Getting Started with the Commands Console
Opening the Console
Fallout: New Vegas, a sprawling post-apocalyptic role-playing game, plunges players into the Mojave Wasteland, a dangerous and unpredictable landscape. Beyond the gripping story and challenging combat, a key element that defines your experience is the complex faction system. These groups, vying for power and resources, shape your interactions with the world. Your decisions, both big and small, directly impact your relationships with these factions. However, sometimes the game doesn’t cooperate. Perhaps a quest is bugged, or you want to explore a different narrative path. That’s where the power of console commands comes in. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of how to use faction console commands new vegas, allowing you to manipulate your standing with the various factions and tailor your wasteland experience to your liking.
The first step is opening the console. This is typically done by pressing the tilde key (~), located to the left of the `1` key on most keyboards. Pressing this key will bring up a small text box at the bottom of your screen. This is where you will enter your commands.
Once the console is open, you can start typing. Type carefully and double-check your input, as even a small typo can prevent a command from working. After you’ve typed a command, press Enter to execute it.
Navigating the console is relatively simple. You can scroll through your previously entered commands using the up and down arrow keys. This can save you time if you need to repeat a command or make a minor adjustment.
Saving Your Progress
Before using any console commands, it is absolutely crucial that you back up your save files. Console commands can sometimes have unintended consequences, leading to game instability or even corrupted save files. Create a new save before experimenting with commands, and consider making frequent backups as you modify your game. This will protect your valuable progress and allow you to revert to a previous state if something goes wrong. Think of it as a safety net, allowing you to freely explore the possibilities without fear of losing your hard work. Always save, save, save, especially when tinkering!
Understanding the Identification Codes of the Factions
The cornerstone of using faction console commands new vegas lies in understanding faction IDs. Each faction in the game has a unique numerical identifier. To correctly target and interact with a faction using console commands, you must know its corresponding ID. Using the wrong ID will obviously lead to the wrong outcomes.
Here are a few of the most commonly used faction IDs:
- New California Republic (NCR): `00012f32`
- Caesar’s Legion: `0001eb57`
- Yes Man: `00108b3a`
- The Great Khans: `00020664`
- The Powder Gangers: `0001b2a4`
- Brotherhood of Steel: `000214e8`
- Enclave: `00020657`
- Boomers: `00034b3e`
- White Glove Society: `00020663`
This list covers many of the major factions you’ll encounter. However, there are many more groups within the game. So how do you identify a faction that isn’t included on this list? The good news is that it’s simple. There are a few methods:
Using the Help Command
In the console, type `help “faction name” 4` and press Enter. Replace `”faction name”` with the name of the faction you’re looking for (e.g., `help “Followers of the Apocalypse” 4`). This command will search the game’s database for any matches containing the specified name and display the associated IDs. This is a great starting point for finding a faction’s ID. The number “4” limits the scope of the search, making the results easier to parse.
Consulting Online Resources
Websites like the Fallout Wiki or dedicated Fallout: New Vegas fan sites are invaluable resources. These sites often have comprehensive lists of factions and their corresponding IDs, along with other useful information. This is a great way to verify ID’s and get other details about how to use them.
Essential Commands for Modifying Faction Relations
With an understanding of console basics and faction IDs, we can now explore the core commands that let you manipulate your faction reputation.
Adjusting Reputation Levels
The `setreputation` command is your primary tool for directly altering your relationship with a faction. This is one of the most critical faction console commands new vegas to know.
The syntax for this command is as follows: `setreputation
Let’s break down each part of this command:
- `
`: This is the unique numerical ID of the faction you want to affect. This is where the list above, or the method to discover faction ID’s comes in. - `
`: This determines your standing with the faction. Here’s how the reputation levels work: - `-2`: Hated – The faction will actively attack you on sight.
- `-1`: Vilified – The faction is hostile and will likely attack you, but may offer the chance for redemption through quests.
- `0`: Neutral – The faction is indifferent to you. They won’t attack unless provoked.
- `1`: Liked – The faction is friendly towards you. You might receive positive dialogue or quests.
- `2`: Idolized – The faction adores you. You may receive unique dialogue, quests, or gifts.
- `
`: This designates the object or character that the command applies to. Generally, for this command to affect your character, use the player ID, which is `1`.
Example: To set your reputation with the NCR to “Idolized” enter: `setreputation 00012f32 2 1`. This would make the NCR your biggest fans.
Warning: Use this command with caution. Modifying your reputation can have cascading effects, potentially altering quests or triggering unexpected events. For example, making Caesar’s Legion idolize you may cause problems with the main storyline if you side against them.
