History Fallout4 / TropesDToI

* HyperspaceArsenal: several varieties
** A merchant has 200 items for sale, but they only yield 3 items if killed and looted. The other 197 were in hyperspace.
** Any non-companion, has the ability to throw one grenade an infinite number of times. This applies to foes, but also to settlers and others.
** Essential characters can pick up additional weapons without limit, e.g. if you leave the Taking Independence quest partially complete, Preston will follow you forever - shooting and looting - and will eventually aquire a massive arsenal.

** Power Armour pieces become weightless when sufficiently damaged. You can carry away all of the armour from a large number of BoS knights, if you beat up their corpses.

** Any non-companion, when given a single projectile or grenade, has the ability to fire/throw it an infinite number of times. This applies to foes, but also to settlers and other NPCs.
** NPCs can pick up additional weapons without limit. e.g. if you leave the Taking Independence quest partially complete, Preston will follow you forever, and eventually aquire dozens of weapons.
** Companions do not apply a weight check when ordered to pick up loose objects. Piper has no trouble carrying a dozen Fat Man launchers.
** Power Armour pieces become weightless when sufficiently damaged. You can easily carry away all of the armour from multiple BoS knights by beating up the corpses.

* FakeInTheHole: Occasionally, Raiders will talk about a Wastelander who bluffed a group of Raiders by lobbing rocks and making explosive sounds to run off. Allegedly he also did it to Super Mutants as well, who were so confused by his behavior that they couldn't move fast enough to catch him.

* Interface Spoiler: Many players use this as a feature, not a bug: habitually clicking VATS as you wander about will alert you to landmines and to feral ghouls that are playing dead, especially useful when these are hidden in rubble / long grass, or have clipped into the terrain. [[note]] This doesn't work for everything - some ghouls are "properly" hidden, and some IEDs have scripted / specific (e.g. door-based) triggers, meaning they do not show up on VATS. Therefore some traps are much more dangerous than others. [[/note]]

** In Survival mode, it is much easier for a starting character to raise their Perception to superhuman levels: you can start with max perception of 10, debuff it with dehydration, then use the You're Special book + Bobblehead to raise it to base 12 (...and eventually to base 14, with VANS). With Concentrated Fire and appropriate choices, a low level character snipe with high accurately with VATS, even at extreme range, where your hit chance would normally be in the single digits. [[note]] in normal modes, debuffing Perception is quite tricky - it requires Fury, a chem that is not available early.[[/note]]

** Survival mode makes it much easier to raise Perception to superhuman levels: you can start with max perception of 10, debuff it with dehydration, then use the book and/or bobblehead, to raise it beyond the "maximum" whilst hydrated. [[note]] in normal modes, debuffing Perception is quite tricky - it requires Fury, a chem that is not available early. [[/note]]

** Survival mode makes it much easier to raise Perception to superhuman levels: you can start with max perception of 10, debuff it with dehydration, then use the book and/or bobblehead, to raise it beyond the "maximum" whilst hydrated. [[/note]] in normal modes, debuffing Perception is quite tricky - it requires Fury, a chem that is not available early. [[\note]]

** Survival mode makes it much easier to raise Perception to superhuman levels: you can start with perception 10, debuff it with dehydration, and use the book & bobblehead, to gain a base Perception of 12. With Note: in normal modes, debuffing Perception is quite tricky - it requires Fury, a chem that is not available early.

** The Pole Hook in the Far Harbor DLC. With a high base damage and the correct mods and perks, a sneak critical can make short work of almost anything. It is also cheap and is available as soon as one can survive the opening combat to the DLC.

** The Overseer in Vault 111 left all the staff trapped until they died because he was convinced the radiation levels would still be immediately fatal 180 days after the Great War. In ''Fallout'' canon, radiation levels effectively normalized within '''two''' days of the Great War.

* FailedASpotCheck: To the player, it's pretty obvious what Vault 111's experiment is, as the vault makes no effort to even try to conceal the cryogenic equipment and the frost coating everything. To the inhabitants inside, they're lead to believe that the stasis pods are decontamination chambers. [[JustifiedTrope If their lives being spared from a nuclear blast weren't still fresh in their heads]], they might have questioned it.

* IncrediblyLamePun: If you ask the brewery-on-legs protectron Buddy for jokes, chances are he'll spout one of these, and he has an impressively long list on offer. Codsworth says most of the same jokes, as well. Someone at Bethesda was clearly having a blast writing the character. Fortunately, Buddy's stilted RoboSpeak delivery makes them funny no matter how you normally feel about puns. Codsworth's dry delivery of the bad puns is also usually a killer.
-->'''Buddy''': Relationships are a lot like algebra. You always look at your X and try to figure out Y.\\
'''Codsworth:''' I Went to a zoo the other day. The only animal they had was a dog. It was a Shih Tzu.

