Fallout Wiki
Fallout Wiki
No edit summary
mNo edit summary
(25 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Games|FO1|FO2|FO3|FNV|FO4|FOT|FOBOS|VB}}
+
{{Games|FO1|FO2|FO3|FNV|FO4|FO76|FOT|FOBOS|VB}}
 
 
{{Quotation|So many chems, such varieties! Whenever I take Mentats, I can feel my entire chassis breeeeeathe like a big spherical lung.*coughs* |[[Mobius|Doctor Mobius]]|sound=FNV Mobius SoManyChems.ogg}}
 
{{Quotation|So many chems, such varieties! Whenever I take Mentats, I can feel my entire chassis breeeeeathe like a big spherical lung.*coughs* |[[Mobius|Doctor Mobius]]|sound=FNV Mobius SoManyChems.ogg}}
   
Line 6: Line 5:
   
 
<gallery type="slideshow" widths="220">
 
<gallery type="slideshow" widths="220">
FO3 Buffout.png|[[Buffout]]
+
Fallout4 Buffout.png|[[Buffout]]
FO3 Med-X.png|[[Med-X]]
+
Daddyo.png|[[Daddy-O]]
  +
Day Tripper chem.png|[[Day Tripper (Fallout 4)|Day Tripper]]
FO3 Mentats.png|[[Mentats]]
 
FO3 psycho.png|[[Psycho]]
+
Fo4 Med-X.png|[[Med-X]]
FO3 Rad-X.png|[[Rad-X]]
+
Fallout4 Mentats.png|[[Mentats]]
FO3 RadAway.png|[[RadAway]]
+
Fallout4 Psycho.png|[[Psycho]]
Jet.png|[[Jet]]
+
Fallout4 Rad-X.png|[[Rad-X]]
FO3 stimpak.png|[[Stimpak]]
+
Fallout4 RadAway.png|[[RadAway]]
Steady.png|[[Steady]]
+
Fallout4 Jet.png|[[Jet]]
  +
Fallout4 Stimpak.png|[[Stimpak]]
  +
X-Cell (Fallout 4).png|[[X-cell]]
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
[[File:MSJ better living.png|thumb|120px|right|Pre-War magazine issue on the supposed benefits of chem use.]]
+
[[File:MSJ better living.png|thumb|140px|right|Pre-War magazine issue on the supposed benefits of chem use]]
Chems were a pre-War term used to describe narcotic drugs and substances that caused numerous temporary side-effects, both positive and negative. Pre-War narcotics included [[Mentats]], a pre-War "party-drug," originally developed by [[Med-Tek]] for medical purposes.<ref>[[Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets]], p. 74</ref> [[Buffout]], a "sports-enhancement" drug popularized by athletes,<ref>[[Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets]], p. 66</ref> [[Psycho]], a combat-enhancement drug developed per orders of [[Constantine Chase|General Chase]],<ref>[[Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets]], p. 75</ref> and [[Med-X]], a painkiller found in many pre-War hospitals. A large drug-trade existed within pre-War society. [[Skylanes Air]] [[Skylanes Flight 1981|Flight 1981]] was one of several illegal smuggling operations that utilized [[jet airliner]]s to smuggle goods across the country.<ref>[[Skylanes smuggling manifest]]</ref>
+
Chems were a pre-War term used to describe narcotic drugs and substances that caused numerous temporary side-effects, both positive and negative. Pre-War narcotics include: [[Mentats]], a pre-War "party-drug", originally developed by [[Med-Tek Laboratories|Med-Tek]] for medical purposes;<ref>[[Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets]], p. 74</ref> [[Buffout]], a "sports-enhancement" drug popularized by athletes;<ref>[[Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets]], p. 66</ref> [[Psycho]], a combat-enhancement drug developed per orders of [[Constantine Chase|General Chase]];<ref>[[Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets]], p. 75</ref> and [[Med-X]], a painkiller found in many hospitals. A large drug-trade existed within pre-War society. [[Skylanes Air]] [[Skylanes Flight 1981|Flight 1981]] was one of several illegal smuggling operations that utilized [[jet airliner]]s to smuggle goods across the country.<ref>[[Skylanes smuggling manifest]]</ref>
   
