Fallout 4

[S.B.G]

I bought this last week with the Steam Summer Sale and played it for about 30 minutes on Friday. I guess I'm at the point in my gaming life that I just don't have the patience for all the intro scenes, background buildup and character development that accompanies these type of games. For me I just want to start a game and get to the action so I can be entertained for a short time. I'm not really into games that require a lot of work to play them anymore.

Some of the previews of gameplay I saw looked great and interesting which is why I bought it. With all that said, since I spent $30 (half off) I will make attempts to play it some more, but it will be slow going progress for me.

 

[Huntn]

So I really only read this last page, because it goes back to one week after release and, so much has changed then. I'm new to the Apple world, but I pride myself on my lexicon of Fallout knowledge.

First question: Making things look better. There are mods for that, but generally, scrap is what you got, because the world was nuked. In the vanilla game, you can use the nicest of the wooden shack floors for a roof and it's mostly waterkproof, I think. Certainly no big obvious holes. And there's a clean wooden wall as well that matches. But, honestly it looks out of place. If you bought Wasteland Workshop ($5, or included with the Season Pass), you can use the concrete building set, which is real nice. Well, no it's not, it's concrete, but it's solid, and it's a joy to work with. There are mods that add decorations, too. If you haven't discovered Covenant yet, it's by far the nicest settlement. Though you have to do a quest to get it. And I recommend the violent path, because the current residents can't be assigned to anything, and they take up population. It's located southeast of the Starlight Drive-In, across that lake.

Next: Radiation and RadAway. Yeah, like the other person said, RadAway is everywhere. When you're out adventuring, check bathrooms. In the Institute, and a couple other places, mirrors double as containers. All these first aid kits randomly have RadAway, and most of us just have heaps of it. If you have Wasteland Workshop, you can build a radiation cleansing arch. So you should have one (or more) in each settlement you own. Since the 30 settlements sort of circle the Commonwealth, you should always be near one. They can be turned on and off, but turning them off is only good for aesthetics, you're not actually wasting anything. So just run through like sprinklers and it takes all the radiation away.

Settlements vs questing. I love that this discussion is happening on MacRumors as opposed to an Android site. As a recent convert to iOS (from Android, where I was for six years), I think there's an interesting parallel. In Fallout 4, the Sole Survivor is compelled to find his or her lost son. On a smartphone, you're compelled to use it for calls and texts and apps. However, Fallout 4 tempts you with all these settlements, where people spend countless hours building them up, for what? Nothing but ego. Likewise, Android users spend all this time with kernels and ROMs and widget makers and live wallpaper makers, and for what? It's not the point of a smartphone. It's just a distraction. Not trying to start a platform war or anything. Just that realizing this is one reason (among many) that I switched. But I think it's interesting. I don't know why others use iPhone and not Android. I know there are a lot of good reasons. Android has so much more customization, but is that why we use smartphones? Like all this settlement building. If you told me a year ago, that on this date in 2016, I'd have Fallout 4 and two DLCs with another on the way, but rather than questing or just killing super mutants, I'm playing this Minecraft/Sims mashup aspect of the game, I would have laughed at the very least. And yet here we are. And even though I'm now on the iPhone side of that philosophy, I absolutely love settlement building. (But I haven't been doing it for six years.)

Well, that's it for now.

I realize this is a delayed reply, (I missed your post), and you probably have it figured out by now, but be careful with mods, not all mod authors stay up with the game and broken mods can have serious negative effects. I don't remember the exact name, but I have a greener world mod that improves the appearance of the game 100% and no issues with it since installation. It's the mods that add or remove elements that can burn you. One example is Spring Cleaning which was super while it worked by greatly expands your ability to scrap materials, in fact every house in Santuary can be scrapped. What not? The human race has become experts srappers so I don't know why the vanilla game is so restrictive in this regard.

