The game helpfully displays the current irradiation at the status screen and on the Pip-Boy 3000's dosimeter in the upper right on the HUD and on the Pip-Boy itself when the player accesses it. There are five major stages of radiation poisoning at 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 rads. While radiation never directly affects the current hit point level, the player will receive progressive penalties to SPECIAl, until they reach a total of 1000 rads and die. It also adds a new perk, Rad Child.Īs such, radiation is accumulated from a variety of sources, including exposure to its sources, micronuclear explosions (such as Fat Man detonations or cars), swimming in irradiated water, and eating and drinking contaminated food. Radiation only applies to the player: Any non-player characters do not gain rads.įallout: New Vegas uses the same radiation mechanics as Fallout 3, and retains several of its perks, such as Lead Belly, Rad Resistance and Rad Absorption. At max level, it will cause instant death.

Radiation is an environmental hazard in Fallout: New Vegas.

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