There is no bigger turning point in a Fallout game than acquiring a suit of Power Armor. It is the moment that a player turns from a vulnerable wasteland survivor to a devastating stomping machine. In Fallout 4, these imposing suits are far more advanced than before, acting like vehicles rather than heavy-duty armor. As such, one does not simply don Power Armor in Fallout 4, you enter it.
Despite its superior resilience and technology, power armor is not indestructible. As with any other vehicle, it requires constant maintenance, care, and improvement. Players can and should enhance their Power Armor whenever possible. Through the use of Power Armor modifications, one can greatly enhance its utility and efficacy to their liking. Thus, creating a combination that best suits their unique style of stomping.
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Updated May 12, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Regardless of the complaints players may have about Fallout 4, there's no denying that its implementation of Power Armor is the best players have seen in the series from a gameplay perspective. Fans of the TV show will love using this armor in the game, enjoying the power fantasy as they enhance their defenses and turn enemies into mincemeat. To make the Sole Survivor's Power Armor more effective, players can modify it with certain upgrades that make this suit a lifesaver in pretty much every situation.
13 VATS Matrix Overlay
Increases Hit Chance In VATS
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 2
- Components Needed: Adhesive 4, Aluminum 3, Circuitry 4, Fiber Optics 3
- Applicable Power Armor Models: T-45, T-51, T-60, X-01
VATS is the best way to take out most enemies in Fallout, and it's easy to see why players would love a Power Armor modification that does a great job of making this combat mode more satisfying to use. Players can use the VATS Matrix Overlay to aid them in this department.
With this Power Armor mod, the accuracy of players in VATS is heightened considerably, making it easier for them to target an enemy's head or limbs. It's a simple modification, but it makes combat more satisfying as players send their foes' limbs flying with a few well-placed shots.
12 Reactive Plates
Reflects 50% Of Melee Damage Back On The Attacker
- Perk Requirements: Armorer Rank 4
- Components Needed: Adhesive 5-10, Aluminum 0-6, Asbestos 4-8, Nuclear Material 5-10
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Regardless of how safely people play Fallout 4, taking damage is almost guaranteed. The Power Armor does a great job of absorbing most of these blows. A great way to turn defense to offense in the blink of an eye is to add the Reactive Plates mod.
With this modification, players can punish melee attackers who get too up close and personal, reflecting 50% of this melee damage back onto the attacker. Watching enemies breathe their last because of their overzealousness is infinitely satisfying and adds to the list of reasons why Power Armor is so powerful in Fallout 4.
11 Tesla Coils
Deals Energy Damage To Nearby Enemies
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 3
- Components Needed: Adhesive 5-10, Aluminum 4-8, Copper 6-12, Fiber Optics 3-6, Rubber 6-12
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Players will love to have Energy Damage in Fallout 4, and seeing enemies turn into a heap of ash never ceases to be satisfying. With this modification, the Power Armor deals consistent Energy Damage to anyone in the general vicinity.
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This passive damage may not be high, but it is a welcome addition to a suit of armor that already turns most enemies to pulp in no time. With this modification, this Energy Damage adds to the player's overall damage output, ensuring that an enemy's health bar is eviscerated in no time.
10 Sensor Array
Perception +2
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 3
- Components Needed: Adhesive 2-4, Aluminum 3-6, Fiberglass 2-4, Fiber Optics 2-4
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Sensor Array is a modification that one can apply to any Power Armor helmet. It grants a considerable boost to one's Perception stat. Thus, enhancing a multitude of sight-based abilities, the most notable of which is V.A.T.S. With this improvement, one can land a greater number of hits with V.A.T.S, improving damage overall.
To obtain a Sensor Array modification, players must put in a fair bit of work. One must craft it through the use of a Power Armor Station. The components are tedious to get while achieving Science! Rank 3 is troublesome. It requires one to be Level 28 and have an Intelligence of six, at least.
9 Targeting HUD
Highlights Living Targets, Containers, and Other Relevant Materials
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 3
- Components Needed: Adhesive 3-7, Aluminum 2-6, Circuitry 3-7, Copper 0-4, Gold 0-3
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Targeting HUD is a modification that players can apply to any Power Armor Helmet. It highlights any living creatures, containers, and tagged junk items. Essentially, granting users a heightened sight that allows them to view objects previously deemed troubling to see. This mod offers significant combat and utility use for players.
Obtaining a Targeting HUD modification is no easy feat, as it is costly. One must craft it through the use of a Power Armor Station. While the materials are easily obtainable, the real difficulty results from acquiring the perk Science! Rank 3. One must be Level 28 and have a minimum Intelligence of six to receive Science! Rank 3.
