Support NeoGAF

[desertdroog]

Koomaster, thanks for explaining the computer hacking. That makes total sense.

Now, since I know this trick, does it do any good to put levels into science? Or does that level dictate not the complexity/mess of words they throw at you as it limits which terminals you can hack based on your level?

 

[EviLore]

I have to admit, I'm a little jealous. It seems it was worth the 9000 snail-paced steps carrying 700 lbs to hoard this loot. :lol

Not at all. When I had that 700 lbs of loot, I dropped all but 250 on the ground, fast-traveled to springvale, put it in a container, fast traveled back to where I was, picked up 250 pounds, etc. I made sure it wasn't going to disappear in the short term, then transported it from the container to my penthouse suite when I acquired it. I have far, far more than 700 pounds of loot currently, though, that was just after cleaning out Megaton and the Super Duper Mart. Right now...

*loads up game and checks*

That's what I have stored in my suite currently.

Did you choose repair as one of your main skills? What other skills did you focus on?

Small guns and repair are my highest, then science at 50ish. The rest are ~25 or lower.

 

[Zeliard]

Not at all. When I had that 700 lbs of loot, I dropped all but 250 on the ground, fast-traveled to springvale, put it in a container, fast traveled back to where I was, picked up 250 pounds, etc. I made sure it wasn't going to disappear in the short term, then transported it from the container to my penthouse suite when I acquired it. I have far, far more than 700 pounds of loot currently, though, that was just after cleaning out Megaton and the Super Duper Mart. Right now...

Do we have any idea what the limits are on how long stuff will stay in the world?

Edit: with the exception of your home, of course.

 

[EviLore]

Do we have any idea what the limits are on how long stuff will stay in the world?

When I put my loot in that outdoor container temporarily, I tested it first by fast-traveling to a different location, elapsing one week of game time, then returning. It was all still there. I loaded the previous save back up and then played as normal, putting more loot there as I went until I acquired my home, and didn't lose anything. If items do disappear from normal containers in the game world it takes a while. Haven't long-term tested things just laying on the ground outdoors, but I did fast-travel away and back without anything disappearing in the process.

 

[Zeliard]

When I put my loot in that outdoor container temporarily, I tested it first by fast-traveling to a different location, elapsing one week of game time, then returning. It was all still there. I loaded the previous save back up and then played as normal, putting more loot there as I went until I acquired my home, and didn't lose anything. If items do disappear from normal containers in the game world it takes a while. Haven't long-term tested things just laying on the ground outdoors, but I did fast-travel away and back without anything disappearing in the process.

Interesting. Seems very lengthy. I guess bodies are the same way, since I've gone back to some old stomping grounds after quite a while had passed and been very surprised to see the dead bodies of various enemies still lying there.

 

[GDJustin]

Koomaster, thanks for explaining the computer hacking. That makes total sense.

Now, since I know this trick, does it do any good to put levels into science? Or does that level dictate not the complexity/mess of words they throw at you as it limits which terminals you can hack based on your level?

If you don't put levels into science, you can't even attempt to hack terminals. (ie you won't even be able to access AVERAGE-locked terminals with a skill under 50).

It's sort of annoying, actually. After you get good at the logic puzzles, it's less about your skill at puzzle solving, and more about having some skill # reach an arbitrary threshold.

Lockpicking is the same way - you can't attempt to pick certain locks, until you have the skill.

I think a better system would have been if your skill was mis-matched, like if you had a 25 in SCIENCE but the terminal was VERY HARD - you just have 5x the number of words to choose from, or something. So it's not literally impossible for you to access very hard terminals, it's just... very hard.

 

[Victrix]

I detest the terminal puzzles, so I just cheese them anyway. Login, click three boxes, click hidden boxes hoping for a refresh, click three more boxes. Failed? Close terminal, reopen, try again. I'd be first in line for a mod that removed the 'puzzles' completely and just used your skill.

