Perks such as Pack Rat become substantially more valuable, as do skills like Survival (as Campfire cooked food is often far more nourishing - and less irradiated - than the pre-war garbage you'll often otherwise rely on.)įor reference, since the term will be used repeatedly, by default, one 'game hour' is two minutes in real time. The need to carry Doctors Bags and/or Hydra can add additional strain here.

Staying within your weight limit while carrying all of the food, water, and ammunition you need to survive becomes a challenge, and you will need to plan your expeditions, and consider what you loot and carry much more carefully. In general, the main additonal challenge provided by Hardcore mode is a significantly increased importance in inventory and resource management.

They fall into three main categories: Sustenance, Healing, and Ammo.