» Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:34 pm
I haven't played XFO so I can't tell you anything about that. Arwen's mod for New Vegas isn't complete yet but I've used the complete FO3 version for a long time.
With the realism core module weapons do more damage so battles are quicker and more dangerous. There's an optional feature to reduce all XP you gain by a certain percentage (default and recommended is getting 25% of all experience) to make progress slower. The AI has been made smarter (they don't blindly charge at you but take cover more). The Damage Threshold system has been tweaked to be stronger, so you notice it more when you or others wear good armor. Grenades have a larger exploding radius and always blow people off their feet. Weapon skill has a larger effect on the damage you do than before.
With the upcoming hardcoe module your initial skills will be reduced, you get 5 less SPECIAL points to distribute (making you truly 'average', like everyone else) and there will be less loot lying around.
Overall you start out weaker, you get rich less quickly because of the reduced loot, and because you get much worse deals with merchants if your barter skill is low. So the game is a challenge at all times. It's a harsher world with a larger focus on your stats, basically.