Well, the Spring Cleaning mod broke, I assume fell out of date, so I had a formerly scrapped house appear over one of my guard posts built on that house's foundation. The turrets half sticking out still work, the guards can walk through walls to stand guard, but I can no longer acess that area. Another mod that burned me was a crop planter, a nice lookin wooden frame that allowed you to plant 4 crops in it, any where it was placed. When that broke, I lost all my crops that were in n those planters. For the most part I'm sticking with the vanilla game from here on out.

One of my critiques of the game is I think you should be able to scrap items outside of your settlement boundaries. As the game stands, you are very limited in how big and fancy you can make settlements. Two of my outlying settlements with a whopping 2 settlers each, There's not much I can do with them.

I read that trading posts give good stuff, would this include building materials?

 

[Suture]

I keep forgetting I have FO4... Dang it, Steam Summer Sale!!!

 

[Huntn]

I bought this last week with the Steam Summer Sale and played it for about 30 minutes on Friday. I guess I'm at the point in my gaming life that I just don't have the patience for all the intro scenes, background buildup and character development that accompanies these type of games. For me I just want to start a game and get to the action so I can be entertained for a short time. I'm not really into games that require a lot of work to play them anymore.

Some of the previews of gameplay I saw looked great and interesting which is why I bought it. With all that said, since I spent $30 (half off) I will make attempts to play it some more, but it will be slow going progress for me.

Hope you can stick with it! I've noticed some people really enjoy the building (me ), while others just want to do the quests. The settlement management issue, if it interests you, adds a huge layer to the game.

The Local Leader perk is essential to setting up trading routes that ties your settlelemnts together and allows for sharing of material and requires Charisma 6. One other suggestion, unless you are very intuitive, I'd recommend latching onto one of the Fallout 4 builds you'll find online such as this Infiltrator build.

 

[S.B.G]

I've noticed some people really enjoy the building (me ), while others just want to do the quests. The settlement management issue, if it interests you, adds a huge layer to the game.

Hmmm, I haven't a single clue as to what all that is yet.

 

[Huntn]

Hmmm, I haven't a single clue as to what all that is yet.

Check out my F4 Guide thread.

There are mechanics that are not all that intuitive. Such as scrapping items to the workshop (a pool of resources). You pick up junk, example an electric fan. You'd think that would not be junk, but something that can be used, once you get electricity. Wrong, it's junk with components you can use, like gears and components.

Open your inventory (tab to open pip boy), scroll to inventory, scroll to junk, hit R to drop junk, each item individually. Then open Workshop view (V) hover over item now laying on the ground, and hit R to scrap. Once in the workshop, those items can be used to build the things your settlement needs to succeed.

 

[Jennism]

Open your inventory (tab to open pip boy), scroll to inventory, scroll to junk, hit R to drop junk, each item individually. Then open Workshop view (V) hover over item now laying on the ground, and hit R to scrap. Once in the workshop, those items can be used to build the things your settlement needs to succeed.

This action is NOT necessary unless you have OCD. Items will be automatically scrapped as you build from your workshop. Items from other workshops that are connected with Local Leader perk, given you assigned a settler to connect the workshops, will be taken into account ONLY in workshop build mode.

If you have to keep things organized and like a neat workbench, by all means, scrap away. I do it with certain play throughout, not all. It will just SLOW the game down a LOT.

 

[Huntn]

This action is NOT necessary unless you have OCD. Items will be automatically scrapped as you build from your workshop. Items from other workshops that are connected with Local Leader perk, given you assigned a settler to connect the workshops, will be taken into account ONLY in workshop build mode.

If you have to keep things organized and like a neat workbench, by all means, scrap away. I do it with certain play throughout, not all. It will just SLOW the game down a LOT.

My suggestion was based on what I had read online, the idea that it is easier to scrap everything. I always thought the idea of placing an item in the workshop was so that it could be retrieved later, so if a table is put in, a table could be retrieved later. My impression is when you scrap, you don't get 100% material back, so storing an item if it can be used later, might be a net plus material? If you agree with that, or if I can save a step, then I'd be more inclined to place items in the workshop directly. I've seen the option, just gotta go find it.