Checking Reputation
Sometimes you want to know what your current relationship with a faction is before taking action. The `getreputation` command lets you easily check your standing.
The syntax for this command is simple: `getreputation
- `
`: The ID of the faction you want to check (e.g., `00012f32` for the NCR). - `
`: Again, the player ID is `1` for your character.
Example: To check your current reputation with the NCR, type `getreputation 00012f32 1`. The console will display the numerical value of your reputation (e.g., 0 for neutral, 2 for idolized).
Designating as Criminal
The `player.setcrimefaction` command lets you designate a faction as a “criminal faction”. This is the quickest way to make sure certain factions don’t come after you.
The syntax is: `player.setcrimefaction
- `
`: The faction you are targeting. - `<0 or 1>`: `1` means the faction is considered criminal, while `0` means they are not. When a faction is marked as criminal the faction will not attack the player for committing crimes.
Example: To stop the NCR from attacking you, enter `player.setcrimefaction 00012f32 1`. This means that NCR will no longer view you as a criminal. Be careful not to commit crimes against the faction, as the “criminals” may then still attack you.
Adding and Removing from a Faction
The `addtofaction` and `removefromfaction` commands allow you to directly add your character to or remove them from a faction.
The `addtofaction` command has the following syntax: `addtofaction
- `
`: The faction you are targeting. - `<0 or 1>`: `0` is for adding the player. `1` is also a potential value, and may add the player as an enemy. Experiment to see which value is best for your purposes.
Example: To add yourself to the NCR, enter `addtofaction 00012f32 0`. However, this won’t change your overall reputation, you may still need to use the `setreputation` command.
The `removefromfaction` command is simple.
The syntax is: `removefromfaction
Example: To remove yourself from the NCR, enter `removefromfaction 00012f32`.
Advanced Insights and Potential Pitfalls
Targeting Specific Non-Player Characters
While the commands mentioned above usually target your character, there are ways to target specific NPCs. To do this, open the console, click on the NPC in the game world, and then enter the desired command. The NPC’s ID will be automatically populated within the command. This is incredibly useful for altering the relationships of specific characters, like altering their reputation with other factions, or making a specific character criminal.
Addressing Unwanted Consequences
Using faction console commands new vegas can occasionally lead to unexpected results. These could include broken quests, faction members acting erratically, or even game crashes. To mitigate these issues:
- Always Save Before Using Commands: We’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. Always save before using any command. This gives you a quick escape route if something goes wrong.
- Load Previous Saves: If you encounter a problem, immediately load a previous save before the command was used.
- Reset Factions: If you’ve caused a significant disruption, you can try to reset the faction’s relationships. This can be done with the command, `resetquest` and the quest id. To find a quest ID, use the “help” command.
- Check Online Resources: Community forums and wikis often offer solutions to common console command-related problems. Search for your specific issue and see if others have encountered and resolved it.
- Consider the Impact: Think about how your changes might affect the game. Will it break a quest? Will it make the game less enjoyable? If a choice leads to a game-breaking consequence, reload a previous save.
Mod Interactions
If you are using mods, especially those that alter factions, be aware of potential conflicts. Some mods may overwrite or conflict with the changes made by console commands. Always read the documentation for your mods to see if they have any known conflicts with console commands. When in doubt, load your mods in an organized manner to try to identify any issues.
Exploring Applications of the Faction Command
The utility of faction console commands new vegas extends far beyond simple reputation adjustments. Here are some practical applications:
Fixing Broken Quests
If a quest is bugged and prevents you from progressing due to faction-related issues, you can use console commands to fix it. For example, if a quest requires you to be idolized by a faction but the game isn’t registering your reputation correctly, you can manually set your reputation level to the required value.
Roleplaying and Narrative Control
Console commands can be used to create unique character builds and storylines. Imagine playing a character who is initially aligned with the NCR but later defects and joins Caesar’s Legion. Console commands allow for these types of narrative shifts.
Experimentation and Fun
Sometimes, the best part of using console commands is the experimentation. See what happens when you make all factions hate you, or become idolized by everyone. This can lead to hilarious and memorable experiences.
Conclusion
The ability to utilize faction console commands new vegas gives you unparalleled control over the faction system in Fallout: New Vegas, transforming your experience. You can mend broken quests, shape the narrative to your vision, or simply explore the vast possibilities of the Mojave Wasteland. However, remember to approach these commands with caution and always back up your saves. Embrace the power, have fun, and happy adventuring!
