Introduction
Fallout: New Vegas, a sprawling open-world RPG set in the post-apocalyptic Mojave Wasteland, has captivated players for years. Beyond its engaging story, memorable characters, and challenging gameplay, the game offers a deep level of customization, particularly in the realm of apparel. Forget just looking stylish; outfits in New Vegas are more than mere cosmetic choices. They directly impact your character’s abilities, influence your reputation with various factions, and can even determine whether you survive a brutal encounter. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of all outfits and apparel found in Fallout: New Vegas, including details on their stats, how to acquire them, and their impact on your Mojave adventure. We’ll be focusing on the core game outfits in this guide, excluding downloadable content items to keep things concise, but still exhaustive in the base game offerings.
Understanding Outfit Mechanics
Before diving into the vast wardrobe available to the Courier, it’s crucial to understand the mechanics governing outfits in New Vegas. The game categorizes apparel into a few key types. First, there are full-body outfits, which encompass everything from simple wasteland clothing to imposing suits of armor. Then, we have headwear, including hats, helmets, and bandanas, which often provide additional stat bonuses or protection. Finally, there’s eyewear, such as glasses and goggles, offering more specialized effects.
Outfits significantly influence your character’s stats. Many outfits provide bonuses to skills like Speech, Barter, Guns, or Melee Weapons. These bonuses can be invaluable in navigating conversations, haggling with merchants, or enhancing your combat prowess. It’s important to carefully consider which outfit best complements your chosen playstyle.
Perhaps the most critical aspect of outfit selection in New Vegas is their impact on faction reputation. The Mojave Wasteland is divided among numerous factions, each with its own values, goals, and levels of animosity toward one another. Wearing an outfit associated with a specific faction can significantly alter how they perceive you. Donning NCR armor, for example, will endear you to the New California Republic but may make you a target for the Legion. Understanding these factional dynamics is paramount to surviving and thriving in New Vegas.
Finally, some outfits offer Armor Class (AC) or Damage Threshold (DT), providing crucial protection against the dangers of the wasteland. Outfits with higher DT can significantly reduce the amount of damage you take from enemy attacks, making them essential for survival, especially in the early game.
Core Game Outfits: Detailed List and Guide
To make navigating the extensive list of outfits easier, we’ll categorize them based on their common use and availability.
Common Clothing
This category includes basic outfits commonly found throughout the Mojave Wasteland.
- Wasteland Outfit: A basic, versatile outfit providing minimal protection. This is a common find on dead bodies and in containers. It offers no specific stat boosts but is a good starting point.
- Leather Armor: A step up from basic clothing, offering slight Damage Threshold. Commonly found on raiders and in general stores. Provides a small boost to Damage Threshold, making it a decent early game armor.
- Metal Armor: Offers considerably more protection than Leather Armor. More difficult to obtain early on, but a good find. Look for it near Brotherhood of Steel areas, or in the hands of more organized raiders.
- Merc Grunt Outfit: Another very common outfit that many enemies wear, offering no protection.
Faction Outfits
These outfits are associated with specific factions and directly impact your reputation with them.
- NCR Trooper Armor: Wearing this armor will greatly improve your standing with the NCR but worsen your relationship with the Legion. Often found on dead NCR soldiers or available for purchase at NCR outposts.
- Legion Armor: The opposite of NCR Armor, this attire will endear you to Caesar’s Legion while making you a target for the NCR. Found on Legionnaires or purchased at Legion camps.
- Powder Ganger Outfit: Wearing this makes you friendly with the Powder Gangers, for the time being. Gained during escape from Goodsprings.
- Boomer Outfit: Look for this on dead Boomers, or gain reputation with the Boomers.
- Great Khan Armor: Similar to the Legion Armor, but for the Great Khans. Usually has lower Damage Threshold.
Unique Outfits
These outfits are one-of-a-kind and often possess special stat bonuses or effects.
- Benny’s Suit: A stylish suit worn by Benny, found on his body after confronting him. It significantly boosts Speech, making it invaluable for dialogue-heavy encounters.
- Sheriff’s Duster: Worn by Sheriff Myers, this duster can be acquired after completing the “Run Goodsprings Run” quest. It provides a decent Damage Threshold and a small boost to Guns skill.
- Lucky Shades: Found with Benny in The Tops Casino, boosts Luck.
Formal Wear
These outfits are best suited for social situations and offer bonuses to skills like Speech and Barter.
- Dinnerwear Suit: Found in various locations, including casinos and upscale establishments. Provides a moderate boost to both Speech and Barter.
- Pre-War Casualwear: A reminder of the world before the Great War. Can be found in pre-war homes and vaults. Provides a minor boost to Speech.
Specialty Outfits
These outfits are designed for specific purposes and often provide unique effects.
- Vault Suits: Each Vault had its own Vault Suit. Usually increases radiation resistance.
- Radiation Suit: Provides excellent protection against radiation. Essential for exploring highly irradiated areas like the Glowing Sea. Often found in medical facilities or near nuclear sites.
- Doctor’s Scrubs: Provides a bonus to Medicine. Commonly found in hospitals and clinics.
Outfit Acquisition: A Quick Reference Guide
Finding all the outfits in New Vegas can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Here’s a quick guide to help you locate the apparel you’re looking for.
- General Stores: Chet in Goodsprings, Mick & Ralph’s in Freeside, and the Gun Runners are all excellent sources for common clothing and basic armor.
- Faction Camps: NCR outposts, Legion camps, and other faction strongholds are the best places to find faction-specific armor and outfits.
- Specific Locations: Search through the Mojave Wasteland, inside safes, and in the inventory of notable characters.
- Vendors: Visit vendors with specific specialties, such as the Gun Runners for combat gear, or medical shops for Doctor’s Scrubs.
Special Outfit Combinations and Strategies
Clever outfit combinations can provide a significant advantage in New Vegas. For example, combining an outfit that boosts Sneak with a silenced weapon is ideal for stealth builds. Similarly, pairing an outfit that enhances Speech with a high Charisma stat can unlock unique dialogue options and resolve conflicts peacefully.
For combat-focused characters, prioritize outfits with high Damage Threshold. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect balance between protection and stat bonuses. Don’t forget to consider the environmental hazards of the Mojave Wasteland; a radiation suit is essential for exploring irradiated areas.
Conclusion
Outfits in Fallout: New Vegas are far more than cosmetic choices. They’re integral to your character’s abilities, reputation, and survival. By understanding the mechanics governing outfits and carefully selecting your attire, you can significantly enhance your New Vegas experience. From navigating complex factional politics to dominating in combat, the right outfit can make all the difference. So, experiment, explore, and discover the vast wardrobe the Mojave Wasteland has to offer! Don’t be afraid to mix and match, and most importantly, have fun finding your perfect outfit.