I also want to clarify, when out in the world outside your base, and you pick up scrapable items, to get them into the workshop, don't they have to be dropped on the ground before you can move them to the workshop?
[doublepost=1467208533][/doublepost]
Here is another observation, please correct me if I'm wrong. There are many items that look like in a real post apocalyptic world they would be highly valuable, say an electric table fan, a metal spatula, a plastic molded toy, or a board game, but the vendor prices don't seem to indicate any special value, and items that would provide utility, like kitchen utensils have zero utility other than scrap and electric table fans don't work on the generator. And items that should raise happiness, like toys, have no such effect, at least that is my impression. And curious the game does not address pregnancies, which surely there would be.

 

[madeirabhoy]

My suggestion was based on what I had read online, the idea that it is easier to scrap everything. I always thought the idea of placing an item in the workshop was so that it could be retrieved later, so if a table is put in, a table could be retrieved later. My impression is when you scrap, you don't get 100% material back, so storing an item if it can be used later, might be a net plus material? If you agree with that, or if I can save a step, then I'd be more inclined to place items in the workshop directly. I've seen the option, just gotta go find it.

I also want to clarify, when out in the world outside your base, and you pick up scrapable items, to get them into the workshop, don't they have to be dropped on the ground before you can move them to the workshop?
[doublepost=1467208533][/doublepost]
Here is another observation, please correct me if I'm wrong. There are many items that look like in a real post apocalyptic world they would be highly valuable, say an electric table fan, a metal spatula, a plastic molded toy, or a board game, but the vendor prices don't seem to indicate any special value, and items that would provide utility, like kitchen utensils have zero utility other than scrap and electric table fans don't work on the generator. And items that should raise happiness, like toys, have no such effect, at least that is my impression. And curious the game does not address pregnancies, which surely there would be.

i scrap every while or so because the problem with not scrapping, an annoying limitation bethesda if you are reading is, unless you scrap you have no idea what you have an abundance of and what you have a shortage of.

because i break everything down, i can see that I'm short in aluminium and I've got tons of steel, so when i go to a vendor laiden with the spoils of war, to sell them, and he hasn't enough cash to buy all my crap, i can take some aluminium or scrap made partly of aluminium off of him but i won't bother taking some steel

 

[Huntn]

i scrap every while or so because the problem with not scrapping, an annoying limitation bethesda if you are reading is, unless you scrap you have no idea what you have an abundance of and what you have a shortage of.

because i break everything down, i can see that I'm short in aluminium and I've got tons of steel, so when i go to a vendor laiden with the spoils of war, to sell them, and he hasn't enough cash to buy all my crap, i can take some aluminium or scrap made partly of aluminium off of him but i won't bother taking some steel

Aha, I knew why I was scrapping everything, the things I pick up in the world outside of my settlements. If I'm making something like walls, I have stored them in workshop.

 

[Jennism]

My suggestion was based on what I had read online, the idea that it is easier to scrap everything. I always thought the idea of placing an item in the workshop was so that it could be retrieved later, so if a table is put in, a table could be retrieved later. My impression is when you scrap, you don't get 100% material back, so storing an item if it can be used later, might be a net plus material? If you agree with that, or if I can save a step, then I'd be more inclined to place items in the workshop directly. I've seen the option, just gotta go find it.

I also want to clarify, when out in the world outside your base, and you pick up scrapable items, to get them into the workshop, don't they have to be dropped on the ground before you can move them to the workshop?
[doublepost=1467208533][/doublepost]
Here is another observation, please correct me if I'm wrong. There are many items that look like in a real post apocalyptic world they would be highly valuable, say an electric table fan, a metal spatula, a plastic molded toy, or a board game, but the vendor prices don't seem to indicate any special value, and items that would provide utility, like kitchen utensils have zero utility other than scrap and electric table fans don't work on the generator. And items that should raise happiness, like toys, have no such effect, at least that is my impression. And curious the game does not address pregnancies, which surely there would be.

Ok. So when you go into your workbench look at the bottom where there are options. One option is to store all junk.

