Fallout How to access Survival Mode Beta

1. Log into Steam
   
2. Right Click on Fallout 4 in your Library
   
3. Select Settings
   
4. Select Betas
   
5. A drop down menu will appear. Select Survival Beta Update
   
6. Select OK
   
7. Wait a few minutes and Fallout 4 should update
   
8. When done, Fallout 4 should appear as Fallout 4 [Beta] in your Library
   

---

What's 'Survival' ?

Bethesda Game Studios Wrote:Manual saving and quick saving will be completely disabled, and the frequency of auto-saving will be decreased. Fast travel will also be disabled on this setting, and players will have no choice but to map out safe routes and plan ahead for their ventures. These changes will make settlements and building them up a larger priority, seeing as they will be the main way to save the game and restock on ammunition and gear.

But removing two core features from the game couldn't really be called 'Survival'. As such, Bethesda Game Studios has also changed up the actual difficulty of the game under this setting by switching up damage modifiers and A.I. tactics. Players will take significantly more damage, but they will also deal significantly more damage to enemies as opposed to the enemies in the game becoming bullet sponges at higher difficulties. These enemies will no longer be visible on your compass and players will need to rely on their sight or weapon modifications to help them spot threats. To give the player an edge in combat, though, a new perk called "Adrenaline" will be available with Survival mode enabled. Adrenaline will give the player a stacking damage buff upon each kill, with each kill granting +5% damage up to a maximum of 50% extra damage.

With Survival mode enabled, players will also need to take their well-being into account. Hunger, thirst, and exhaustion will play a major role with this setting, as players will see their stats decrease and their immunity to diseases lower as a result of not taking care of their basic needs. Many existing items in the game have been rebalanced to compensate for these changes, with some items in-game having negative effects as well as positive effects. Fatigue is a major part of these wellness additions, with a similar effect to radiation levels except it will be applied to the player's action points instead of their health points.

To combat fatigue, players will need to take into consideration the beds they rest in and the items they consume. If the basic needs cannot be met, players will find that they are drastically more susceptible to diseases which will lower stats and efficiency. Antibiotics and cures to diseases can be crafted via the chemical station in settlements to deal with said diseases.

Lastly, many weightless items in the game, such as ammunition and aid items, will now have a carry weight. The weight will vary depending on the item or type of ammunition, with shells and bullets being light and missiles or mini nukes weighing the player down. Total carry weight has also been reduced, increasing the need for players to plan ahead before setting out. Should players travel while overencumbered, they will find that their legs struggle under the weight and they will end up crippling themselves.

Credits to 7S.