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Perception

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“The ability to see, hear, taste and notice unusual things. A high Perception is important for a sharpshooter.”— Fallout in-game description

Perception is one of the seven primary statistics in the SPECIAL system.

Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics

Modifies: Sequence, ranged combat distance modifiers and the First Aid, Doctor, Lockpick, Traps and Pilot skills. A player character with higher Perception may notice things that allow them to open up new dialogue options on occasion. It also determines how far away they start from hostilities in random encounters. A combination of the Traps skill and Perception is used to detect traps on the ground. In Fallout Tactics, the Perception skill is used to determine the range at which sneaking characters get detected. Perception is required for many perks, such as PE 8 for Sniper in Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics.

Ways to increase Perception
  • In Fallout, Dr. Lorri in the Brotherhood of Steel's Lost Hills bunker can perform an operation to permanently increase Perception by 1, assuming it can be afforded.
  • In Fallout 2, Perception can be permanently raised by 1 with the Green memory module using ACE, or by taking the Gain Perception perk.
    • Also in Fallout 2, Perception can be temporarily raised by 1 with jet.
  • In both Fallout and Fallout 2, Mentats can be used to temporarily raise Perception by 2.

Perks

Perk Required Level Additional Requirements Games
Awareness 5 3 - Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics
Cautious Nature 6 3 - Fallout 2
Earlier Sequence 6 3 - Fallout, Fallout 2
Healer 7 3 Agility 6, Intelligence 5, First Aid 40% Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics
Lead Foot 6 3 Agility 6, Pilot 60%, Unavailable to deathclaws and dogs Fallout Tactics
Night Vision 6 3 - Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics
Scout 8, 7 3 - Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics
Empathy 7 6 Intelligence 5 Fallout, Fallout 2
Friendly Foe 4 6 - Fallout
Ranger 6 6 - Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics
Sharpshooter 7 6, 9 Intelligence 6 Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics
Better Criticals 6 9 Agility 4, Luck 6 Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics
Bonus Rate of Fire 6 9, 15 Intelligence 6, Agility 7 Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics
Sniper 8 18, 24 Agility 8, Small Guns 80% Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics

Fallout 3

Modifies: Explosives, Lockpick and Energy Weapons skills

Perception determines how far away enemies can be detected on the compass (enemies show as red bars). When playing with a high Perception, it is possible to "sense" the enemies even before they come into view.

Having a high Perception can yield dialogue options with some NPCs, such as Moira Brown, Mel and Machete.

Value Skill Modifiers
1 Energy Weapons +2, Explosives +2, Lockpick +2
2 Energy Weapons +4, Explosives +4, Lockpick +4
3 Energy Weapons +6, Explosives +6, Lockpick +6
4 Energy Weapons +8, Explosives +8, Lockpick +8
5 Energy Weapons +10, Explosives +10, Lockpick +10
6 Energy Weapons +12, Explosives +12, Lockpick +12
7 Energy Weapons +14, Explosives +14, Lockpick +14
8 Energy Weapons +16, Explosives +16, Lockpick +16
9 Energy Weapons +18, Explosives +18, Lockpick +18
10 Energy Weapons +20, Explosives +20, Lockpick +20

Perks

Perk Requirement Level Additional Requirements
Thief 4 2 Agility 4
Sniper 6 12 Agility 6
Light Step 6 14 Agility 6
Better Criticals 6 16 Luck 6
Infiltrator 7 18 Lockpick 70

The benefit of the Survival Expert perk is affected by what is said to Moira Brown after each portion of the Wasteland Survival Guide quest. Having a Perception of 7 yields relevant "smart" dialogue options at the end of the Contract Radiation Sickness and Traversing a Mine Field objectives.

Ways to increase Perception

Bobblehead Perception

Permanent
Temporary

Fallout: New Vegas

Modifies: Explosives, Lockpick and Energy Weapons skills

Perception affects the distance at which the Courier is able to detect other creatures. It also factors into some conversations with some NPCs.

