Bethesda has provided information about the major Wastelanders update for Fallout 76 in a new blog post. This time, the reputation system has been introduced, and it sounds a lot like content from MMORPGs.
How does the reputation system work? When Wastelanders launches in Fallout 76, there will be two major factions you can join: the Settlers and the Raiders. Bethesda has recently shown images of both factions.
Both Settlers and Raiders return to Appalachia after you’ve made it relatively habitable through months of hard work. Nevertheless, these new NPCs do not know you at all.
For this reason, both factions will initially regard you with suspicion. No one will like you until you have proven that you can be trusted.
Gathering Reputation in Wastelanders
How do I gain reputation? If you want to increase your standing with a faction in Wastelanders, you need to complete tasks for them. Story quests grant more reputation than daily repeatable faction quests.
Even certain dialogue options are supposed to grant you reputation, similar to how it has worked in other Fallout titles. When you gain reputation, you will be informed directly in the game and see a progress bar:
There will be seven reputation levels. All of this sounds a lot like the reputation systems in well-known MMORPGs like World of Warcraft. The levels are, according to current information (not necessarily in this order):
- Hostile
- Suspicious
- Neutral
- Neighborhood
- Friendly
- Ally
In previous information, it was stated that you can join both factions and even play them against each other if you wish. Whether that remains the case is yet to be seen. Currently, tests for Wastelanders are still ongoing.
Are there rewards? Each faction has its own respective merchants in their capitals (Crater for the Raiders, Foundation for the Settlers). They will offer you a larger selection as your reputation increases.
What specific rewards will then be available is still unknown, except that there will be special building plans for faction items. So anyone who wants to build a Raider C.A.M.P. can soon do so in style.
There will also be the possibility to fall in love with NPCs and hire companions. However, we do not yet know how that relates to reputation.
Players are excited about Wastelanders
This is what the community says: Some players fear that the system could become a boring reputation grind in its current form. However, most are looking forward to it, even feeling reminded of New Vegas.
Some fans are furthering the idea. It is already known that factions like the Cult of the Mothman are supposed to come. They are now questioning how these will fit into the system:
I wonder how the sub-factions will work. Do you think the Cult of the Mothman is allied with the Raiders?
re-bobber on reddit.
When can I check this out? A release date for Wastelanders is still pending. However, a new trailer is set to be released on February 4th. This could explain more once again.
