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

Science is a Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout Tactics, Fallout: New Vegas, Van Buren, and J.E. Sawyer's Fallout Role-Playing Game skill.

Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics

Example: A starting Intelligence of 5.

The Fallout Tactics 1.27 patch notes readme file says:

The science bonus to criticals on robots is working properly

suggesting that Science somehow affects critical chance or effectiveness against robots (at least in Tactics).

Fallout 3

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

Science primarily allows you to hack 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). Your Science skill relative to the difficulty rating affects how hard the minigame is (at Science 100, average terminals are a breeze, presenting only about 5 possible passwords). Harder terminals have more words, longer words, and fewer brackets.

Ways to increase Science

Bobblehead Science

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

Permanent
Temporary

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 66 22

Interactions that require Science skill

Fallout: New Vegas

The Science skill represents your combined scientific knowledge and is primarily used to hack restricted computer terminals. It can be used for conversion and recycling of Energy Weapon ammunition at the workbenches. Some crafting recipes also require Science.

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

Like in Fallout 3, your Science skill relative to the difficulty rating affects how hard the mini game is. Notably, at Science 100 even Hard terminals will have very few words to choose from. This can possibly be as low as 5 possible passwords which, combined with the Computer Whiz perk, means an 80% chance of getting most terminals off the bat without even having to look at the words.

Unlike Fallout 3, your Science is used for more than a few random dialogue checks and hacking. Many crafting recipes (primarily at the Workbench, but also at Campfires) rely on Science, specifically ones involving Energy Weapons ammunition and chem crafting.

Ways to increase Science

Permanent
Temporary

Perks that require Science skill

Perk Requirement Level Additional Requirements
In Shining Armor Dead Money 70 2 Repair 20
Vigilant Recycler 70 6
Math Wrath 70 10
Nerd Rage! 50 10 Intelligence 5
Robotics Expert 50 12
Computer Whiz 70 18 Intelligence 7
Nuka Chemist 90 22

Interactions that require Science skill

Gallery

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