Little is known about how chems entered the markets of post-nuclear America, but it is commonly accepted by most wastelanders that the [[Khans]] invented the chem trade. Their specialties were in creating [[Jet]] and [[Psycho]]. However, that the [[Great Khans]] did not know how to produce chemicals before the [[Followers of the Apocalypse]] taught them between 2278 and 2281.
+
Little is known about how chems entered the markets of post-nuclear America, though it is commonly accepted by most wastelanders that the [[Khans]] invented the chem trade, specializing in the manufacturing of [[Jet]] and [[Psycho]]. This ability was taught to them by the [[Followers of the Apocalypse]], sometime between 2278 and 2281.
   
 
==Types of chems==
 
==Types of chems==
Various chems exist in the wasteland, some more beneficial than others. Each chem has an individual profile, allowing users to "stack" chems to provide a larger bonus than either does individually. Chems may have 4 or 5 simultaneous effects, usually, with some kind of balance—it might lower one [[Primary statistic|stat]] while raising another. Abusing chems results in [[addiction]]. Addiction to a chem will cause withdrawal symptoms when the chem wears off, resulting in lowered stats unless the user continues to take the drug, or seeks a cure or treatments.
+
Various chems exist in the wasteland, some more beneficial than others. Each chem has an individual profile, allowing users to "stack" chems to provide a larger bonus than either does individually. Chems may have four or five simultaneous effects, usually with some kind of balance: It might lower one [[Primary statistic|stat]] while raising another. Abusing chems results in [[addiction]]. Addiction to a chem will cause withdrawal symptoms when the chem wears off, resulting in lowered stats unless the user continues to take the drug, or seeks a cure or treatments.
   
 
Chems are divided into two groups: addictive, and non-addictive.
 
Chems are divided into two groups: addictive, and non-addictive.
Line 32: Line 33:
 
* [[After Burner gum]]
 
* [[After Burner gum]]
 
* [[Ant nectar]]
 
* [[Ant nectar]]
** [[Fire ant nectar (Fallout: New Vegas)|Fire ant nectar]] {{icon|FNV}}
+
** [[Fire ant nectar (Fallout: New Vegas)|Fire ant nectar]] {{Icon|FNV}}
 
* [[Buffout]]
 
* [[Buffout]]
 
* [[Calmex]]
 
* [[Calmex]]
 
* [[Coyote tobacco chew]]
 
* [[Coyote tobacco chew]]
 
* [[Daddy-O]]
 
* [[Daddy-O]]
* [[Day Tripper (chem)|Day Tripper]]
+
* [[Day Tripper (Fallout 4)|Day Tripper]]
 
* [[Hydra]]
 
* [[Hydra]]
 
* [[Jet]]
 
* [[Jet]]
** [[Dixon's jet]]
+
** [[Dixon's Jet]]
** [[Ultrajet]]
 
 
** [[Jet Fuel]]
 
** [[Jet Fuel]]
 
** [[Rocket (consumable)|Rocket]]
 
** [[Jet#Ultrajet|Ultrajet]]
 
* [[Med-X]]
 
* [[Med-X]]
 
* [[Mentats]]
 
* [[Mentats]]
** [[Berry Mentats (Fallout 4)|Berry Mentats]] {{icon|FO4}}
+
** [[Berry Mentats (Fallout 4)|Berry Mentats]] {{Icon|FO4}}
** [[Grape Mentats (Fallout 4)|Grape Mentats]] {{icon|FO4}}
+
** [[Grape Mentats (Fallout 4)|Grape Mentats]] {{Icon|FO4}}
** [[Orange Mentats (Fallout 4)|Orange Mentats]] {{icon|FO4}}
+
** [[Orange Mentats (Fallout 4)|Orange Mentats]] {{Icon|FO4}}
 
