Atomfall: Best early game skills guide

Uncover the top early-game abilities in Atomfall, learn what they do and how to acquire them effectively.

Title Game Guide: Essential Early Skills to Unlock First in Atomfall

Explore Atomfall, a captivating open-world survival game that draws inspiration from the real-life Windscale nuclear disaster. Set within a fictional quarantine zone five years post-disaster, survival is key as you navigate this treacherous landscape to eventually escape.

Much like other open-world survival games, your ability to survive in Atomfall hinges on gathering vital resources and employing them strategically throughout your perilous journey. Additionally, the protagonist’s capabilities can be amplified by acquiring new skills. However, with numerous skills to unlock, it may be challenging for players to decide which ones are most beneficial early on for an optimized gaming experience. In this guide, we will share the top early game skills you should prioritize unlocking in Atomfall.

Skills Overview in Atomfall

In Atomfall, abilities or skills are what make your character stronger and more versatile in different aspects. As you progress, you can pick up these skills to boost your survival instincts, stealth, defense, ranged combat, and other areas. Unlike some games, Atomfall doesn’t have a leveling system. Instead, the only way to enhance your character is by acquiring Skills. To do this, navigate to the Skills section of the menu where you can see all the skills available, including hidden ones. These secret skills become visible once you find the corresponding Skill Manuals. You can get these manuals by finishing quests, trading with vendors, or discovering them in secluded or hidden locations in the game world.

In Atomfall, there are four primary skill sets: Ranged and Melee Combat, Survival, and Conditioning. Each skill manual you obtain falls under one of these main categories. In total, the game offers 36 skills, with each category providing 9 unique skills. To master a skill in Atomfall, players must accumulate a specific amount of Training Simulants, which serve as the game’s Skill Points. You can discover Training Simulants during your journey through the world and by looting B.A.R.D. Crates. Each B.A.R.D. Crate contains one Training Simulant, and these crates are easily found within the underground bunkers scattered across the three zones of the quarantine area.

Related Article: 10 Things I Wish I Knew in Atomfall

Best Beginner Skills in Atomfall

Here are the best early game skills to unlock in Atomfall.

  1. Quiet Takedown: Performing takedown on enemies makes less noise.
  2. Firearms Focus: Increases firearm damage when the heart rate is low.
  3. Gunsmith: It unlocks the recipes to craft upgraded weapons of Stock and Pristine qualities.
  4. Disarm Traps: Allows you to disarm traps and harvest their crafting supplies.
  5. Fortitude: It increases the maximum amount of health.
  6. Quiet Movement: It reduces the sound of your footsteps, making it harder for the enemies to find you.
  7. Charisma: Increases the worth of your items while bartering.
  8. Deep Pockets: It increases the carrying capacity for resources and ammunition.

8 Deep Pockets

Carry more crafting supplies and ammo.

Mastering the skill known as “Deep Pockets” becomes particularly valuable in the heart of the gameplay. As you delve deeper into the quarantine zone, collecting every resource at your disposal, you’ll eventually hit a cap on how much you can carry. This will necessitate creating recipes to free up space for more resources. The same principle applies to ammunition. Since ammo is vital in combats against hordes of enemies, it’s wise to stockpile as much ammo per weapon as possible. Possessing the Deep Pockets skill allows you to carry more resources and ammunition, thus alleviating the pressure of constantly reaching your capacity limit.

However, obtaining the Deep Pockets skill is one of the perks that comes from getting the Crafting Manual. You can locate this manual in a few different ways: It could be found in Delta’s Storage room at Interchange or by negotiating with Morris Wick when discussing the church murder. Once you have secured the manual, you will need to use 5 Training Simulants to learn the Deep Pockets skill.

7 Charisma

Your items are worth more when bartering.

