Hi all, finally got round to playing Fallout 3 so also decided to register here. I have to say i wish i had started playing it a lot sooner as i am enjoying it so much. I have bought f3 and fnv twice now and ended up trading them in without really playing them at all each time. I knew i would enjoy them but i just didn't have the time to devote to them. I do now though!

Anyway, on topic, i have a question about inventory items/trading. For example i'll use the 10mm pistol. As you know there are stats such as dam, wg and val, which i had been taking to mean damage (inflicted on target), weight (for carrying) and value (for trading) respectively. If this is correct my question regards the val stat. If this indeed represents an items value, why am i receving less than the indicated value when trading for caps? Using the pistol, one i have has a val stat of 118 however when trading with Moira Brown at Craterside Supply she is only offering 65 caps. I know condition has a direct impact on an items worth, however, would that not already be taken into consideration when first picking up the item? Or have i got it completely wrong? Being new, i apologise if this is the wrong place to ask.

Basically the value is its value, but Merchants buy at half value, this si to simulate real life markup. A Merchant wouldn't buy a pistol for 118 because they would onyl be able to sell it for 118. You can increase the amount you get when selling by increasing your barter skill.

Thanks for clearing that up. In most games i've played that have a trading system, the value of an item is the same as what you get from a merchant. Thats why i was wondering what was going on. I'm starting to see that the Fallout games aren't like most games though! The amount of depth in the game is astounding. Anyway, thanks again.