** [[Party Time Mentats]]
 
** [[Party Time Mentats]]
* [[Nuka-Cola]] {{icon|FO1}}{{icon|FO2}}
+
* [[Nuka-Cola]] {{Icon|FO1}}{{Icon|FO2}}
 
** [[Cherry Nuka-Cola]]
 
** [[Cherry Nuka-Cola]]
 
** [[Classic Nuka-Cola]]
 
** [[Classic Nuka-Cola]]
Line 55: Line 57:
 
** [[Nuka-Cola Quantum]]
 
** [[Nuka-Cola Quantum]]
 
* [[Psycho]]
 
* [[Psycho]]
* [[RadAway]] {{icon|FO1}}{{icon|FO2}}{{icon|FOT}}
+
* [[RadAway]] {{Icon|FO1}}{{Icon|FO2}}{{Icon|FOT}}
 
* [[Rebound]]
 
* [[Rebound]]
* [[Rocket (consumable)|Rocket]]
 
 
* [[Slasher]]
 
* [[Slasher]]
 
* [[Smooch]]
 
* [[Smooch]]
Line 66: Line 67:
 
* Most types of alcoholic beverage:
 
* Most types of alcoholic beverage:
 
** [[Absinthe]]
 
** [[Absinthe]]
** [[Battle brew]]
+
** [[Battle Brew]]
 
** [[Beer]]
 
** [[Beer]]
 
** [[Bobrov's Best moonshine]]
 
** [[Bobrov's Best moonshine]]
Line 84: Line 85:
 
** [[Vodka]]
 
** [[Vodka]]
 
** [[Wasteland tequila]]
 
** [[Wasteland tequila]]
** [[Whiskey]]
+
** [[Alcohol#Whiskey|Whiskey]]
 
** [[Wine]]
 
** [[Wine]]
 
** [[XXXXXBeer]]
 
** [[XXXXXBeer]]
Line 101: Line 102:
 
* [[Ant nectar#Ant queen pheromones|Ant queen pheromones]]
 
* [[Ant nectar#Ant queen pheromones|Ant queen pheromones]]
 
* [[Atomic cocktail]]
 
* [[Atomic cocktail]]
* [[Bawls]]
+
* [[Bawls Guarana]]
* [[Berry Mentats]] {{icon|FO3}}
+
* [[Berry Mentats]] {{Icon|FO3}}
 
* [[Black blood sausage]]
 
* [[Black blood sausage]]
 
* [[Blood sausage]]
 
* [[Blood sausage]]
* [[Blood shield]]
+
* [[Blood Shield]]
 
* [[Cateye]]
 
* [[Cateye]]
 
* [[Cave fungus]]
 
* [[Cave fungus]]
Line 112: Line 113:
 
* [[Daturana]]
 
* [[Daturana]]
 
* [[Elixir of Life]]
 
* [[Elixir of Life]]
* [[Fire ant nectar (Fallout 3)|Fire nectar]] {{icon|FO3}}
+
* [[Fire ant nectar (Fallout 3)|Fire nectar]] {{Icon|FO3}}
 
* [[Fixer]]
 
* [[Fixer]]
 
* [[Ghost Sight]]
 
* [[Ghost Sight]]
* [[Grape Mentats]] {{icon|FO3}}
+
* [[Grape Mentats]] {{Icon|FO3}}
 
* [[Healing poultice]]
 
* [[Healing poultice]]
 
* [[Healing powder]]
 
* [[Healing powder]]
Line 127: Line 128:
 
* [[Nightstalker squeezin's]]
 
* [[Nightstalker squeezin's]]
 
* [[Nukalurk meat]]
 
* [[Nukalurk meat]]
* [[Nuka-Cola]] {{icon|FO3}}{{icon|FNV}}
+
* [[Nuka-Cola]] {{Icon|FO3}}{{Icon|FNV}}
 
