Summary
RecentFalloutgames, particularlyFallout 4, let players achieve omnipotent builds, where players could combine all the best parts of certain skill and weapon proficiency builds without compromising on their strengths. Ultimately though, this was a double-edged sword, as some players enjoyed the power fantasy provided by these types of builds, while other players resented the ability to create a jack-of-all-trades protagonist since this undermines the RPG elements that theFalloutfranchise is known for. Yet despite this kind of omnipotent build beinga divisive element of the modernFalloutgames,Fallout 76’s attempt to subvert this controversy has proven to be equally divisive among fans of the franchise.
At launch,Fallout 76’s perk card system was a popular source of criticism amongFalloutfans, with it being considered a downgrade compared to the progression systems from pastFalloutgames. One of the main criticisms ofFallout 76’s perk cards that still rings true today is that the level cap prevents players from achieving the same depth of builds that the past games allowed. However, as different as it may be from the progression system thatFalloutfans had grown familiar with,Fallout 76’s perk cards still have some redeemable strengths.
Fallout 76’s Perk Card System is a Step in the Right Direction
Respeccing Skill Points and Having Multiple Builds in Fallout 76 is Easier Than Ever Before
One thing thatFallout 76does differently from past games is allowing players to have multiple perk loadouts on a single character/playthrough. In a sense, all the pieces to make omnipotent builds are still there inFallout 76, players would just have to swap out certain perks on the fly. This is admittedly quite tedious though, so players are better off making multiple perk loadouts at the ‘What Makes You SPECIAL?’ stations. For instance, many players have loadouts dedicated to crafting andfarming XP inFallout 76, as well as additional builds designed for specific weapon types.
Players start with two perk loadout slots available, and additional perk loadouts can be purchased with premium Atoms currency inFallout 76’s Atomic Shop.
Fallout 76 Lets Players Share Perk Cards With Teammates
Players can alsoshare perks inFallout 76with teammateson public or private teams. So, on a full team of four players, these shared perks can add up to bring a lot of extra quality of life and survivability perks that players might be missing out on. Shared perks aren’t always coordinated in such an ideal way on public teams, but this feature still has potential, especially when players communicate to see what perks would be most useful to their teammates.
Players have the option to reject shared perks from teammates, which is useful when teammates are sharing perks that conflict with certain builds.
Fallout 76’s Legendary Perk Cards Offer Additional Skills
Additionally,Fallout 76features legendary perks that players unlock upon reaching certain level thresholds, with these legendary perks providing additional utility and survivability skills. Players can eventually equip up to six legendary perks at a time, and these perks can be interchanged or upgraded by using perk coins. At first,perk coins inFallout 76will be a rare commodity, but over time, players can amass more of them than they would ever need, so the Legendary Perk slots become a lot more flexible as players progress.
Overall,Fallout 76’s perk card systemoffers a lot of flexibility that past games didn’t offer. So, despite not offering the same kind of linear depth in build crafting compared to the other modernFalloutgames, this flexibility is arguably a refreshing departure from the jack-of-all-trades builds that have proven troublesome for theFalloutfranchise, even if it’s only a small step towards addressing a larger problem.