Junk is junk, because it's junk. When an item it broken down to build something, if you don't already have the raw component, then the workbench will scrap an item containing the necessary component. The other parts which make up the item that are not used are added to you workbench. Before you build it will tell you which items are being used. The leftover components are not deleted, only added back.

Some junk items can be more valuable than using to build. For example, prewar money. I always save my prewar money in a separate container to sell later. Also buttercup parts, and especially the full toy, is more valuable to be sold. And wear all your charisma gear and maybe take I grape mentat before selling lots of stuff.

Also it's helpful to get lots of components using scrapper perk maxed out. I save all the useless weapons and ammo and scrap them at any available workbench I run into.

Junk is still junk to settlers. So no amount of decoration will make any settlers happy. That is all for the gamers amusement. Now you'll notice that gold items will be pricier than steel. Steel is plentiful and I never pick up junk containing only steel. (Well in the beginning I pick it ALL up until I have a lot of steel. Then I get more choosey.)

Now to get back to your thing with scrapping, say a table. Yes, if you are going to redecorate then by all means store the stuff that you might want to reuse. As you don't get back all what you would use to build it with. Keep in mind, any items stored in a particular workbench will remain in THAT workbench. Meaning you can't share built furniture, decorations etc, with other settlements like the components from junk. Pretty much, if you can't store it on your person, then you can't use it anywhere else besides the settlement you built it in.

Once I get a good water farm going I don't bother selling much besides water and valuable guns I don't need. As it would be a waste to sell a gun worth 300 caps for a small amount of components when scrapped. Modded guns and ammo are the best to scrap though. You get way more components. Plain combat armor gets you only plastic. Plain metal armor gets you only steel. So I sell these when Trashcan Carla visits. It's easy to get rid of a lot at only 10 caps a piece. 10 caps is better than just steel or plastic.

I'd keep going but I've already written a full on essay. Lol.

 

[Huntn]

Ok. So when you go into your workbench look at the bottom where there are options. One option is to store all junk.

Junk is junk, because it's junk. When an item it broken down to build something, if you don't already have the raw component, then the workbench will scrap an item containing the necessary component. The other parts which make up the item that are not used are added to you workbench. Before you build it will tell you which items are being used. The leftover components are not deleted, only added back.

Some junk items can be more valuable than using to build. For example, prewar money. I always save my prewar money in a separate container to sell later. Also buttercup parts, and especially the full toy, is more valuable to be sold. And wear all your charisma gear and maybe take I grape mentat before selling lots of stuff.

Also it's helpful to get lots of components using scrapper perk maxed out. I save all the useless weapons and ammo and scrap them at any available workbench I run into.

Junk is still junk to settlers. So no amount of decoration will make any settlers happy. That is all for the gamers amusement. Now you'll notice that gold items will be pricier than steel. Steel is plentiful and I never pick up junk containing only steel. (Well in the beginning I pick it ALL up until I have a lot of steel. Then I get more choosey.)

Now to get back to your thing with scrapping, say a table. Yes, if you are going to redecorate then by all means store the stuff that you might want to reuse. As you don't get back all what you would use to build it with. Keep in mind, any items stored in a particular workbench will remain in THAT workbench. Meaning you can't share built furniture, decorations etc, with other settlements like the components from junk. Pretty much, if you can't store it on your person, then you can't use it anywhere else besides the settlement you built it in.

Once I get a good water farm going I don't bother selling much besides water and valuable guns I don't need. As it would be a waste to sell a gun worth 300 caps for a small amount of components when scrapped. Modded guns and ammo are the best to scrap though. You get way more components. Plain combat armor gets you only plastic. Plain metal armor gets you only steel. So I sell these when Trashcan Carla visits. It's easy to get rid of a lot at only 10 caps a piece. 10 caps is better than just steel or plastic.

I'd keep going but I've already written a full on essay. Lol.

Thanks for the info! Seems I'm constantly short on steel.

The happiness level of a settlement is interesting. I've got info I'm going to put in the guide thread.