** [[Ice cold Nuka-Cola]]
 
** [[Ice cold Nuka-Cola]]
 
** [[Nuka-Cola Quartz]]
 
** [[Nuka-Cola Quartz]]
 
** [[Nuka-Cola Victory]]
 
** [[Nuka-Cola Victory]]
* [[Orange Mentats]] {{icon|FO3}}
+
* [[Orange Mentats]] {{Icon|FO3}}
* [[RadAway]] {{icon|FO3}}{{icon|FNV}}
+
* [[RadAway]] {{Icon|FO3}}{{Icon|FNV}}
 
* [[Rad-X]]
 
* [[Rad-X]]
 
* [[Refined punga fruit]]
 
* [[Refined punga fruit]]
Line 162: Line 163:
 
# Don't take chems. It is never necessary to take chems, so prevent addiction by never taking them at all.
 
# Don't take chems. It is never necessary to take chems, so prevent addiction by never taking them at all.
 
# Select the Chem Resistant [[Chem Resistant (perk)|perk]] or [[Chem Resistant (trait)|trait]]. This perk confers a 50% resistance to the addictive effect of individual chems. Chems which normally have a 10% addiction rate will be reduced to a 5% rate. If the trait is taken, however, chems will only last half as long.
 
# Select the Chem Resistant [[Chem Resistant (perk)|perk]] or [[Chem Resistant (trait)|trait]]. This perk confers a 50% resistance to the addictive effect of individual chems. Chems which normally have a 10% addiction rate will be reduced to a 5% rate. If the trait is taken, however, chems will only last half as long.
# Take a chem antidote. Only the dangerous [[jet]] has an [[Jet antidote|antidote]], though. [[Fixer]] is also viable, although only temporary.
+
# Take a chem antidote. Only the dangerous [[Jet]] has an [[Jet antidote|antidote]], though. [[Fixer]] is also viable (It is intended to be temporary but is currently bugged and provides permanent addiction removal).
 
# ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]]'' has the [[Logan's Loophole]] trait which prevents addiction entirely at the cost of limiting the [[Courier]] to level 30.
 
# ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]]'' has the [[Logan's Loophole]] trait which prevents addiction entirely at the cost of limiting the [[Courier]] to level 30.
 
# Certain perks in ''Fallout: New Vegas'' such as [[Chem Resistant (perk)|Chem Resistant]], [[Brainless]] and [[Old World Gourmet]] reduce addiction chance.
 
# Certain perks in ''Fallout: New Vegas'' such as [[Chem Resistant (perk)|Chem Resistant]], [[Brainless]] and [[Old World Gourmet]] reduce addiction chance.
Line 170: Line 171:
 
# Wait it out. Quitting cold turkey will eventually purge the addict's system of the chem. However, [[Jet addiction]] cannot be shaken this way, nor can tobacco.
 
# Wait it out. Quitting cold turkey will eventually purge the addict's system of the chem. However, [[Jet addiction]] cannot be shaken this way, nor can tobacco.
 
# Seek out a wasteland doctor and pay them a fee to alleviate the addiction.
 
# Seek out a wasteland doctor and pay them a fee to alleviate the addiction.
# Use [[My First Laboratory]], after purchasing it for either a [[My Megaton house|Megaton home]] or [[Tenpenny Tower suite]]. Likewise, a trip to the autodoc in [[The Sink]] will cure addiction.
+
# Use [[My First Laboratory]], after purchasing it for either a [[My Megaton house|Megaton home]] or [[Tenpenny Tower suite]]. Likewise, a trip to the Auto-Doc in [[The Sink]] will cure addiction.
# [[Addictol]] cures all addictions, but is scarce across the [[Commonwealth]]. It can be purchased from traders/doctors occasionally at a high cost.
+
# [[Addictol]] cures all addictions, but is scarce across [[the Commonwealth]]. It can be purchased from traders/doctors occasionally at a high cost.
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
In the release of ''[[Fallout 3]]'' in Australia, the game was banned for including references to real drugs. A report was released by the OFLC on why it banned the game. The following is a part of a report that was released:
 
