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RP and "Alternate" Start Without MODs

  • Member
    October 11, 2016

    So at this point in my FO4 playing, I'm looking for unique ways to play, especially from a roleplay perspective. I'm on Ps4 and don't have MODs, so to RP an alternate start I decided to try something different. This is something I alluded to trying out in an old Ning thread. I really like how it is turning out - so here it is!

    Step 1. Play as YOU. 
    Use your name, make your avatar look as much like you as you can. The show The Walking Dead got me thinking about this. Like, if you woke up in a post-apocalyptic world, how would you survive? Where would you go? Who would you trust? Would you take the dog with you? Would you risk yourself to help Preston? Start thinking like yourself right from the start as you navigate the Commonwealth.

    Step 2. SPECIAL = "Normal" = 4s across the board.
    Invest 3 points in each stat. Put the Special book in Sanctuary into any stat you'd like, maybe a trait you find yourself above average in. Instead of building a perfectly planned out character, take your normal self and learn to survive.

    Step 3. Legendary Weapon Drop
    Ok here's where things get tough. Set your difficulty to "Very Hard" from the start. And you're not allowed to perk any specific weapon damage type until you get your first legendary weapon drop. For example, in my playthrough I wanted to go places I've never been and ended up wandering into the State House. In here was a Legendary Mirelurk with me at level 7 rocking a .10mm! It took me 5 deaths and pretty much all of my mines/nades and ammo, but I took him out and he droppped a Nocturnal .10mm. Once you have your first legendary weapon, you now can perk that type of weapon (Gunslinger, in this example). Alternatively, you can choose to use ONLY that weapon for your main for the entire game. But that's hard core :) If you're having trouble getting a weapon drop (say by level 15), I would consider purchasing one as a way to set your combat type and not languish too far into the game.

    This way, our character is "us", using what we come across as opposed to planning out these perfect builds. It makes for a really exciting playthrough, especially in the beginning of the game. 

    Step 4. More Realistic Leveling
    The excellent guide "Take a Walk: Perk Pilgrimages" from PCTY and Lanius got me thinking about leveling differently. Is there a way to make leveling and perking feel more realistic? I decided on a modified version of the pilgrimages paths. I would hold perks until I either felt like I gained enough experience in that Stat, met a "trainer" or collected a Bobblehead. 

    Example: Meeting Preston and getting the Perception Bobblehead "allowed" me to perk Demolitions Expert. Or getting my weapon drop allowed me to perk that skill. Etc. 

    Final Thoughts:

    I'm only level 14 with this auto-biographical character playthrough, but it's reignited my excitement in playing. I'm going slower. Exploring more. Taking care to interact with NPCs more thoughtfully. Actually paying attention to dialogue options. It's fun. 

    And that's the point. :)

    Let me know what you think!

  • Mr.
    Member
    October 11, 2016

     The "play as you" style is always an interesting one, but I have a hard time imagining myself making rational decisions on situations like Preston's. For one, I'd know that strength is in unity and that if I found myself a group I could trust, my chances of survival would increase, but on the other side, who knows what my instinct would tell me to do? Perhaps it would support my rational conclusion that by now I have nothing to lose, only to gain.

     But I have digressed enough. This is a great guide, and can be easily adapted to each one of us (for example, if you know how to shoot or have a trained body for phyisical confrontation you may apply the third step only on new ways of combat to you).

     I will eventually try this, and I'm already wondering about my in-game decisions... For example, for the factions, I would choose to either help the Institute or the Brotherhood of Steel, with the latter being my most likely choice - being me, I know (or believe) that even if kept on a leash, A.I bodies are too high of a risk to humanity to allow their existence. Plus, the world and society as we know have gone to hell and you can now be killed by giant radroaches? Trust in the guys with the big weapons and who can give you shelter and food in exchange for service under what is some comforting comradeship.

