Are you struggling to crack the codes and unlock the hidden secrets scattered throughout the Commonwealth in Fallout 4? Mastering the art of terminal hacking is essential for any Wasteland explorer. This ultimate guide will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of hacking terminals, from the basics to advanced techniques, ensuring you never miss out on valuable loot or intriguing lore.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Hacking in Fallout 4
While lockpicking is often prioritized, hacking terminals should not be overlooked. Numerous locations across the Commonwealth conceal terminals that grant access to restricted areas, control security systems, or even summon robotic allies.
Furthermore, many of the game's secrets and quests are hidden within these terminals, making hacking an indispensable skill for any player seeking to uncover the full depth of Fallout 4's world.
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How to Hack in Fallout 4
At its core, hacking in Fallout 4 involves deducing the correct password from a list of potential options. Upon interacting with a terminal, you'll be presented with a screen displaying a jumble of words and symbols.
One of these words is the password you need to select. Each incorrect guess will decrease your number of available attempts, and failing all attempts will lock you out of the terminal temporarily.
- The key to successful hacking lies in analyzing the "Likeness" value displayed after selecting a word.
- This value represents the number of letters in the chosen word that match the correct password, both in character and position.
- For example, if the password is "STEAM" and you select "START," the Likeness would be 2, as the letters "S" and "T" are correct and in the right spots.
Special Hacking Characters
While hacking, be on the lookout for symbols enclosed in brackets or parentheses, such as (), [], {}, or <>.
Selecting these special characters can either reset your available attempts or remove incorrect password options from the list, significantly increasing your chances of success.
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Hacking Skills and Perks
| Rank | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | You can hack Advanced terminals. | INT: 4 |
| 2 | You can hack Expert terminals. | LVL: 9, INT: 4 |
| 3 | You can hack Master terminals. | LVL: 21, INT: 4 |
| 4 | You can no longer be locked out of a terminal when you fail. | LVL: 33, INT: 4 |
Investing in the Hacker perk under the Intelligence tree is crucial for accessing more advanced terminals. This perk grants the ability to hack increasingly difficult terminals, from Novice to Master level.
There are 4 hacking difficulties in Fallout 4:
- Novice
- Advanced
- Expert
- Master
Furthermore, the final rank of the Hacker perk prevents you from ever being locked out of a terminal, effectively giving you unlimited attempts.
Additionally, certain aids can further enhance your hacking prowess. The Science Bobblehead provides an extra password guess, while Nick Valentine's "Close to Metal" perk grants an additional guess and reduces terminal lockout timers.
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Companion Assistance
If you find yourself struggling with a particularly challenging terminal, consider recruiting a skilled companion like Nick Valentine. Most companions can attempt to hack terminals for you, although their success rates may vary based on the terminal's difficulty level.
Mastering terminal hacking in Fallout 4 is a game-changing skill that opens up a world of hidden treasures and captivating lore. By following this ultimate Fallout 4 hacking guide, you can invest in the right perks, utilize special characters and companion assistance, and you'll be well-equipped to crack even the toughest codes.
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