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Old World Blues Implants: A Comprehensive Guide to Cybernetic Enhancements in the Mojave

The Mojave Wasteland is a dangerous place, teeming with mutated creatures, raiders, and environmental hazards. To survive and thrive, many wastelanders turn to cybernetic enhancements, and no location offers a more comprehensive selection of these augmentations than the Big MT research facility in the Fallout: New Vegas add-on, Old World Blues. This guide provides a detailed overview of Old World Blues implants, their benefits, locations, and overall impact on gameplay.

What are Old World Blues Implants?

Old World Blues implants are permanent cybernetic enhancements that provide various stat boosts, resistances, and unique abilities to the player character in Fallout: New Vegas. These implants are exclusively available within the Big MT research facility, a key location in the Old World Blues DLC. Unlike chems or temporary buffs, Old World Blues implants offer permanent advantages, making them highly sought after by players aiming to optimize their character builds. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill upgrades; they’re cutting-edge (for the pre-war era) technology designed to push the boundaries of human capability.

Acquiring Implants: Dr. Usanagi and the Sink Auto-Doc

The primary source for obtaining Old World Blues implants is Dr. Usanagi, a robotic surgeon located in the Sink, the player’s home base within Big MT. After completing certain quests for the Think Tank, Dr. Usanagi becomes available to perform implant surgeries. The Sink Auto-Doc is also essential, as it serves as a medical bay for the player to heal and treat injuries. Access to these resources makes Big MT a crucial hub for character development.

To receive an implant, you must first have the necessary caps (the currency of the wasteland) and a sufficient Endurance stat. Each implant has a minimum Endurance requirement, reflecting the character’s ability to withstand the surgical procedure and the implant’s presence. The higher the Endurance, the more Old World Blues implants you can safely install. It’s a trade-off between immediate power and long-term resilience.

A Detailed Look at Each Implant

Here’s a breakdown of each available implant, its benefits, location, and Endurance requirement:

Reinforced Spine

Effect: +2 to Strength and +25 to Carry Weight.
Endurance Requirement: 5
Description: A foundational implant that significantly enhances physical capabilities, allowing you to carry more loot and deal more melee damage. This is often one of the first Old World Blues implants players aim for.

Sub-Dermal Armor

Effect: +4 Damage Threshold (DT).
Endurance Requirement: 4
Description: Provides a flat increase to your armor, making you more resistant to incoming damage. Essential for survival in the Mojave’s harshest environments. This Old World Blues implant is a must-have for any character focused on survivability.

Monocyte Breeder

Effect: Slowly regenerates health.
Endurance Requirement: 4
Description: A passive healing ability that slowly restores your health over time. While not a replacement for stimpaks, it provides a constant trickle of healing, reducing your reliance on consumables. This Old World Blues implant is particularly useful for characters who prefer a more cautious playstyle.

Cardiac Arrest

Effect: +10% to Critical Hit Chance.
Endurance Requirement: 5
Description: Increases your chance to land critical hits, dealing bonus damage and potentially staggering enemies. A powerful offensive boost for any build. This Old World Blues implant can significantly increase your damage output, especially with weapons that already have a high critical hit chance.

Nociception Regulator

Effect: +5% to all damage resistances.
Endurance Requirement: 3
Description: A versatile defensive implant that provides a small but noticeable increase to all damage resistances, making you more resistant to a wider range of threats. This Old World Blues implant is a great all-around defensive option.

Optic Enhancer

Effect: +2 to Perception.
Endurance Requirement: 3
Description: Increases your Perception stat, improving your accuracy with ranged weapons, your ability to detect enemies on the radar, and your skill checks related to perception. This Old World Blues implant is crucial for sniper builds and characters who rely on stealth.

Hearing Enhancer

Effect: +2 to Perception.
Endurance Requirement: 3
Description: Similar to the Optic Enhancer, this implant boosts your Perception, improving your awareness and combat effectiveness. Another excellent choice for ranged builds. This Old World Blues implant stacks with the Optic Enhancer for a total of +4 Perception.

Memory Enhancer

Effect: +2 to Intelligence.
Endurance Requirement: 3
Description: Increases your Intelligence stat, granting you more skill points per level and improving your skill-based interactions with the world. Essential for characters who want to maximize their skill proficiency. This Old World Blues implant is particularly useful for characters who want to excel in multiple skills.

Lumbars Locus

Effect: +2 to Agility.
Endurance Requirement: 3
Description: Increases your Agility stat, improving your Action Points (AP), reload speed, and movement speed. A valuable boost for characters who rely on VATS or fast-paced combat. This Old World Blues implant is a favorite among gunslingers and melee fighters.

Wired Reflexes

Effect: +5% to VATS hit chance.
Endurance Requirement: 4
Description: Improves your accuracy in VATS, making it easier to land hits on your target. A must-have for any character who frequently uses VATS. This Old World Blues implant synergizes well with other VATS-enhancing perks and equipment.

Wired Synapses

Effect: +2 to Perception and increases the speed at which you draw your weapon.
Endurance Requirement: 4
Description: Improves your Perception and allows you to draw your weapon faster, giving you a crucial advantage in combat. A great choice for characters who prioritize speed and reaction time. This Old World Blues implant is especially effective for ambushing enemies.

Strategic Implant Choices

Choosing the right Old World Blues implants is crucial for optimizing your character build. Consider your playstyle, preferred weapons, and overall goals when selecting implants. For example, a melee-focused character might prioritize the Reinforced Spine, Sub-Dermal Armor, and Cardiac Arrest, while a sniper might focus on the Optic Enhancer, Hearing Enhancer, and Wired Synapses.

It’s also important to manage your Endurance stat effectively. Investing in Endurance early in the game allows you to acquire more implants and maximize their benefits. However, don’t neglect other important stats. A balanced approach is often the best way to create a well-rounded and effective character.

Beyond the Stats: The Roleplaying Aspect

While the stat boosts provided by Old World Blues implants are undeniably powerful, they also offer a unique roleplaying opportunity. The implants can reflect your character’s personality and motivations. Are you a ruthless pragmatist willing to sacrifice your humanity for power? Or are you a more cautious individual who prioritizes survivability and resilience? The choice of implants can tell a story about your character.

The Old World Blues DLC also explores the ethical implications of cybernetic enhancements. The Think Tank’s experiments raise questions about the nature of humanity and the boundaries of scientific progress. By choosing to embrace or reject these enhancements, you can shape your character’s moral compass and influence the outcome of the DLC’s narrative.

Conclusion: Embracing the Cybernetic Future

Old World Blues implants are a game-changing addition to Fallout: New Vegas, offering a wide range of enhancements that can significantly improve your character’s capabilities. By understanding the benefits, requirements, and strategic implications of each implant, you can create a truly optimized and personalized character. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Mojave Wasteland, the Old World Blues implants offer a compelling reason to explore the depths of Big MT and embrace the cybernetic future. Don’t forget to consider the long-term implications of your choices, as these enhancements are permanent and will shape your character’s journey through the wasteland. The decision to augment your body with these pre-war technologies is a significant one, and it’s up to you to decide how far you’re willing to go to survive and thrive in the unforgiving world of Fallout: New Vegas. [See also: Fallout New Vegas Character Builds] [See also: Fallout New Vegas Perks Guide]