'Fallout 4' News: Video Series Released Explains 'S.P.E.C.I.A.L.' Attributes

By Liezl Dunuan, Christian Post Contributor Friday, October 23, 2015

Only a few weeks left until "Fallout 4," the next installment to the "Fallout" series arrives. Arriving on November 10, 2015 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the upcoming game is described as an open world action role-playing game which is set in post-apocalyptic Boston. The player, who can either be customized as a male or a female character, needs to survive the world outside the Vault, where he/she has been living in after the nuclear holocaust of 2077 rendered the world unlivable. In the run up to the game's release, Bethesda has released a series of videos that shed light on the attributes that players should have in order to survive.

According to a report in IGN, the attributes are Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility and Luck (which also has the acronym S.P.E.C.I.A.L.) which players need to choose and prioritize in order to survive the game. Each of the attributes is explained through videos that instead of showing actual gameplay, look like the old-time commercials or infomercials from the past. The videos feature the "Fallout" character Pipboy.

Strength for example, gives the player the ability to carry more items at any given time, which can be very useful when needed. According to the report, having a high Strength attribute also allows you to deal greater damage with selected weapons such as bats and saws.

As for Perception, this attribute has to do with "greater accuracy" when taking shots and making attacks on foes, even at "greater ranges." Activities that require stealth are also improved with this attribute.

The Endurance attribute is useful when the player needs protection from radiation and other harmful effects that can be found outside the Vault, for example, when eating wildlife or plant life that is found outside. It also pertains to giving the player the extra ability to "run further, hold (their) breath longer, and improves the strength of (their) limbs and bones."

Charisma on the other hand is useful when bartering, because players can get the best deal with this attribute. It also keeps players from falling prey to addiction easily.

Based on Bethesda's own description of the game, "Fallout 4" is where the smartest lot prevails thus saying that it is the "survival of the smartest" when it comes to the post-apocalyptic world of the game. The Intelligence attributes helps players discover useful technologies and unlock new places to explore in the game.

Agility is not just about speed but also about quick thinking during combat, that helps you make wise decisions while on your feet.

The last attribute is Luck which as it is called really has to do with luck. This attribute is said to "determine things like critical hits and can make loot go from ordinary to extraordinary."

Check out the IGN report for the actual videos of each attribute.