Move Aside, Smoothskin: Playable Ghouls are Coming to Fallout 76

During the XBox Showcase for 2024, Fallout fans were treated to a glimpse of the new Skyline Valley expansion to Fallout 76. This new map will continue the journey of post-apocalyptic Appalachia exploring the remnants of Shenandoah National Park and unsealing Vault 63 with its population of non-feral ghouls. We were also left with a tease of what is to come in 2025, and it’s something Fallout fans have wanted for several games now — the ability to play as a ghoul!

More Than Just a Skin

While it was only a brief tease on the main show, the developers of Fallout 76 have opened up to content creators and have explained that this is more than a simple cosmetic, and is in fact, closer to a new class. Unlockable at level 50, you will be able to take on a quest that will lead to your ghoulification. Becoming a ghoul will unlock new perks while also blocking off previous ones. This will lead to whole new builds as the popular bloodied build — which makes you more powerful the less max health you have — will not work when you are effectively immune to radiation.

Your interactions with the different factions in the game will also have a new twist. While the Raiders of Crater, Settlers of Foundation, and the Blue Ridge Trading Co already have ghouls among their ranks, it has already been said that the Brotherhood of Steel will be unfriendly and it may be safe to assume that the Enclave will be just as unhospitable. This should make the end game a little more interesting as these these factions do play heavily in the West Virginian Wasteland.

If being shunned by the power-suit wearing Brotherhood is too much for you, there will be a way to revert back to a normal human — but we don’t have details if it will be an easy swap, or something you can only do once per character.

Oh Shenandoah, She’s a Mighty River

After having a rough start, Fallout 76 has become a very lively game full of rich Fallout lore and fun gameplay. The community is also one of the more friendly and playful groups that it feels that bringing in ghouls now feels like the right time, especially after the breakout hit of the Fallout tv series that has really made people want to play as the roughskins. With the Skyline Valley expansion — included with with your Fallout 76 license — going into ghouls and the means of keeping them from going feral, this is the perfect time for the community to start roleplaying with their raspy voices and sing their Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Skyline Valley — as well as season 17 —  will go live on June 12, with playable ghouls expected in early 2025.