A Very Particular Set of Skills : Fallout 4

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:16 am

I do know where they are. I do know where they went. If you're looking for ranting, I can tell you I won't have any. What I do have, below, are a very particular set of skills. Skills that have gone but are also still here. Skills that won't be a nightmare for people to use...

And so it looks like that's not the end of it. I have looked for them, I have found them, and from what I can tell, we can still use them! The skills that were a big part of previous games appear to have been very cleverly integrated into the new perk system. Here is my understanding of how it all works:

Via the Pip-Boy, we now have access to a brand new PERKS Menu. Along the top of this menu are our 7 SPECIAL stats. Underneath each stat are a list of perks ranked 1 to 10. Perks in the first row would require a 1 in the respective stat, perks in the second would require a 2, and so on. These 70 perks have multiple ranks (most have 4), giving us a total of 275 perks. As long as we have enough points in a given stat, we can pick any perk in that column up to the value of our stat. So for example, if you have 5 points in STRENGTH, you can pick from any of the first 5 strength perks in any order. And if you have 10, you have access to all perks for that stat. This system allows us to select high level perks right from the start of the game.

Instead of selecting a regular perk, we are also able to increase any selected stat by one point, exactly the same as the old 'intensive training' perk. We can do this up to a maximum of four times for each stat. Note that if we choose to do this, we will not be able to pick a regular perk for that level. Each stat also has a corresponding bobblehead hidden in the game world, which will increase the stat by another point. Putting this all together, we will be able to increase any of our stats by a maximum of five points as the game progresses.

Looking at the bobblehead stand in the E3 demo, we can see that it has a total of 20 slots. This would correspond to 7 stat related bobbleheads and 13 skill related ones, exactly as before. So why would this be the case if there are no longer any skills? The explanation, as I now understand it, is very simple. Out of the 70 perks mentioned above, 13 of them actually relate to SKILLS. But these skills no longer exist in the form that we knew them, but as a new type of perk. Each of these 'skill perks' still has a corresponding bobblehead waiting to be found. And when we do, we will be given ONE FREE RANK in that perk.

Many of the skills have been renamed, and from what I can tell, at least two of them have been combined. During the 'weapon mod' section of the demo, we can see that laser and plasma weapons are now modified using the 'Science!' skill. Note that this is not the same as the old Science skill, but is in fact the new name for the 'Energy Weapons' skill. The old Science skill is actually now called 'Hacking', and is used to create terminals. Given the name, we can also assume that this will be used to hack other terminals.

Next, we see a number of conventional weapons being modified using the 'Gun Nut' skill. One of these weapons is the 'Junk Jet', which looks to be a modified version of the old 'Rock-It Launcher' from Fallout 3. Being that the old version was actually under Big Guns, we can safely assume that Big and Small guns have now been combined to make the new 'Gun Nut' skill. This would actually be a sensible move, as modifying either of these two weapon types would involve virtually the same process, whereas modifying a plasma or laser weapon would require a completely different process.

If this is the case, then we are technically one 'skill' short. If we look at the military background of our protagonist couple, I believe we will find the answer. It is my understanding that the final skill (accessed via the perk chart, as per the other 12) will be used to allow us to wear and customise POWER ARMOR.

Let's quickly look again at the descriptions for our SPECIAL stats. I have highlighted in bold anything that seems to be 'skill related':

STRENGTH is a measure of your raw physical power. It affects how much you can carry, and the damage of all melee attacks.
PERCEPTION is your environmental awareness and "sixth sense," and affects weapon accuracy in VATS.
ENDURANCE is a measure of your overall physical fitness. It affects your total Health and the Action Point drain from sprinting.
CHARISMA is you ability to charm and convince others. It affects your success to persuade in dialogue and prices when you barter.
INTELLIGENCE is a measure of your overall mental acuity. It affects the number of Experience Points earned.
AGILITY is a measure of your overall finesse and reflexes. It affects the number of Action Points in VATS and your ability to sneak.
LUCK is a measure of your general good fortune. It affects the recharge rate of Critical Hits, and your chances of finding better items.

Next, here is my 'guess' as to the 13 skills as they relate to Fallout 4. I have given the name of the skill, followed by the previous name if different, and finally the STAT that they would relate to as well as the required value. Note that, as far as I can tell, there are actually five skills listed under Intelligence, which would actually make sense.

Barter (Same) requires 1 Charisma
Explosives (Same) requires 5 Perception
Hacker (Science) requires 4 Intelligence
Gun Nut (Big/Small Guns) requires 3 Intelligence
Local Leader (Speech) requires 5 Charisma
Lockpick (Same) requires 1 Perception
Medicine (Same) requires 2 Intelligence
Melee Weapons (Same) requires 7 Strength
Power Armor (New) requires 5 Intelligence
Repair (Same) requires 6 Intelligence
Science! (Energy Weapons) requires 7 Intelligence
Sneak (Same) requires 3 Agility
Unarmed (Same) requires 8 Strength

Based on all of this we can assume that in-game weapons will have the same effectiveness for all players, but by using the corresponding 'skill perk' as well as the right components, we can increase the range, damage, and other characteristics of any given weapons.

