In most RPGs, the player will accumulate some sort of currency and then use that to buy the gear they need to survive. Atomfall doesn't work that way. Instead, the people in this British apocalypse rely on a bartering system to sell their goods.
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However, it's not as easy as simply handing over a loaf of bread in exchange for a shotgun. There are certain tricks to this trading system that may seem a bit complicated at first. This guide will explain how to purchase items from this world's shopkeepers, as well as how to get the best deals possible.
How To Trade Items In Atomfall
To begin trading, players will need to find friendly NPCs. Not every character will have the option to trade, but if they do want to barter, there will be a dialogue option where they'll offer to swap items. From here, the player will enter the trading menu where they can look at that NPC's wares. If they have something enticing in their inventory, the player can offer up some of their items in exchange for what they want.
However, just selling a bunch of junk won't be enough to score a better weapon. Some items such as crafting recipes or skill books will be very expensive. To convince the NPC to part with their items, the player will need to offer up goods that are of equal value.
This can be determined by looking at the scale in the middle of the trading menu. If the deal is considered to be too good in favor of the player, then the NPC will refuse to trade. The scale needs to lean toward the NPC, and the line must turn green to indicate that they're ready to sell. This may require the player to present multiple items to match the value of the item they're seeking.
If the player has any buyer's remorse about an item they've traded, NPCs will typically hold onto traded items for a short while. However, these items will eventually leave their inventory and be gone forever. So be careful when trading!
How To Get A Better Deal In Atomfall
Items don't have set values that are obvious to the player, but there are ways to tell what NPCs are looking for in a trade. As the player places items on their side of the trading menu, arrows may appear next to the item. Those will be in the top left corner of the item when it's offered up for trade.
Arrows pointing up indicate that the NPC is very interested in the item, while arrows pointing down mean that they don't see much value at all in what's being offered. The only way to know what shopkeepers are looking for is by placing items in the trading menu and seeing what gets an upwards-facing arrow. The more interested the shopkeeper is in the item, the more the scale will tip toward them for a successful trade.
There is another way for trades to work out in the player's favor. Throughout the journey, there will be special items called Training Stims. These can be used to unlock new skills. Within the skill menu, there is a skill called Charisma. When it's activated, this will increase the value of the items that the player puts forward during a bartering session. It'll cost 4 Training Stims but can be worth it if players want to score some valuable loot without completely emptying their pockets.
Atomfall
- Released
- March 27, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rebellion Developments
- Publisher(s)
- Rebellion Developments
- Number of Players
- 1
WHERE TO PLAY
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- March 27, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- March 27, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- March 27, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
