Fallout 76 Season 20: Embrace the Ghoul Life in the Wasteland
Fallout 76's Season 20, aptly named "The Ghoul Within," has arrived, transforming the way players navigate the radiation-soaked world of Appalachia. Announced by Bethesda on March 18, this update introduces a host of ghoul-related features, mechanics, and new cosmetic options to enhance your C.A.M.P.
Unleash the Ghoul Within
With the latest update, players can now embrace Ghoulification through the "Leap of Faith" questline, which introduces them to a previously unexplored area of the Savage Divide. Along the way, they'll encounter new characters that aid in their transformation into a Ghoul. This metamorphosis unlocks unique Ghoul abilities such as Glow and Feral, along with 30 exclusive Ghoul Perks, or "Gherks."
The Feral ability replaces traditional hunger and thirst mechanics, instead offering boosts based on the Feral meter's percentage. Dropping to 0% dramatically alters gameplay, granting a staggering +150% Melee Damage at the cost of significant penalties: -5 Endurance, -99 Charisma, -30 Max HP, -20 Max AP, and a -300% reduction in Hip-fire and V.A.T.S. Accuracy.
On the other hand, the Glow ability lets players consume radiation, granting immunity to diseases and mutations, and even causing them to emit a visible glow. This ability not only increases maximum health and heals existing damage but also enhances the effectiveness of Ghoul-exclusive Perks.
Players have 28 Perks to choose from, plus two new legendary perks designed specifically for Ghouls. Note that becoming a Ghoul means forgoing perks related to Hunger, Thirst, and Chem Resistance, as these are no longer applicable.
A Day in the Life of a Ghoul
Navigating the wasteland as a Ghoul is made easier with the new abilities and Gherks at your disposal. However, certain factions like the Brotherhood of Steel may react negatively, potentially locking you out of specific questlines. Fortunately, a new NPC named Jaye offers disguises that allow Ghouls to access otherwise restricted content.
If the Ghoul life doesn't suit you, reverting to human form is possible via the Character Screen, though this is a one-way decision. Subsequent Ghoul transformations can be purchased for 1000 Atoms on the same screen.
Level 50 Character Boost and Season 20 Patch Notes
The Season 20 update also introduces the Level 50 Character Boost, available for 1500 Atoms. This boost accelerates your journey, allowing immediate access to multiplayer features like Daily Ops, Public Events, and select story content.
Alongside the boost, the patch includes crucial bug fixes, balance tweaks, accessibility improvements, combat adjustments, and weapon damage modifications. Bethesda has also teased the next update, "The Big Bloom," set to release on April 29, as part of their ongoing season calendar.
Since its launch in November 2018, Fallout 76 has evolved significantly from its challenging beginnings. The current "Mostly Positive" Steam rating, with 76% positive reviews, reflects the game's improved state. Fallout 76 is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