 

[Zeliard]

If you don't put levels into science, you can't even attempt to hack terminals. (ie you won't even be able to access AVERAGE-locked terminals with a skill under 50).

It's sort of annoying, actually. After you get good at the logic puzzles, it's less about your skill at puzzle solving, and more about having some skill # reach an arbitrary threshold.

Lockpicking is the same way - you can't attempt to pick certain locks, until you have the skill.

I think a better system would have been if your skill was mis-matched, like if you had a 25 in SCIENCE but the terminal was VERY HARD - you just have 5x the number of words to choose from, or something. So it's not literally impossible for you to access very hard terminals, it's just... very hard.

It would be too easy to cheat that, ultimately, by just quick saving/loading all the time and eventually getting lucky (or using that trick where you just quit out after three attempts). The way it is now, it essentially forces a critical decision on you, which I think only adds to the depth and replay value. Do you put the points into science and forgo another skill, or not? Fallout is all about those kinds of give-and-take decisions.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

It would be too easy to cheat that, ultimately, by just quick saving/loading all the time and eventually getting lucky (or using that trick where you just quit out after three attempts). The way it is now, it essentially forces a critical decision on you, which I think only adds to the depth and replay value. Do you put the points into repair and forgo another skill, or not? Fallout is all about those kinds of give-and-take decisions.

Agreed. I'm stuck with my scrawny little whiz kid, and that's the way it should be.

 

[revolverjgw]

I was watching the credits and saw ''Stephen Russell'' listed as the voice for Andy/Mister Buckingham/The Great One... is this THE Stephen Russell?

 

[Shins]

I'm considering buying the strategy guide for future playthroughs. I found Morrowind's invaluable for pointing out all the little things I seemed to gloss over. Any impressions on the quality it offers? Also, anyone know what the "two dozen pages" of extra content in the Collector's Edition amounts to?

 

[kathode]

I was watching the credits and saw ''Stephen Russell'' listed as the voice for Andy/Mister Buckingham/The Great One... is this THE Stephen Russell?

Indeed it is. (If you mean THE Thief Steven Russell :lol)

 

[Costanza]

I'm considering buying the strategy guide for future playthroughs. I found Morrowind's invaluable for pointing out all the little things I seemed to gloss over. Any impressions on the quality it offers? Also, anyone know what the "two dozen pages" of extra content in the Collector's Edition amounts to?

Guide is $14.99 at CC this week so if you're going to get it, go there. It comes with a huuuuge fold out map that should be pretty helpful and the actual guide is like, 500 pages so I can't imagine it not being insanely detailed. (I haven't used mine yet)

 

[Mooreberg]

Why the hell are

Spoiler

enclave soliders attacking me when I'm supposed to go see the president? I don't have a weapon drawn and didn't attack anybody.

 

[SnakeswithLasers]

I would read the thread, because this has probably been answered, but I'm really sensitive about spoilers. Sorry.

My question is re: the first 10-15 hours of the game. My situation is that I got out of the vault, made it to Megaton, walked to Alesu (or something like that) to deliver a message

Spoiler

to a dead family...

, came back to Megaton and ...I just keep dying when I wander around. What is the key to starting this game out successfully? Should I just dig straight into the main quest? I only have 3 bullets, so I'm a bit worried about diving into anything. But I don't have any cash to buy anything either.

 

[Grimm Fandango]

Is anyone else very impressed by the dialogue options?

SOOOOOOOO much better than Oblivion's. And extremely funny to boot.

 

[klownboots]

EviLore you are... my hero.

 

[bdouble]

I just keep dying when I wander around. What is the key to starting this game out successfully? Should I just dig straight into the main quest? I only have 3 bullets, so I'm a bit worried about diving into anything. But I don't have any cash to buy anything either.

explore around megaton. Few locations/dungeons around there that you should fair well in and make some money.

 

[Koomaster]

If you don't put levels into science, you can't even attempt to hack terminals. (ie you won't even be able to access AVERAGE-locked terminals with a skill under 50).

