Who Dares Wins

Leaving devastation in her wake.

Megaton was reduced to a smouldering crater, the waters of Project Purity were poisoned with a modified strain of the Forced Evolutionary Virus, the honourable Brotherhood of Steel were slaughtered where they stood, and The Citadel was obliterated by an orbital strike. There’s not much else that can be done to make the lives of the irradiated inhabitants of the Capital Wasteland any worse, besides leaving the remnants of the Enclave to seize control of the Capital Wasteland in the Brotherhood of Steel’s absence. Which is what I’d like to believe happens if the Enclave survives.

It fits my twisted narrative perfectly.

These events are only made worse when you consider that they never needed to happen. No-one benefits from them. And there is no conceivable reason to knowingly encourage them, as inciting senseless violence and exhibiting soulless depravity earns fewer rewards than helping others.

Naturally, this build, named for its murderous inclinations, would commit these atrocities without question. But most would lean towards a morally good outcome. Which is curious, as RPGs often offer comparable rewards for either morally good or morally evil outcomes, but Fallout 3 clearly defines the morally evil outcome as the lesser, and rewards far less for it. Karma quickly becomes the measure of your character, and dictates how (or even if) NPCs will interact with you. Or whether they’ll be hostile to you. Affording you the freedom to make decisions, but also ensuring that there will be repercussions for your actions, with the most severe removing NPCs (or settlements) from the map. Even if the preceding decision made absolutely no sense. But then it would hardly be senseless violence if it made sense.

America will never fall to Communist invasion.

For that reason, Homicidal Harriet is the most diverse build that I’ve ever attempted. I expected an atypical close quarters build, but instead I was able to experience Fallout 3 from a fresh perspective and in a way that I’d not thought possible. Which resulted in numerous misadventures. Trekking through the perilous Deathclaw Sanctuary to recover Vengeance, completing Operation: Anchorage to acquire the Chinese Stealth Armor, trudging through the eerie swamps of Point Lookout, and waging an intergalactic war with extraterrestrials in Mothership Zeta to name but a few.

It’s an interesting build.

One that I’ve enjoyed writing about as I’ve overcome its many challenges. I hadn’t intended for Murderous Mabel to result in a series of posts, but I was hoping that I could reproduce an equally as entertaining series of posts for Homicidal Harriet. And I believe that I’ve managed to do so.

Following the conclusion of the misadventures of Homicidal Harriet, and those of Murderous Mabel, both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas now feature prominently on Moggie’s Proclamations, which I couldn’t be happier about. They’re both very dear to me. Not only because they’re both exhilarating post-apocalyptic RPGs, but because they’ve influenced my interest in different gaming experiences. I’m glad that they’ve finally found their place on the blog. I’m also hoping that I’ll be able to write about them again, as I’d like to revisit each more thoroughly with a build that can experience the majority of the content. But, for now, we bid farewell to the Capital Wasteland and Fallout 3, which is still an incredibly enjoyable and deceptively complex post-apocalyptic RPG that I can’t recommend highly enough.

Have a nice week, all!

Moggie

Grades of Sausage

An unusual measure of competency.

A measure which, as you’re a slave, is entirely apt, as you’re the meat that they send to recover Steel Ingots. You could also become literal meat should the horrifically mutated inhabitants of The Steelyard catch you. And even if you earn your freedom, you’ll only become the highest grade of sausage that there is. It’s also possible- and entirely likely- that the NPC who refers to you as such is a cannibal. So this might not be existential commentary at all. It might literally mean that he regards you as meat, and would like nothing more than to turn your supple flesh into sausages.

Trust nothing about The Pitt.

Even if it is one of the rare examples of functional post-apocalyptic industry. It’s an industry built on a foundation of corpses, those of slaves, who either earn their freedom or succumb to fatal disease, and who toil in pursuit of a better life for those that enslaved them but not for themselves.

Now that’s existential commentary if ever I’ve seen it. Of the Fallout 3 DLC, Point Lookout is definitely my favourite, and The Pitt is a close second, if for no other reason than it has better content than the relatively uninspiring Operation: Anchorage or Mothership Zeta. Not that I’ve ever finished Mothership Zeta before. It is, without a doubt, the most monotonous and linear DLC of the five. Its only redeeming qualities are that you get ludicrous amounts of experience in a short amount of time, and that the alien technology (tied to Energy Weapons) is among the best equipment that you’ll find in the Capital Wasteland. Otherwise, it is a tiring slog through repetitive interior areas with only a handful of distinct aliens to encounter. But, now that Homicidal Harriet has experienced it, I can finally say that it’s done. Forever.

Don’t stray too close to the wreckage…

Prior to being abducted by aliens, I spent some time in the Capital Wasteland collecting various things. Firstly, the final S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Bobblehead that I was missing, that of Perception, from the humorously named Republic of Dave. Secondly, I visited the lush greenery of Oasis and earned the Barkskin perk. Her base damage resistance is now 34% even without armour. Thirdly, I crafted the Shishkebab and added that to her arsenal. And then I murdered various NPCs for various reasons. Some were actually required for quests, but most had equipment that I wanted.

It is a liberating experience.

Given that I’d usually try to resolve situations diplomatically, to be able to quickly resolve them through violence is refreshing if not worryingly easy. That’s not how things should be done, nor how I will do things with other builds, but it’s basically the entire reason behind this particular build.

With the majority of the main campaign (and the DLC) completed, this build is rapidly reaching its natural conclusion. I’ve still got to complete Take It Back and experience the entirety of Broken Steel. But it won’t be too long before she retires to her luxury penthouse suite in Tenpenny Tower for the final time, resigned to the annals of history as the last conceivable build that I could attempt. Unless I wanted to try an Explosives build. Which could also be Homicidal Harriet should I continue to gain experience, as I could easily fully invest in Explosives and make use of the wealth of Bottlecap Mines that she has. I could then invest in perks such as Demolition Expert and Pyromaniac. The latter of which would actually benefit the Shishkebab, and was a consideration should I have an excess of skill points.

Have a nice week, all!

Moggie

Scourge of Humanity

Tread softly in these caves.

Sneaking through the Deathclaw Sanctuary (with a Stealth Boy or two) was arguably Homicidal Harriet’s most dangerous excursion yet. Especially when the second Stealth Boy wore off just as I collected Vengeance, leaving me armed and exposed for the trek back out of the cave. Thankfully, as one would expect, Vengeance reduced everything to giblets, and being seen wasn’t nearly as fatal as it could’ve been. I’d been buying Electron Charge Packs for some time, and while I didn’t have enough for continued usage, I did have enough to get this ludicrous weapon back home.

And now I carry it with me always.

Vengeance is a costly acquisition, though. It tears through Electron Charge Packs as quickly as it tears through the opposition. It’s also difficult (and expensive) to repair, as its condition degrades quickly, and there are few who can fully repair it. But it fundamentally changes the build.

Homicidal Harriet can’t usually deal ranged damage, and Big Guns allow her to, which won’t necessarily be a concern once I’ve recovered the Chinese Stealth Armor, but some enemies are super-absorbent bullet sponges. Even a sneak attack critical with the Deathclaw Gauntlet won’t be enough, but the rapid fire of Vengeance might be. Operation: Anchorage was now, due to my unusual approach, necessary for the continued success of the build, and so to Alaska she went. If you’ve invested in Small Guns (as most do) the simulation isn’t that difficult, but if you haven’t then you’ve got few ways to actually deal damage. Sneaking isn’t an option, either. Stealth Boys are rare and any that you’ve found are lost when reporting to General Chase. Not that it’s impossible if you’ve not invested in Small Guns. It’s just tedious.

Gaze upon the Mother Punga in awe.

