Perception

Perception is one of the seven primary statistics in the SPECIAL system.

Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics
Modifies: Sequence, ranged combat distance modifiers and the First Aid, Doctor, Lockpick, Traps and Pilot skills. A player character with higher Perception may notice things that allow them to open up new dialogue options on occasion. It also determines how far away they start from hostilities in random encounters.

Perception is required for many perks, notably PE 8 for Sniper in Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics.

Ways to increase Perception

 * In Fallout, Lorri in the Brotherhood of Steel's Lost Hills bunker can perform an operation to permanently increase Perception by 1, assuming it can be afforded.
 * In Fallout 2, Perception can be permanently raised by 1 with the Green memory module using ACE, or by taking the Gain Perception perk.
 * Also in Fallout 2, Perception can be temporarily raised by 1 with Jet.
 * In both Fallout and Fallout 2, Mentats can be used to temporarily raise Perception by 2.

Fallout 3
Modifies: Explosives, Lockpick and Energy Weapons skills

Perception determines how far away enemies can be detected on the compass (enemies show as red bars). When playing with a high Perception, it is possible to "sense" the enemies even before they come into view.

Having a high Perception can yield dialogue options with some NPCs, such as Moira Brown, Mel and Machete.

Perception-based perks
The benefit of the Survival Expert perk is affected by what is said to Moira Brown after each portion of the Wasteland Survival Guide quest. Having a Perception of 7 yields relevant "smart" dialogue options at the end of the Contract Radiation Sickness and Traversing a Mine Field objectives.

Ways to increase Perception

 * Permanent
 * Bobblehead - Perception (+1)
 * Ant Sight quest perk (+1)
 * Intense Training perk (+1)
 * No Weaknesses perk (will raise base to 5 if below 5)
 * Almost Perfect perk (will raise base to 9 if below 9)
 * Temporary
 * Armor and clothing
 * Maple's garb (+1)
 * Vance's longcoat outfit (+1)
 * Multiple hats give +1.
 * Chems
 * Mentats (+5)
 * Orange Mentats (+5)
 * Night Person perk (+2 between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM)

Fallout: New Vegas
Modifies: Explosives, Lockpick, and Energy Weapons skills

Perception affects the distance at which the Courier is able to detect other creatures. It also factors into some conversations with some NPCs.

Ways to increase Perception

 * Permanent
 * Perception Implant available at the New Vegas medical clinic (+1)
 * Intense Training perk (+1)
 * Completing the quest The Apocalypse or The End will allow raising any one primary statistic by 1.
 * Temporary
 * Armor and clothing
 * Marked patrol armor (+1)
 * Stealth suit Mk II (+1)
 * Multiple types of headgear give +1.
 * Advanced riot gear helmet (+2)
 * Elite riot gear helmet (+2)
 * With the Four Eyes trait, glasses give +2 or +3.
 * Chems
 * Coyote tobacco chew (+1)
 * Mentats (+2)
 * Party Time Mentats (+2)
 * Drinks
 * Absinthe (+1 - +3 depending on Survival skill)
 * Nightstalker squeezin's with Mile in Their Shoes perk (+1)
 * Traits
 * Claustrophobia (+1 while outdoors, but -1 indoors)
 * Early Bird (+2 between 6am and 12pm, but -1 between 6pm and 6am)

Fallout 4
With the removal of skills in Fallout 4, Perception now directly affects accuracy in V.A.T.S., lockpicking, and stealing attempts.

The main difference from Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas is that perception no longer affects the distance at which enemies appear on the player character's compass. Enemies do not appear on the compass in Fallout 4 unless they are looking for the player character (Caution in sneak mode) or are fighting the player character (Danger in sneak mode). Friendly NPCs do not appear on the compass at all. However, Perception increases accuracy in V.A.T.S. by 10% per stat invested into it, but accuracy cannot go above 95%.

Permanent

 * +1 Perception Training upon level-up (up to 10 Perception)
 * You're SPECIAL! - optional +1 Perception upon acquiring
 * Perception bobblehead (+1)
 * V.A.N.S. 2 (+2)

Temporary

 * Armor and clothing
 * Mantis left greave (+1)
 * Wanderer's chest piece (+1)
 * Champion right arm (+1)
 * Mark 2 synth helmet (+1)
 * Fancy suit (+1)
 * Minuteman outfit (+1)
 * Synth uniform (+1)
 * Casual outfit (+1)
 * Chase's uniform (+1)
 * Courser uniform (+1)
 * Faded trench coat (+2)
 * Geneva's ensemble (+1)
 * Institute division head coat (+1, all variants)
 * Hunter's long coat (+1)
 * Legend of the Harbor (+2)
 * Maxson's battlecoat (+1)
 * Mechanic jumpsuit (+1)
 * Nuka-World jumpsuit (+1)
 * Operators armored dress (+1)
 * Patched three-piece suit (+1)
 * Red frock coat (+1)
 * Silver Shroud costume (+1)
 * Surveyor outfit (+1)
 * Tuxedo (+1)
 * Brown flight helmet (+1)
 * Yellow flight helmet (+1)
 * Baseball cap (+1)
 * Coast guard hat (+1)
 * Faded visor (+1)
 * Fisherman's hat (+1)
 * MacCready's hat (+1)
 * Military cap (+1)
 * Old fisherman's hat (+1)
 * Oswald's tophat (+1)
 * Silver Shroud hat (+1)
 * Wool fisherman's cap (+1)
 * Worn fedora (+1)
 * Wrapped cap (+1)
 * Yellow fedora (+1)
 * Eyeglasses (+1)
 * Operators glasses (+1)
 * Operators goggles (+1)
 * Patrolman sunglasses (+1)
 * Sunglasses (+1)
 * Welding goggles (+1)
 * Wraparound goggles (+1)
 * Cunning legendary armor pieces (+1)


 * Consumables
 * Mirelurk jerky (+3)
 * Slocum's Buzzbites (+1)
 * Stingwing filet (+1)
 * Bufftats (+3)
 * Calmex (+3)
 * Calmex Silk (+3)
 * Daddy-O (+3)
 * Mentats (+2)
 * Orange Mentats (+5)
 * Psychotats (+3)
 * X-cell (+2)


 * Perks
 * Night Person (+2/+3 between 6 pm and 6 am)

Fallout 76
"Perception affects your awareness of nearby enemies, your ability to detect stealthy movement, and your weapon accuracy in V.A.T.S."

Fallout Shelter
Perception affects how efficient a dweller is while working in the water treatment and water purification facilities as well as the speed of the critical hit arrows. It can be increased on different dwellers by assigning them to the armory.

Bugs
It is possible that your perception will be reduced with a "(-)" shown to indicate a temporary effect, even if there are no visible temporary effects. Console commands can only mask the issue, not solve it. For players on Survival mode, the lack of a console means that they are stuck with a low perception.
 * Because the (-) indicates a temporary effect, perks can still be chosen as normal based on your "true" perception.
 * A commonly reported culprit is being crippled in the head; having your head cured may not remove the debuff. Having your head re-crippled and cured may resolve the issue, but is inconsistent.

Video


Wahrnehmung Percepción Perception Perception Waarneming Perception Percepcja Восприятие Uppfattning Perception Сприйняття