Fallout 4: Automatron – Tips and Tricks to Get You Started

Fallout 4 has finally received a full blown DLC in the form of Automatron, and this one is packed with robots galore. You’ll have to hunt, scavenge, and build your own mechanical companions as you continue your adventure in the post-apocalyptic Boston Wasteland.

Of course, things haven’t gotten any easier. The world is still as cruel and harsh as ever so you’ll need to keep your wits about you. If you’ve been away for a while, you’ll want to get back into the swing of things. If you’re just joining in on the Commonwealth action, then you’ll want to keep a few things in mind before setting off. 

Level 15 Begins Your Journey

This brand new expansion was built with players who are level 15 and up in mind. That means, if you’ve just gotten your hands on Fallout 4, you won’t exactly be able to jump right into Automatron. Enemies will be too tough, and you just won’t have the skills necessary to survive.

The quickest way to level up in Fallout 4 is do the quests you’ll find in the Data tab of your Pip-Boy. These give the biggest chunks of experience, so you’ll find yourself hitting level 15 in only a few short hours. Once you start hitting the 20s things will slow down a bit, but you have more than enough to work with to hit your beginning requirements. 

Weapons to Get You Started

Fallout 4 is a very large RPG with many different types of enemies to take care of. Due to the abundance of baddies, there is also an abundance of different weapons to use. Naturally, some weapons do better against certain types of enemies than others. This is something you’ll want to keep in mind when going into Automatron.

You’ll want some mines for fast moving robots. They’re good to drop down during a retreat, just make sure you move far away. You’ll also want energy weapons. While explosives are useful against most adversaries, bots are extra sensitive to energy and pulse weapons. Cryo is also useful for slowing anyone down.

If you are still in the beginning of the game, though, focus on energy weapons. They are very easy to come by early on, so you’ll be able to build up a solid arsenal. 

Radiation Can Still Kill You, But Does Nothing Against Robots

Just as important as the things you need to bring in your fight against the robots, are the things you should definitely leave behind. Most weapons and items are useful, so you’ll be fine when it comes to bombs, firearms, rifles, and consumables. One thing you definitely won’t need, though, are radiation weapons.

To be honest, these are useless against most enemies in the game. Sure you can put down a human pretty fast with them, but that’s about it. Robots will laugh as they charge in and crush your skull. So leave the glowing ammo for another time. 

Start Scavenging

One of the main draws of Automatron is the ability to build your own robot companions. You can pick weapons, abilities, type, and more as you customize your new robotic buddies. Like all crafting in Fallout 4, though, you’ll need resources.

Steel, wiring, targeting chips, and pieces of the robots you hunt down as part of the expansion’s narrative. You can’t build anything until you get some robot parts.

In the beginning, you’ll have few options, but the more robots you hunt down, the more resources, parts, and possibilities will be available to you. So keep an eye out for anything useful during your travels. 

Useful Companion Perks

Reaching the highest relationship with a companion will earn you useful Perks. While all are beneficial, there are a few that will really come in handy during Fallout 4’s Automatron expansion. The perks you’ll want are:

• Codsworth (Robot Sympathy) – +10 damage resistance against robot energy weapons.
• X6-88 (Shield Harmonics) – +20 damage resistance vs. energy.
• Deacon (Cloak & Dagger) – +20% sneak attack damage and duration of Stealth Boys are increased by +40%.

You’ll be hunting robots, so anything that gives you an edge during your hunt and against energy weapons (pretty much all that robots use, with few exceptions) will be useful.

Remember, It’s Still Fallout 4

This is more for those who have already invested a lot of time and into Fallout 4 prior to the release of Automatron. If you’ve been playing the game and have even beaten the main story, you should already have a solid grasp on what to expect.

While the new expansion introduces new companions and objectives, the gameplay remains largely the same. Rely on what you’ve learned to help you move about safely and take out even the toughest of foes. Use your collection of weapons to build the best loadouts. Upgrade your armor and skills to give you an edge. Rain hell upon the Mechanist and the army of machines invading the Commonwealth.

For more guides, tips, trips, and information on Fallout 4 an its expansions, including Automatron, be sure to check out our wiki.