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FNV: How to Get Power Armor Training in Fallout: New Vegas

Power Armor in Fallout: New Vegas is a coveted asset, offering superior protection and strength. However, simply stumbling upon a suit isn’t enough. To effectively utilize Power Armor, you need proper training. This guide will provide a comprehensive walkthrough on how to get Power Armor training in FNV, ensuring you can dominate the Mojave Wasteland in style and safety. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, understanding the nuances of Power Armor training is crucial for maximizing your character’s potential. Many players find themselves asking: “How to get power armor training in Fallout: New Vegas?” This article will provide the definitive answer.

Understanding Power Armor in Fallout: New Vegas

Before diving into the specifics of how to get Power Armor training, it’s important to understand why it’s necessary. Power Armor provides significant boosts to Damage Threshold (DT), increasing your resistance to incoming damage. It also often increases Strength, allowing you to carry more items and deal more melee damage. However, without training, you’ll suffer penalties, including reduced Agility and the inability to use the armor’s full potential.

The Importance of Power Armor Training

Attempting to wear Power Armor without the proper training results in a significant reduction in your Agility stat. This negatively impacts your movement speed, Action Points (AP), and overall combat effectiveness. Furthermore, you won’t be able to benefit from any perks or special abilities that require Power Armor training. Therefore, knowing how to get Power Armor training is essential for any player aiming to utilize these powerful suits effectively.

Methods for Obtaining Power Armor Training

There are two primary methods for learning how to get Power Armor training in Fallout: New Vegas. Each method has its own requirements and advantages, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your playstyle and current progress in the game.

Method 1: Enrolling with the Brotherhood of Steel

The most direct and arguably most common method for learning how to get Power Armor training is by joining the Brotherhood of Steel (BoS). This faction plays a significant role in the Fallout universe, and their Nevada chapter offers Power Armor training to those who prove themselves worthy.

Steps to Joining the Brotherhood of Steel and Receiving Training:

Locate the Hidden Valley Bunker: The Brotherhood of Steel’s bunker is located in Hidden Valley, a secluded area in the mountains northwest of Goodsprings. Be prepared for a challenging trek, as the area is often guarded by hostile creatures and robots.
Gain Access to the Bunker: Upon reaching the bunker entrance, you’ll encounter a locked door and an intercom. You’ll need to persuade or deceive the guard to gain entry. High Speech or Science skills can be helpful here.
Complete the Initial Quest: Once inside, you’ll be tasked with completing a series of quests for the Brotherhood, typically involving eliminating threats to their operations or retrieving valuable technology. The first quest usually involves finding missing patrols.
Earn Elder McNamara’s Favor: After completing the initial quests, you’ll need to earn the trust and favor of Elder McNamara, the leader of the Nevada chapter. This often involves completing more challenging and time-consuming tasks.
Receive Power Armor Training: Once you’ve proven yourself to Elder McNamara, he will grant you Power Armor training. This training will allow you to wear and effectively use Power Armor without any penalties.

Joining the Brotherhood of Steel provides a structured and relatively straightforward path to learning how to get Power Armor training. However, it requires dedication and a willingness to commit to the Brotherhood’s ideology and goals. It’s worth noting that completing quests for the BoS can affect your standing with other factions, so consider the consequences before committing.

Method 2: Following Arcade Gannon’s Companion Quest

An alternative method for learning how to get Power Armor training involves recruiting Arcade Gannon as a companion and completing his personal questline. This method is less direct than joining the Brotherhood of Steel but can be more rewarding in terms of character development and story integration.