Having previously crafted the Deathclaw Gauntlet, the acquisition of the Chinese Stealth Armor, alongside the acquisition of Vengeance, meant that this build was rapidly realising its true potential. Proving to be as diverse as I’d hoped that it would be. Not all situations are created equally, and while the Deathclaw Gauntlet is powerful, it’s not going to be the answer to every problem. Vengeance still has its uses. And that’s why I enjoy these quirky builds, as they encourage you to be creative and that creativity often results in seeing things that you’ve not seen before.

Or it highlights glitches.

As was the case with Haley, of Haley’s Hardware, in Point Lookout, who I had always believed to be one of the few NPCs who could fully repair equipment. When inherently he can’t, and it’s actually a glitch, as his Repair increases with each visit, and so he eventually gains the ability to do so.

Revisiting Point Lookout is one of the highlights of this build. I do love it so. Sailing in through the fog on the Duchess Gambit to greet the eerie shores of Point Lookout, then meandering through a decaying shell of society and hazardous swamps. It’s a great atmosphere. One of being truly alone in a harsh, unforgiving, and unpredictable world. Something that Fallout 3 done incredibly well. Fallout: New Vegas was impressive in its own way, but it never felt as lonely as Fallout 3 did, and that’s why I’ve always enjoyed the Capital Wasteland. It feels like a post-apocalyptic landscape. Devoid of humanity, but rife with dangerous creatures and murderous marauders. Fallout 3 also allowed the more distasteful pursuits, which suit this character, and suit the wasteland, but were absent in later instalments.

Have a nice week, all!

Moggie

Homicidal Harriet

The G.O.A.T. couldn’t predict this.

You could try to blame Butch for her predilection towards violence, but her childhood trauma doesn’t explain why those who haven’t done her wrong are just as likely to be ceremoniously dismembered. Or atomised by a nuclear bomb. As was the fate of the inhabitants of Megaton. Who welcomed her, and whose kindness was repaid with undoubtedly the most heinous atrocity that she will ever commit. Executed under instruction from Mr. Burke, in service to Alistair Tenpenny, owner of the illustrious Tenpenny Tower, which is soon to experience a hostile takeover.

An incredibly hostile takeover.

If the residents of Tenpenny Tower weren’t insufferable elitist bigots a peaceful resolution might be possible, but they are, so a violent resolution becomes necessary, as she proudly advocates equality for all who reside in the Capital Wasteland. They’re all equally as likely to be murdered.

Following the success of Murderous Mabel, the courier who sowed despair across the entire Mojave Wasteland, Homicidal Harriet was born, and after being exiled from Vault 101 began her own misadventures. Homicidal Harriet will attempt to experience the aspects of Fallout 3 that I’ve not seen before, much like Murderous Mabel did in Fallout: New Vegas, and will be unequivocally evil. I’ll be building around Melee Weapons, Unarmed, and Big Guns as I’ve not (solely) built around those before. I’ll also be relying on the Intense Training perk for the first time. Her S.P.E.C.I.A.L. distribution requires adjustment before she can fully realise her potential. Notably her Charisma, as I’d hoped to avoid the Child at Heart perk, but it’s the easiest way to bypass Little Lamplight without making Paradise Falls hostile.

I’m glad that she survived the nuclear detonation.

Despite being an atypical close quarters build, I’ve been deliberating between the Chinese Stealth Armor and the Winterized T51-b Power Armor. With certain perks, such as Ninja and Better Criticals, she could deal ludicrous sneak attack critical damage with the Chinese Stealth Armor, and would be rendered (mostly) invisible while crouching. Whereas, the Winterized T51-b Power Armor favours the traditional approach. Taking damage and dealing it in equal measure. I’d never considered sneaking through Fallout 3 to be viable, but it could be with an appropriate build.

This could be that build.

