The post apocalyptic game of exploration, survival, and occasional shenanigans that is Fallout is my favorite video game series. The fact that you can have so much control over the creation of your character and the openness of the world, makes this game appeal to the roleplayer in me, and just like in Dungeons and Dragons, you character has stats.
S.P.E.C.I.A.L. is the acronym Bethesda Softworks uses for character statistics in the Fallout franchise. Each stat represents an important aspect of your character and improves what your character can do such as how much weight you can carry or how many hit points you’ll get. Bethesda’s new Fallout 4 is coming out November 10th, so there is very little time to get your own stats topped out before the game releases! Here is a simple guide on how to raise your IRL S.P.E.C.I.A.L.’s to be the best Fallout player you can be!
Strength:
You are going to have marathon sessions in front of your computer, so you are going to need to strengthen your mouse clicking muscles. Finger push-ups will get you the strength you need to play long into the night.
Perception:
The wastelands are full of useful items and deadly enemies. Your five senses will need to be honed to a razors edge. Okay, maybe you won’t need your sense of taste for a computer game, but the rest will come in handy. (Seriously, do not lick your computer.) One way to top off your perception stat is to hold a staring contest with your cat. Your furry friend can stare at a wall for hours, how will you hold up against their incessant gaze? Your eyes will never have more intense work out.
Endurance:
Do you have what it takes to wait in line all night to pick up Fallout 4 when it releases or are you one of those brilliant people that is downloading so they can play the second the game goes live? Regardless, you should not ignore this important stat, as it will sustain you through the longest of play sessions. Instead of driving, run to your local coffee shop several times and buy drinks packed with caffeine. Not only will your ability to sustain effort increase, but you will have a supply of coffee to back you up should your endurance fail.
Charisma:
A large part of Fallout games is role-playing. You’ll be put in situations where you must convince people to do things such as hand over their extremely valuable food and weapons for old bottle caps. Being able to fast-talk your way out of any situation is key.
Intelligence:
You may feel like you have been training your intelligence all your life after years and years of school, but you should know that improving oneself never ends. Make sure you set aside time to jack your intelligence score up by pouring over the old Fallout game guides, wiki’s, and fan sites. There is plenty of trivia to be found, that might just give you the edge you need to survive in the wastes. For example, did you know that Fallout 4 is not the only Fallout game that features a dog companion? Each game has a loyal hound to walk by your side including Rex, K-9, and the rather aptly named Dog Meat.
Agility:
Heightened reflexes will allow you to react quickly to those surprise encounters with feral ghouls and deathclaws. An easy way to train this stat is to get 10 of your friends, hand them dodgeballs, and insult their parents. Learning how to weave and dodge a fusillade of incoming projectiles will certainly teach you a lot and show you which of your friends has the best throwing arm.
Luck:
This is the hardest stat to raise. You either have luck or you don’t, but you can certainly use your newly increased perception to scour fields for a four-leafed clover or buy yourself a rabbit. If one rabbits foot is lucky, imagine how lucky four are (also, now you have a cute bunny! Win-win situation).
Sticking to this rigorous workout regime will make you the envy of every other vault dweller. Do you have other Fallout 4 preparedness exercises? Share them with us in the comments below!
Featured Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks