Each Power Armor variant boasts its own set of strengths and weaknesses. However, all variants provide increased resistance against radiation and damage. This universal enhancement makes any PA suitable for aiding players in navigating the challenges of Appalachia. However, some players may be curious about determining the best set of Power Armor. Those seeking answers can refer to this Fallout 76 guide to discover the optimal Power Armor based on stats, perks, and buffs.
Fallout 76: 5 Worst Power Armor, Ranked
While every Power Armor in Fallout 76 serves a vital role in survival, a few models fail to impress.
Updated on April 30, 2024, by Mohsen Baqery: Following the Fallout live-action adaptation’s debut of the T-60 Power Armor, fans reignited the longstanding “Power Armor Tier List” debate online. Both veterans and new fans have engaged in discussions, debating which Power Armor reigns supreme. Considering this renewed interest, we’ve updated this piece by introducing a fresh Power Armor tier list. Additionally, we provide further insight into each entry by incorporating detailed statistics for the top picks.
Fallout 76 Power Armor Tier List
In Fallout 76, the S-rank Power Armor includes Hellcat, T-65, Excavator, Union, and X-01. Ultracite, Raider, and Strangler Heart fall into the A-tier category. T-45, T-51b, and T-60 are ranked as B-tier due to their statistical weaknesses.
|
Tier |
Power Armor |
|---|---|
|
S+ |
Hellcat, T-65 |
|
S |
Excavator, Union, X-01 |
|
A |
Ultracite, Raider, Strangler Heart |
|
B |
T-45, T-51b, T-60 |
Note that there’s a consensus regarding Power Armors in Fallout 76, suggesting that all options, regardless of tier, are excellent choices for new players. The tier list becomes relevant when players can access end-game content and freely choose between these Power Armor sets. For newcomers, all eleven Power Armors should be considered top-tier until they can afford the best models.
The Best Power Armor in Fallout 76 (Overall)
|
Power Armor |
Damage Resistance |
Energy Resistance |
Radiation Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hellcat |
436 |
320 |
320 |
Considering its attainability and utility, Hellcat is the best Power Armor in Fallout 76. The reason for this is that Hellcat is obtainable through a quest line and has an extra 12% ballistic damage reduction on top of the base 42%.
Statistically, the most powerful Power Armor is T-65. However, that’s a Bullion-exclusive Power Armor, meaning that it is not as accessible as Hellcat. Plus, paring Hellcat with the Electrical Absorption perk card boosts its resistance to a point where it compares to T-65 despite the former being much easier to craft and maintain.
The Best Fallout 76 Power Armor for PvP
|
Power Armor |
Damage Resistance |
Energy Resistance |
Radiation Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
T-65 |
565 |
470 |
470 |
In terms of Physical, Electrical, and Radiation resistance, T-65 is the best Power Armor in Fallout 76. The suit has the highest stats for Physical and Electrical defense among all PAs in Fallout 76, making it the ideal option for PvP battles. The only downside is that T-65 is a Gold-Bullion-exclusive suit, and getting all of its components costs up to 6,900.
The Best Power Armor for Fallout 76 Beginners
|
Power Armor |
Damage Resistance |
Energy Resistance |
Radiation Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Raider |
341 |
341 |
341 |
As the only equippable Power Armor for players below Level 25, Raider Power Armor is the best for Fallout 76 beginners. The protective suit can be found as a complete set at around Level 15 and is easy to repair; an essential upside early in the game.
With a max resistance of 341, Raider is the second-weakest Power Armor in Fallout 76 (the weakest is Excavator). However, it comes with a base 42% damage reduction which helps survivors level up much faster.
The Best Fallout 76 Power Armor for Mining Minerals
|
Power Armor |
Damage Resistance |
Energy Resistance |
Radiation Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Excavator |
240 |
240 |
366 |
Thanks to its default Carry Weight booster, Excavator or EXC-17 is the best Power Armor for farming in Fallout 76. The full suit increases CW by 100, and the arms quadruple excavated vein minerals, making it the best choice for harvesting resources.
Resistance-wise, Excavator is the weakest Power Armor. However, when paired with the right perk cards and modifiers, it buffs damage defense almost the same as other Power Armor sets.
Players should craft the Calibrated Shocks for the Excavator’s legs early in the game. It adds an extra 50 Carry Weight on top of the default 100.
The Best-Looking Power Armor in Fallout 76
|
Power Armor |
Damage Resistance |
Energy Resistance |
Radiation Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
T-51b |
454 |
454 |
305 |
With over 30 unique paint jobs, T-51b is the best Power Armor for customization. It’s also a popular mid-game choice because it has the second-highest base damage resistance among all Power Armor sets. The only downside to T-51b is that it’s pretty weak against Radiation, which is why Hellcat and T-65 outperform it.
Other Noteworthy Power Armor Sets in Fallout 76 (Honorary Mentions)
Since all Power Armor in Fallout 76 has the same base damage reduction stat, the pluses are subtle and so each could technically be classed as the best power armor for a specific purpose or reason. Strangler Heart, for example, is the best Power Armor for Radiation resistance, Ultracite is an ideal choice among tradable Power Armor sets, and X-01 is arguably the most stylish.
In conclusion, while some of the Power Armor sets in Fallout 76 come with stronger stats than others, it’s ultimately the players’ needs that determine which one is the best and is thus worthy of their investment.
Fallout 76
- Released
- November 14, 2018
