# Spoil the Hell Out Of Fallout 3 For Me **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 15, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103 "2010-02-15T19:32:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/81 "2010-02-22T16:52:55Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > I’d probably head to Northwest Seneca Station. It’s on the way to Megaton instead of being way off on its own, and lets you sell stuff for drugs (which don’t have any significant weight) instead of random stuff. I can also repair my Tesla Armor with the cash and buy all the ammo I can find. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/82 "2010-02-22T17:17:18Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > Also, recommendations for the DLC since you have it all. (The GOTY edition includes all 5 packs.) I snipped most of Jihi’s specific descriptions, because… how do I say it? It’s completely, utterly wrong. The difficulty curve in this game he lists is absolutely incorrect, because this game doesn’t have a specific difficulty curve. Everything is based around your character. That is one of things I DID NOT LIKE but it’sd still a good game. Thus, if you want until you’re level 28 to go do something, you’ll face really tough enemies. OTOH, anything easly-game is easy-peasy. I’d have to reccomend The Pitt first, just because you get lots of loot and powerful weapons. But whatever order you do it in, you’ll more or less manage to get the same difficulty curve as long as you keep improving your gear along the way. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/83 "2010-02-22T17:29:15Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Well, the game’s practically over. I just have to go to the Citadel and start the last few things. Can I walk about after the Citadel? (I assume yes). Can I have two followers with me? > > Also, I agree. There’s something almost poetic about carrying 500 pounds of dinnerware across a radioactive wasteland that’s almost penance for zipping through the game as fast as possible. > > …But no, really, where is the closest place I can unload this stuff? The city with the kids? You can actually repair your items together and save carry weight that way; 1 perfect condition of Enclave power armor is worth more than 3 ratty ones. Also, you can find the nearest storage container (locker, trunk, suitcase, etc.), put your crap in it until you’re unencumbered and can Fast Travel, then Fast Travel back and forth to your designated vendor to sell your junk. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/84 "2010-02-22T17:31:36Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > I snipped most of Jihi’s specific descriptions, because… how do I say it? > > It’s completely, utterly wrong. The difficulty curve in this game he lists is absolutely incorrect, because this game doesn’t have a specific difficulty curve. Everything is based around your character. That is one of things I DID NOT LIKE but it’sd still a good game. From what I’ve heard, this is incorrect. Enemies in Point Lookout get a flat +35 unsoakable damage bonus to their attacks, which means waiting until you’re sufficiently sneaky/can reliably one-shot people sounds like the way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/85 "2010-02-22T17:34:00Z")
> [@Windwalker](#): > > You can actually repair your items together and save carry weight that way; 1 perfect condition of Enclave power armor is worth more than 3 ratty ones. > > Also, you can find the nearest storage container (locker, trunk, suitcase, etc.), put your crap in it until you’re unencumbered and can Fast Travel, then Fast Travel back and forth to your designated vendor to sell your junk. Do I have to own the container? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/86 "2010-02-22T17:44:45Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Do I have to own the container? No, but it will disappear after a few days if you don’t come back and get it. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/87 "2010-02-22T19:08:55Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > From what I’ve heard, this is incorrect. Enemies in Point Lookout get a flat +35 unsoakable damage bonus to their attacks, which means waiting until you’re sufficiently sneaky/can reliably one-shot people sounds like the way to go. I went there early in the game wearing nothing but decent leather, and it was a challenge (a fun one) but not something terribly difficult. The only real hard spot there is that an early mission features a _lot_ of fighting all in a row. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/88 "2010-02-22T23:30:02Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > I snipped most of Jihi’s specific descriptions, because… how do I say it? > > It’s completely, utterly wrong. Shit, it wouldn’t be the first time. 