Perception-based perks

Perk Requirement Level Additional Requirements
Friend of the Night 6 2 Sneak 30
Alertness Lonesome Road (add-on) 6 - 9 12 —
Sniper 6 12 Agility 6
Hobbler Dead Money 7 12 —
Light Step 6 14 Agility 6
Better Criticals 6 16 Luck 6
Infiltrator 7 18 Lockpick 70
Ways to increase Perception
Permanent
Temporary
Level names and statistics
Value Name Skill Modifiers
1 Deaf Bat Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +2
2 Senile Mole Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +4
3 Squinting Newt Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +6
4 Unsuspecting Trout Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +8
5 Wary Trout Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +10
6 Alert Coyote Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +12
7 Big-eyed Tiger Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +14
8 Monocled Falcon Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +16
9 Sniper Hawk Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +18
10 Eagle with Telescope Energy Weapons/Lockpick/Explosives +20

Notes

  • Contrary to what the name would make one believe, Perception does not actually increase V.A.T.S or regular accuracy at all.
  • If Perception is at the most extreme (highest or lowest), Doc Mitchell will either respond that nothing gets by the Courier, thinking he could use them when he lost his keys last month [of awakening the Courier] (for highest) or that he is no optometrist, but suggests the Courier should be fitted some with glasses while at the Doc's place (For lowest). However, having perception this low means that you cannot take the Four Eyes trait which would make glasses beneficial.
  • Dialogue with Christine has numerous Perception checks between 6 and 8. Intelligence checks of similar levels can substitute for some, but not all of them.
  • 6 Perception to notice that Ricky hasn't been in Vault 22 at all. Honest Hearts.
  • Old World Blues has the highest Perception check in Fallout: New Vegas (and by extension all of the New Vegas add-ons), at 8, though it can be bypassed.
  • It is possible to get a Perception of 10 with only 6 natural points, by combining the Four Eyes trait, Lucky shades, a hat and the Perception Implant (6 - 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 10).
    • Similarly, it is possible to achieve a temporary boost to 10 from a mere score of 2 using both kinds of Mentats, Absinthe, Coyote Tobacco Chew, and a hat (2 + 4 + 3 + 1 = 10).
    • By having access to DLC items, it is possible to get up to PE 10 without the Four Eyes trait, even if starting at only 1. The Elite riot gear helmet (+2) can be worn together with the 1st Recon beret (+1) and a Stealth suit Mk II (+1). After installing the Perception implant, Perception is at 6. From there, any combination of Perception-enhancing chems can reach 10.

Fallout 4

“Perception is your environmental awareness and "sixth sense," and affects weapon accuracy in V.A.T.S.”

With the removal of skills in Fallout 4, Perception now directly affects accuracy in V.A.T.S., and indirectly (through perks) affects pickpocketing and lockpicking attempts. (In Fallout 4, Agility is the statistic that directly affects pickpocketing chance.)

The main difference from Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas is that perception no longer affects the distance at which enemies appear on the player character's compass. Enemies do not appear on the compass in Fallout 4 unless they are looking for the player character (Caution in sneak mode) or are fighting the player character (Danger in sneak mode). Friendly NPCs do not appear on the compass at all. Perception does, however, increase accuracy in V.A.T.S. by 10% per point invested into it, but V.A.T.S. accuracy cannot go above 95%.

Perks

Perk Rank Requirement Level Additional Requirements
Pickpocket — 1 — —
2 1 6 Pickpocket
3 1 17 Pickpocket 2
4 1 30 Pickpocket 3
Rifleman — 2 — —
2 2 9 Rifleman
3 2 18 Rifleman 2
4 2 31 Rifleman 3
5 2 46 Rifleman 4
Awareness — 3 — —
2 3 14 Awareness, Nuka-World (add-on)
Locksmith — 4 — —
2 4 7 Locksmith
3 4 18 Locksmith 2
4 4 41 Locksmith 3
Demolition Expert — 5 — —
2 5 10 Demolition Expert
3 5 22 Demolition Expert 2
4 5 34 Demolition Expert 3
Night Person — 6 — —
2 6 25 Night Person
3 6 37 Night Person 2, Far Harbor (add-on)
Refractor — 7 — —
2 7 11 Refractor
3 7 21 Refractor 2
4 7 35 Refractor 3
5 7 42 Refractor 4
Sniper — 8 — —
2 8 13 Sniper
3 8 26 Sniper 2
Penetrator — 9 — —
2 9 28 Penetrator
Concentrated Fire — 10 — —
2 10 26 Concentrated Fire
3 10 50 Concentrated Fire 2
Ways to increase Perception
Permanent;
Temporary;

