Fallout 76 PTS Welcomes Ghouls: Bethesda Shares First Details
Bethesda Game Studios is about to break new ground in the Fallout franchise with the upcoming update to Fallout 76. Starting tomorrow, players can access the Public Test Server (PTS) to try out a feature long awaited by fans: the ability to play as a Ghoul. This addition is likely inspired by the massive popularity of Cooper Howard, a Ghoul character played by Walton Goggins in the Fallout TV series.
The Ghoul experience is described as an endgame progression path available to characters who have reached level 50. Bethesda has revealed that the update brings "dozens of alternate ways" to specialize your character with unique abilities, perks, and mechanics.
Key Features of the Ghoul Gameplay:
Radiation Becomes a Resource: Ghouls are not only immune to radiation, but it heals them. Standing in radioactive areas regenerates health, and once fully healed, the surplus radiation converts into "Glow," a new resource that offers a variety of buffs depending on your specialization.
Exclusive Perk Cards: Ghouls gain access to 32 exclusive perk cards in addition to the perks available for human characters, providing a wealth of options for building your character.
Feral Meter Management: Ghouls don’t experience hunger or thirst but must manage a feral meter. When the meter maxes out, drawbacks like reduced hit points and accuracy kick in, but hand-to-hand combat abilities gain a berserker-like boost.
NPC Reactions: Ghouls will experience varied interactions with factions like the Brotherhood of Steel, who hold disdain for Ghouls. This adds new narrative paths without locking you out of any stories. Additionally, in-game methods will allow Ghouls to disguise themselves as humans.
Reverting to Human: Players will have one free opportunity to revert their character to a human form, though the process appears to be a significant decision.
No Hunger or Thirst, But New Challenges
While Ghouls are free from the constraints of hunger and thirst, the feral meter introduces an intriguing gameplay challenge, giving players the choice to embrace or resist their character's descent into ferality. This adds complexity and the potential for unique playstyles, such as berserker-focused combat builds.
A Rich Narrative Layer
The introduction of Ghouls also promises to deepen the lore of Fallout 76, with NPCs and factions reacting uniquely to Ghoul characters. Players can explore alternative storylines and potentially new moral dilemmas, making this update not just a gameplay enhancement but also a narrative evolution.
Release Timeline
While the final release date for the update is yet to be announced, Bethesda is targeting early 2025. Until then, Fallout 76 fans can dive into the PTS and explore this groundbreaking feature.
What’s your take on this new direction for Fallout 76? Are you ready to roam Appalachia as a radiation-empowered Ghoul? Share your thoughts below—will you embrace the Glow?
