Hello all, apologies if this is a misplaced topic, I didn't know where else it would fit :p

This is an element of discussion I got into on the Bethesda forums, and it keeps being reignited on occasions, so I thought I'd get some input on it here, so here goes:

Basically, I ask if you think ghouls in the Fallout series are able to wear armour? I ask this based on the originals more than FO3, as FO3 has too many consistencies for my liking, and personally, I don't think ghouls make sense in this latest instalment. But that's just me.

In the originals, ghouls never ever ever wear armour, ever :p There are a few reasons why this may be so, but as someone has said to me already "absence of proof is not proof of absence" and essentially unless it is mentioned and immortalised in some form of text-based proof of lore, then it's not tangible, which makes sense.

I've read through wiki's Bible editions and all sorts, and none of them mention ghouls not being able to wear armour, infact the subject of ghouls and armour is never raised. So I guess here it is, 11 years too late, but whatever :p

Before anyone says anything, I've tested the originals to see if ghouls wear armour or not, despite their sprites never wearing any, and they don't, they have no damage resistances. I don't really want to take the route of arguing game mechanics anyways, because that runs the risk of going full circle and getting nowhere :p

It would be nice to get an official word from a dev about it, but 10 years later would they really care? The Bible has been and gone, afterall :p

But what do you think? -Formerly FalloutChris. But apparently was confused with Chris Taylor :p

I'd say the reason you didn't see an armoured ghoul in FO1 was lack of artist time and restrictions based on the engine. There is no reason from a background point of view for ghouls to be armour restricted (at least none that I can think of off the top of my head).

pax,
-Chris

Thankyou Mr.Taylor, for taking an interest

I have considered engine limitations and time constraints, but party NPCs were able to wear armour in the absence of the appropriate sprites, which is why I wonder why ghouls didn't equip armour in spite of this visual limitation.

I did come up with a few reasons why they might not be able to, but that was still subjective at best, and didn't ultimately prove they couldn't wear it. Most of it related to issues with strength, mobility, comfort, but I wont write it all out. -Formerly FalloutChris. But apparently was confused with Chris Taylor :p

In the originals, ghouls never ever ever wear armour, ever :p

Actually, Lenny in FO2 can wear any armor. The Vault - Fallout Wiki * Fallout Online * Fallout IRC Channel * Fallout: New Vegas

Actually, Lenny in FO2 can wear any armor.
Yes I'm aware of this. This was also a part of the extensive debate :p However, he is the first, if not the only ghoul to wear armour from the originals. -Formerly FalloutChris. But apparently was confused with Chris Taylor :p

I have considered engine limitations and time constraints, but party NPCs were able to wear armour in the absence of the appropriate sprites, which is why I wonder why ghouls didn't equip armour in spite of this visual limitation.

Them wearing armor despite not being shown wearing any would be confusing to the player. In the case of the party NPCs, you know that your party members are wearing armor, even if the armor is not visible, while in the case of other characters you wouldn't. The Vault - Fallout Wiki * Fallout Online * Fallout IRC Channel * Fallout: New Vegas

I guess the only logic I can think of would be that with their skin as degraded as it is, the pressure of heavy armor might cause more damage than it would protect, at least if they ever decided to take it off...

I dunno.. I should read those bibles sometime.. but I'm.. so lazy.. I can't even.. finish.. this.. senta.........

Well, in the first two games, the ghouls were relatively peacefull and didn't go around causing any trouble.

That and they like the feel of the desert wind flowing through their ribcages.

But then the game is old and Chris sad something bout the artists not having enough time. Either way, I never really noticed this till now.

Well, in the first two games, the ghouls were relatively peacefull and didn't go around causing any trouble.

Tell that to Set and his gang. The Vault - Fallout Wiki * Fallout Online * Fallout IRC Channel * Fallout: New Vegas

Yay, Necropolitan Ghoul mass slaughter

what a coincidence i just turned his gang to bits yesterday after he gave me some nuka colas and 50g as a reward, and his attitude, who does he think he is?!