Fallout 76 Best Power Armors (And How To Get Them)

Updated:

30 Mar 2020

Power Armor. With the exception of Fallout series mascot Vault Boy, very few things are as synonymous with the Fallout series.

Their looming visage and profile have graced the box art of every entry of the series save for one (Sorry New Vegas). They are by design the very definition of quality protection against the dangers of Post-Apocalypse America, if you can muster the Fusion Cores to keep them operational, such is the cost of admittance to their defensive qualities against harm and radiation.

Today we are going to look at some of the more useful Power Armors you can add to your collection, based on their situational uniqueness. We are looking at functionality, defensive capability, as well as utility. All stats are presented based on their most basic forms.

3. T-51 Power Armor (Best for non-irradiated Encounter)
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So good, they say it's warranty is still holding.

The T-51 Power Armor was the first Power Armor to grace the covers of the Fallout franchise dating back to 1997. Developed by the undoubtedly shady West-Tek corporation, the T-51 built on the lessons learned from the development of the T-45 series, and was lauded by its creators as the superior product.

Armor Stats (Level 50 version presented):

Damage Resistance: 454
Energy Resistance: 454
Radiation Resistance: 305

When To Use the T-51 Power Armor

The T-51 sports a balanced Damage and Energy Resistance, but falls a bit flatter in the Rad Resistance department, making it more suitable for traversing Appalachia at large rather than the more irradiated locales like Nuke Zones.
Suitable for engagements with enemies that don’t deal radiation when they smack you around, like ghouls or Scorchbeast encounters (granted when a Scorchbeast comes calling, you don’t really have the luxury of adjusting your loadout while it’s breathing its nonsense on you)
Recommended for taking on Super Mutants and Robotic enemies.

How To Get the T-51 Power Armor:

The Wasteland does not give up her precious treasures and secrets easily or cheap. At the current time, the only way to acquire the plans and materials for the Strangler Heart Power Armor is through the Vault 94 raid quests. Whether or not you get them from a raid, is a matter of luck and perseverance.

Fallout 76: Best T-51 Power Armor Locations (Kixion)

2. The Excavator Power Armor (Best for Scavenging)

Protection. Utility. Trunk space.

The Excavator Power Armor is a workhorse armor, that was designed with utility in mind rather than military engagements. Constructed to enhance the efficiency and protection of miners, the Excavator Power Armor gives off the appearance of a construction worker more than a knight in shining armor (wielding a .50 cal Machine Gun). While not the most defensive stat-wise, the Excavator set offers perks that no enterprising Wastelander can ignore.

Armor Stats (Level 45 version presented):

Damage Resistance: 240
Energy Resistance: 240
Radiation Resistance: 366
Bonus: Increases Carry Weight by 100, Ore Veins yield four times more resources.

When To Use the Excavator Power Armor:

Running out of weight while on a good salvage run is the worst, meaning you need to either find a random Stash box to store goods or lighten your load of excessive weight. Overburdening yourself will drain your Action Points, and negates fast travel. The Excavator makes an ingenious backup for when you need to haul a large load home.
Ores and metals are a necessity in crafting anything from C.A.M.P. items to weapons and armor. While some might settle for scrapping junk, finding a healthy Ore Vein scattered around the world map should not be passed up. Not to mention, getting more, is always better.
In the 25-40 stretch of the game, the Excavator has saved yours truly’s behind when an extra bit of armor was needed while prowling around places like Toxic Valley and the Ash Heap looking for scrap. The extra protection mixed with the other benefits truly makes this the working man’s Power Armor.

How To Get the Excavator Power Armor:

Players will learn the plans to craft the set during the quest Miner Miracles at the Garrahan Mining HQ. Higher levels of the Power Armor pieces must be crafted by the player.

How to get Excavator Power Armor Guide (eNtaK)

3. The X-01 Power Armor (Best for Endgame without the Grind)

X-01 Power Armor, cool before you even knew what Fallout was.

The X-01 Power Armor was first seen in Fallout 2, back in 1998, as the Power Armor of choice for the nefarious Enclave faction. A sleek, dark-colored Power Armor that gives the wearer the appearance of a heavily fortified bird of prey. While certainly not THE best Power Armor for Endgame Content in Fallout 76, it will keep your hide intact while you embark on the quest for bigger and better.

Armor Stats (Level 50 version presented):

Damage Resistance: 398
Energy Resistance: 453
Radiation Resistance: 453

When To Use X-01 Power Armor:

The X-01 offers substantial Radiation resistance, for those treks into heavily irradiated zones, often the ones created by players firing off Nukes...These areas are where some of the more rare crafting materials can be found, off both flora and fauna.
The Radiation and Energy Resistance make it optimal for engagements with Fallout 76’s closest variant of the main villain, the Scorchbeast.
While it pales in Damage Resistance to the T-51 and Ultracite Power Armors, the attainability of acquiring the plans, rather than lending to random chance for drops for plans or hoping to find a piece on a random Power Armor Frame, make it a ready go-to for Event grinding and the search for the better arsenal.

How To Get the X-01 Power Armor:

The plans to craft the X-01 Power Armor can be found in the Whitesprings Bunker after completing the quest Officer on Deck for MODUS. The terminal in question is in the Military Wing Command Center Archive Terminal, at zero cost save the time taken to reach and complete Officer on Deck.

X-01 Power Armor Location in Fallout 76 (Spidergamez)