Glossary of Terms & Acronyms

Glossary of Terms & Acronyms

The world of Fallout: New Vegas is rich with its own unique terminology, acronyms, and jargon that can be confusing for newcomers. Understanding these terms is essential for navigating the game's lore, mechanics, and community discussions. This glossary aims to demystify some of the most common and important terms you'll encounter.

Acronyms:

• NCR: New California Republic. A large, democratic, but often bureaucratic and overstretched faction attempting to expand its influence in the Mojave.
• V.A.T.S.: Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System. A combat system that allows players to pause the action and target specific enemy body parts with a percentage chance of hitting.
• DT: Damage Threshold. The amount of damage armor negates before any remaining damage is applied to health.
• HP: Hit Points. Your character's health. When HP reaches zero, you die.
• XP: Experience Points. Earned through combat, quests, and exploration, used to level up your character.
• DLC: Downloadable Content. Expansions to the game that add new quests, locations, and storylines (e.g., Dead Money, Honest Hearts).
• NVSE: New Vegas Script Extender. A crucial tool for many advanced mods, expanding the game's scripting capabilities.
• MO2: Mod Organizer 2. A popular and powerful mod manager for organizing and installing mods.

Key Terms:

• Courier: You character, tasked with delivering a mysterious package and seeking revenge.
• Mojave Wasteland: The primary setting of the game, a post-apocalyptic desert region.
• The Strip: The central, heavily fortified area of New Vegas, controlled by Mr. House.
• Freeside: The lawless city bordering the Strip, often controlled by gangs.
• SPECIAL: The seven core attributes of a character: Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, Luck.
• Skills: Proficiencies in areas like Guns, Speech, Science, Lockpick, etc., which improve with skill points.
• Perks: Special abilities or bonuses gained at certain levels, offering sificant advantages.
• Chems: Psychoactive drugs that provide temporary stat buffs but can lead to addiction (e.g., Buffout, Med-X, Psycho).
• Hardcore Mode: An optional difficulty setting that adds survival mechanics like hunger, thirst, and the need for sleep.
• Faction: A group with shared goals and ideologies, such as the NCR, Caesar's Legion, or Mr. House's organization.
• Companion: An NPC who can join the Courier and assist them in combat and exploration.
• Karma: A morality system that tracks the player's good and bad deeds, affecting NPC reactions and certain quest outcomes.
• Reputation: How specific factions perceive the Courier, influencing interactions and quest availability.
• Power Armor: Advanced, heavy suits of armor providing sificant protection and strength bonuses.
• Power Armor Training: A prerequisite to wearing Power Armor, often obtained from the Brotherhood of Steel.
• Junk: Miscellaneous items found throughout the world that are primarily used for crafting and repairs.
• Workbenches: Stations found in the world where You can craft ammunition, weapon mods, and other items.
• Reloading Bench: A specific type of workbench used for crafting ammunition.
• Weapon Repair Kit: An item used to repair weapons, often requiring specific components.

Here's a quick reference table for common acronyms:

Familiarizing yourself with these terms will greatly enhance your understanding and enjoyment of Fallout: New Vegas, whether you're reading guides, discussing strategies with other players, or simply immersing yourself in the game's world.