It's sort of annoying, actually. After you get good at the logic puzzles, it's less about your skill at puzzle solving, and more about having some skill # reach an arbitrary threshold.

Lockpicking is the same way - you can't attempt to pick certain locks, until you have the skill.

I think a better system would have been if your skill was mis-matched, like if you had a 25 in SCIENCE but the terminal was VERY HARD - you just have 5x the number of words to choose from, or something. So it's not literally impossible for you to access very hard terminals, it's just... very hard.

Yeah, I'm not sure I like the system of locking you out of terminals and locks because you don't have enough skill points. In Oblivion, you could pretty much attempt to pick any lock as long as you had a lockpick. I think there were only a few quest specific things which 'requires a key'.

Then, as you improved in level and your lockpicking skill, the tumblers fell slower and the penalties for failing to click a tumbler became less.

I think that would have been a good system for Fallout3 as well, just have things get easier as you go along because you devoted points to those skills. Yet allow you to attempt to hack/lockpick anything even if you have no skill points. Just make it incredibly hard to do with no skills.

 

[MercuryLS]

So is the 360 version worth a buy. Is it technically sound.

 

[MindWash]

So is the 360 version worth a buy. Is it technically sound.

I've had a npc disappear from my game. You can't respawn them in the 360 build.

But if it comes down to having it or not, get it. PC is probably the best bet though.

 

[Ricker]

So is the 360 version worth a buy. Is it technically sound.

It is so far...I've seen a few pop-ups and the game on occasion stutters and jumps ahead a few steps after it unfreezes...it's also not always nice,it looks very average on a big screen LCD,especially at night.

 

[Juice]

It is so far...I've seen a few pop-ups and the game on occasion stutters and jumps ahead a few steps after it unfreezes...it's also not always nice,it looks very average on a big screen LCD,especially at night.

This makes me even more glad I'm playing it on my new LED MBP and not on my generic 42" 1080p

 

[rollingstart]

What is the closest location to where Three Dog is?

 

[shuri]

I'm level 6 or 7 and now the game is getting stupid.. We're talking like 6-7 headshots to decapitate, and like 5 shotgun blasts point blank to kills scorpion.. the fun is going down really fast now; the immersion is a bit destroyed...

It's like my bullets are made of paint now :|

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Guide is $14.99 at CC this week so if you're going to get it, go there. It comes with a huuuuge fold out map that should be pretty helpful and the actual guide is like, 500 pages so I can't imagine it not being insanely detailed. (I haven't used mine yet)

Anyone have the Collector's Edition?

 

[Zeliard]

I'm level 6 or 7 and now the game is getting stupid.. We're talking like 6-7 headshots to decapitate, and like 5 shotgun blasts point blank to kills scorpion.. the fun is going down really fast now; the immersion is a bit destroyed...

It's like my bullets are made of paint now :|

It's all stat-based. If your small arms skill is too low, you won't do much damage with any smallish weapon. Agility is also important, since it determines accuracy. You have to balance your stats right or you can easily screw yourself over.

Also check your weapon conditions, because that affects damage as well.

 

[Shins]

Guide is $14.99 at CC this week so if you're going to get it, go there. It comes with a huuuuge fold out map that should be pretty helpful and the actual guide is like, 500 pages so I can't imagine it not being insanely detailed. (I haven't used mine yet)

Price cut for both versions on Amazon. 16.49 and 20.99 respectively.

 

[Grimm Fandango]

How does sleeping in a common house work? Trying to see if it's cheaper than getting healed by the doctor.

Or is curing all radiation, no matter how much you have, always 100 caps? I could just drink a ton of water.

 

[Movement]

Did you guys notice, i think it was your dad, cant remember had the voice of Qui Gon Jin? Yep I definately heard it somewhere in the beginning.

 

[Zeliard]

Did you guys notice, i think it was your dad, cant remember had the voice of Qui Gon Jin? Yep I definately heard it somewhere in the beginning.

