Classic Radiation Poisoning
⚪ Last updated 2016⚠️ Install Order · 2 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
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🔍 Analysis
- 👍 2.1% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #132 of 193 Gameplay mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
This mod brings back the radiation sickness penalties found in previous Fallout games. It does not undo the changes to Fallout 4's rad system. With this mod rads will lower your maximum health as usual, as well as inflicting Radiation Poisoning if you're irradiated enough.
There are two versions of the mod, one with the Fallout 3/Fallout New Vegas style penalties and one with the SPECIAL penalties found in Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics. There's no extra penalty for reaching 1000 rads, as that's still instantly fatal.
The Fallout 3 Radiation Poisoning stages are:
200 rads - Minor Radiation Poisoning. -1 END. 400 rads - Advanced Radiation Poisoning. -2 END, -1 AGI 600 rads - Critical Radiation Poisoning. -3 END, -2 AGI, -1 STR 800 rads - Deadly Radiation Poisoning. -3 END, -2 AGI, -2 STR
And for old Fallout 1 style stages:
150 rads - Minor Radiation Poisoning. -1 STR 300 rads - Advanced Radiation Poisoning. -1 STR, -1 AGI 450 rads - Critical Radiation Poisoning. -2 STR, -2 AGI, -1 END 600 rads - Deadly Radiation Poisoning. -4 STR, -5 AGI, -3 END. -3 PER, -3 CHR, -1 INT
If you want to change the threshold of each stage, you can use the console to change the global values ThresholdRadPoisonMinor, ThresholdRadPoisonAdvanced, ThresholdRadPoisonCritical, and ThresholdRadPoisonDeadly to whatever you'd like. For example, the command "Set ThresholdRadPoisonCritical to 523" (without quotes) will make you suffer Critical Radiation Poisoning when you reach 523 rads.
Messages will appear in the corner of the screen when you change radiation stages, including when you go from being irradiated any amount to having absolutely no rads, and vice versa.
In terms of hidden mechanics, the mod works by force-feeding the character four silent, invisible 'potions'. This is how Survival mode's needs and diseases work. In this case, the 'potion' effects are always on your character, but only manifest if your rad count is in the proper range. Otherwise, the potions have no effect and do not show on the Pip-Boy. Each potion has an invisible failsafe effect attached to it that will automatically feed the player the potion again if it is somehow dispelled.
I have given these potions the keyword HC_EffectType_Disease so that the effects appear in your HUD as a medical icon. I have given this a quick test and it doesn't seem to cause any issues. I don't know how to edit the interface, so if anyone could help, I would sure like these effects to have a radiation icon instead of a disease icon, if possible. Critical and Deadly stages will show a red icon, just as the more severe stages of hunger and thirst do.
I made this mod to try making a script by myself, and to take a little break from my Better Established Settlements mod. If you are waiting for me
Classic Radiation Poisoning adds SPECIAL penalties for multiple stages of radiation poisoning, mimicking the mechanics from earlier Fallout games. It's a small, focused gameplay mod for Fallout 4 players who want a more punishing radiation system. With 626 endorsements and nearly 30k downloads, it has a dedicated following despite its niche scope.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Faithful to classic Fallout radiation mechanics, giving veterans that old-school feel.
- Solid community support with 626 endorsements and 29,804 downloads.
- Lightweight mod that doesn't overhaul the whole game—just tweaks one system.
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated in 2016, so it may not be compatible with the latest Fallout 4 patches or DLC.
- Only affects SPECIAL stats—if you want more comprehensive radiation changes, this won't cover it.
For Fallout 4 players who miss the harsh radiation penalties from Fallout 3 and New Vegas and want a simple, lore-friendly tweak. Skip if you prefer the current system or want a more extensive survival overhaul.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Make sure you have a mod manager like Vortex or NMM to install this easily.
- Check the mod's comments section for any known compatibility patches with other gameplay mods.
- If you're using a mod that alters radiation resistance, test early to see how they interact.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Fallout 4 Mods
- Author
- TheIrontoads
- Version
- 1.0
- Downloads
- 29,804
- Endorsements
- 626
- Category
- Gameplay
- Created
- 11/4/2016
- Updated
- 11/4/2016
🔗 Required By 1 Mod
These mods list this mod as a dependency.
🧩 Commonly Used Together
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🔧 How to Install Fallout 4 Mods
Download from Nexus.
📖 Full step-by-step install guide for Fallout 4 →
Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.
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