** The Sole Survivor is one to the Lone Wanderer. The Lone Wanderer is an individual leaving their comfy, pleasant, and secure Vault in search of their father. The Sole Survivor is leaving their decaying, frozen tomb of a Vault in order to find their missing son and avenge their dead spouse. They also serve as one to James, who left his family to build a New World while the Sole Survivor manages to juggle looking for their child with constructing new settlements as well as inspiring the people around them.
** In a sense, the Commonwealth itself is one to the [[VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas Mojave Wasteland]]. The Mojave was, at the time of the game's setting, in the midst of being tamed and developed, to the point that highways, major cities, and even ''railroads'' were popping up. This was due to an organized central society being set up by Mr. House's New Vegas, and the recent arrival of both the NCR and Caesar's Legion. Conversely, the Commonwealth is a feral landscape around and in a ruined city, occasionally blasted by radiation storms and containing few bastions of safety and even fewer attempts at widespread logistics. This is because of the Institute's near-constant meddling with the surface, the local presence of the [[DeathWorld Glowing Sea]], and the recent fall of the Minutemen causing a ''second'' regional societal collapse.
** The Commonwealth Minutemen are in a sense this to the Enclave, much like the New California Republic also is. In doing a service to the people of the Commonwealth and upholding honorable values, they hearken back to what Pre-War America ''wished'' it was, [[ANaziByAnyOtherName whereas the Enclave represented the worst aspects of Pre-War America in reality.]] In fact, the recruitment radio tower, which presumably uses Minuteman tracks, plays the same patriotic music as Enclave Radio did in between broadcasts of the Sole Survivor's recorded urgings for people to come to a given settlement. They also serve as this to the Brotherhood of Steel by being, essentially, everything Elder Lyons ''wished'' he could turn the Brotherhood into but ultimately failed to do. They also do it with far less technology, resources, and influence. And ''also'' like the Brotherhood, they can be seen as a Foil to the Institute.
*** When combined with [[GoodCounterpart Good Counterpart]], the Minutemen are this to the Gunners. [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores The Gunners]] are a group of [[PrivateMilitaryContractors aggressive mercenaries]] and {{Sociopathic Soldier}}s intent on using [[TrainingFromHell extreme military discipline]] to conquer the entire Commonwealth. They're also one of the only factions to have access to Pre-War military tech, being that they mostly use {{Energy Weapon}}s and even have ''Vertibirds'' on their side. [[TheParagon The Commonwealth Minutemen]], in contrast, are a band of [[VigilanteMan heroic militiamen]] and citizen soldiers that want to help unite the Commonwealth together by protecting settlements and laying the groundwork for a new society. They seem to rely mostly on [[HadToBeSharp training their soldiers]], [[ScavengedPunk cobbled-together weapons]], and utilizing [[CombatPragmatist anything they can grab]] when protecting the innocent. It's not that big a surprise that these factions utterly hate each other and are in the midst of a vicious war.
** The Institute serves as another Foil to both the Enclave and the Brotherhood of Steel. As a Pre-War institution of higher learning and intelligence, it has dedicated itself to making the Wasteland [[WellIntentionedExtremist a better place]]. It also does so with [[TheUnfettered ruthlessness]], [[CombatPragmatist pragmatism]], and [[TheChessmaster behind-the-scenes]] [[ManipulativeBastard manipulation]] which makes the Enclave's brute force approach look laughably trite. The Institute replaces racism against Wastelanders with racism against Synths, and is willing to [[PragmaticVillainy incorporate the best into their ranks]]. To this end, they also bear some similarity and antithesis to Mr. House, the Think Tank, and even Caesar's Legion.
