Perk

Last updated for version `1.8.0-BETA-7`

*Main article:* SPECIAL

## General

Horizon introduces numerous changes to **Perks**. The most significant change is the fact that many Perks are tied to Skills. Thus, to a certain extend, the player can partially progress without spending ranks in skill-related perks. Perks can be unlocked through a variety of ways in Horizon. As usual by reading books like the Vault-Tec Training Manual or the "You're SPECIAL!" comic both give +1 perk point. But also by finding Bobbleheads and by performing activities in the field which is called "Dynamic Skill Gain". To some extend even by reaching key points in Settler Skill. By reaching a player level of 15 and thus unlocking a whole range of perks, the player has the opportunity to specialize his skills.

simplified perk hierachy illustration

### Ranks

On the more technical side, Perks are dished out in increments of 20, so a skill is actually a perk with "20 ranks". A hunting skill of 80 up to 99.9 pts has an equal perk effect as technically, the game treat them as 80 pts or more simplified as rank 4. Reaching precisely 100 pts unlocks a new rank, in this case rank 5.

Skill unlock perk ranks around 20 points. However, the Pip-Boy show increments of 10 pts till 100 points and 20 pts up to a theoretical maximum of 220. In theory every perk can scale up to 16 ranks in the Pip-Boy. The total amount of ranks the player can spent per Perk is around 5. While some Perks cap below, others, like VANS, exceed or accept only 1 Perk rank, like Capstone perks, and may require high player level to even spend a single perk rank, thus aren't available from level 1 like in Vanilla FO4.

### Name Changes

Some perks have had their names changed;

* *Pain Train* → **Unstoppable**1.8.0.BETA-1:168
* *Concentracted Fire* → **Hitman**1.8.0.BETA-1:169
* *Marksman* and *Rifleman* → **Trooper**1.8.0.BETA-1:138
* *Trooper* → **Rifleman**1.9.0-ALPHA:221
* *Rad Resistant* → **Hazmat Specialist**1.8.0.BETA-1:158

## SPECIAL

🌀 *The content below transcludes to SPECIAL.*

## VANS

*Main article:* VANS
Leveling speed in Horizon is roughly halved compared to the vanilla game, but every 5 levels you may put one perk point into VANS, which refunds the point and gives another 5 perk points. This means that while leveling is slower than vanilla, the total number of perks remains about the same.

Players who elect to not use VANS receive the Primal Instincts perk, which increases their damage by 5% for every 5 levels, up to a maximum of 30% at level 30. This is primarily intended as a higher difficulty mode for advanced players.

## Capstones

All perks that require 10 of a SPECIAL attribute are now considered special "Capstone" perks. Capstones are designed to feel unique and slightly more powerful than most standard perk ranks. These perks require level 20 and only have 1 rank for now. Many of these perks have been given new bonuses.

Solar Powered, Nerd Rage and Gun-Fu aren't overhauled yet.

## Weapon Perks

Weapon perks in Horizon generally do not increase damage. They instead provide bonuses that vary from perk to perk, such as...

* increased reload speed
* increased Limb Damage
* greater range
* increased Critical Hit Chance and Critical Hit Damage
* and so on and so forth ..

Many Specializations do increase the damage of their associated weapon group, and usually require the third rank of their respective weapon perks.

Weapon perks and a certain level of skill also allow unique and custom weapons to be crafted. Horizon regulates this via the ZX-1 Experimentation Lab a special crafting workbench which is controlled via a terminal. The weapons that are crafted here are stronger and sometimes exceed the discarded legendary weapons depending on the skill level.

## Bobblehead Perks

🌀 *The content below is transcluded from Bobbleheads.*

## Specialization

*Main article:* Specialization
Focusing on one particular skill can improve it. The choices on specializations are based on unlocked perk ranks. Only one Specialization is allowed at a given time. Choosing a Specialization (Training Desk) is free:

1. Available at level 15
2. Available at level 30

Each focused Specialization can be removed individually at the cost of 1000 caps (Training Desk).

## Passive Perks

### Slayer

A hidden perk in Horizon which scales automatically while killing creatures. This new system allows to track what types of enemies have been killed and let the player receive bonuses based on it. At certain Key Points (Kills) damage will be constantly reduced. At a certain point enemies may give bonus perks or rewards based on type. Some bonus perks may offer additional unlocks for crafting.

Unlike the standard game stats, the types of enemies tracked are more specific. Bonus XP is gained for the first kills of each enemy type and varies based on type. Bonus XP drops to 0 once reaching a preset limit. bonus XP isn't modified by XP penalities or buffs (intelligence, debuffs, etc.). Standard base XP per kill applies as usual but because of this system some NPCs have rebalanced base XP.

Companions and Combat Pets will give kill credit, even if the base XP is not rewarded.

### Primal Instincts

Primal Instincts is a passive perk in Horizon. It will automatically be acquired at level 5 and gain another point every 5 levels, capping out at level 30. Picking up the VANS perk will immediately remove the damage bonus and permanently disable it for the rest of the playthrough. It has 6 ranks and grants the following:

 2
 3
 4
 5
 6

### Trailblazer

The **Trailblazer** perk progresses based on the amount of successful Settlements.

## Magazine Perks

🌀 *The content below is transcluded from Magazines.*

**Rare Screenplay** - The Silver Shroud Begins, Mistress of Mystery, The Inspector: Showdown, Manta Man: Watery Grave, Grognak the Conquerer

## Skills And Perks

🌀 *The content below is transcluded from Skill#Skills And Perks.*

## See Also

* SPECIAL
* Skill
* Specialization
* Experience