Science (Fallout 3)

	For an overview of the topic, see Science.

Fallout 3 skill
Science
Information
Modifies	The range of terminal difficulties that may be hacked by the player, various dialogue options
Base Value	2 + (Intelligence x 2) + ceil (Luck / 2)
Perks	Computer Whiz, Cyborg, Daddy's Boy/Daddy's Girl, Entomologist, Nerd Rage!, Robotics Expert, Quantum Chemist, Covert Ops
Ranks	1

“Covers a variety of high-technology skills, such as computers, biology, physics, and geology.”— In-game description

Science is a skill in Fallout 3. It determines the chance to hack computers, get extra info from terminals, talk to specific persons, and get more dialogue options.

Initial level

${\begin{matrix}{\text{Initial}}\\{\text{level}}\end{matrix}}=2+(2\times {\text{Intelligence}})+\left\lceil {\frac {\text{Luck}}{2}}\right\rceil$

Example: A starting Intelligence of 5 and Luck of 5.

$2+(2\times 5)+\left\lceil {\frac {5}{2}}\right\rceil =15$

Description

Science primarily allows for hacking of terminals using a mini-game. Certain terminals have different difficulty levels, and different Science skill levels are required to hack them. The difficulty ratings and skill levels are: Very Easy (15), Easy (25), Average (50), Hard (75), and Very Hard (100). The difficulty of the mini-game is relative to the player character's Science skill. Harder terminals have more words, longer words, and fewer brackets.

Ways to increase Science

"Always be prepared to explain the hows and the whys."

Permanent

• Leveling up (10+INT (+3 with Educated perk))
• Bobblehead - Science (+10)
• Big Book of Science (+1 or +2 with Comprehension)
• Daddy's Boy/Daddy's Girl (+5 for each rank, max 3 ranks)
• Tag! (+15)
• Survival Expert (+2, 4 or 6)
• Covert Ops (+3) (Operation: Anchorage)

Temporary

• Mentats (+2-10 depending on Intelligence, a perfect Intelligence of 10 will see no benefits)
• Enclave Scientist Outfit (+5)
• Lesko's Lab Coat (+10)
• Scientist Outfit (+5)
• The Surgeon's Lab Coat (+5)
• Vault Lab Uniform (+5)
• Lab Coat (Broken Steel) (+5)

Perks that require Science skill

Perk	Required	Level	Additional Requirements
Entomologist	40	4	Intelligence 4
Nerd Rage!	50	10	Intelligence 5
Robotics Expert	50	12
Cyborg	60	14	Medicine 60
Computer Whiz	70	18	Intelligence 7
Quantum Chemist	70	22

Interactions that require Science skill

• 50 Science to explain the effects of radiation to Moira Brown during the quest Wasteland Survival Guide. This allows for bypassing the need to contract radiation sickness.
• 50 Science to hack the RobCo production facility mainframe during the quest Wasteland Survival Guide.
• 50 Science to reactivate the robots during the quest Big Trouble in Big Town.
• 60 Science to unlock certain dialogue options with Doctor Lesko during the quest Those!. This allows for learning he had been using a modified form of Forced Evolutionary Virus to induce pyrosis reactions in giant ants, creating Fire Ants.
• 75 Science skill to disarm a slave collar.
• 75 Science to modify Healing Archways to fully heal the Lone Wanderer, though this reduces their number of uses to three. (Mothership Zeta)
• 75 Science to hack the Mobile Base Crawlers' mainframe. (Broken Steel)
• 80 Science to deactivate the Repulsion Fields aboard the crawler. (Broken Steel)
• 60 Science to bypass the Speech check required to convince John Henry Eden to self-destruct during the The American Dream.

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