Mutations in Fallout 76 are special abilities that players can unlock by being exposed to Radiation in the game. Initially, these mutations have a temporary effect and disappear when the player heals their built-up Radiation. However, mutations can become a permanent addition to the player character, affecting and enhancing gameplay. Some mutations are even crucial for creating powerful builds.
In this guide, we will teach you how to easily acquire mutations, how to keep the ones you want, and ways to maximize their positive effects while minimizing the negative ones. So, stock up on Radaway and put on your best Hazmat suit, because you’re about to dive into the radioactive world of mutations.
All Mutations’ Effects and Fastest Ways to Acquire Them
Mutation: Healing Factor
Positive Effect: Health regenerates +300% faster outside of combat.
Negative Effect: Chems effects are reduced by -55%.
Mutation: Bird Bones
Positive Effect: +4 Agility, slower falling speed.
Negative Effect: -4 Strength, limbs are more easily damaged.
Mutation: Carnivore
Positive Effect: Eating Meat has no disease chance and doubles Hunger satisfaction, Health Points, and Meat-based food buffs.
Negative Effect: Eating Plants or Plant-based foods provides no bonuses, Health Points, or Hunger satisfaction.
Mutation: Herbivore
Positive Effect: Eating Plants or Plant-based foods has no disease chance and doubles Hunger satisfaction, Health Points, and Plant-based food buffs.
Negative Effect: Eating Meat provides no bonuses, Health Points, or Hunger satisfaction.
Mutation: Egghead
Positive Effect: +6 Intelligence.
Negative Effect: -3 Endurance, -3 Strength.
Mutation: Twisted Muscles
Positive Effect: Melee deals +25% more damage, better chance to damage targets’ limbs.
Negative Effect: Gun accuracy plummets by -50%.
Mutation: Empath
Positive Effect: Teammates take -25% less damage from all sources (must be in party).
Negative Effect: Player takes +33% more damage from all sources (if within party).
Mutation: Grounded
Positive Effect: +100 Energy Damage Resistance to the player’s threshold.
Negative Effect: -50% Energy Weapon damage.
Mutation: Electrically Charged
Positive Effect: Random chance to Shock Melee attackers when hit.
Negative Effect: Player receives small Shock damage when the effect occurs.
Mutation: Eagle Eyes
Positive Effect: +4 Perception, +50% Critical Damage.
Negative Effect: -4 Strength.
Mutation: Adrenal Reaction
Positive Effect: Deal more damage when at low health.
Negative Effect: -50 Health.
Mutation: Chameleon
Positive Effect: Turn invisible when in combat. Must be standing still and not wearing armor, or must be wearing armor with the Weightless Legendary modifier.
Mutation: Herd Mentality
Positive Effect: Gain +2 points to all S.P.E.C.I.A.L traits when grouped with other players (close proximity).
Negative Effect: Lose -2 points to all S.P.E.C.I.A.L traits when not grouped with other players (close proximity).
Mutation: Unstable Isotope
Positive Effect: When struck in Melee, random chance to release a blast of Radiation within vicinity.
Negative Effect: Player receives small Radiation blast damage when the effect occurs.
Mutation: Scaly Skin
Positive Effect: +50 Energy and Physical Damage Resistance to the player threshold.
Negative Effect: -50 Action Points.
Mutation: Talons
Positive Effect: Punching attacks do +25% more damage and build Bleed effect on target.
Negative Effect: -4 Agility.
Mutation: Speed Demon
Positive Effect: +20% Faster movement speed and +20% faster reload animation for guns.
Negative Effect: Hunger and Thirst deplete +50% faster when moving (walking, sprinting).
Mutation: Marsupial
Positive Effect: Gain massive jump height and +20 to Carry Weight.
Negative Effect: -4 Intelligence.
Mutation: Plague Walker
Positive Effect: Gain a damaging poison aura around the player. Poison Aura only works if the player has a Disease.
To acquire mutations, players need to expose themselves to Radiation. The first instance of attaining a mutation is usually by receiving a large dose of Radiation and seeing the mutation icon appear on the lower-left hand side of the screen, typically after reaching level 5 or higher. Mutations can be gained through various sources of Radiation damage, such as enemies, food, pools of deep water, weather, or barrels of Radioactive sludge. As long as the Geiger counter is ticking and the player’s Health Bar turns red, there is a chance of gaining a mutation.
Determining the Best Mutations
The best mutations for a player will depend on their build and playstyle. For example, Twisted Muscles is great for a melee-oriented tanky character but would be a disadvantage for a sniper due to the reduced accuracy of shots. On the other hand, Eagle Eyes offers a significant boost for long-ranged specialists but is detrimental to melee fighters due to the reduction in physical strength. Therefore, it’s up to players to decide which mutations are suitable for their playthroughs. To prioritize mutations, players should study the effects of each mutation in the table above and choose accordingly.
Fastest Ways to Acquire Mutations
If players want to acquire mutations quickly, there are easily accessible spots they can visit right after leaving Vault 76. However, these methods rely heavily on chance and randomness, so it is recommended to have plenty of Radaway to remove radiation after each attempt. Here are some locations to build up radiation fast:
1. Grafton Dam: Located northeast of Vault 76 in the Toxic Valley, the Grafton Dam has toxic water that can be used to gain radiation quickly (+27 radiation per second).
2. Poseidon Energy Plant WV-06: South of Vault 76, this Nuclear Power Plant has a nuclear reactor that players can use to soak up radiation.
3. Safe N’ Clean Disposal: Southeast of Vault 76, this location has radioactive barrels and is home to Super Mutants.
Acquiring Mutations without RNG
Minor spoilers for the main quest line ahead! If players don’t want to rely on farming for mutations and dealing with random chance, the best way to get a mutation without hassle is by following Fallout 76’s main quest line until gaining access to the Whitespring Bunker. Completing the quest “One of Us” will unlock the entire bunker, including the Genetics Lab in the Science Wing. The Genetics Lab sells mutations through Serums, one-time-use items that can be purchased and used through the Pip-Boy. However, not all serums are available for direct purchase, as they are sold through a vendor terminal that randomly sells the serums. The terminal, however, always sells the crafting recipes for all serums at around 25000+ Caps each.
Best Perks for Mutations
All mutations can be acquired and kept simultaneously, except for Carnivore and Herbivore, which cannot be active at the same time. To enhance mutations and reduce their negative effects, players can use powerful Perk cards. Here are some recommended Perks:
1. Starched Genes: This Perk prevents the player from gaining new mutations from radiation and ensures pre-existing mutations aren’t erased through radiation cleansing.
2. Strange In Numbers: This Perk increases the effects of mutations when playing with other players in close proximity.
By utilizing these strategies and optimizations, players can become formidable mutated beings in Fallout 76. So embrace the radioactive green and let the mutations enhance your gameplay experience.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
