Learn the ins and outs of Fallout 4’s power armor
If you explore the wasteland of Fallout 4 for any length of time, you’ re bound to learn how vital proper protection is. It’s not just bullets you’ll have to defend yourself from out there. Radiation is one of the biggest obstacles you’ll face, but enemies will have mini-nukes, lasers, and copious amounts of Molotov cocktails to throw your way. You’re going to need some serious protection if you want to survive.
Allow me to introduce the power armor.
Whereas power armor in past Fallout games was usually exclusive to the Brotherhood of Steel, in Fallout 4, power armor is far more common. And that means not only are there more chances for you to find yourself a suit and armor up, but the chances of running into enemies in power armor also increase.
If you’ve ever wondered about the ins and outs of the hermetically sealed, nuclear-powered, super-strength exoskeleton suit that is the power armor, then look no further. Allow us to guide you to victory.
You may be interested in also reading: 5 Essential Tips for Fallout 4 Beginners
What is power armor?
Power armor is pretty self-explanatory. It’s armor that’s powered. Boom.
Power armor was initially used by the Brotherhood of Steel and was their ace card during combat. The Brotherhood is known for commandeering technology they deem dangerous to humanity and repurposing it for their own needs. Still, their true advantage against super mutants and other enemies is power armor.
Power armor can turn any regular wastelander into a near-invincible warrior of metal and steel, but only if you use it properly.
Power armor can enhance a character’s carry weight, perception, charisma, and intelligence. It can also be modded to provide extra protection against radiation, quicker action point regeneration, and faster movement speed.
Much like the player character in Fallout 4, each limb of the power armor has its own health bar, defense level, and radiation resistance. This is important to keep an eye on, as pieces of your armor can break like your character’s limbs. They will need repair, but unlike your character’s limbs, you can’t just take a stimpak and hope everything will be better. You’ll have to find a power armor station to mod, repair, or enhance a set of power armor.
Don’t worry. Power armor stations are as common as weapon and armor crafting stations; you’ll find them scattered around the world, lurking in every city, and a standard piece in most settlements.
Fusion cores
Power armor runs on fusion cores. Fusion cores are rare in Fallout 4 and do not respawn once picked up. They’re like little nuclear reactors in a cell no bigger than a rolled-up magazine and pop into the back of the power armor. Each fusion core has a charge of up to 100. As it’s used, the charge will slowly drain. There is no way to recharge them. Once depleted, you’ll need another fusion core to run the power armor. If you have one in your inventory, then another will immediately replace the core once the core is used up.
Fusion cores can be found throughout the map, usually in generator rooms, boiler rooms, or any room that holds the power unit of a building. You’ll find a yellow console with flashing lights, hear the hum of an engine, and find a little fusion core sticking out. Grab it and add it to your collection.
Though you can’t grow fusion cores or recharge them, you can find vendors that will reliably carry them. Since vendors’ stock respawns, you can occasionally find a consistent source of fusion cores if needed.
A pro tip is always to pop your fusion core out before its charge reaches zero. If a fusion core has even a 5% charge, you can sell it to a vendor for hundreds of caps. If it’s at zero, you’ll get basically nothing. Make sure to remove your core before it drops all the way to zero and manually put in the next core. The next time you go to a city, you can trade your used core for a new one and pay the small difference.
But because of the rarity of fusion cores, you shouldn’t be doing everything in Fallout 4 in power armor.
Where can you find power armor?
Everywhere. Seriously.
Raiders will wear them. You’ll find them in the back of military trucks. You’ll gain access to several if you help the Brotherhood of Steel. Also, plenty of abandoned military outposts have pieces left behind. There’s even a quest, The Lost Patrol, where you follow a platoon of Brotherhood soldiers around, and each quest stop provides you with another suit of armor.
You’ll have opportunities to buy them from different vendors. And as I mentioned, if you progress the Brotherhood of Steel quest line long enough, you’ll meet Proctor Ingram. She’s the power armor mechanic for Fallout 4 and will give you parts, schematics, and anything else you need to make your suit of power armor the most badass in the wasteland.
Crafting power armor for advantage
Crafting and modding your suit of power armor works just like crafting weapons and armor. Head to the power armor station, ensure you have the power armor frame and pieces, and get to work. You can equip different armor parts, like changing the helmet for a different design or switching your arms out for stronger ones. Or you can enhance the pieces you have with components.
To upgrade your power armor to its full potential, you’ll need some upgrade points in the Science, Armorer, and Blacksmith perks. The Armorer part should be obvious, but you’ll need the Science perk if you want to add any fancy targeting matrixes or radiation resistances. And when it comes to adding bludgeoning damage to your unarmed power fists, you’ll need the Blacksmith perk. But with all that at your disposal, you’re suit of power armor will be a steampunk version of Ironman, minus the rocket boots.
Upgrading your power armor’s model will significantly increase its defensive capabilities all around, but it will take a lot of components. We recommend scavenging as much as possible to have everything you need when you need it. And don’t forget to add a wicked paint job to your suit of armor. If you have all power armor pieces painted in the same scheme, you can further enhance your armor’s boost to perception, strength, intelligence, or charisma.
Power armor disadvantages
If you’re wearing a giant, clunky suit of armor that requires a powered workstation to perform repairs, you’re not going to be quiet. You’re going to be clunkier than the Iron Giant. So say goodbye to stealth and sneaking around enemy hideouts. Unless your stealth perk is through the roof, you’ll alert every enemy around while wearing your power armor.
Power armor was not made for maritime assaults. It’ll still operate if you get it wet, but don’t expect to swim in it. You will instead drop like the leaded bulk of steel you are. So beware of bodies of water deeper than your head. If you can’t climb back out, neither can the suit of armor.
Components, components, components. Not only does power armor consume fusion cores to keep it running, but as you take damage to each body part, you’ll need to repair them accordingly. That takes a lot of components over time. It’s nice that your power armor enhances your carry weight so you can scavenge and pillage all you like, which may help offset some of the cost. But you’d better have a steady supply of goodies in your settlement if you want to keep your armor in tip-top shape.
Beware of leaving a fusion core in unused power armor. Leaving in the power source for power armor makes the suit fair game to anyone who finds it. This isn’t bad if your suit is chilling at one of your settlements; if your settlement gets attacked, your settlers may jump into the power armor to help defend the others. But it also means an enemy raider could hop into the suit and take it for a killing spree. So whenever you’re done using the armor suit, take the fusion core out.
Final thoughts on Fallout 4’s power armor
Power armor no longer gives an exclusive advantage to the Brotherhood of Steel and their friends. It levels the playing field for all inhabitants of the wasteland. And if you can get your hands on some, be sure to bring it back to your preferred settlement for repairs and maintenance. Power armor, like a Fat Boy or missile launcher, will be your ace up your sleeve whenever you meet a boss enemy. Or just a really big Deathclaw.
