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 your character starts from hostile critters 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, the Brotherhood of Steel in Lost Hills can perform an operation to permanently increase Perception by 1, assuming the player can afford it.
 * In Fallout 2, Perception can be permanently raised by 1 with the Green memory module using ACE.
 * 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 you can detect enemies on your compass (enemies show as red bars). When playing with a high Perception, you will be able to "sense" your enemies even before they come into view.

Having enough Perception can yield dialog 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 you say to Moira Brown after each portion of the Wasteland Survival Guide quest. Having a Perception of 7 yields relevant "smart" dialog 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 your character is able to detect other creatures. It also factors into a few Speech checks.

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)