Getting Started

Getting started with Fallout: FROST can be complicated at first, but hopefully this will help guide you in the right direction.

Note:

* Hunger, thirst, radiation and illnesses are real threats in FROST's survival mode, and are more difficult to manage than in the base game.
* Without patience, caution, keen observation, and proper use of your resources and capabilities you will die. A lot.

## Requirements

Fallout FROST requires the latest version of Fallout 4 and all of DLCs (with the exception of the High Res DLC).

## Installation Guide

It is highly recommended to have a clean, unmodified installation Fallout 4 before installing FROST. It is recommend to use Mod Organizer 2 for making a FROST modding setup, and NOT Nexus Mod Manager (GitHub page) or Vortex.

It is not possible to "just install" FROST and play, because FROST is a game-conversion/game overhaul mod. Read through this guide to properly install all mods that are necessary to have a stable load order and to get the maximum FROST content. The guide contains everything, from recommended mods, to must-have mods, and it details how to structure your load order. It even has example load orders.

## Changes in Gameplay Mechanics

FROST applies many changes to the gameplay mechanics of Fallout 4, including, but not limited to:

* All quests have been removed, while XP rewards for all other actions remain unchanged
* All NPCs of the base game have been removed or changed beyond recognition
* There are almost no doctors and merchants left
* Many perks have been changed, some have been replaced
* V.A.T.S. no longer reduces incoming damage
* Sneak Criticals no longer do extra damage
* NPC compass ticks have been removed
* The difficulty of lockpicking has been sharply increased, with bobby pins being a very scarce resource
* Damage modifiers have been changed. One or two hit kills are the rule, not the exception, with headshots being much more devastating than in the base game. Ghouls will require comparably large amounts of damage dealt to them for killing, unless hit in the head.
* Time of day impacts sneaking ability (20% reduction in detectability from 6pm to 6am, 20% increase from 6am to 6pm)
* Healing and food items are much more scarce.
* Ballistic and energy weapon accuracy has been lowered greatly, and ammunition is scarce
* Weaponry and gear that is usually only available to higher-level player characters can be found even at very low levels. This includes weaponry and gear of the add-ons being available anywhere.
* NPCs consume ammunition and throwables
* Mines have a very short fuse now
* The carry weight bonuses of pocketed and deep pocketed gear have been reduced
* While legendary enemies can still be encountered, they will, with very few exceptions, no longer drop legendary items (please see the known bugs page for more information)
* Some crafting recipes have been changed
* Hunger and thirst increase at twice the speed of the base game. See the survival mode page for details.
* Rad storms are much more common, and radioactive rain / fog have been added
* Constant, omnipresent surface radiation has been added to outside areas, which can only be avoided by using specialized gear
* Settlement objects have been changed
* Cell and vendor inventory respawn time have been set to one in-game day
* FROST enables the game's console in survival mode
* Sanity as a measure of the player character's mental health has been added

Additionally, some derived SPECIAL statistics have been changed, most notably carry weight and hit points:

 Endurance
Bonus of 2.5 + (END \* 0.5) per character level
Fixed, no character level bonus

## Tips and Tricks

For those more curious about what awaits, the Tips and Tricks page provides a more comprehensive introduction into FROST, with information collected to help prospective Survivors build a viable character, survive, and stay sane.

Prior knowledge about the possible starting locations also can considerably lower frustration for new players.

## Additional Mods

Modding FROST is mostly a matter of taste, as FROST is essentially complete and self-contained.

There are a number of oddities which may be perceived as bugs. It is recommended to check the Known Bugs page for these.

The Mods for FROST page lists some of the mods compatible with FROST.

## Other information resources

With FROST being a fan-made, extensive Fallout 4 modification, many of the resources used for getting assistance playing the base game will not be as helpful for FROST players. Following are a few suggestions:

* FROSTs page on Nexusmods, especially its posts section
* The /r/fodust subreddit on Reddit, which is intended for both DUST and FROST players
* Nukapedia + The Vault maintain extensive information on the base game
* The comments sections of the pages of this Wiki may also be used for questions