** [[invoked]] [[UndergroundRailroad The Railroad]] is one to [[HeroWithBadPublicity the Followers of the Apocalypse]], being more focused on the [[BombThrowingAnarchists anarchism]] and "fight the power" elements of the group over science and knowledge. Whereas the Followers are [[ButtMonkey frequently co-opted]] by the NCR, the Great Khans, and other groups to build ''their'' empires, the Railroad [[BewareTheNiceOnes actively tears them down]] but has a far less positive effect on society as a whole (while still helping individuals). The Railroad also are perfectly fine with their [[WellIntentionedExtremist sometimes ruthless]] measures they have for helping liberate & protect Synths (most of which will likely cause the Commonwealth to stay chaotic), while the Followers of the Apocalypse are [[OldShame intentionally trying to distance themselves]] from that stereotype. The Railroad are also Foils to the Brotherhood of Steel, Institute, and Minutemen, [[spoiler: although they can [[WeCanRuleTogether potentially team up with the latter]] in some endings]].
** The East Coast Brotherhood of Steel now act almost exactly like the [[VideoGame/FalloutTacticsBrotherhoodOfSteel Midwest chapter]], who functioned with a feudal model. They're also Foils to the West Coast Brotherhood, Institute, and Minutemen.
*** Strangely enough, the East Coast Brotherhood are now also Foils to Caesar's Legion. The Legion [[FantasyCounterpartCulture emulates Imperial Rome]] ([[{{Hypocrite}} or at least cherry-picks whatever suits them at the moment]]) while [[MedievalStasis refusing to advance their tech]] and try to [[LetThePastBurn purposely annihilate the records of the past]]. In a similar vein, the East Coast [=BoS=] stylize themselves after the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and medieval Britain, deliberately evoking imagery of those organizations while infusing them [[LowCultureHighTech with advanced Pre-War technology]] and the memories of its US military origins. Both organizations are also [[RisingEmpire aggressively expanding outwards]] from their points of origin, and [[CurbStompBattle regularly crush virtually any foe in their path]] until the story's start (with the Legion meeting their match in the form of the [=NCR=] at the First Battle of Hoover Dam, and the [=BoS=] struggling against both the Institute and Railroad while in the Commonwealth). However, the Legion was ultimately unstable and overly desperate when trying to firmly establish its "New Rome" in New Vegas. Meanwhile, the East Coast [=BoS=] under Maxson have ''already'' managed to pull off this need for a homeland with their control over the Capital Wasteland, and have been able to do so ''without'' making life hell for the locals (unlike what the Legion would do [[YouWillBeAssimilated with the natives of the Mojave]]).
** [[EverytownAmerica Vault 81]] is the {{Foil}} to ''four'' different Vaults across the entire series.
*** To [[VideoGame/Fallout3 Vault 101]]. Similar as they might seem, the Lone Wanderer's original home in the Capital Wasteland continued following its [[HiddenElfVillage intended objectives]] to the point of near self-destruction. Meanwhile, [[spoiler: Vault 81 abandoned its original purpose long ago for the safety of its inhabitants]].
*** To [[VideoGame/Fallout2 Vault City]]. Like Vault City, 81's population is rather secluded and tries to keep to themselves after having just opened themselves up to the outside world. However, its population nonetheless [[DissonantSerenity remains fairly open to the Wasteland and friendly to outsiders]] for as long as the Sole Survivor reciprocates, and fail to [[FantasticRacism treat all Wastelanders with contempt]].
*** To [[VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas Vault 3]]. While the Mojave's one control Vault [[spoiler: [[DownerEnding got overrun by the Fiends]]]], the denizens of Vault 81 are ''far'' from naive and aren't [[TooDumbToLive dumb enough]] to just leave their front door open.
*** To Vault 21. Both were experimental Vaults that were fully expected to result with the demise of its inhabitants, one way or another. While Vault 81 [[spoiler: [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight decided to abandon its experiments]] for the sake of its inhabitants]], Vault 21's experiment proved to be perfectly compatible with comfortable survival until the arrival of Mr. House.