In the release of ''[[Fallout 3]]'' in Australia, the game was banned for including references to real drugs. A report was released by the OFLC on why it banned the game. The following is a part of a report that was released:
   
''"The game contains the option to take a variety of "chems" using a device which is connected to the character's arm. Upon selection of the device, a menu selection screen is displayed. Upon this screen is a list of "chems" that the player can take, by means of selection. These "chems" have positive effects and some negative effects (lowering of Intelligence, or the character may become addicted to the "chem"). The positive effects include an increase in Strength, stamina, resistance to damage, Agility and hit points.''
+
{{Quotation|The game contains the option to take a variety of "chems" using a device which is connected to the character's arm. Upon selection of the device, a menu selection screen is displayed. Upon this screen is a list of "chems" that the player can take, by means of selection. These "chems" have positive effects and some negative effects (lowering of Intelligence, or the character may become addicted to the "chem"). The positive effects include an increase in Strength, stamina, resistance to damage, Agility and hit points.
   
''Corresponding with the list of various "chems" are the small visual representation of the drugs, these include syringes, tablets, pill bottles, a crack-type pipe and blister packs. In the Board's view, these realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method bring the "science-fiction" drugs in line with "real-world" drugs."''
+
Corresponding with the list of various "chems" are the small visual representation of the drugs, these include syringes, tablets, pill bottles, a crack-type pipe and blister packs. In the Board's view, these realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method bring the "science-fiction" drugs in line with "real-world" drugs.|OFLC<ref>[https://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/07/olfc_report_why_fallout_3_was_banned_in_australia/ ''OFLC Report: Why Fallout 3 Was Banned In Australia''] on [https://www.kotaku.com.au/ Kotaku]</ref>}}
   
One of the reasons for the ban was of the opioid painkiller, morphine is one of the chems that would have been available to use by players. As a result of the ban, Bethesda decided to have morphine renamed to Med-X. Evidence of this last minute change is the fact Med-X's editor ID is "Morphine" and Med-X addiction's editor ID is "WithdrawalMorphine".
+
One of the reasons for the ban was that the controlled drug, morphine, was one of the chems that would have been available in-game. As a result of the ban, Bethesda decided to have it renamed to Med-X. Evidence of this last-minute change is the fact Med-X's editor ID is <tt>Morphine</tt> and Med-X addiction's editor ID is <tt>WithdrawalMorphine</tt>.
   
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 189: Line 190:
 
{{Navbox consumables FO3}}
 
{{Navbox consumables FO3}}
 
{{Navbox consumables FO4}}
 
{{Navbox consumables FO4}}
  +
{{Navbox consumables FO76}}
 
{{Navbox consumables FNV}}
 
{{Navbox consumables FNV}}
 
{{Navbox consumables FOT}}
 
{{Navbox consumables FOT}}

Revision as of 05:15, 8 June 2020

 ... 
Gametitle-FO1Gametitle-FO2Gametitle-FO3Gametitle-FNVGametitle-FO4Gametitle-FO76
Gametitle-FO1Gametitle-FO2Gametitle-FO3Gametitle-FNVGametitle-FO4Gametitle-FO76Gametitle-FOTGametitle-FOBOSGametitle-VB
So many chems, such varieties! Whenever I take Mentats, I can feel my entire chassis breeeeeathe like a big spherical lung.*coughs*Doctor Mobius

Chems (a truncation of "chemical") is both a pre- and post-War slang term for "drug". A chem is any chemical, medicine, etc. that is used to cause changes in a person's behavior or biological systems.

