Grab The grab ability is the in - game ability to pick up , move around , and drop objects in " Fallout 3 " , " " , and " Fallout 4 " . The implementation involves the grabbed item floating as if suspended from the initial grab point at whatever distance in front of the player character it was when grabbed . There is no animation of a hand or hands actually doing any grabbing . The game world ' s physics apply to the grabbed object , in so much as it will make a noise if knocked against another object ; a sufficiently hard knock can force the object to be dropped . Unlike other games where grabbing items are essential to the game ( e . g . " Half - Life 2 " ) , there are no instances in " Fallout 3 " or " Fallout : New Vegas " ( except for the unmarked quest " A Final Plan for Esteban " ) that " require " the use of this feature . It is possible to play the entire game without using it . Controls . An item can be grabbed by aiming at the item that needs to be picked up and then pressing the " Grab " key . In " Fallout 3 " or " " , by default this is the right thumb stick on the Xbox 360 and PS3 , and the Z key on the PC . In " Fallout 4 " , by default this is by holding down the X button on the PS4 , the A button on Xbox One , and by the E key on the PC . Once grabbed , the item will float in front of the view . Objects considered by the game to be heavier will be harder to move than light objects . To drop the item simply press the " Grab " key again ; the item will fall in accordance with the game physics . " Fallout 4 " has additional controls that can change the orientation of the grabbed object . The aim / block and fire buttons rotate the object around the selected axis , and the sprint button changes the axis of rotation . Grabbed items can be thrown by pressing the reload button . Holding the button increases the strength of the throw . Functions . Some functions of the Grab ability include : Restrictions . The Grab function does not work while Fast travel ing from another location ; it will be automatically dropped on the spot where the action was made . Entering into another location while grabbing an item will also not work . Almost all items that can be placed in the inventory can be grabbed ; notable exceptions include the Vault - Tec bobblehead s . Certain map props that are smaller in size ( such as small office fans , rollerskates , globes , and alphabet blocks ) can be grabbed , while most of them cannot . Physics . The grab function seems to be affected by the physics engine . Heavier objects , such as oil drums , corpses , deathclaw and super mutant bodies , are more difficult to lift ; they will often drag and the grip on them will be lost . Even when grabbing a body of any creature by its head , it will have the same heavy weight properties and the grip is lost . For the best grip , pay attention to where the aim is when activating it ; grab as close to object ' s center of gravity as possible for the best effect . Grabbing limbs has a similar effect but it is not as severe until getting to hands and feet . To use the grab function to flip or position objects , just keep re - grabbing the point expected to be highest up and pull up on it and then try to shift it to where needed . Apply logic as necessary .