Resetting Your Character in Fallout 4: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve made some choices in the Commonwealth that you regret? Maybe you invested heavily in charisma and now realize you’d rather be a stealthy sniper? The good news is, while Fallout 4 doesn’t offer a straightforward “respec” option like some other RPGs, there are ways to effectively reset your SPECIAL stats and perks, though the methods are a bit unconventional. This guide will walk you through the different options available to you, helping you rebuild your character to your liking.

The most direct way to reset your character’s points in Fallout 4 involves using console commands. Specifically, you can remove perks one by one using the player.removeperk [PerkID] command. Unfortunately, there is no single command to reset all perk points or SPECIAL stats. The process is manual, requiring you to identify and remove unwanted perks individually. While tedious, this method gives you precise control over your character’s rebuild.

Understanding the Limitations

Before diving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand the limitations:

• No Single “Reset” Button: Fallout 4 lacks a single command or feature to completely wipe your character’s perk and SPECIAL point allocation.
• Console Commands Only (PC): The primary method involves using console commands, which are only available on the PC version of the game. Console commands are not available on the PlayStation or Xbox versions of the game.
• Manual Process: Resetting involves manually removing each perk and re-allocating points, which can be time-consuming.
• No SPECIAL Reset Command: There’s no direct way to reduce your SPECIAL stats using console commands. You’ll essentially be stuck with your initially boosted SPECIAL stats.

Methods for “Resetting” Your Character

Given these limitations, here’s how you can approximate a character reset in Fallout 4:

1. Perk Removal via Console Commands (PC Only)

This is the most precise, though most laborious, method. Here’s the breakdown:

• Open the Console: Press the tilde key (~ or `) on your keyboard to open the game console.
• Identify Perk IDs: You’ll need the specific ID for each perk you want to remove. You can find these on the Fallout 4 Wiki (e.g., http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Fallout_4_perks).
• Use the player.removeperk Command: Type player.removeperk [PerkID] (without the brackets) and press Enter. For example, to remove the “Gun Nut” perk (assuming its ID is 0004a0b5), you would type player.removeperk 0004a0b5.
• Repeat: Repeat this process for every perk you want to remove.
• Level Up and Reallocate: As you level up (or use console commands to grant yourself levels – see below), you can reallocate perk points to build your desired character.

2. Adding Perk Points via Console Commands (PC Only)

Once you’ve removed perks, you’ll need points to spend.

• Open the Console: Press the tilde key (~ or `) on your keyboard to open the game console.
• Use the player.addperkpoints Command: Type player.addperkpoints [Number] (without the brackets) and press Enter. For example, to add 10 perk points, you would type player.addperkpoints 10.
• Allocate Perks: Open the perk chart and spend the points as desired.

3. Starting a New Character (Most Common)

While not a true “reset,” this is often the most straightforward option, especially for players on consoles:

• Create a New Game: From the main menu, select “New” to start a fresh playthrough.
• Use Console Commands to Mimic Level (Optional – PC Only): If you want to skip the early game grind, you can use console commands to set your character’s level to approximately where your old character was. Use the command player.setlevel [level number]. Be aware that this will give you the corresponding number of perk points and access to the higher-level enemies and challenges.
• Re-Experience the Story: You get a chance to make different choices and experience the story from a fresh perspective.

4. The “Bat” File Method for Resets

This is only a partial reset option, and focuses on resetting areas.

• Create a Text File: Open Notepad (or any text editor) and save it as setRespawn.txt in your Fallout 4 game folder.
• Add Commands to the File: Inside the file, put in the following two lines:
  • set timescale to 1
  • resetinterior
• Create another Text File: Open Notepad (or any text editor) and save it as resetRespawn.txt in your Fallout 4 game folder.
• Add Commands to the File: Inside the file, put in the following lines:
  • set timescale to 20
• Execute in Game: Go ingame, go to an interior of your choice and open the console.
  • Type: bat setRespawn.
  • Close console and after 1 second reopen the console.
  • Type: bat resetRespawn.
  • Close console, leave interior, and the area will be reset.