Bugs

PCPC It is possible that your perception will be reduced with a "(-)" shown to indicate a temporary effect, even if there are no visible temporary effects. This usually is caused by using Med-X after Stingwing attack. Console commands can only mask the issue, not solve it. For players on Survival mode, the lack of a console means that they are stuck with a low perception.[verified]

  • Because the (-) indicates a temporary effect, perks can still be chosen as normal based on your "true" perception.
  • A commonly reported culprit is being crippled in the head; having your head cured may not remove the debuff. Having your head re-crippled and cured may resolve the issue, but is inconsistent.
  • It can be fixed by unequiping poisoner armor after Stingwing attack. When you get blurred image, immediately remove poisoner armor piece and run away. This can take few tries, because it can result higher/lower perception than SPECIAL defined.

Fallout 76

“Perception affects your awareness of nearby enemies, your ability to detect stealthy movement, and your weapon accuracy in V.A.T.S.”

Modifies: V.A.T.S. Accuracy, Compass Range

As with all SPECIAL stats, each time you create a new character, your Perception starts at 1. The max cap for the Perception stat is 15 as with the other SPECIAL stats.

V.A.T.S. accuracy bonus starts out at +0.4% with a Perception at 1. Each subsequent level in Perception increases this bonus by +0.4%. At the max Perception of 15, the accuracy bonus is +6.0%.

Similarly, the compass range (minimum distance for red enemy compass markers) at a Perception of 1 is 85 feet. Each additional level in Perception increases this range by 12 feet. At the max Perception of 15, the range is 253 feet.

