“ But the creme de la creme is ballistic polymer weave. Light weight, serious stopping power, and it looks just like normal clothing. ” Tinker Tom

The ballistic weave is an armor mod that allows improved defensive stats to certain clothing items, including outfits, clothing that can be worn under armor and a small number of hats.

This crafting ability can be learned from Tinker Tom after performing certain quests for the Railroad faction. Once this skill is learned, one can upgrade any applicable clothing item at an armor workbench.

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Obtaining the skill Edit

Progress through the initial Railroad faction quests until P.A.M. offers a series of minor Jackpot missions to secure DIA caches. These only become available after completing Boston After Dark and Mercer Safehouse.

After completing the first or second jackpot mission, Drummer Boy will tell the Sole Survivor that they need to speak to Tinker Tom, who will inform them about the ballistic fiber technology found in the DIA cache. At this point, the ballistic weave is unlocked at any armor workbench and Tom will sell some armored gear of his own.

Upgrade chart Edit

Mod Base ID Damage Resist Description Armorer Perk Required Adhesive Ballistic fiber Fiberglass Ballistic weave 0020de42 Improves Damage and Energy Resistance. None 4 8 6 Ballistic weave MkII 0022dc82 Improves Damage and Energy Resistance. Rank 1 5 9 7 Ballistic weave MkIII 0022dc83 Improves Damage and Energy Resistance. Rank 2 6 10 8 Ballistic weave MkIV 0022dc84 Improves Damage and Energy Resistance. Rank 3 7 11 9 Ballistic weave MkV 0022dc85 Improves Damage and Energy Resistance. Rank 4 8 12 10 Institute Killer weave 00226714 Grants 10% bonus damage against Institute members and synths. None

Upgradable clothing Edit

The following is a list of all clothing that can be upgraded, and if the item can either be worn underneath armor pieces or as a hat.

Notes Edit

The player character must have the Armorer perk in order to apply this mod beyond the first level. Higher levels of the perk allow applying stronger versions of the mod, up to 110 Damage Resistance and 110 Energy Resistance on a single article of clothing.

All levels of this mod require varying amounts of crafting materials.

Learning this mod only requires doing one or more Jackpot missions for P.A.M.

The ability to make ballistic weave is very useful, if not essential if playing on Survival mode as the damage one receives is mitigated by applying the mod.

One wishing to join other factions should be able to safely learn this mod and move on, with the exception of those who have already reached "point of no return" missions with conflicting factions.

Many, but not all, companion's base outfits (and some hats) can be upgraded with the weave. If one wants to keep a companion in their original outfit but maintain protection at higher levels, this is one of the best options.

The strongest resistance that can be obtained on a single item is achieved by weaving the Mechanist's armor, an Automatron add-on armor set, with 182 Damage Resistance and 182 Energy Resistance. Weaving items that allow other armor slots can bring resistance levels higher than 300.

Bugs Edit