Steps to Receiving Training Through Arcade Gannon’s Quest:

Recruit Arcade Gannon: Arcade Gannon can be found at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside. He is a skilled doctor and a valuable asset to your party. To recruit him, you’ll need to pass a Speech check or have a high enough Intelligence.
Increase Arcade’s Affinity: To trigger his personal quest, you’ll need to increase Arcade’s affinity towards you. This can be achieved by making decisions and completing quests that align with his values and beliefs. Specifically, supporting pro-science and pro-humanity factions increases his affinity.
Trigger the “For Auld Lang Syne” Quest: Once Arcade’s affinity is high enough, he will eventually approach you with his personal quest, “For Auld Lang Syne.” This quest involves reuniting Arcade with the remnants of the Enclave, a pre-War government organization.
Side with the Enclave Remnants: During the “For Auld Lang Syne” quest, you’ll have the option to side with the Enclave remnants or betray them. To receive Power Armor training, you must side with the Enclave remnants.
Complete the Quest and Receive Training: After successfully completing the quest and siding with the Enclave remnants, Arcade will grant you Power Armor training. This training will allow you to wear and effectively use Power Armor without any penalties.

Choosing this method for how to get Power Armor training offers a more nuanced and morally complex approach. Siding with the Enclave remnants comes with its own set of consequences and may not align with every player’s moral compass. However, it provides a unique perspective on the Fallout universe and offers a compelling storyline.

Choosing the Right Method for You

The best method for learning how to get Power Armor training depends on your individual playstyle, faction allegiance, and moral choices. If you prefer a straightforward and structured approach, joining the Brotherhood of Steel is likely the best option. If you’re looking for a more character-driven and morally ambiguous experience, completing Arcade Gannon’s questline may be more appealing. Both methods are viable and offer unique rewards and challenges.

Factors to Consider:

Faction Allegiance: Are you willing to commit to the Brotherhood of Steel’s ideology? Or are you more inclined to explore the morally gray path of the Enclave remnants?
Playstyle: Do you prefer a direct and efficient approach, or are you more interested in character development and story integration?
Companion Choice: Do you already have Arcade Gannon in your party? If so, completing his questline may be the most convenient option.
Moral Choices: Are you comfortable siding with the Enclave remnants, knowing their history and goals?

Power Armor Perks and Related Skills

Once you’ve learned how to get Power Armor training, you can further enhance your Power Armor capabilities by investing in relevant perks and skills. These perks and skills will improve your combat effectiveness, increase your survivability, and unlock new abilities.

Essential Perks for Power Armor Users:

Power Armor Training: This perk is essential for wearing Power Armor without penalties. You’ll receive this perk upon completing either the Brotherhood of Steel questline or Arcade Gannon’s questline.
Implant GRX: This perk, obtained through Old World Blues DLC, allows you to temporarily slow down time, providing a significant advantage in combat while wearing Power Armor.
Toughness: This perk increases your Damage Threshold (DT), further enhancing your resistance to incoming damage.
Life Giver: This perk increases your maximum health, improving your overall survivability.
Adamantium Skeleton: This perk reduces limb damage, allowing you to stay in the fight longer.

Useful Skills for Power Armor Users:

Repair: Maintaining your Power Armor is crucial for its effectiveness. High Repair skill allows you to repair your armor to its optimal condition, ensuring maximum protection.
Science: Science skill is useful for repairing and upgrading advanced Power Armor models.
Guns/Energy Weapons: Power Armor often complements ranged combat styles. Investing in Guns or Energy Weapons skills will improve your accuracy and damage output while wearing Power Armor.
Melee Weapons/Unarmed: Alternatively, Power Armor can be used to enhance melee combat. Investing in Melee Weapons or Unarmed skills will increase your damage and combat effectiveness in close-quarters situations.

Conclusion

Mastering how to get Power Armor training in Fallout: New Vegas is a crucial step for any player looking to dominate the Mojave Wasteland. Whether you choose to align with the Brotherhood of Steel or embark on a moral journey with Arcade Gannon, the rewards are well worth the effort. By understanding the importance of Power Armor training, choosing the right method for your playstyle, and investing in relevant perks and skills, you can become an unstoppable force in the wasteland. So, gear up, train hard, and conquer the challenges that await you in Fallout: New Vegas. Remember, knowing how to get power armor training is just the beginning; mastering its use is what truly makes you a formidable foe.