During QuakeCon 2019, Todd Howard together with Development Director and Project Leader thoroughly explained details of their upcoming multiplayer-survival spin-off Fallout 76. A totally new Perk System is introduced as well as mechanics to help fight griefers. You can watch the almost hour-long Q&A video here. Also, make sure to check out the short Trailer for the Perk System.
Fallout 76, the multiplayer-focused spin-off and newest entry to the post-apocalyptic action-RPG is steadily nearing its launch later this November. All the while, Bethesda is continuously releasing more details and rightfully so, since Fallout 76 is the first time multiplayer is playing a key role and fans have been wondering how the game will play out.
At QuakeCon, Game Director Todd Howard sat down to a Q&A session and together with colleagues tried to clear up those questions. The first thing we learn is that Fallout 76 will feature a redesigned Perk System. Perk are now cards and can be swapped out and changed at any time. Each card has its Point Cost between 1-5 and with a maximum Skill Point ceiling of 15, players will have to manage which card to use when.
The seven S.P.E.C.I.A.L. skills found in all Fallout games still remain. Every time the player levels up, he’ll be able to spend a Skill Point in one of the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Skills and unlock a Perk in that Skill.
Perks are also available randomly however with the newly introduced Perk Card Packs, which drop every 2 Levels until Level 10, then every 5 Levels. These Card Packs contain 4 random cards with random Perks and are meant to entice players to experiment with different Perks.
Besides the new leveling system, we also learn more info about the competitive PvP mode. Those interested in fighting another player can simply start attacking them. This first strike will deal diminished damage and is intended as an invitation of sorts. If the other players strikes back, full damage will be restored.
If however the other player is not interested in fighting, the attacker will still be able to fight and kill him over time. Since this is an unwanted type of fight, the attacker will become a “Wanted Murderer” with a bounty on its head. He’ll also be flagged with a red star on the map for everyone to see and hunt. To further punish griefers, the bounty will come from the attackers own Caps, the game’s currency.
For those who are only interested in solo-play or co-op, there is the option to flag yourself as pacifist, in which you’ll not be able to damage other players.
Lastly, we also learn how Nukes affect the game. If these detonate in or near your base, it will get destroyed. You can repair your camp but if you want to relocate, you’ll be able to easily with the new Blueprint system. You can make blueprints of your homes and camps, demolish them and quickly rebuild and relocate in another spot on the map.
For more details check out the Q&A video and stay patient for the Beta of Fallout 76 in October. Fallout 76 releases November 14th for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
