Summary
Although it might look a bit dated by modern standards,Fallout 3remains one of the most intriguing, alluring, and engaging RPGs in Bethesda’s oeuvre. Some of themost bizarreFalloutquests, characters, and locations can be found in this entry, and the game is all the more memorable for them. While atmosphere and worldbuilding may be the kings ofFallout 3in many ways, there is still plenty of gameplay meat on its bones, and knowing the best approaches to take can be the difference between an easy playthrough and a grueling one.
Like many of Bethesda’s older RPGs, moment-to-moment gameplay is greatly under-emphasized inFallout 3. While it’s the firstFalloutgame to feature real-time combat, the mechanics of this combat system are pretty straightforward, especially given the inclusion of thetime-freezing V.A.T.S. ability. This ostensibly simple gameplay doesn’t mean thatFallout 3is easy, though. On the contrary, the game can often pose a significant challenge, especially for players who are underprepared or don’t have a firm grasp on key systems like basic stats, gear, and enemy types.
Fallout 3 101
Luck Is the Most Underrated Stat
At the start ofFallout 3, players can allocate points for their SPECIAL stats—the first major step in crafting a build. While stats like strength and intelligence might seem like the best options to invest in, luck shouldn’t be overlooked. Indeed, a luck-heavy build can actually beone ofFallout 3’s most powerful.
Each level of luck stacks the critical hit chance for all weapons, which can be incredibly useful forFallout 3players who favor firearms, especially those with a high rate of fire. Moreover, every two levels of luck will increase every skill by one point. A bevy of additional benefits can be enjoyed by way of a high luck stat, including better loot drops and better performance with certain perks, with a notable example being the Mysterious Stranger perk, which can become considerably stronger given a higher luck stat.
The Alien Blaster, one of thebest weapons inFallout 3, can only be obtained through a random UFO encounter, which players are much more likely to come across if they have high luck. Getting this gun, especially early in the game, is one of the best rewards for investing heavily in the luck stat.
Leveling Can be Optimized Via Intelligence
Luck may be the most overlooked, but it’s not the only SPECIAL stat with unexpected or unexplained benefits. With a base intelligence of one, players will earn eleven skill points per level, but this amount increases by one point with each level of the intelligence stat. This makes intelligence one of the best SPECIAL stats to invest in early on, as it pays dividends in the early game, allowing players to grow more powerful, more quickly. Even if players aren’t looking for an intelligence-focused build, they should keep the stat in mind if they want to enjoy faster progression.
Not All Perks Are Created Equal
Although they are a key part of the franchise, some ofFallout 3’s perks aren’t worth acquiring. Being judicious when purchasing perks is important when it comes to build-crafting, but certain perks are, generally speaking, useless, regardless of a given build. For example, flat skill-point increase perks aren’t worth it, especially when the Educated perk grants more skill points over time, and other perks like Lead Belly only grant insignificant benefits that can be easily enjoyed by other, lower-commitment means. Some of the best perks to purchase inFallout 3include Bloody Mess, Grim Reaper’s Sprint, and Intense Training, as these provide meaningful and lasting benefits, rather than overly specific, minor buffs.
Fallout 3
WHERE TO PLAY
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