Fallout 4 Guide: How Power Armor Works

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Vault dwellers across the globe are slowly emerging into the wasteland. If you’re one of them, and have survived the Commonwealth long enough to happen on some parts for power armor, or if you want to figure out how to get it, you’ve come to the right place. This is everything we know about the iconic Fallout gear.

The basics
  • There are four known sets of power armor: T-45. T-51, T-60, and X-01.
  • Wearing power armor nullifies any bonuses from other armor you are wearing inside the suit.
  • Power armor can be stolen!
  • Approach the stand in your base and exit the armor to store your power armor on the stand.
  • If you want to take off power armor, simply hold the button you used to enter it.
What you need and how to get it
  • For each type of power armor, there are six pieces: helmet, torso, and both right/left arms and leg parts.
  • Each armor set needs a fusion core to run. Fusion cores, which fuel power armor, are not a renewable resource, so you will need to replace them for continued use.
  • If you don’t replace the fusion core, you’ll be unablet o use V.A.T.S. or power attacks within the armor. You will also move at a reduced rate. Luckily, the game notifies you when you’re running low on energy.
  • Traders that sell Power Armor parts usually have some fusion cores in stock as well.
  • Always thoroughly search around Power Armor stations, and in camps where you fight enemies using these suits, you’ll find fusion cores there.
  • Power Armor can be damaged, and needs frequent repairs.
What you can do with it
  • You can sprint and jump while in Power Armor.
  • When in power armor, the carry weight threshold and rad resistance are higher but movement is slowed.
  • Even though it’s robust, you can sneak and fast travel while in your Power Armor.
  • Equipping it will increase your Strength to 11.
  • Power Armor has the best radiation resistance, and can be modded with jetpacks and other useful mods.
  • You can enter buildings and generally move about the wasteland without issue.

This guide is a work in progress, and as more information is known, it will be updated here. As you delve deeper into the wasteland, make sure to check out some of our other guides, like our tips for making the most of the combat system or how to create your character. Happy scavenging!