5. Fallout 4 Perk Reset Chem: An Unfounded Myth

You may find claims of a “Fallout 4 Perk Reset Chem” online. There is no such item in the base game or official DLC. These claims are likely based on mods or wishful thinking.

Rebuilding Your SPECIAL Stats

As mentioned earlier, there’s no direct console command to decrease your SPECIAL stats. However, you can mitigate this by:

• Focusing on Perks that Complement Existing Stats: If you have high Strength, lean into melee combat perks.
• Choosing Perks that Don’t Rely on Specific Stats: Many powerful perks don’t require specific SPECIAL attributes.
• Roleplaying: Embrace the strengths and weaknesses of your build.

The Importance of Choice

While resetting your character is possible, it’s worth considering the value of your initial choices. Fallout 4 is, at its heart, an RPG. Embracing your mistakes and adapting to unforeseen challenges can be a rewarding experience. The Games Learning Society champions the idea that games can provide powerful learning opportunities through choices and consequences, so before you reach for the console, consider the journey you’ve already taken and the lessons learned. To learn more about game-based learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I reset my SPECIAL stats in Fallout 4?

No, there is no direct console command or in-game mechanic to reset your SPECIAL stats. Once allocated, they are permanent, though you can find bobbleheads and books to permanently increase them.

2. Is there a way to reset perk points on PlayStation or Xbox?

Unfortunately, no. The console command methods described above are exclusive to the PC version of Fallout 4. You’ll need to start a new character.

3. What is the maximum level in Fallout 4?

There is no official level cap in Fallout 4. You can theoretically level up indefinitely, acquiring all perks eventually. However, the game may become unstable at extremely high levels.

4. How do I get more perk points in Fallout 4?

You earn perk points each time you level up. You can also get additional perk points from completing certain challenges in the game.

5. Are there any mods that allow me to reset my character?

Yes! Many mods available on the Nexus Mods website offer more comprehensive respec options, including resetting SPECIAL stats. However, using mods may disable achievements and can sometimes cause conflicts with other game files.

6. What is the command to add levels in Fallout 4?

You can use the command player.setlevel [level number] to instantly set your character to a desired level. Be careful not to set the level too high too quickly, as it can disrupt the game’s balance.

7. Can I lose perks in Fallout 4?

No, once you’ve acquired a perk, it’s permanently unlocked for that character.

8. What happens if my SPECIAL stat goes above 10?

While some items and buffs can temporarily raise your SPECIAL stats above 10, the game’s calculations are generally capped at 10. However, some perks and effects may still benefit from the extra points.

9. What is the best way to level up quickly in Fallout 4?

Focus on quests that offer high experience rewards, use items that boost intelligence (which increases XP gain), and take advantage of the “Idiot Savant” perk.

10. Can I clear every location in Fallout 4?

No, some locations are designed to continuously respawn enemies or contain essential game elements that prevent them from being permanently cleared.

11. How do I completely uninstall Fallout 4?

To completely remove Fallout 4, delete the game files from your Steam directory, your “My Games” folder, and the AppData folder. Then, uninstall the game through Steam.

12. What is the X6-88 recall code?

The X6-88 recall code is “gamma-7-1-epsilon.” However, this is not relevant to resetting your own character.

13. Can I reset my perks in Cyberpunk 2077?

Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 allows you to reset your perk points at Ripperdoc clinics, although this functionality is not available in Fallout 4.

14. What is the command to give myself perk points in Fallout 4?

Use the command player.addperkpoints [Number] (without the brackets) to add the specified number of perk points to your character.

15. What is the optimal build in Fallout 4?

The “best” build depends on your playstyle. Popular builds include stealthy snipers, melee-focused power armor users, and charismatic leaders who rely on companions. Experiment and find what works best for you!