Mutations

Mutations are itemized character modifications similar to WE stats and implants. Unlike WE stats but similarly to implants, they can be traded between players initially, and only become account-bound once installed.

Every character starts with four mutation slots; additional ones can be unlocked by installing FEV-1 which itself doesn't take up a slot.

Each mutation has a bonus and a penalty. Your current stats (including temporary increases from drugs, etc.) must be high enough to allow the mutations you have installed to fully apply their combined penalties. If a mutation's penalty would push a stat below its minimum allowed value (0 for most stats; 1 for hit points, SPECIAL, and action points), the mutation is disabled. Note that some stats have a negative effect associated with going sub-zero and are thus able to accommodate higher penalties than it might appear at first glance. For example, FEV-ALM, which grants +10% critical chance at the cost of -5% damage protection, can be activated even if you have no damage protection, resulting in your taking 5% more damage from incoming hits.

You can install as many instances of a single mutation as your stats allow, but be aware that mutations' negative effects are tripled with each repeated installation. For example, installing two instances of FEV-NKF, which grants +3 Luck at the cost of -2 Charisma, would increase your Luck by 3 + 3 = 6 and reduce your Charisma by 1 x 2 + 3 x 2 = 8. The only exception to this is FEV-1 whose penalty is always -2 to all SPECIAL.

Itemized mutations ("FEV inhalators") drop from War Events (before an event starts, you must choose whether to obtain a WE stat or a mutation) and T5/T6 dungeons (Vault 13, Wind of War, Sierra, Vault-Tec HQ, Vault X, Oil Rig, Lost Hill). There's also a 5% x Patch chance of getting a mutation for completing a full Far Go Traders caravan run.

Overview of available mutations

☣ Mutagen	Item tag	Bonus	Penalty
FEV-1	FEV1	+1 mutation slot	-2 to all SPECIAL
FEV-PMB	ST	+3 Strength	-2 Intelligence
FEV-CJP	PE	+3 Perception	-2 Luck
FEV-TCC	EN	+3 Endurance	-2 Agility
FEV-PIU	CH	+3 Charisma	-2 Strength
FEV-NMG	INT	+3 Intelligence	-2 Endurance
FEV-SIS	AG	+3 Agility	-2 Perception
FEV-NKF	LK	+3 Luck	-2 Charisma
FEV-TGN	PES	+1 ST +1 PE +1 EN	-1 AP
FEV-SMF	LAI	+1 IN +1 AG +1 LK	-10 HP
FEV-DE1	DTno	+1 normal DT	-1 Endurance
FEV-PU3	DRno	+5% normal DR	-2% Lethality
FEV-DE4	DTla	+1 laser DT	-1 Perception
FEV-PU5	DRla	+5% laser DR	-2 Endurance
FEV-DE8	DTfi	+1 fire DT	-1 Luck
FEV-PU9	DRfi	+5% fire DR	-1% critical effect resistance
FEV-DE7	DTpl	+1 plasma DT	-1 Agility
FEV-PU6	DRpl	+5% plasma DR	-20 carry weight capacity
FEV-D20	DTel	+1 electro DT	-1 Strength
FEV-P22	DRel	+5% electro DR	-10 AP Regen
FEV-D10	DTex	+1 explosive DT	-1 Charisma
FEV-P11	DRex	+5% explosive DR	-5% critical chance resistance
FEV-P44	DREMP	+15% EMP DR	-10% damage multiplier
FEV-UZC	CRES	+10% critical chance resistance	-2% normal DR
FEV-WZN	HP	+20 HP	-5% movement speed
FEV-RVS	HR	+20 healing rate	-5% normal DR
FEV-LZA	HEAL	+20% healing received	+1 AP attack/reload cost
FEV-WZB	MD	+10 melee damage	+10% attack delay
FEV-FTC	MS	+10% movement speed	-10% healing received
FEV-NJG	AC	+100 armor class	-20% noiselessness
FEV-PPE	AS	-10% attack delay	-10% XP gain
FEV-JZP	DMG	+10% damage multiplier	-10% maximum chance to hit
FEV-ONK	DPB	+2 damage per bullet	-1 to all DTs
FEV-KUF	-APc	-1 AP attack/reload cost	-20% damage multiplier
FEV-TRR	AP	+2 APs	-3% to all DRs
FEV-LSA	APR	+20 AP Regen	-8 Stealth
FEV-UPD	SNEK	+8 Stealth	-10 FoV
FEV-WTL	FOV	+10 FoV	-30% maximum radiation resistance
FEV-ZCY	ACC	+5% maximum chance to hit	-1 Intelligence
FEV-ALM	CRIT	+10% critical chance	-5% damage protection
FEV-REB	POWR	+10% critical power	-50 HP
FEV-ZMK	LET	+2% Lethality	-10 lethal damage