Fallout 4’s huge Far Harbor expansion is finally available. With it comes an exciting new location, plenty of new threats, and more mysteries to uncover as you move through the Wasteland.
This expansion does more than just change the location you’ll be exploring, though. With new environments, monsters, and mechanics, you’ll have to get used to playing Fallout 4 in an entirely new way. In some ways this means that the game gets even tougher for those trying to survive how they’ve been playing.
But don’t worry, were here with some helpful tips and tricks to help you get by. Once you get started, it’s time to get prepared.
Prepare for Radiation
Far Harbor has a lot of radiation. Yeah, you may be thinking “all of Fallout 4 does, the game literally takes place in a nuclear wasteland.” And while that is true, Far Harbor kicks it up a notch. Like, a really large notch.
There are plenty of areas that are just drowning in radiation. In some spots it gets so bad that just going in with your normal armor will guarantee your death. Like all things in Fallout 4, you do have ways to prevent an untimely demise in the face of nuclear threats.
You don’t want to over-rely on RadAway, though. It’s much better to avoid the damage altogether. Bring some good, rad-resistant gear to keep your health reserves up. Power Armor, Hazmat Suits, whatever you got. Make sure you keep something in your suitcase to throw on whenever you hear that Geiger counter start ticking.
Speech Checks are a Thing
In fact, skill checks in general are common now in the new DLC. Unlike in the base game, where they can usually just save you from an unnecessary fight, they actually carry a lot more weight in Far Harbor. Certain conversation options and choices you make will actually completely change the outcome of quests and the story.
If you want to have a tighter control of your experience, you’ll definitely want to up your Charisma. If you haven’t played enough to level it up, or have focused on other parts of your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats, you can use Beer, Grape Mentats, and X-Cell to temporarily raise it when you need to have a conversation. There are also a few clothing items that help to raise this value as well, so keep an eye out for those .
Drugs Aren’t Always Bad (in Video Games)
Like we mentioned before, Skill Checks are a very real thing in Fallout 4: Far Harbor. Strength, Luck, Intelligence, you name it and there will come a point where it may block you from a specific option. This can make life difficult for some players, especially the lower leveled ones.
To provide a bit of balance to your Vault Dweller’s life, you’ll want to keep a collection of recreational substances. Now, I for one like to abstain in my playthroughs, but they can often spell the difference between the easy way and the decidedly bloody way. So pop a pill if you need to, but make sure to keep an eye on your addictions.
Nick Valentine All the Way
You can bring other companions if you really want to, but let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment, Nick Valentine is the bees knees. He’s calm, cool, and collected, speaks with swagger, and will fight to the death to keep you alive (it helps that he doesn’t actually die). Also, Far Harbor centers around a case of his, so he’s the companion who’s most tied to the new expansion.
That means he has more options when it comes to talking to NPCs, and he has a more colorful script when exploring the world. Of course, if you want to use someone else, feel free to do so. Want to bring that special someone, or maybe even a bot for cold comfort? That’s cool, but be aware that you will definitely miss out on some of Far Harbor’s story.
New Gear!
Many players will be tempted to pack heavily before setting sail to Far Harbor. You don’t know what to expect, so you want to be prepared for everything. If you’re going to take only one bit of advice from us, take this: Don’t do that.
Bring your best stuff, but leave room for all of the sweet new gear that Bethesda has thrown into Far Harbor. We’re talking brand new armor, exotic new weapons, new perks, and more. Even the vendors in the game have some better stuff this time around. So you don’t really need those three rifles that you like lugging around, nor do you need that bowler hat… well you can bring the hat if you really want to. But, remember that there are better things lying in wait for you.
Get the Diving Suit!
There is a brand new set of armor in Far Harbor that allows you to swim freely and safely. Of course, it has to look like an old timey diving suit, but would you honestly have it any other way?
It’s not just handed to you at the beginning unfortunately, so you’ll have to put in a bit of work to unlock the quest necessary. But we’ve already guided that up for you here.
This suit comes in handy if you don’t want to waste points on the Aquaboy/Aquagirl perk but want to survive in the harsh, irradiated waters. It’s also made out of steel, so you can get shot at a few more times with out dying, and that’s always a good thing.
As Always, Take Your Time
There’s a lot to do in Far Harbor. Some may want to just rush through the story and let it all sink in, but we strongly advise against doing that. Sit back, relax, kill some mutants, and enjoy yourself.
There are plenty of side quests to get into, and some of them can be failed if you progress through far in the story. If you pick up a side quest, make sure to follow it through to the end before moving on. You’ll be treated to some extra story and a chance at some great rewards.
With these tips you will find yourself coping a lot better in the new Wasteland created for players. Keep these in mind while exploring Far Harbor and you’ll be peachy.
For more guides on Fallout 4, be sure to check out our wiki.
