12 unique Fallout 4 playthrough ideas to try:
Play as a pacifist paragon
The Sole Survivor has many strengths, but violence isn’t one of them. If you’re playing a pacifist, you can’t kill anyone – even raiders and merciless enemies will flee rather than fight. You’ll have to find other ways to resolve conflicts, and can only use your fists or non-lethal weapons. If you can pull it off, you’ll have a much easier time exploring the wasteland and staying alive, so long as you stay away from the most dangerous enemies.
Play as a diplomatic mediator
Fallout 4 doesn’t offer as many diplomatic solutions as previous Bethesda games, but there’s still plenty of scope to establish yourself as a charismatic diplomat and skilled mediator. Identify settlements in need of help, and use your charisma to win the trust of the NPCs. Then, negotiate the terms of your support and broker peace agreements – no bloodshed required.
Play as the Lone Survivor
As the name suggests, this playthrough idea requires you to go it alone. Whether you’re a lone wolf or just prefer to take on problems alone, Fallout’s a dangerous place, and you’ll have a much harder time surviving without the support of settlements. With no companions to help you, you must rely on your resourcefulness to survive without aid – you may need to get creative.
Play as a raider overlord
Fallout 4’s raiders are bloodthirsty, savage bandits, but you don’t have to be. If you want to embrace the darker side, take control of a band of raiders and establish yourself as their overlord. Use your charisma to recruit allies, and establish yourself as the ultimate power in the wasteland.
Play as a con artist
Get ready to lie, deceive, and manipulate. If you’re good at talking your way out of tough scrapes, and charming NPCs into giving you what you want, then you’re going to thrive in a con artist playthrough. If you can win over settlements, you can use their resources to establish a crime ring and rake in the caps.
Play as a feral ghoul survivor
The Commonwealth is a hostile place, even for humans. If you fancy a challenge, play a solo playthrough as a feral ghoul survivor, facing discrimination and prejudice from both human and ghoul societies. You’ll have to rely on your resourcefulness and ingenuity to win over settlements and establish a home, but you won’t have access to the advanced tech available to those blessed with a beating heart.
Play as a melee gladiator
Melee weapons are powerful, but you’ll have to fight your way through the wasteland with nothing but your fists and a dose of humility. If you fancy pitting your strength against opponents, play through as a melee gladiator, eschewing firearms for brutal melee weapons. Without the ability to kill from a distance, you’ll quickly discover that Fallout’s enemies are tougher than ever – and even basic raiders can present a serious challenge.
Play as a sniper
If you prefer to pick off your enemies from a distance, play as a skilled sniper. Fallout 4’s gunplay is satisfying, but there’s something special about taking down your opponent with precision and remaining undetected. You’ll have to avoid direct combat at all costs, but you’ll have access to a wide range of high-tech guns and unique weapons such as the Marksman Rifle.
Play as a trader and entrepreneur
Fallout 4’s settlements need your help, but they’re also your greatest resource. You can leverage these communities to establish profitable trade routes and generate wealth, but it’s not as simple as walking into a settlement, ordering everyone to pack up, and walking out with a sack full of caps. You’ll have to establish a network of customers, manage resources, and ensure your caravans reach their destinations. If you succeed, you can become one of the wealthiest players in the wasteland – and earn your riches honestly.
Play as a beast master
Tame, control, and shape formidable creatures into your companions and allies. Whether you’re fighting alongside a faithful dog companion or a pack of ferocious Brahmin, Fallout 4’s new pets system adds a whole new dimension to the RPG game. You can establish yourself as a master of beasts through a variety of methods, but whether you’re a trapper or a feral ghoul, you’ll need to prove you can communicate and negotiate with – and command – the fierce creatures of the wasteland.
Play as a technological prodigy
Forge a new, technologically advanced path through the wasteland using your technological prowess. Fallout 4’s combat system is satisfying, but you can hack and harness the power of energy weapons to turn the tide of battles. If you’re a tinkerer, you can establish yourself as a technological prodigy by building the best tech weapons and devastating defences using the settlement workshops.
Play as a survivalist
Master resource management and navigate the hazards of the wasteland. If you’re better at surviving than fighting, establish yourself as a survivalist by establishing a self-sufficient settlement, and crafting your own high-tech weapons and armour.
