the harsh world of the Commonwealth. This permanent consequence makes prevention a crucial aspect of exploring Vault 81.

How is the Disease Contracted?

Unlike typical diseases in Fallout 4, the mole rat disease isn’t contracted through contaminated food or water. It’s transmitted by the lab mole rats found only within the secret, experimental section of Vault 81. Specifically, contracting the disease depends on being bitten by one of these infected creatures. The game employs a random chance system, so each bite doesn’t guarantee infection, but the more you or your companions are bitten, the higher the likelihood of contracting the disease.

The Role of Companions and Protectrons

The risk doesn’t only apply to the player character. If your companion or even a Protectron assisting you in this area is bitten by a lab mole rat, the player character also risks contracting the disease. This crucial detail elevates the challenge of exploring Vault 81’s secret area, forcing you to be acutely aware of your allies’ well-being as well. The disease can be transferred to you via a biting mole rat hitting an NPC.

Avoiding the Mole Rat Disease

Given the permanent nature of this affliction, avoiding it is crucial. The key to a disease-free exploration of the secret vault area lies in preventative measures and tactical gameplay. Here’s how to approach it:

Stealth and VATS: Emphasize stealth mechanics to eliminate mole rats before they can engage you or your companions. Utilizing VATS to target them accurately before they get close to you is very efficient.
Going Solo: Taking on the Vault 81 secret area alone drastically reduces the chances of contracting the disease. Less targets also means less chances of being bit.
Explosives: Mines and grenades can effectively wipe out groups of mole rats from a safe distance, reducing the risk of close-quarters encounters.
Save Scumming: Employing frequent quicksaves will allow you to revert to a previous point if things go wrong and infection occurs. Save frequently before you enter each room or when going around a corner.
Robot Shutdown: It’s best to avoid turning on the protectrons in this part of the Vault. While they can help with fighting, they also risk getting bitten and transmitting the disease to you.

Dealing with the Disease

Unfortunately, if despite your best efforts, you do contract the mole rat disease, you’re faced with a difficult choice. Curie offers the only cure, and there is only one dose. You must decide whether to keep the cure for yourself or give it to a child named Austin who was infected during the incident. Giving the cure to Austin does not cure you. Instead, it locks in the disease with its -10 max health penalty. Your decision has profound implications for your character’s long-term health and standing within Vault 81.

The Cost of Kindness

Deciding to give the cure to Austin might be the “good” option, but it means you’ll live with the permanent health penalty for the remainder of the game. It is a moral choice you must face as you explore this vault. If you decide to save Austin, you’re rewarded with a place in Vault 81, a new weapon called the Syringer, and the good favor of its residents.

The Selfish Alternative

Of course, you can also choose to keep the cure for yourself. This choice will leave you healthy and whole, but Austin will remain sick, and the residents of Vault 81 will be less than happy with you. This makes for a more pragmatic but less noble option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 FAQs about the mole rat disease and Vault 81 to further enhance your understanding:

Can you complete Hole in the Wall without getting infected? Yes, it’s entirely possible to complete the “Hole in the Wall” quest without contracting the mole rat disease by eliminating the threat before it has a chance to attack your character, your companions, or even the protectrons.
Does wearing power armor prevent mole rat disease? No, the type of armor you wear doesn’t matter. Power armor, just like normal armor or even being naked, won’t protect you from contracting the disease if you are bitten by an infected mole rat.
Does the Mole Rat Disease ever go away on its own? No. It has a duration of 999 days (technically speaking), but it’s effectively permanent. The only way to cure it is to use the single dose given by Curie.
Can you get rid of mole rat disease by seeing a doctor? No, typical medical professionals cannot cure this particular disease. Only the special cure offered by Curie will remove the effects, and only if you choose not to give it to Austin.
What happens if your companion is bitten? If a companion or protectron is bitten by an infected mole rat, the player character is also given a chance to contract the disease.
Can you get the disease by looting dead mole rats? No, looting dead mole rats will not transmit the mole rat disease. The disease is spread strictly through bites from living, infected mole rats.
Is there a notification when you get infected? There is no formal notification, however, the disease will be listed in your Pip-Boy as soon as you become infected.
Is it better to go alone to avoid the mole rat disease? Yes, going alone reduces the risk of being infected. Companions and NPCs can be bitten, which can result in the player character contracting the disease.
If I get hit by a mole rat once, will I get the disease? Not necessarily. Every bite carries a chance of infection. Multiple bites increase the likelihood, but a single bite doesn’t always result in contracting the disease.
Where is the mole rat cure in Fallout 4? The cure is not something you find in the world. Instead, Curie gives you the cure after she learns about the Vault 81 situation. It can be found in the “Aid” section of your Pip-Boy.
What are the rewards for giving the cure to Austin? If you choose to give the cure to Austin, you receive the Syringer Rifle and access to a free apartment within Vault 81. You also get a lot of good favor from the vault’s citizens.
How do you get Curie to be a synth? You must complete Curie’s personal quest and bring her to Doctor Amari in Goodneighbor. There, Doctor Amari will upload her consciousness to a synth body.
Can you romance Curie? Yes, you can, and she is one of the most beloved romances in Fallout 4. After reaching maximum affinity with her, you’ll get the option to flirt, and a successful speech check will lead to a romance option.
How long does the mole rat disease last? Officially, it lasts 999 days, but in practice, it’s a permanent condition unless cured with the single dose provided by Curie.
Where is Vault 81 located? Vault 81 is located in the central area of The Commonwealth, south of Oberland Station along the train tracks, and just west of the Chestnut Hillock Reservoir.

Conclusion

The mole rat disease in Fallout 4 is a harsh reminder of the dangers and difficult choices inherent in the post-apocalyptic world. While the disease isn’t unavoidable, it’s a challenge that demands a strategic approach. Understanding how it’s transmitted, taking preventative steps, and considering the consequences of your choices are all crucial for navigating the treacherous depths of Vault 81. Whether you’re an altruistic hero or a pragmatic survivor, the mole rat disease is a trial that will test your limits and force you to make tough decisions.