When Fallout 76 was first released, it truly struggled to make an impression. The content was shallow and there were a lot of problems that kept players from returning to the Appalachia Wasteland. However, since its rocky release, Bethesda has released a slew of content while bringing the survival MMO back to Fallout's roots.
Fans of the Fallout series are jumping back into this installment of the franchise (its Game Pass release certainly helped). Nevertheless, Fallout 76 can be daunting when starting for your first time (and it has a lot of easter eggs and hidden content even experienced players may have missed), and many changes have been made since its release. As such, a good understanding of some fundamental concepts will go a long way.
Find A Build That Will Work For You
The perk system for Fallout 76 is operated by cards that you obtain throughout the game. As players level up, they get to choose a Perk Card out of a limited selection, much like opening a booster pack of trading cards. Before getting started on slotting those perks to your S.P.E.C.I.A.L attributes, though, you'll want to make sure you're choosing the right ones.
To do this, just think about how you want to play. If you want to be a machete-wielding tank, you're going to want to slot Perk Cards into Strength and Endurance. Do you want to be a sneaky sniper with pinpoint accuracy? Slot those perks into Agility and Perception.
Streamline Your Data For Easier Navigation
It can be easy to get overwhelmed by your objectives if you let them get out of hand. If you want a satisfying checklist experience and want to complete one objective at a time, you can toggle your active objectives in your Pip-Boy or on your map.
Some side quests and events populate automatically as you travel the world. Luckily, your various objectives will be conveniently divided by category in your Pip-Boy (under Data). By noting this and regularly consulting it, you can see which are currently active at a glance and pick and choose which you want to complete.
Take The Time To Develop Your Luck Stat
If you're up to the challenge, you can leave your Luck perk alone. However, it would be wise as a beginner (or if you're building a scavenger) to invest in your Luck attribute. Among other benefits, this stat will affect the items that you find throughout the world in various ways.
The Scavenger Perk Card will allow you to find more ammo when you're searching boxes, while the Pharma Farma Perk Card will allow you to find more healing items. You can also find Luck-related ones that slow down food expiration, and even some that will make bullets ricochet off you. Getting good is great, but you'll need a bit of luck too.
Always Manage Your Resources Wisely
Your inventory and stash box are both your best friends and your worst enemies. You want to make sure that you have everything you need when you're venturing into the wasteland, but you also need to make sure you have enough room for scavenging.
If you're wondering what is taking up so much space in your inventory, check your stored food and ammo, as they add up fast. Make sure you're packing just enough for your outing, then, or you'll find yourself overburdened in the worst places. You will also want to keep an eye on the food you harvest from animals and crops, because it will expire. When that happens, be sure to ditch the spoiled food.
Cook Your Own Food Whenever You Can
There are dozens of recipes that you can find and use in the game, and they play into its survival elements: you have to eat and drink to survive! Take the extra time to cook, though, and you'll be rewarded. Preparing food will not only slow its expiration, but the different meals that you can cook will also grant you temporary buffs.
The preservative-laden commercial foods that you find throughout the wasteland do not expire, but they will increase your radiation level, which affects your total health points. You need every advantage you can get in this harsh environment, and cooking can be a big help there.
Crafting Is Very, Very Important
From the get-go, you can begin crafting weapons and armor. Your chances of finding a great weapon in the wasteland are very low, so building your own is usually the key to improving your gear. Nobody wants to be stuck with one of the game's weaker weapons, after all. Whenever you find a duplicate of a piece of armor or a weapon, don't just leave them behind. Instead, take them to a workbench and scrap them.
Every time you scrap a weapon, you learn a new modification that you can add to your existing weapon or armor. More powerful mods are a bit trickier: you will need specific Perk Cards to unlock the ability to craft them.
Remember That It's Not Necessary To Spend Real Money In The Atomic Shop
While there are microtransactions and subscription services in Fallout 76, it is completely playable without spending a penny outside of the base game.
The Fallout 1st subscription does add quality-of-life features, such as an exclusive server unique items and a monthly supply of Atoms for the Atomic Shop. These features are not necessary to play the game, however. It's also possible to gain Atoms over the natural course of gameplay, by completing challenges and quests.
Fast Traveling Is Very Expensive, Avoid It Where Possible
Fast traveling will rob you of two things: your Caps and your experience. Firstly, the fast travel mechanic costs Caps, and the further you are from your intended destination, the more you will have to spend.
Depending on how invested you are in gaining Legendary items, fast traveling may make you skip over areas where Legendary Enemies have populated. With both of these things in mind, it's often best to travel on foot and discover what there is to do in the nuke-ravaged wasteland for yourself.
Always Remember That High-Level Enemies Have A Skull Icon Above Them For A Reason
If you see an enemy with a skull over its head, don't fight it. The skull icon indicates that the current enemy is at a much higher level than you. Even if you're confident that you could take it out, just run. You have precious little ammo and other resources, and this isn't an efficient way to spend a lot of them.
If you're looking for a way to level up quickly and would like a break from completing quests, find a spot with enemies to kill that are a lower level than you. You can also gain experience by claiming workshops, but beware: doing so opens you up to PvP on top of having waves of enemies to clear out.
Invest As Much As You Can In Your Camp
Your camp is your wasteland home. You will want to invest in building it to be a great workshop and place to regroup. You will be able to build workshops (where you can craft vital items, armor, and weapons) here, as well as plant crops and harvest water.
You will also be able to host other players, who can interact with you and purchase things from your vending machine. It can also become addicting to decorate and upgrade your camp with various schematics you unlock, so make your camp your own!