Fallout 76 is an online-only game, and while you’re exploring the West Virginia wasteland, you’re always open to PVP encounters with other players. Past Level 5, you can start shooting and looting anyone else on your 24 player server. The problem is, if you are shooting random people, you’ll immediately become “Wanted” — you’ll be marked as a murderer, and if the player you killed gets revenge on you, they’ll earn twice as much scrap from your corpse.
That’s how PVP basically works in Fallout 76 — except there are two totally new modes that you might not even realize you can activate. Both of these bonus PVP modes remove the “Wanted” mechanic because it’s an elective PVP experience. Anyone that wants to fight will activate these modes, and you’ll be free to fight it out with others on the map without fear of instant-reprisal. Learn more about Hunter / Hunted Mode and Versus Events in the full guide below.
More Fallout 76 guides on Gameranx:
- Fallout 76: 10 Things You Should Do First | Power Armor Location & More | Beginner’s Guide
- Fallout 76: Power Armor Frames, Core Farming & Unique Set Locations Guide
- Fallout 76: How To Join The Enclave & Get The Laser Minigun | Faction Guide
- Fallout 76: Where To Find The ‘Rose’s Syringer’ Gun | Unique Weapon Guide
- Fallout 76: Where To Find The ‘Perfect Storm’ SMG | Unique Weapon Guide
- Fallout 76: How To Find A Hazmat Suit For Perfect Radiation Protection | Location Guide
- Fallout 76: Save Ammo With These Melee Build Tips | Best Builds Guide
- Fallout 76: Nuke Everything With The CAMP Artillery Schematic | Best Weapons Guide
- Fallout 76: How To Never Run Out Of Healing | Aid Items Tips & Tricks
How To PVP Without Becoming Wanted | Bonus PVP Modes Guide
PVP is a strange system in Fallout 76. When you shoot another player, you essentially “initiate” PVP. The other player can run away or ignore you (your attacks do 50% damage, half your normal damage rate) — but, if they turn around and shoot you, then the fight is on, and you’ll both be doing full damage.
NOTE: If you manage to kill your target, you’ll be able to look their junk / scrap. No stealing weapons or caps here.
After killing your target, you’ll be marked in red as a murderer to everyone else on the server. You’ll also get the “Wanted” status. If the player you just killed comes back and gets a revenge kill on you, they’ll be able to loot double the junk / scrap off your body.
It’s a cruel, cyclical system. But there is a way to break out of the “Wanted” system with at least two completely different modes you might not even be aware exist.
Hunter / Hunted Mode
This special PVP Mode can be activated in your Pipboy. You must be at least Level 5 to access this mode. Here’s how it works.
- The goal of Hunter / Hunted is to track down and kill a PC (Player Character) target. While you’re hunting them, another player is hunting you.
- If you kill your player target, you’ll receive their target.
- Continue until you’re the last player standing.
To join a Hunter / Hunted session, go to the Radio Tab on your Pipboy and choose the “Hunter / Hunted” Station. You’ll transfer into a lobby and wait for the session to begin. A minimum of 4 players are required.
NOTE: Once you join a Hunter / Hunted Lobby, you can continue to complete quests, explore the map, and just do whatever you want. You’re not stuck sitting in the lobby.
There are special rewards for winning, or just doing well, in this mode. Currently it doesn’t appear many players even know this mode exists. So if you’re hungry to get into PVP, here’s your best option.
Event: The Battle That Never Was (Versus)
And here’s something completely different. There is a Team Deathmatch Mode at Prickett’s Fort. When you arrive, an event will trigger called “Event: The Battle That Never Was” — you’ll be able to pick your side, and duke it out with other players that arrive in the area.
The game is really simple. There two sides (Union and Confederate) fight it out over the Fort. Whichever team gets the most kills wins the match.
That’s all the PVP we know about (so far) in Fallout 76. We’ll update this article with any new information as we continue to play through the game.