Background

MSJ better living

Pre-War magazine issue on the supposed benefits of chem use

Chems were a pre-War term used to describe narcotic drugs and substances that caused numerous temporary side-effects, both positive and negative. Pre-War narcotics include: Mentats, a pre-War "party-drug", originally developed by Med-Tek for medical purposes;[1] Buffout, a "sports-enhancement" drug popularized by athletes;[2] Psycho, a combat-enhancement drug developed per orders of General Chase;[3] and Med-X, a painkiller found in many hospitals. A large drug-trade existed within pre-War society. Skylanes Air Flight 1981 was one of several illegal smuggling operations that utilized jet airliners to smuggle goods across the country.[4]

Little is known about how chems entered the markets of post-nuclear America, though it is commonly accepted by most wastelanders that the Khans invented the chem trade, specializing in the manufacturing of Jet and Psycho. This ability was taught to them by the Followers of the Apocalypse, sometime between 2278 and 2281.

Types of chems

Various chems exist in the wasteland, some more beneficial than others. Each chem has an individual profile, allowing users to "stack" chems to provide a larger bonus than either does individually. Chems may have four or five simultaneous effects, usually with some kind of balance: It might lower one stat while raising another. Abusing chems results in addiction. Addiction to a chem will cause withdrawal symptoms when the chem wears off, resulting in lowered stats unless the user continues to take the drug, or seeks a cure or treatments.

Chems are divided into two groups: addictive, and non-addictive.

Addictive chems

Non-addictive chems

Chems can be found lying about individually or inside containers. They can also be purchased from wasteland vendors. While nearly every vendor will have at least a few stimpaks for sale, some chems will need to be purchased from one of the vendors specializing in chems.

Resisting addiction

There are several ways to resist addiction:

  1. Don't take chems. It is never necessary to take chems, so prevent addiction by never taking them at all.
  2. Select the Chem Resistant perk or trait. This perk confers a 50% resistance to the addictive effect of individual chems. Chems which normally have a 10% addiction rate will be reduced to a 5% rate. If the trait is taken, however, chems will only last half as long.
  3. Take a chem antidote. Only the dangerous Jet has an antidote, though. Fixer is also viable (It is intended to be temporary but is currently bugged and provides permanent addiction removal).
  4. Fallout: New Vegas has the Logan's Loophole trait which prevents addiction entirely at the cost of limiting the Courier to level 30.
  5. Certain perks in Fallout: New Vegas such as Chem Resistant, Brainless and Old World Gourmet reduce addiction chance.

Curing an addiction

Once addicted to a chem, the user has to either continue taking the chem or suffer withdrawal effects specific to the addiction. It is eventually desirable (if not necessary) to cure the addiction. To cure an addiction, the individual has several choices:

  1. Wait it out. Quitting cold turkey will eventually purge the addict's system of the chem. However, Jet addiction cannot be shaken this way, nor can tobacco.
  2. Seek out a wasteland doctor and pay them a fee to alleviate the addiction.
  3. Use My First Laboratory, after purchasing it for either a Megaton home or Tenpenny Tower suite. Likewise, a trip to the Auto-Doc in The Sink will cure addiction.
  4. Addictol cures all addictions, but is scarce across the Commonwealth. It can be purchased from traders/doctors occasionally at a high cost.

Behind the scenes

In the release of Fallout 3 in Australia, the game was banned for including references to real drugs. A report was released by the OFLC on why it banned the game. The following is a part of a report that was released:

The game contains the option to take a variety of "chems" using a device which is connected to the character's arm. Upon selection of the device, a menu selection screen is displayed. Upon this screen is a list of "chems" that the player can take, by means of selection. These "chems" have positive effects and some negative effects (lowering of Intelligence, or the character may become addicted to the "chem"). The positive effects include an increase in Strength, stamina, resistance to damage, Agility and hit points. Corresponding with the list of various "chems" are the small visual representation of the drugs, these include syringes, tablets, pill bottles, a crack-type pipe and blister packs. In the Board's view, these realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method bring the "science-fiction" drugs in line with "real-world" drugs.— OFLC[5]

One of the reasons for the ban was that the controlled drug, morphine, was one of the chems that would have been available in-game. As a result of the ban, Bethesda decided to have it renamed to Med-X. Evidence of this last-minute change is the fact Med-X's editor ID is Morphine and Med-X addiction's editor ID is WithdrawalMorphine.

References