*** [[BloodKnight Cait]] is one to [[VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas Rose of Sharon "Cass" Cassidy]]. Both are FieryRedhead {{Deadpan Snarker}}s with a penchant for [[ShotgunsAreJustBetter break-action shotguns]] and vice indulgence. However, Cass's vices are shown from [[MrViceGuy a (generally) lighthearted viewpoint]], while Cait's are shown to be self-destructive and an impetus for her bloodthirsty and vengeful attitude.

* HospitalHottie: The nurse shown on the "Happy Sedation Special" edition of ''Massachusetts Surgical Journal'' is quite [[BuxomIsBetter buxom]] and rather good-looking in addition to her nice figure.

* FourStarBadass: The leader of the Minutemen was always selected [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority from the most respected and powerful of their warriors.]] [[spoiler:And this includes ''you'' when Preston points out he doesn't have the chops to rebuild the order.]]

** While they will drop their respective meat, dogs and Mole Rats have the rather odd habit of dropping random junk items as well, such as toothbrushes. If comments from [[ImAHumanitarian Strong]] are to be believed, they're random items eaten by the animals that the Sole Survivor is [[{{Squick}} taking out of their corpses.]]

** Spray_n'_Pray for those who wants a weapon with Explosive in Normal to Very hard mode. Yes, with the right build, an Explosive Minigun is the most powerful weapon, bar none, but actually getting the thing requires copious amount of ItemFarming and favor of the {{RNG}}. In survival mode, which disable SaveScumming, getting the Minigun is an excercise in frustration and Spray_n'_Pray may never be replaced.

%%* Intoxication Mechanic: Using too many drugs or drinking too much alcohol can make the [[PlayerCharacter Sole Survivor]] addicted, giving them a small penalty in stats (different addictions give different debuffs). It can be cured through visiting a doctor, eating a radscorpion egg omlette or drinking a refreshing beverage.

** While they may chime in with a comment and their affinity may change, having certain companions along for quests usually has no impact on the quest or your standing with the companion. For instance, you can speak to Mayor [=McDonough=] and get hard proof that [[spoiler:he's a Synth]], but even if Piper is with you for the conversation, all that happens if your affinity with her takes a hit. Perhaps the most egregious instances come from X6-88; while taking him into the Railroad HQ will turn him hostile, having him along for other quests you perform for the Railroad will probably have no effect other than him disliking your actions; nothing comes of him learning you're a DoubleAgent for the Railroad, establishing safehouses for escaped Synths at your settlements, helping the Railroad smuffle Synths around the Commonwealth, etc.

** The lore for the Laser Musket explicitly states the weapon is powered by the crank. In gameplay, cranking simply ''loads'' the weapon with Fusion Cells.

** On the topic of Danse, if you bring him along when discovering the Slog, and say that founding it as an example of what ghouls can do peacefully is a good idea, he'll disapprove. Immediately after this dialogue, Wiseman asks you to clear the trade route of Raiders/Super Mutants/Gunners. Saying you'll help will immediately recover any lost approval from the conversation.[[note]]Granted, it's arguably in-character for Danse, since the Brotherhood certainly doesn't like non-Feral Ghouls, but they actively ''hate'' Ferals, Super Mutants, and certain violent human factions.[[/note]]
** And speaking of the Slog, giving Arlen Glass [[spoiler:the holotape of his daughter and wife]] will prompt him to give you every last cap he has (or so he says.) If you have any Giddyup Buttercup parts left in your inventory prior to leaving him after this, he'll still pay you as if nothing happened.

** Though the story missions ''do'' tell you outright when you're going to make a faction hostile permanently, the intertwined nature of the missions mean a lot of them can conflict with each other even before you've reached a turning point. For example, one Brotherhood mission causes the Railroad Assaultron P.A.M. to enter a "security lockdown" mode in which she will not respond to any attempts at conversation, even if you have quests to turn in. Furthermore, this will happen even if you haven't fulfilled the first objective of speaking to the quest giver. The conversation priority system, which determines how characters respond if there's multiple options, will also prioritize secondary objectives of other quests over that character's personal quests. For example, when Institute quests give you the option to warn the Brotherhood, this warning will be prioritized over any quests you may have active with Maxson.
** Keeping all of the non-Institute factions and their related companions in play through the ending is possible, but requires a very specific order in doing quests for all three factions with very specific cutoffs that can make the A-Ending requirements from ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile'' seem sane. And even then, doing the wrong things during the final mission can permanently anger certain factions companions into leaving you. Doing so will also make you miss out on endgame rewards from the Brotherhood and Railroad. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUFEeYdQnVc This is how it's done.]]

* HarderThanHard: Survival difficulty disables [[ZipMode Fast Travel]] (except teleporting to the Insistute, and even then you can only teleport back out to the C.I.T. Ruins), [[CheckPointStarvation only allows permanent saves when you sleep]] (saving at game exit changes to a SuspendSave), reduces carry weight by 125, and makes enemies do far more damage to the player. Much like Hardcore Mode in ''Fallout: New Vegas'', you also need to regularly eat food, drink water, and sleep. Failure to do so will result in increasingly weaker SPECIAL stats due to hunger, thirst, and fatigue. You can now catch various illnesses that debilitate your character until you visit a doctor, use Antibiotics, or get several days of heavy sleep. Healing from Stimpaks and other consumables is much slower, while many consumable now have side-effects like increasing hunger/thirst/fatigue, weakened resistance to illness, or a chance to directly cause illness.

* EmergencyBroadcast: With the ''Vault-Tec Workshop'' DLC installed, once the player reaches level 20 or discovers Quincy Quarries, whichever comes first, Vault 88 gets breached. The radio warning it sends out everywhere has its own version of the real-life Emergency Alert System tones.