After a preview event for Fallout 76 that recently took place, there is a lot of new information about the features. We now know how the V.A.T.S. system works. This feature is typical for the series, but in Fallout 76 it may be different than you know.
What is the V.A.T.S.? The “Vault Tech Assisted Targeting System” is a feature that has been around since Fallout 3. It is a supportive tool inspired by skills from the first two parts. It significantly slows down combat and allows targeting of opponents’ weak points. Depending on which spots you target, body parts can also be severed.
Since Fallout 76 is a purely online game, it was extremely unlikely that the functions would simply be adopted. This has now been confirmed, VATS will be reworked for Fallout 76.
This is how the new VATS works
This is how VATS has been changed: Compared to before
- The game can no longer be slowed down,
- and players can move with active VATS.
- Weak points of your opponents are shown,
- along with the likelihood that you will hit them
- and it serves as automatic aiming for your bullets.
With perk cards, you can improve the damage bonus and precision of VATS.
In this video from FudgeMuppet, you can get an impression of the new VATS.
What is the problem with the new VATS?
This is being criticized: Not all journalists who were able to test the new system were satisfied. For example, PC Gamer describes the new VATS as disappointing.
- In VATS mode, while ideally the bullets follow their target,
- your weapon does not move with it.
- You can aim meters away and still hit if the hit probability is sufficient.
This feels strange, as if you were shooting from the hip into nowhere. While VATS can be a useful aiming aid on consoles, with mouse and keyboard you might prefer to invest in other perks.
Fans will be able to get an impression themselves in the beta. This starts on October 23 on Xbox One, with PC and PS4 following a week later. Here’s how to participate in the beta.
What do you think of VATS in Fallout 76? Do you have any other ideas on how to improve it?