That's Liam Neeson, aka the master. He does the voice of your dad.

Should be no surprise that he's by far the greatest voice actor in Fallout 3, at least so far from what I've played.

 

[A Human Becoming]

I just left the vault. Where can you sell stuff in Megaton?

 

[Grimm Fandango]

I just left the vault. Where can you sell stuff in Megaton?

At the clinic and at Craterside Supply.

Also I just found Springvale Elementary School. Lots of beds there and the raiders are very easy.

 

[painey]

At the clinic and at Craterside Supply.

Also I just found Springvale Elementary School. Lots of beds there and the raiders are very easy.

Hot Coffee all over again.

 

[Zeliard]

At the clinic and at Craterside Supply.

From Gob the Ghoul, too, over at Moriarty's.

 

[Tom Penny]

Not at all. When I had that 700 lbs of loot, I dropped all but 250 on the ground, fast-traveled to springvale, put it in a container,

How can you carry 450 lbs? If you overcumbered you can't fast travel. What the hell is your strength up to?

 

[lsslave]

At the clinic and at Craterside Supply.

Also I just found Springvale Elementary School. Lots of beds there and the raiders are very easy.

Does the armory ever open?

 

[Zeliard]

Does the armory ever open?

I'm wondering this myself.

 

[Grimm Fandango]

Hot Coffee all over again.

The children skeletons? Oblivion had some too. Creepy.

 

[SteveMeister]

Why the hell are

Spoiler

enclave soliders attacking me when I'm supposed to go see the president? I don't have a weapon drawn and didn't attack anybody.

Spoiler

Shortly after the president lets you go, Col. Autumn's voice comes over the PA system and countermands the president's order, telling them to attack you on sight. You must've missed it.

 

[EviLore]

How can you carry 450 lbs? If you overcumbered you can't fast travel. What the hell is your strength up to?

"All but 250 to the ground" = 450 put on the ground, 250 in my inventory, with 250 being my carry limit at the time.

 

[Zeliard]

"All but 250 to the ground" = 450 put on the ground, 250 in my inventory, with 250 being my carry limit at the time.

Have you recruited any NPCs? They make great human mules.

Great to have around if you're the hoarding type, as I am.

 

[EviLore]

Have you recruited any NPCs? They make great human mules.

Great to have around if you're the hoarding type, as I am.

Nah, no interest in followers. The fast travel system makes it extremely easy to hoard, at any rate.

 

[Haunted]

Yeah, this game shits over every other sandbox game released this year.


Just like Oblivion when it came out. :bow :bow Bethesda

 

[Ghost]

How do you use the food purifier?

 

[Zeliard]

Nah, no interest in followers. The fast travel system makes it extremely easy to hoard, at any rate.

True. The only reason I don't do it that way is because it's a hassle getting back to wherever you were. If I'm in the depths of some building or tunnel and am about to become encumbered, fast traveling to a town would be an effective way of getting rid of some stuff, but it would be annoying to get back to the spot I left off at since it doesn't work like a town portal.

 

[Lonesome_Raod]

I'm in love with this game. No idea where the day went today. I've just been sat here for hours playing it and going back to work tomorrow should bring me back to reality. Just wanderin the wasteland with dogmeat is epic. Would love to find an npc for a good character to tag along as well.

 

[Zeliard]

I'm in love with this game. No idea where the day went today. I've just been sat here for hours playing it and going back to work tomorrow should bring me back to reality. Just wanderin the wasteland with dogmeat is epic. Would love to find an npc for a good character to tag along as well.

This is probably a silly question, but you can technically recruit Dogmeat at any time, right? You just have to find him, I assume.

 

[B33]

About how long does the campaign mode run for? Is it worth the current price tag?

 

[Lonesome_Raod]

This is probably a silly question, but you can technically recruit Dogmeat at any time, right? You just have to find him, I assume.

Seems so. I was pretty low level and he is located close to an area you get sent to do a mission.