8 Core Assembly
Increases Action Point Refresh Speed
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 3
- Components Needed: Adhesive 4-9, Aluminum 5-11, Circuitry 3-7, Nuclear Material 3-6
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Core Assembly is a modification that can be applied to any Power Armor Torso. It improves the player's Action Point refresh speed, thus allowing them to recover more efficiently. For especially demanding character builds, this modification is exceptionally useful. However, nearly any player can benefit from the significant Action Point refresh speed enhancement provided.
There are three viable methods for obtaining a Core Assembly modification, each challenging in its regard. One could easily buy it from the Atom Cats, specifically Rowdy. Otherwise, players must craft it using components and by achieving Science! Rank 3. Therefore, players must reach Level 28 and attain an Intelligence of six, minimum. While these methods are practical, a T-60 variant is almost guaranteed to be awarded to players by Lancer Captain Kells.
7 Emergency Protocols
Increases Speed By 25%; Reduces Damage Received By 50% When Health Is Below 20%
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 4
- Components Needed: Adhesive 4-8, Aluminum 4-8, Circuitry 6-12, Nuclear Material 5-10
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Emergency Protocols is a modification that one can apply to any Power Armor Torso. It grants players a multitude of effects meant to prolong their lives and give them a fighting chance. While this modification seems lackluster in comparison, it can completely change the outcome of otherwise hopeless battles. Thus, proving it to be a beneficial modification to nearly any set of Power Armor.
The Emergency Protocols modification is a very difficult enhancement to obtain. One must craft it through the use of a Power Armor Station. Not only must one acquire rare materials but the Science! Rank 4 perk as well. Players must first reach Level 41, requiring a great deal of time and effort. Then they must ensure that they have at least an Intelligence of six.
6 Kinetic Dynamo
Recharges Action Points When Damage Is Taken
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 4
- Components Needed: Adhesive 4-8, Aluminum 3-6, Ceramic 3-6, Rubber 3-6
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Kinetic Dynamo is a modification that can be used on any Power Armor Torso. It provides players with Action Points whenever they sustain damage. For a suit designed to endure numerous hits, this proves to be a substantially beneficial enhancement. As players can utilize said damage to bolster their endurance, allowing them to persist through long battles.
Acquiring a Kinetic Dynamo modification requires much time and effort. One must craft it through the use of a Power Armor Station. Obtaining the necessary components is trivial. Attaining Science! Rank 4, however, is challenging. To do so, one must reach Level 41 and then acquire a minimum Intelligence of six for the perk itself.
5 Medic Pump
Auto-Injects A Stimpak When Health Drops Below 50%
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 4
- Components Needed: Adhesive 4-8, Aluminum 3-6, Antiseptic 5-10, Circuitry 2-4
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Medic Pump is a modification for any Power Armor Torso. It automatically uses a Stimpak whenever players take a particular amount of damage. Thus, allowing players to effectively recoup without shifting their attention away from a battle. Regardless of one's playstyle, this modification proves to be exceptionally useful.
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To acquire a Medic Pump, players must put in a great deal of time and effort. One can either craft it using a Power Armor Station or by undergoing a quest. The former demands some components and the perk Science! Rank 4. To obtain this perk, players must be Level 41 and have an Intelligence of six, at least. The latter requires players to complete the Brotherhood of Steel quest, Liberty Reprimed. Upon completion, Proctor Ingram will reward players with a T-60 Medic Pump modification.
4 Jet Pack
Allows The Wearer To Propel Into The Air At The Cost Of Action Points
- Perk Requirements: Armorer Rank 4, Science! Rank 4
- Components Needed: Adhesive 4-7, Aluminum 6-10, Abestos 5-9, Nuclear Material 7-12
- Applicable Power Armor Models: T-45, T-51, T-60, X-01
Jet Pack is a modification that can be applied to a T-45, T-51, T-60, or X-01 Power Armor Torso. It grants players the ability to take flight for a limited time and a short distance. Thus, allowing players to reach areas previously unreachable, at least through basic means. Moreover, it has a multitude of utility and even combat-related uses.
While the Jet Pack modification offers a great number of uses, it is not without a hefty cost. Players can craft it using a Power Armor Station or obtain it through a quest. However, making it requires many components alongside both Armorer Rank 4 and Science! Rank 4. Players need to be Level 39 and have at least a Strength of three for Armorer Rank 4. For Science! Rank 4, players must be Level 41 and have a minimum Intelligence of six. Should players not want to craft it, they can receive a T-60 Jet Pack modification from Elder Maxson upon completing the Brotherhood of Steel quest, A New Dawn.