To clarify, I'm on Xbox One. No console commands for me.
as above, you cant recover a frame from a dead enemy only the pieces
however there are vendors that sell and there are power armour frames literally everywhere around the wasteland
Aside from vendors selling frames, there are usually quite a few suits scattered here and there that are mostly just frames.
also if you have just started and dont mind a little spoiler (no story related stuff just where to find a PA)
I was going to make this same suggestion. There are power armor frames all over the place, and that's the closest one at the beginning of the game.
So was i XD there is also one south of tenpines in a cage
Additionally to what has been posted, if they can do it to you (steal your power armour), there are also ways that you can get revenge by stealing the power armour from foes.
This. By targeting the Fusion Core with VATS, you cause a big explosion that can wipe out a bunch of hostile npcs nearby and you get an intact Power Armor Frame. Another option is to pickpocket the Fusion Core from them. However for some stupid reason, these Power Armor frames are labelled as stolen. So they increase companion affection for those that like stealing and decreases companion affection for those that hate stealing. On the PC, it is possible to change the ownership of the Power Armor Frame so it no longer is stealing it.
There are maps out there that show the location of every single unowned Power Armor Frame in the game. The Power Armor that you find on the Frames is dependent on level. To get the best Power Armor, you need to be about level 30.
Arturo in Diamond City will sell you a PA frame, but be aware it is very expensive. With a charisma 12 a PA frame will cost 2,400 cap, but that also includes Cap Collector level 1 & 2 perks. Expect it to be very expensive to buy when you are low level.
While power armor may be cool it is mostly not needed to play the game. I am currently around level 80 and the last time I wore power armor was at the very start of the game where you save Preston Garvy and his misfits from certain death at the hands of raiders and a wimpy deathclaw (though dangerous for a low level character).
There are some power armor scattered throughout the Commonwealth wasteland that you can claim. Just be aware that the higher your level the better the PA will be when it spawns. There are 4 variant; each more powerful than the previous one:
T-45
T-51
T-60
X-01 (chance to spawn when you are level 30??)
Some Tips (I am sure there are more since I do not use PA) -
- Sell the Fusion Core before it reaches 0. Whether it has a full charge of 100 or it is down to 1, it has the same selling price.
- Sprinting while wearing PA will drain power quickly
- Fast travel does not use use power.
- Anyone can climb into your PA if you leave the fusion core.
- Your PA will no longer be yours when an enemy climbs into it (stolen).
- Your companions and settlers can use PA and will not drain the fusion core. Settlers will eventually exist out of PA.
- Targeting the fusion core of an enemy in PA with your weapon will cause an explosion when enough damage is dealt.
- Stealing the Fusion Core from an enemy in PA will force the enemy to exist the power armor. Easy kill. You get a "free" Fusion Core.
- You can use an enemy's PA, but it will be considered stolen.
- To steal a Fusion Core you need at least level 1 Pick Pocket perk (based on a few minutes of testing).