by Sara Cate Galasso
When wandering aimlessly across the vast and cruel post-nuclear wasteland, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Novices just starting out on the outside may feel it’s beyond their grasp to survive in such a hostile and unforgiving environment. And, if you’re one of the rare few who grew up inside the safety and security of a Vault? Good luck! The odds of not meeting a swift and gruesome end the minute you depart from the fallout shelter are not in your favor, Vault dweller. Fortunately, there are wizened wastelanders out there who know a thing or two about survival, and they have graciously agreed to pass along their guidance to better serve us all. Here are 5 crucial tips to surviving the post-nuclear wasteland!
Know What To Expect
If you’re a Vault dweller preparing to exit the vault for the first time, you’ve been trained and prepared for this moment. You’ve gone through every scenario, drill, and exercise thrown at you in preparation for that fateful day when that vault door opens up, and you feel that Sol Ring of sunshine (and stray radiation) on your face for the first time. But that still doesn’t mean you’ll know what to expect. Sure, you understand how to employ the G.E.C.K, (short for Garden of Eden Creation Kit), the terraforming device designed to aid you in harnessing the post-nuclear wasteland in order to establish a settlement. But do you really know what it will be like out there? Once you leave that vault, you will be subject to a barrage of mutant horrors and evil beings so frightening, you couldn’t dream them up in your worst nightmares. (One word: Tarmogoyf.) The more you prepare yourself mentally and learn to ground yourself now, the better you will be able to endure when faced with the true nature of the wasteland. The Ravages of War may shock and frighten you at first, but ready yourself now and they won’t catch you off guard.
Find a Faithful Companion
When you first set out into the wasteland, you may be compelled to strike out on your own. Don’t do it! Traveling alone is dangerous. Irradiated creatures or rebellious soldiers can pick you off from behind before you even hear them coming. Find yourself a companion to traverse this barren landscape with, one that is faithful and ready to fight for you no matter the circumstance. A dog (non-mutated, of course) makes for a great wasteland companion. Dogmeat, Ever Loyal, was well-known across the wasteland as the best companion who ever lived, one who would follow their master faithfully to the ends of the scorched Earth and beyond. There is safety in numbers, so surround yourself with good company and not only will your chances of survival be vastly improved, but your morale as well.
Suit Up
Owning and using the right equipment is paramount to your survival in the wasteland. Get your hands on some Power Armor and know how to use it properly. Always keep your Pip-Boy activated, as it can help monitor your health levels and alert you when you are coming into contact with too much radiation. Use V.A.T.S., (the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System) to your advantage in combat, so you can strike first every time, and always maintain good Inventory Management. And when it comes to improving your own abilities, remember the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system: the best areas to focus on are your Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck. With the right tech, and the right attitude, you will be feeling darn special in no time at all!
Ask for Help
If you feel that you’ve become directionless, weak, ineffectual, or downright frightened about surviving in the post-nuclear world, don’t despair. It might be time to ask for some help. Consider joining the Brotherhood of Steel, a paramilitary group dedicated to preserving advanced technology. You could find some much-needed direction in your life by joining this highly-organized band of Puresteel Paladins, and you’ll gain access to some Power Armour to boot! For a more mystical approach, some free-thinking folks of the wasteland put their faith in the mysterious Mothman to guide them. Perhaps a visit to the Cult of Mothman, a group of worshippers who consider this mutant moth creature to be filled with divine wisdom and power, could benefit you with new insights. And if it’s not faith you seek but science, locate Dr. Madison Li, a scientist residing in the Capital Wasteland. She may be able to provide you with answers to your many questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it be from a seasoned expert or an enormous, benevolent insect with glowing eyes.
Reward Yourself
Survival in the post-nuclear hellscape of the wasteland is not easy. You will face continual, abiding threats to your existence across every moment of your life for the foreseeable future, and that can wreak havoc on your mental wellbeing. To mitigate the constant fear of attack and death that plagues your every thought, show yourself some kindness! Remind yourself how hard you’re working to stay alive. You’re doing great! You deserve a break, some time just for yourself to rest and recoup. And there’s no better way to reward yourself than with an ice cold, refreshing Nuka Cola. Find an abandoned shack, pop open a bottle, and enjoy the moment with the nutrient-rich, vitamin enhanced flavor that only Nuka Cola can bring. And above all, remember that the only escape from the hellish onslaught of terror that is the post-nuclear wasteland is death, so you might as well take a moment to relax.
