Fallout 76 Survival Mode is an upcoming PvP mode for Bethesda’s latest title which will remove most of the existing restrictions on PvP combat. According to Bethesda, it will provide a space for players who want a more competitive PvP environment in the game. A Beta for the mode is due to come to Fallout 76 next week as the third content drop for Wild Appalachia, and earlier today, Bethesda published some details of what players can expect to see in the Fallout 76 Survival Mode Beta.
The Upcoming Fallout 76 Survival Mode Beta
The Fallout 76 Survival Mode Beta will launch in the game on the 26th of March. According to Bethesda, the mode is; “a new, more competitive way to play Fallout 76 that’s separate from the main game, has fewer player vs. player (PVP) restrictions, higher stakes for PVP combat, and even a permanent XP bonus. We’re also implementing scoreboards that you can use to earn bragging rights, as well as new weekly challenges that have legendary rewards.”
When it launches, Survival Mode will appear in the Fallout 76 main menu as an alternate way to play the game. The existing game will be renamed ‘Adventure Mode,’ to distinguish it from Survival. As part of the change, Bethesda will actually be making PvP even more restricted in Adventure Mode; damage dealt to you by players you aren’t hostile with will drop to zero. Bethesda’s intention is to eliminate ‘slap damage’ entirely, making it so that you shouldn’t; “fall victim to any unwanted PvP”. There are a few exceptions to this, such as when you compete over Workshops, etc. In addition, a future update will apply this change to C.A.M.P.s as well, meaning that other players won’t be able to damage your base if they aren’t hostile to you.
PvP Changes and More in the Fallout 76 Survival Mode Beta
For those players looking for PvP, however, Survival Mode is offering it in spades. The mode features a 20% XP increase, but much greater risk. All of Fallout 76’s normal content is available in Survival Mode, including quests, but players can freely attack one another. Additionally, only players who are ‘Wanted’ or who hold the top three spots on the new ‘Longest Life’ scoreboard will appear on the map. Players will earn double the normal amount of Caps for killing another player, and players will drop all their junk plus a random amount of aid items, which rival players can claim. To make it even harder to get back your lost items, the ‘Seek Revenge’ mechanic has been removed. However, you can now spend Caps to put a bounty on other player. This will make them appear as ‘Wanted’ on the map.
Survival Mode also brings a variety of PvP damage tweaks for different weapons. Plus, players won’t be able to stack Stimpak healing; only one Stimpak’s effects can be active at a time. To make respawning a little easier, players will be able to respawn for free at Train Stations, in addition to Vault 76 and their C.A.M.P. Additionally, when you fast travel, you’ll be invulnerable for a short period. This should prevent you from getting caught unawares if you fast travel into a firefight.
A major addition to Survival Mode are scoreboards. The game will track players in a variety of metrics; number of Player Kills, who has the Longest Life, most XP Gained, most Events Completed, most Enemies Killed, most Bounty Collected, most Time Wanted, and most Workshops Claimed. Your stats travel with you when you move servers. However, they will reset if you die or otherwise at the start of each new week. Finally, Survival Mode will also bring new weekly challenges and their own Legendary weapon rewards.