😃 > [@](#): > > The difficulty curve in this game he lists is absolutely incorrect, because this game doesn’t have a specific difficulty curve. While it’s correct that the game doesn’t have a specific difficulty curve, (and I wasn’t aware that I was trying to describe one in that post either), there is still a relative scale for enemies. A super mutant or a deathclaw is always going to be more difficult than a random raider. The relative difficulty of the [“Swampfolk”](http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Swampfolk) in Point Lookout took a lot people by surprise. Myself included. > [@](#): > > Thus, if you want until you’re level 28 to go do something, you’ll face really tough enemies. OTOH, anything easly-game is easy-peasy. That’s only true because the tough enemies don’t spawn at low levels, or they only spawn in certain areas. However, If you go to Point Lookout the second you leave the vault and your still first level you’re still going to be fighting mutants and robots regardless. Is it going to be impossible? Of course not because of the level scaling, but there’s still going to be a statistical gap between you and the enemies. That “gap” closes as you level up and get better equipment, but it’s particularly noticeable at low levels. The game has level scaling, that doesn’t mean certain parts aren’t harder than others. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/89 "2010-02-23T02:51:27Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > While it’s correct that the game doesn’t have a specific difficulty curve, (and I wasn’t aware that I was trying to describe one in that post either), there is still a relative scale for enemies. A super mutant or a deathclaw is always going to be more difficult than a random raider. Nah, Super Mutants are easy, and Deathclaws are only nasty until you have enough HP to take out the legs first (nobody tells you that’s the way to kill them, but almost everyone gets to using it.) And Deathclaws don’t even show up until you get to middling levels. Swampfolk are always tough for their level. But the stuff you find around Point Lookout itself should handle them fairly well. > [@](#): > > The game has level scaling, that doesn’t mean certain parts aren’t harder than others. Yeah, but they’re going to hard regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/90 "2010-02-23T03:36:41Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Nah, Super Mutants are easy, and Deathclaws are only nasty until you have enough HP to take out the legs first (nobody tells you that’s the way to kill them, but almost everyone gets to using it.) And Deathclaws don’t even show up until you get to middling levels. I really don’t understand what you’re getting at here. Super Mutants and Deathclaws might be “easy”, (however you choose to define it), but they’re still statistically stronger than raiders. Do you not agree with that statement? > [@](#): > > Swampfolk are always tough for their level. But the stuff you find around Point Lookout itself should handle them fairly well. I’d still rather be carrying a plasma rifle than a double barreled shotgun. > [@](#): > > Yeah, but they’re going to hard regardless. Granted, but the scaling isn’t done in a linear fashion. A higher level character with good equipment is going to have an easier time of it than a low level character wandering around with a leather jacket and a pistol. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/91 "2010-02-23T13:19:32Z")
The enemies in the game have a minimum level and a maximum level. If your character level is less than or equal to the minimum level, they will be at the minimum level when you first enter the zone (which is when the enemies are spawned). If your character level is higher than their maximum level, they will be at the maximum level when you first enter the zone. And until the zone resets (some zones reset after a while, some don’t) they stay at that already established level no matter how many times you reenter the zone. Once you enter a zone after the reset timer has run out, a new bunch of enemies will spawn relative to the level you are at that point. I believe this applies even to the Captial Wasteland itself, which is the largest zone in the game (and probably has the shortest reset timer). In other words, the deathclaws that roam the Wasteland (who don’t show up until a certain level and get more prominent after the Enclave enters the game) in the early stages are weaker than those that will spawn in later levels. If you want to cakewalk through the deathclaw sanctuary later, sneak down there at a low level to get the bobblehead by the entrance. (Be careful, sometimes a deathclaw will be hanging around the entrance, in which case a reload sometimes fixes that.) You will set all the deathclaws to their lowest level. You can come back later when you level up and defeat them much easier than had you waited to enter the place. Granted, if you don’t get back before the reset timer expires, it’s moot. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/92 "2010-02-23T13:48:19Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > Yeah, if you shot him dead, than… well… he’s dogmeat. 😃 > > You’ll need the aforementioned high level perk to get him back short of reloading, but I have to agree with **xtisme** , frankly he’s not that useful. Some of the companions are I think, (the brotherhood paladin is very good, as is Fawkes), but Dogmeat tends to die easily anyway. The puppies are much more durable than he is (1000 hitpoints vs. 400). But yeah, as I sneak anywhere, I don’t use him much, since he lunges at anything that moves, spoiling my quiet headshots or Ripper stabbings (yes, quiet, discreet Ripper stabbings. Don’t ask.) ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/93 "2010-02-23T13:52:08Z")
