KEY POINTS

  • Completing the main quests first is highly recommended but not mandatory
  • Always collect junk items for crafting, building and repairing
  • Some high-level areas are best explored with a group

There has been a ton of changes made to “Fallout 76” that effectively fixed the major issues players had with the game when it first launched. From an NPC-populated West Virginia to actual questlines and well-written characters, the game is now the multiplayer “Fallout” experience many players have been asking for.

Still, all of those changes can hit like a truck at the beginning. New players may find their quest log filled to the brim with stuff to do on top of the sheer number of things they can freely do while in the Appalachian wasteland.

Here’s a short guide to help beginners get started.

How to play with friends

Playing with a buddy or two is what makes “Fallout 76” unique from the previous games in the series, and joining a group is as easy as pressing a few buttons.

First, players will want to make sure that they have their friends on their Bethesda.net friends list. On PC, press ESC to open the map screen, then press C to open the Social tab. Here, players can add their friends and do a bunch of other things with them.

From this screen, invite a friend to a party, and they’ll automatically join any world that isn’t full once they accept.

Fallout 76 lets players explore and survive the nuclear wastelands of Appalachia with or against each other
Fallout 76 lets players explore and survive the nuclear wastelands of Appalachia with or against each other. Bethesda

Finish the main quests…or not

In true “Fallout” fashion, players are free to pursue the main campaign or just immediately get lost in the world. However, finishing the main Overseer questline is highly recommended just for the rewards that it gives.

Also, the new main quest introduced in the “Wastelanders” update is quite good. Go to Duchess at the Wayward to begin this quest.

Builds, perks and leveling up

Leveling up will give players an extra stat point that they can invest into Perk Cards that they own. Carefully investing in specific cards will ultimately dictate one’s build. In the beginning, players will have limited perks to choose from, so feel free to choose whichever perk seems useful.

Later in the game, try to invest points to max out a perk card. Remember, the number of cards that can be equipped per Special slot depends on how many points players invest in one stat, so choose wisely.

Collect and scrap everything

Be sure to collect and scrap all the bits of junk scattered across the map. These can be turned into useful materials for weapon crafting, mods and base building.

Keep an eye out for adhesives like glue and duct tape as well as typewriters and desk fans, since these can be converted into the most useful of resources.

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