Perks

Name Level Rank Description
Archer 8 1 Your bows and crossbows now do +10% damage.
2 Your bows and crossbows now do +15% damage.
3 Your bows and crossbows now do +20% damage.
Awareness 27 1 You can view a target's specific damage resistance in V.A.T.S. Cost: 2
Bow Before Me 6 1 Your bows and crossbows ignore 12% armor and have a 3% chance to stagger.
2 Your bows and crossbows ignore 24% armor and have a 6% chance to stagger.
3 Your bows and crossbows ignore 36% armor and have a 9% chance to stagger.
Butcher's Bounty 3 1 40% chance to find an extra meat when you "Search" an animal corpse.
2 60% chance to find an extra meat when you "Search" an animal corpse.
3 80% chance to find an extra meat when you "Search" an animal corpse.
Commando 15 1 Basic combat training means automatic rifles do +10% damage.
2 Basic combat training means automatic rifles do +15% damage.
3 Basic combat training means automatic rifles do +20% damage.
Concentrated Fire 2 1 V.A.T.S. now targets limbs. Focus fire to gain accuracy and damage per shot.
2 V.A.T.S. targets limbs. Focus fire to gain more accuracy and damage per shot.
3 V.A.T.S. targets limbs. Focus fire to gain high accuracy and damage per shot.
Crack Shot 7 1 All pistols now have 10% more range and more accuracy when sighted.
2 All pistols now have 20% more range and more accuracy when sighted.
3 All pistols now have 30% more range and more accuracy when sighted.
Expert Archer 20 1 Your bows and crossbows now do +10% damage.
2 Your bows and crossbows now do +15% damage.
3 Your bows and crossbows now do +20% damage.
Expert Commando 25 1 Basic combat training means automatic rifles do +10% damage.
2 Basic combat training means automatic rifles do +15% damage.
3 Basic combat training means automatic rifles do +20% damage.
Expert Picklock 19 1 Gain +1 lockpicking skill, and the lockpicking 'sweet spot' is 10% larger.
Expert Rifleman 20 1 Your non-automatic rifles now do +10% damage.
2 Your non-automatic rifles now do +15% damage.
3 Your non-automatic rifles now do +20% damage.
Exterminator 14 1 Your attacks ignore 25% armor of any insect.
2 Your attacks ignore 50% armor of any insect.
3 Your attacks ignore 75% armor of any insect.
Fire in the Hole 38 1 See a throwing arc when tossing thrown weapons, and they fly 15% further.
2 See a throwing arc when tossing thrown weapons, and they fly 30% further.
3 See a throwing arc when tossing thrown weapons, and they fly 50% further.
Fortune Finder 22 1 You hear directional audio when in range of a Caps Stash.
Glow Sight 33 1 Deal +20% damage to glowing enemies.
2 Deal +40% damage to glowing enemies.
3 Deal +60% damage to glowing enemies.
Green Thumb 4 1 Reap twice as much when harvesting flora.
Grenadier 35 1 Your explosives detonate with a 50% larger radius.
2 Your explosives detonate with twice the radius.
Ground Pounder 18 1 Automatic rifles now reload 10% faster and have better hip fire accuracy.
2 Automatic rifles now reload 20% faster and have even better hip fire accuracy.
3 Automatic rifles now reload 30% faster and have excellent hip fire accuracy.
Long Shot 37 1 Your rifles have 10% more range and more accuracy when sighted.
2 Your rifles have 20% more range and even more accuracy when sighted.
3 Your rifles have 30% more range and excellent accuracy when sighted.
Master Archer 42 1 Your bows and crossbows now do +10% damage.
2 Your bows and crossbows now do +15% damage.
3 Your bows and crossbows now do +20% damage.
Master Commando 45 1 Basic combat training means automatic rifles do +10% damage.
2 Basic combat training means automatic rifles do +15% damage.
3 Basic combat training means automatic rifles do +20% damage.
Master Picklock 40 1 Gain +1 lockpicking skill, and the lockpicking 'sweet spot' is 10% larger.
Master Rifleman 42 1 Your non-automatic rifles now do +10% damage.
2 Your non-automatic rifles now do +15% damage.
3 Your non-automatic rifles now do +20% damage.
Night Eyes 47 1 Gain Night Vision while sneaking between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Cost: 2
Night Person 24 1 Gain +1 Intelligence and +1 Perception between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
2 Gain +2 Intelligence and +2 Perception between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
3 Gain +3 Intelligence and +3 Perception between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Pannapictagraphist 12 1 You hear directional audio when in range of a Magazine
Percepti-bobble 16 1 You hear directional audio when in range of a Bobblehead
Picklock 5 1 Gain +1 lockpicking skill, and the lockpicking 'sweet spot' is 10% larger.
Refractor 32 1 Gain +10 Energy Resistance.
2 You now gain +20 Energy Resistance.
3 You now gain +30 Energy Resistance.
4 You now gain +40 Energy Resistance.
Rifleman 8 1 Your non-automatic rifles now do +10% damage.
2 Your non-automatic rifles now do +15% damage.
3 Your non-automatic rifles now do +20% damage.
Skeet Shooter 10 1 Your shotguns have improved accuracy and spread
2 Your shotguns have even better accuracy and spread
3 Your shotguns have excellent accuracy and spread
Sniper 28 1 Gain improved control and hold your breath 25% longer while aiming scopes. Improved focus and better sighted accuracy.
2 Gain improved control and hold your breath 50% longer while aiming scopes.
3 Gain improved control and hold your breath 75% longer while aiming scopes.
Tank Killer 30 1 Your rifles ignore 12% armor and have a 3% chance to stagger.
2 Your rifles ignore 24% armor and have a 6% chance to stagger.
3 Your rifles ignore 36% armor and have a 9% chance to stagger.
Ways to increase Perception

Note that all stat boosts in Fallout 76 are temporary.

Fallout: The Roleplaying Game

Perception's only derived statistic is a character's Initiative which is added with Agility. Perception is also used as the default for skill tests involving Energy Weapons, Explosives, Lockpick, and Pilot (the most skills of any primary stat).

Perception-based perks

Fallout Shelter

Perception affects how efficient a dweller is while working in the water treatment and water purification facilities, chances of finding locations when exploring the Wasteland, and the speed of the critical hit arrows. It can be increased on different dwellers by assigning them to the armory.

Fallout: The Board Game

Unlike other games, Perception is not treated as a variable ranging from 1 to 10, but instead as a token that can be obtained at the start or when leveling up. A player character with the Perception token gets free rerolls during certain tests, as well as during fights if equipped with a Perception-based weapon.

The Ghoul player character always begins the game with Perception. During any Perception test or fight, Calmex or Mentats can be used to gain one free hit.

Perks
Perception-based weapons

Video

Fallout_4_S.P.E.C.I.A.L._Video_Series_-_Perception

Fallout 4 S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Video Series - Perception

Fallout 4 Perception promotional video

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