NOTE: all above information has been compiled using very careful anolysis of the perk chart seen in the garage during the trailer, as well in the Pip-Boy Edition promotional image. If any conflicting suggestions arise, please let me know and I will consider them on a case by case basis.

Perk chart as seen in garage: http://i.imgur.com/0L5pUcc.jpg

Promo image for Pip-Boy edition: http://assets.vg247.com/current//2015/06/Fallout4_PIPBoy_Edition_Content11-1024x647.jpg

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EDIT 1: as suggested by Erzherzoghans, it would make sense if we could still use skills even if we did not have any of the associated perks, but that we would be limited to very basic functionality. An example would be that we would be able to open very easy locks without selecting any perks under Lockpicking.

EDIT: Intelligence requirement for Hacker was previously listed as being 7 instead of 4. This has now been amended. Note that following further investigation, the above list is due to be revised shortly. Watch this space...

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 12:50 am

Im very curious to hear how you came to this conclusion.

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 1:11 pm

But what if i play as someone who has intelligence of migrating coconut.

Do you think I could have acces to PA/energy weapons and other fun stuff gkk7z?

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 5:57 am

Looking at the chart (as seen http://i.imgur.com/0L5pUcc.jpg), above the ten rows of perks that correspond to the respective values, we can see an additional row showing the individual stats themselves. It is my belief that this row is actually a part of the perk chart, and therefore can also be selected. Given that almost every other perk can be selected by up to 4 ranks, it would make sense if this was also the case here. It would also allow us to create a very flexible range of Player Characters where we can choose to increase our stats a little further at the cost of a few regular perks :smile:

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:58 am

If this is all correct, then by default we would be able to select perks for Lockpick, Barter, and Medicine from the start. We would also be able to use any weapon we found or bought, including unique variations. What would require more points in Intelligence would be modifying either conventional or energy based weapons, wearing or repairing power armor, and hacking terminals. If we wanted to wear power armor, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to achieve the requires target of 5 points, and with one further point, we would also be able to repair the armor.

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:06 am

I think some skills might still be able to be used at rank 0. It will be like hacking/lockpicking a very easy lock/terminal. For Power Armor you might be able to use it but you should have quite a bit of negatives when doing so, Same thing with weapons if you do not have the required skill/perk level you likely will have a greater chance of a jam, more sway, maybe even damaging your self with the kick back of a weapon like a gatling gun.

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 1:17 am

That would make perfect sense, but it still scores very high on the speculat-o-meter.

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 1:16 pm

Sorry, no mechanical weapons for you just a self firing fecal gun

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 1:15 pm

Overall, that's pretty much how I predicted it would be after the E3 demo. Where do you get the limit to four increases, though? I don't imagine there will be a limit aside from the stat gain vs perk tradeoff.

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 8:23 am

I would think you could use "Intensive Training" to get a stat to nine then find the bobblehead. If it's limited per stat then it'd be five/stat since the avg starting stat is four.

» Fri Nov 27, 2015 11:41 pm

Note that this may even give us a use for skill books. Perhaps even allowing for a temporary 'buff' the way that potions do in Skyrim.

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 8:44 am

Meh I personally think thats a bit far fetched, because if they weren't there, how would we keep track of which row belongs to which stat if the stat icons weren't there? Not saying your ideas is impossible, but in my book not a "understanding of how it works" as much as a "speculating fan theory"

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:05 am

But a theory that would in fact make perfect sense. The idea I suggested would be a direct replacement for Intensive Training.

EDIT: are there any attendees who are aware of possible stat increases? I'm sure I heard something mentioned.

» Fri Nov 27, 2015 11:02 pm

I agree with you on this. Not allowing the player to use at least the most basic form of any skill from the start of the game would be a serious mistake in my humble opinion, as yes, while the player should have the choice to ignore some skills and further others, things such as lockpicking and terminal hacking are things that the player could test out, realizing that furthering those skill in particular results in new areas to explore and more/better loot to find. However, regarding the power armor, I do not believe we will be able to use it without some sort of skill. The reason I say this is because, in previous games, in order to use fully functional power armor, the player character needed to first undergo training.

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 5:15 am

A very good point. I shall add this suggestion to the OP

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:36 am

Assuming Beth new system has Intense Training in mind of course.

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 1:50 am

I think that the system I have suggested would actually be a very good trade off, even more so that in previous games. The more we increase our base stats, the less regular perks we can select. This would really open the door to some very interesting character builds!

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:52 am

Awesome post OP

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:24 am

Was quoting all of that really necessary? :lol:

Haha, made me chuckle.

» Fri Nov 27, 2015 10:09 pm

We shall see we shall see, you can make as much sense as you want, still keeping my fist of salt, since its still the theory of some random Joe on the internet.

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:23 am

A random Joe who has invested around 400 hours of research time since the launch of the trailer

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:58 am

What are you talking about?

馃槑

» Fri Nov 27, 2015 10:21 pm

Dont mess with liam

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:21 am

Is that supposed to make you sound less mental?

» Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:14 am

http://esq.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/05/54cb854fab7b8_-_esq-liam-neeson-flower-0311-lg.jpg