Fallout 76 Power Armor

Power armor is a unique form of external armor in Fallout 76.

Power armor parts

 * All pieces of power armor must be attached to a power armor chassis.

Each part has a level requirement, meaning player characters cannot enter a power armor chassis equipped with parts higher than their own level. Power armor chassis have no level requirement, so removing leveled parts will allow entry.

Power armor pieces can be mixed on a given chassis. The only advantage of a matched set is in Excavator power armor where a full set raises carry capacity by 100 while wearing 5 of the 6 pieces has no increase.

To get out of a power armor chassis, one must press and hold the same button pressed to get into it, so "E" (PC), "X" (PS4) or "A" (Xbox One).

Empty chassis


Empty power armor chassis are the basic frames required for all power armor types. While their primary function is to mount power armor pieces, empty chassis still provide some protection. Unlike other types of power armor, empty chassis have no level requirement.

Raider power armor


Raider power armor is made from salvaged materials and scrap metal. It is available at level 15, no other power armors are available until level 25. At levels 25, 35, and 45 it offers ballistic, energy, and radiation resistance that is 4% to 5% lower than T-45 power armor.

Excavator power armor


Excavator power armor provides little protection. Designed to protect miners while increasing productivity, when a full set is worn it increases carrying capacity by 100 which is a significant benefit especially early in the game. It provides decent radiation resistance. It has the lowest ballistic and energy resistances of any power armor, level 45 Excavator is less resistant than level 35 Raider or T-45. Excavator armor requires the player to be at least level 25 and can only be crafted.

T-45 power armor


T-45 power armor provides moderate protection. Being the first version of power armor deployed in battle, it offers equally decent ballistic, energy, and radiation resistance. T-45 armor requires the player to be at least level 25.

T-51 power armor


T-51 power armor was the standard issue of power armor for the army's armored infantry. It provides ballistic and energy resistances higher than any of the other power armors. Radiation resistance is poorer than any of the other armors, almost as low as other power armors available 15 levels earlier. It's high ballistic and energy resistances give it the edge in most battles but it's poor radiation resistance put it at a significant disadvantage in nuclear strike zones. T-51 armor requires the player to be at least level 30.

T-60 power armor


T-60 power armor provides decent protection. Designed to replace the T-51 model, it offers superior radiation protection at the cost of ballistic and energy resistance. T-60 armor requires the player to be at least level 40. T-60 can be repaired with only aluminum, plastic, steel, and a few pieces of circuitry, making it by far the easiest power armor to repair.

X-01 power armor


X-01 power armor was developed as experimental armor by the Enclave. it's energy resistance is within one point of the highest and it's radiation resistance is 8% higher than any other power armor, giving it an edge in nuclear strike zones. Ballistic resistance is 12% below T-51 and Ultracite power armors. X-01 armor requires the player to be at least level 40 and can only be crafted.

Ultracite power armor


Ultracite power armor was developed by the Brotherhood of Steel from T-51 power armor, it's ballistic resistance almost ties with T-51 which is the best and is 12% higher than X-01. Energy and radiation resistance are 13% lower than X-01. Ultracite armor cannot be worn until level 50 but can be obtained earlier. A full set is given upon completion of the quest Belly of the Beast. Completing that quest also allows access to Taggerdy's temninal where the crafting plans can be obtained.

Level availability
Certain types of power armor are limited to different levels. The table below lists the models that can be found for each level.

Paint
There are power armor paints available from the Atomic Shop. These are purchased with Atoms and then applied at a power armor station. Some can be applied to any T-45, T-51, T-60 or X-01 armor set, others are specific to a single armor like extractor or ultracite power armor. Typical prices are 800 atoms for a single armor paint and 1400 atoms for paints that can be applied to multiple armors. Prices and availability change frequently. See the Atomic Shop for details.

The following paint is available in-game:
 * BOS Initiate for T-60 - random reward for turning in technical documents in the repeatable side quest Forbidden Knowledge.
 * Nuka-Cola for T-51 - In Black Mountain Ordnance Works TNT Dome #3. This dome is opened by finding 4 keys, each giving access to the next. This paint is bright red and white with "Nuka-Cola" emblazoned on the chest and shoulders. There are Betty Boop style pinups on the legs. This is a paint scheme for Nuka-Cola memorabilia collectors.
 * Nuka-Cola Quantum for X-01 has been added in Fallout 76 patch 1.1.0.8 on 3/13/2019. It is available in TNT Dome #7 which is opened by finding a series of keys and keycards. This paint is a stylish two-tone metallic blue with brown accents. The only logo is a small "Nuka-Cola Quantum" emblem on the chest.
 * X-01 power armor is initially crafted with yellow and black "Prototype" paint. The standard dark gray paint is available without plans. Players who tire of the bumblebee look can change but be warned that it's a one-way trip. Prototype paint is not a choice once standard is selected.

Locations
There are 7 types of power armor: Four are found at power armor locations:
 * Raider power armor - Available in level 15, 25, 35, & 45 versions.
 * T-45 power armor - Available in level 25, 35, & 45 versions.
 * T-51 power armor - Available in level 30, 40 and 50 versions, although level 40 pieces very rarely spawn.
 * T-60 power armor - Available in level 40 and 50 versions.

Three are quest related or craftable:
 * Excavator power armor - Can be crafted in level 25, 35, & 45 versions. Plans are obtained during the side quest Miner Miracles at Garrahan Mining Headquarters. Quest completion requires crafting and registering the power armor but it may be crafted at any power armor station any time after receiving the plans. Registration is only required to complete the quest.
 * Ultracite power armor - Level 50 only. A full set is given for completing Belly of the Beast in the main questline. Plans to craft the armor can also be obtained from Taggerdy's terminal at Fort Defiance.
 * X-01 power armor - Can be crafted in level 40 & 50 versions. Plans are given after completing Officer on Deck at the Whitespring bunker.