In the game Atomfall, having charisma as a skill can be quite beneficial for smoother trading. Since trading is crucial in the game, this skill will help you acquire items at a more affordable price. There are numerous traders scattered across the three zones of the quarantine area. These traders each offer exclusive items that can aid you in both surviving and advancing the storyline. For example, Molly Jowett sells an Atomic Battery, which is needed to power up one of the Data Stores at the Interchange. By utilizing your Charisma skill, you can easily trade your Rusty weapons from Outlaws with Molly to obtain the Atomic Battery more quickly.

Charisma is a natural ability found within the Survival category, and it doesn’t require a manual to activate. To master this skill, simply gather 4 Training Simulants and you’ll be able to add Charisma to your repertoire.

6 Quiet Movement

Reduces the sound of your footsteps, making it more difficult for enemies to hear you.

Mastering Stealthy Motion is crucial from the game’s start. It allows you to move undetected near adversaries and accomplish tasks without drawing attention. Your crouched movements will become less conspicuous to them. Additionally, this ability synergizes effectively with the Silent Takedown skill. By using these two skills together, you can efficiently clear enemy encampments without triggering any alarms.

You can acquire the Quiet Movement skill, which falls under the Stealth Manual category, by obtaining the manual itself. In the game Atomfall, there are multiple methods to secure the Stealth Manual. One simple approach is trading it with Molly Jowett, who often accepts Rusty weapons from Outlaws as a form of payment. Enhancing your Charisma skill can make this process smoother.

After obtaining the Stealth Manual, you’ll be able to learn the Quiet Movement skill for a cost of 5 Training Simulants.

5 Fortitude

Increases maximum amount of health.

In the game Atomfall, a higher health level enhances your chances of survival since it’s a survival game. The skill Fortitude is the only means in the game to boost the maximum health limit. Navigating the treacherous quarantine zone will inevitably draw attention towards you, leading to encounters with various opponents. Given that low HP can quickly lead to dire consequences, it’s advisable to acquire the Fortitude skill promptly.

Luckily, Fortitude is already included among the initial skills in the Category of Conditioning. There’s no need to search for a Skill Manual to activate it. Instead, simply gather 5 Training Simulants to learn this skill.

4 Disarm Traps

Disarm traps and harvest their crafting supplies.

In the thrilling world of Atomfall, mastering Disarm Traps is a crucial ability I can’t stress enough. As I delve deeper into the quarantine zone and approach enemy camps, I’ve learned the hard way that these areas are littered with booby traps. These devious mechanisms, often hidden and triggered by my unwitting presence, can be lethal, setting off explosions or igniting fires. Therefore, stealth is key when infiltrating these camps to avoid tripping over the traps unknowingly. Not only do they inflict significant damage upon me, but they also sound an alarm, drawing nearby enemies towards my position.

By using the Disarm Traps ability, you’ll have the knack to deactivate any hidden danger and collect their useful components such as strings, glass, alcohol, grenades, and various other items. This skill is already available in the game, falling under the Survival category. To unlock it, you’ll need to invest 3 Training Simulants.

3 Gunsmith

Unlocks recipes to craft upgraded weapons.

In the game Atomfall, mastering the art of gunsmithing stands out as an exceptional and crucial skill to learn. This proficiency empowers you to manufacture superior-grade weapons. In this game, there are three levels of weapon quality: Rusty, Stock, and Pristine. The first two can be acquired effortlessly by defeating Outlaws and Soldiers within the quarantine zone. However, obtaining Pristine quality weapons is a challenge as they’re strategically placed at specific locations. The prison in Skethermoor offers the best chance to find these high-quality weapons, but it’s heavily fortified, with numerous B.A.R.D. robots patrolling the area.

Utilizing your Gunsmith ability, you can enhance your worn-out weapon from Rusty to Stock level, or improve a Stock weapon to Pristine quality. The primary resources needed for any upgrade are two lower-quality weapons, gun oil, and scraps. As you gather newer weapons, the recipes for those specific weapons will become available automatically.

