Throughout the timeline of the Fallout games there have been several different changes to the Power Armor suits themselves, as well as new gameplay mechanics relating to them. Overall, the variety of different suits created by different factions in Fallout games has been one of the best changes, while the gameplay mechanics have all been relatively divisive in each game’s communities.
The original Fallout only has one suit of Power Armor for players to use, though it is very much a universal upgrade compared to standard armor. Power Armor from the first Fallout game set the bar high in terms of how defensive and powerful it allowed players to be in the post-nuclear wastelands in the Fallout franchise, something that stayed that way going forward.
How Power Armor Changed in Every Fallout Game
The standard issue (T-51b series) Power Armor and Hardened variant from the original Fallout made a return appearance in Fallout 2, alongside the newly introduced Advanced (X-01) Power Armor. The X-01 is effectively the first series of Power Armor suits developed post-war and due to its nature of being built specifically for nuclear wastelands, it immediately became the new best in class.
As for Power Armor in Fallout 2, the only difference with the original game is that by now there was an additional series of suits available. While the original T-51b series was still highly effective, it simply didn’t compete with any of the armor series that were developed after the nuclear war, which makes a lot of sense.
By Fallout 3, there continued to be more post-war series of Power Armor being produced, and the variety of Power Armor suits at this point in the Fallout games timeline was impressively diverse, yet they weren’t quite as defensive as those from the previous games. Fallout 3 also introduced Power Armor training, which was a requirement for wearing the armor that remains a divisive topic in the community.
Power Armor training carried on into Fallout: New Vegas and it was much harder to acquire in this game compared to Fallout 3. Obtaining Power Armor training credentials was such a demanding task in Fallout: New Vegas that players were more likely to beat the game before they could get their hands on the prerequisites for wearing the armor. Otherwise, the unique post-war series of Power Armor in Fallout: New Vegas were stronger than they were in Fallout 3, but it was far too convoluted to get the chance to put them to use this time around.
Power Armor in Fallout 4 changed in many ways and fans continue to debate whether this new iteration of Power Armor is canon to the Fallout franchise. Some of the most controversial changes that Fallout 4 introduced to Power Armor are how easy it is to obtain, and that it now requires Fusion Cores as a fuel source to operate. Fallout 4 also removed the requirement of training credentials needed to operate the suits among other beneficial improvements, so not all of the changes are bad.
When it comes to what Fallout 4’s Power Armor mechanics get right, the positives arguably outweigh the negatives. In Fallout 4, each individual limb of Power Armor is its own individual piece that players can attach to universal frames. Not only can players mix and match different sets for a combination of different benefits, but Power Armor pieces can also be individually modded and upgraded now, which is a game-changer.
Fallout 76 uses the Fallout 4 iteration of Power Armor mechanics, although it meanwhile doubles down on the variety that made Fallout 3’s post-war Power Armor sets so impactful. Fallout 76 has the largest selection of Power Armor currently available in any Fallout game, including series that provide powerful set bonuses on top of their unmatched damage resistances. These legendary and unique Power Armor sets bring the power fantasy of wearing Power Armor in Fallout 76 to the highest point it's ever been in the franchise, despite using the controversial mechanics from Fallout 4.