Mentats (Fallout 3)

Mentats are a chem in Fallout 3.

Background
Mentats return in Fallout 3, though they only increase Intelligence and Perception, omitting the Charisma bonus. As in previous games, using them boosts skills based on those attributes (although not to skill points earned on level up, as Mentats do not alter base stats).

Characteristics
One of three different kinds of Mentats can be won in a quiz pertaining to the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives, these are:
 * Berry Mentats grant a +5 to Intelligence
 * Orange Mentats grant a +5 to Perception
 * Grape Mentats grant a +5 to Charisma

Given that regular Mentats provide the same type and strength of bonuses as the Berry and Orange versions (and all in one package), practical-minded players may want to choose Grape Mentats when redeeming their prize vouchers. The unique +5 bonus to Charisma (and consequent +10 to Speech and Barter) may come in handy with difficult speech checks or large bartering sessions.

Locations
Found at some raider- and Enclave camps.

Behind the scenes
The name is a reference to Frank Herbert's Dune, where, in the wake of humanity rejecting artificially intelligent computers and robots, Mentats are humans trained for computer-like mathematical and logical computations. Also of note is that the pills are colored red, as red-stained lips are a distinguishing characteristic of a Mentat in Dune.