Obtaining the Gunsmith skill can be done in one of two ways:

1. You’ll find the Crafting Manual hidden away in Delta’s Storage room on Interchange, or
2. If you’re bold enough to confront Morris Wick about the church murder, you might be able to barter with him for the manual.

Once you have the manual in hand, employ 7 Training Simulants to finally unlock the Gunsmith skill.

2 Firearms Focus

Increases firearm damage when your heart rate is low.

One effective strategy is to prioritize learning the Firearms Focus ability as quickly as possible, for it amplifies the damage output of all your weapons when your pulse rate remains low. When your heart rate escalates, you can squat and catch your breath to bring it down before resuming fire. Notably, this skill enhances bullet impact, causing significant damage when firing any weapon. During combat situations involving guns, this skill will significantly aid in swiftly neutralizing adversaries with fewer shots. Additionally, it facilitates the easier disposal of B.A.R.D weapons as well.

Instead, the Firearms Focus ability is found within the Firearms Mastery Guide. You can acquire this guide using a few different methods, but the most straightforward approach is to trade for it with Corporal Bootsy, who is located in Skethermoor. Utilizing your Charisma skill can make this transaction easier. Once you’ve acquired the guide, you’ll need to part with 6 Training Simulants to unlock the Firearms Focus ability.

1 Quiet Takedown

Takedowns create less noise.

In Atomfall, mastering the Quiet Takedown is highly beneficial for those who prefer stealth gameplay. With this skill, you can execute takedowns undetected by surrounding enemies, keeping them unaware of your presence. Without it, enemies will invariably become hostile towards you, rendering the takedown action less efficient in Atomfall. To enhance the takedown maneuver, the Quiet Takedown skill is indispensable. Furthermore, for an even stealthier experience, consider pairing this skill with Quiet Movement. This combination allows you to walk and sneak more quietly, ensuring your takedowns go unnoticed.

One method for acquiring the Quiet Takedown stealth technique involves obtaining its manual. In Atomfall, there are several strategies to secure the Stealth Manual. The most straightforward and convenient approach is trading it with Molly Jowett. You can trade her Rusty weapons that belong to the Outlaws faction for the manual. Enhancing your Charisma skill will significantly aid this exchange process.

After getting hold of the Stealth Manual, you’ll be able to learn the Quiet Takedown skill in exchange for 2 Training Simulants.

Best tips and tricks for Early Skills in Atomfall

Here are the best tips and tricks for early skills in Atomfall.

  • Search the enemy camps to have a chance of finding B.A.R.D. crates.
  • The Skethermoor area has the most underground bunkers. Each bunker will have at least one B.A.R.D. crate for you to loot.
  • Explore the world to find various traders. Barter with the traders to get Skill Manuals.
  • Search the lab underneath the Church in Wyndham Village to find numerous Training Simulants.
  • Save up the Training Simulants for the expensive skills.
  • Get the Quiet Takedown and Fortitude skills as soon as possible during your adventure.

FAQs about Skills in Atomfall

How many skills are there in Atomfall?

In the game Atomfall, there are a grand total of 36 different skills to master. These skills are organized into four primary groups: Ranged Combat, Melee Combat, Survival, and Conditioning. Each category boasts nine individual skills, though some of these abilities can only be unlocked by locating their specific manuals first.

How to unlock skills in Atomfall?

In Atomfall, you can learn various abilities using Training Aids, which function as skill points. Each skill needs a specific number of Training Aids. Unopened B.A.R.D. crates within the quarantine zone ensure you’ll get these Training Aids. Additionally, Skill Handbooks are available, granting access to new skills and providing a few Training Aids as well.

Which are the best skills to unlock early in Atomfall?

In the game Atomfall, it’s beneficial to prioritize learning Quiet Takedown, Firearms Focus, and Gunsmith as your initial skills. These abilities will significantly aid you in taking down opponents and acquiring superior firearms.

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2025-03-29 00:02