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, it is not indestructible. As with any other vehicle, it requires constant maintenance, care, and improvement especially. 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.
Updated November 12, 2021, by Christopher Anaya: Fallout 4, as with many Bethesda games, continues being relevant even years after its release. Being a prevalent RPG for such an extended period means that there will be frequent changes. The most significant of which is how players interact with the game and its expansive world. As such, opinions and views concerning particular elements of the game will change significantly. Such as how the meta revolving around Power Armor has shifted dramatically. This change results in differences as to what is the most effective modifications for Power Armor. While some entries hold their positions, others have fallen great heights from glory. Moreover, new additions will appear to provide a more diverse and inclusive list of options for one's Power Armor.
10 Sensor Array
- Effect: 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
- Effect: Highlights living targets, containers, and junk items containing materials tagged for search
- 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
- Effect: 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
- Effect: Increases speed by 25% and 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 assure that they have at least an Intelligence of six.
6 Kinetic Dynamo
- Effect: 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 receiving 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
- Effect: 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 all without shifting their attention away from a battle. Regardless of one's playstyle, this modification proves to be exceptionally useful.
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
- Effect: 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.
3 Kinetic Servos
- Effect: Increases Action Point refresh speed while moving
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 2
- Components Needed: Adhesive 3-6, Aluminum 3-6, Nuclear Material 2-4
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Kinetic Servos is a modification for any Power Armor Legs. It enhances the user's Action Point refresh speed simply by moving. Therefore, allowing one to recoup effortlessly and persist through exceedingly demanding fights. Thus, making this modification one that benefits most players, regardless of playstyle.
Kinetic Servos are easy to obtain in comparison to other quality Power Armor modifications. One must craft it through the use of a Power Armor Station. To do so, players must gather the necessary components and acquire the perk Science! Rank 2. Such a perk requires players to be Level 17 and have a minimum Intelligence of six
2 Explosive Shielding
- Effect: Reduces damage from explosions by 2% (for each piece of armor)
- Perk Requirements: Science! Rank 1
- Components Needed: Adhesive 4-6, Aluminum 2-4, Ceramic 4-6
- Applicable Power Armor Models: T-45, T-51, T-60, X-01
Explosive Shielding is a modification that can be added to a T-45, T-51, T-60, or X-01 Power Armor set. It grants up to 12% resistance against explosions from any source. While explosive damage is rarer than most, it can easily destroy Power Armor pieces, rendering one defenseless. Therefore, this seemingly lackluster modification proves to be immensely useful.
Not only is Explosive Shielding an exceptional modification, but easily obtainable as well. One must craft it through the use of a Power Armor Station. Doing so requires simple components and the perk Science! Rank 1 to make. To acquire this perk, one needs to have at least an Intelligence of six.
1 Titanium Plating
- Effect: Increases armor health by 10%
- Perk Requirements: Armorer Rank 3
- Components Needed: Adhesive 2-6, Aluminum 3-8, Steel 0-4
- Applicable Power Armor Models: Any
Titanium Plating is a modification for any Power Armor set. It bolsters the durability of armor, allowing it to endure more hits before breaking. While this is a relatively simple effect, the benefit it provides is indispensable. No matter one's style of play, one can make use of this seemingly lackluster modification.
Titanium Plating is relatively easy to obtain, regardless of the method used. One can craft it using a Power Armor Station or purchase it from a vendor. Making it requires some simple components and the perk Armorer 3. To acquire this perk, one needs to be Level 25 and possess a Strength of at least three. Otherwise, players can obtain Titanium Plating from Rowdy at the Atom Cats Garage.