I’d assumed that Homicidal Harriet would visit Point Lookout first, as my characters usually do, but Operation: Anchorage would be unusually lucrative should she utilise the Chinese Stealth Armor. It’s not particularly difficult, either. So it’s possible to venture to the Outcast Outpost early on.

Her progression has been slightly disjointed, though. I’ve been completing the Wasteland Survival Guide quests, but have been deviating when the opportunity presents itself, such as during The Replicated Man quest, which coincided with learning about the true history of Rivet City. I’ve also been trekking across the Capital Wasteland to put specific locations on the map. These will be of crucial importance when collecting Bobbleheads, or when searching for unique equipment and schematics. Few locations, such as the perilous Deathclaw Sanctuary, have both. Not only does it house the Endurance Bobblehead, but Vengeance can be recovered from deep within its caves, which I’d always believed to be governed by Energy Weapons, but is actually governed by Big Guns. I’ve just got to survive long enough to recover it.

Have a nice week, all!

Moggie

Render Unto Caesar

A bleak future for humanity.

At the end of her surprisingly long campaign, Murderous Mabel delivered one final gift to the Mojave Wasteland and its people which ushered in a new era of oppression and slavery. No faction was left unscathed (even Caesar’s Legion) as disharmony became the foundation for future generations. Her actions won’t soon be forgotten should anyone be alive to remember them. No-one can be entirely sure of what the future holds, but the recently promoted Legate Lanius, who became Caesar following his predecessor’s untimely death, minted a coin in her honour and that’s neat.

Sure to be worth the hundreds of lives that it cost.

Of the many builds that I’ve attempted in Fallout: New Vegas, Murderous Mabel is definitely one of my favourites. Being unable to rely on Speech to resolve quests, the (most convenient) answer was usually violence, and that often meant aligning with factions that I don’t usually align with.

Of her achievements, of which there are a few, successfully completing Return to Sender was arguably her finest moment, and perfectly illustrates how diverse her approach to things had to be at times. Which is especially true of her time with Old World Blues, where scrounging and crafting ammunition was the only way for her to successfully complete its campaign with her conventional weaponry. Dead Money was (oddly) less challenging for similar reasons. Despite the opposition being super-absorbent bullet sponges, the abundance of Police Pistols (and varied ammunition) meant that I was able to avoid using Knife Spears. Using weapons adjusted by Guns or Explosives was always preferable, even if they weren’t affected by her perks, as her middling investment into Melee Weapons offered few viable alternatives.

Ensure that the mistakes of the past aren’t repeated in the future.

This is also the first time that I’ve experienced Dead Money in its entirety. It’s certainly an interesting concept, but one that feels absurdly convoluted as you haphazardly dash through hallways haunted by the ever-present beeping of your bomb collar. Searching for radios or speakers only to discover that the majority of them are shielded or otherwise inaccessible. Wondering why anyone would construct this elaborate scheme, when a single mistake would result in the deaths of those that they’ve brought together for this specific purpose thus nullifying their efforts.

It was a truly perplexing expedition.

Given that one of the reasons that I conceived this build was to see things that I’d not seen before and do things that I’d not done before, I’m quite pleased with how this build has developed. I don’t tend to stringently adhere to the ideas that I had at their conception and this is why.

I like to see how builds adapt to the challenges that they face and Murderous Mabel has faced many. I was most impressed at her ability to effortlessly complete numerous Gun Runner’s Arsenal challenges, while being a walking arsenal ensured that she always had a weapon suited to the situation at hand. Whether it was the explosive fury of Thump-Thump or the deadly accuracy of La Longue Carabine. The versatility of All-American or the thundering shells of the lever-action shotgun. There was always an answer. I didn’t intend for these posts to form a short series, but I’m glad that they did as I wouldn’t be able to express everything that I enjoy about Fallout: New Vegas in a single post. Nor would I want to. Even ten years after its release it’s still one of the most engrossing post-apocalyptic RPGs that I’ve ever played.

Have a nice week, all!

Moggie