> [@Hoopy\_Frood](#): > > And until the zone resets (some zones reset after a while, some don’t) they stay at that already established level no matter how many times you reenter the zone. Once you enter a zone after the reset timer has run out, a new bunch of enemies will spawn relative to the level you are at that point. > > I believe this applies even to the Captial Wasteland itself, which is the largest zone in the game (and probably has the shortest reset timer). I’m pretty sure the Capitol Wasteland is broken up into zones, too. The game loads just the one you’re in and the ones surrounding it, not the entire Wasteland at once. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/94 "2010-02-24T14:27:23Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > I definitely recommend Broken Steel, if only because Bethesda remembered that Fallout 3 is a sandbox game. It fixes the ending, and as far as I can tell it’s the only one that allows you to come and go as you please, instead of being stuck in some hellhole for the duration of the DLC. The drawback to Broken Steel is that it loads even at the start of a new game so you get Three Dog talking about the results of Fighting the Good Fight that you have not done yet. And speaking of Three dog, I do love how when you do something evil he rags on you about it over the air. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/95 "2010-02-24T14:35:05Z")
On the subject of being evil, New Vegas reportedly will have NPCs remember and react more strongly to the PC’s karma. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/96 "2010-02-24T14:41:38Z")
So I’m still schlepping my way back to Megaton. I’ve bonked into a couple of places and done a quest or two or explored a little bit, but Fawkes and I are crawling back to buy the entire city with 2000 pounds of stuff. I still don’t have what I need for the Rock-It Launcher. I hafta find that other paladin and get my ingredients and other crap from her. Is the NPC pathfinding wonky, or am I just getting Fawkes beached a lot? ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/97 "2010-02-24T14:47:40Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Well, the game’s practically over. I just have to go to the Citadel and start the last few things. Can I walk about after the Citadel? (I assume yes). Can I have two followers with me? The only way to have two followers is to have one companion and Dogmeat. Otherwise your current companion will return to thier home spot when you take on a new one. They do keep the stuff they are holding for you. Be aware that they walk back to where they are going so it is possible that they may die in the attempt and be lost somewhere in the wasteland. Also, if your ‘alignment’ (ie. Good, neutral, Evil) changes to something incompatable you can lose the ability to hire them back. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/98 "2010-02-24T15:33:26Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Is the NPC pathfinding wonky, or am I just getting Fawkes beached a lot? The thing about NPCs is that they won’t jump. For example: go out 3-Dog’s back door and jump down, any followers you have will go out the front and take the long way around. ---
**Author:** ![capeo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@capeo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capeo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/99 "2010-02-24T15:50:03Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Is the NPC pathfinding wonky, or am I just getting Fawkes beached a lot? This is a result, as has been mentioned, that NPCs don’t jump. It’s made much worse by Fawkes because of her huge frame. She gets hung up a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103/100 "2010-02-24T16:32:47Z")
Status update: I finally got back to Megaton. I unloaded my goods and I can run and jump again! …Fawkes is loaded down with incidentals now and I also have a Rock-It Launcher. Repair, sell, buy, sell, repair, sell, repair, sell…new vendor…buy, sell…new vendor, buy, sell…new vendor, buy sell…back to Moira, repair, sell, repair, sell, repair, sell done! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-hell-out-of-fallout-3-for-me/529103.md?page=6)