  • Member
    October 11, 2016

    Well thought out there Edd. I think about meeting Father a lot when it comes to "me" making decisions. I feel like that's the ultimate "what would I do" moment. I just can't see betraying my son. Even with all you ultimtely find out about the Institute, even with the shady tactics and problematic AI issues...you have shelter, your son, and the best tech and chance at any kind of life. How do you leave that?

    But, I think it's what makes FO4 compelling - there are few black and white moments in the stories. There's enough gray to make decision making troublesome. I stil wish there were more dialogue options...like usually what I WANT to say or ask, I can't.

    Anyway thanks for chiming in.  

  • Member
    October 12, 2016
    Every time I see Father, I want to stab him in the neck. lmfao. Too bad I don't actually get to since Im a Brotherhood fanboy.
  • Member
    October 13, 2016

    Motty Skills said:

    Well thought out there Edd. I think about meeting Father a lot when it comes to "me" making decisions. I feel like that's the ultimate "what would I do" moment. I just can't see betraying my son. Even with all you ultimtely find out about the Institute, even with the shady tactics and problematic AI issues...you have shelter, your son, and the best tech and chance at any kind of life. How do you leave that?

    But, I think it's what makes FO4 compelling - there are few black and white moments in the stories. There's enough gray to make decision making troublesome. I stil wish there were more dialogue options...like usually what I WANT to say or ask, I can't.

    Anyway thanks for chiming in.  

     

    I know. I mean, if I was faced with Father, I would realize all these horrible things, but even then, I would rarely abandon a family member. 

  • Member
    October 16, 2016

    This seems fun! Definitely going to try this after my mercenary character.

  • Mr.
    Member
    October 16, 2016

    Motty Skills said:

    Well thought out there Edd. I think about meeting Father a lot when it comes to "me" making decisions. I feel like that's the ultimate "what would I do" moment. I just can't see betraying my son. Even with all you ultimtely find out about the Institute, even with the shady tactics and problematic AI issues...you have shelter, your son, and the best tech and chance at any kind of life. How do you leave that?

    But, I think it's what makes FO4 compelling - there are few black and white moments in the stories. There's enough gray to make decision making troublesome. I stil wish there were more dialogue options...like usually what I WANT to say or ask, I can't.

    Anyway thanks for chiming in.  

     

     You're right, of course. I was actually just thinking "What ifs" If I was randomly throwed into the events of Fallout 4, silly me!

     Being in the same place as the Sole Survivor I wouldn't be able to betray my son either.

  • Member
    October 16, 2016

     Starting a go of this. My merc can wait. God, I don't a legendary automatic or a heavy weapon, because that is just not me.

    I also think a more realistic carrying capacity. Don't carry 100 stimpaks, two fat men, and and tons of junk. 

  • Member
    October 16, 2016

    Ajani said:

     Starting a go of this. My merc can wait. God, I don't a legendary automatic or a heavy weapon, because that is just not me.

    I also think a more realistic carrying capacity. Don't carry 100 stimpaks, two fat men, and and tons of junk. 

    I didn't address it - but yes, realistic carrying can be helpful. I do that as much as I remember. Like I only carry two guns, only ammo for them. etc.

    I also think the Random Drop start forces you into different playstyles. Embrace the heavy gunner if you get it! :)

  • Member
    October 16, 2016

    Motty Skills said:

    Ajani said:

     Starting a go of this. My merc can wait. God, I don't a legendary automatic or a heavy weapon, because that is just not me.

    I also think a more realistic carrying capacity. Don't carry 100 stimpaks, two fat men, and and tons of junk. 

    I didn't address it - but yes, realistic carrying can be helpful. I do that as much as I remember. Like I only carry two guns, only ammo for them. etc.

    I also think the Random Drop start forces you into different playstyles. Embrace the heavy gunner if you get it! :)

     

    How bout, for guns, one rifle (Slung on your back), two to four pistols (Two at your hips, two on chest holsters), and a melee weapon?