Fallout 4, like most RPGs, features a system of attributes and perk points that players use to grow their character. In many games, the choices you make are not set in stone. Different games use different methods, but many allow a process known as 'respeccing' a character. Though the methods for acquiring the ability to respec vary greatly, the result is generally universal: All previously spent points are refunded, and the player is free to spend them all again as they see fit. This allows players to try various builds to see which they enjoy the most.
Fallout 4: 6 Best Mods In The Creation Club
The Creation Club in Fallout 4 allows both Bethesda devs and solo creators to make mods and content packs for the game, and these are the highlights.
Respeccing in Fallout 4 is a tricky endeavor, especially on console. The base game notoriously has no respec option built into it, so the only option is mods. This guide will explain the best options for respeccing in Fallout 4, and what options to use when it is impossible.
Updated November 10, 2025 by Erik Petrovich: There are a lot of ways to respec in Fallout 4, but if you are on console, the process to respec can be tough to navigate. You have to download specific creation club addons, which for the most part, don't actually allow you to modify stats or remove perks in the way one might expect when aiming to respec their character. However, PC players have access to an extremely useful feature: console commands. There are three console commands players can use to respec in Fallout 4 (really two, not including one for removing perks). This guide to Fallout 4 respec has been updated to include details on how to redo your build after initiating a playthrough. As mentioned, though, this console command method is exclusive to PC players, and cannot be used on either PlayStation or Xbox consoles.
Respeccing in Fallout 4, Explained
This guide deals with Fallout 4 mods. Remember that mods, by their very nature, fundamentally alter the game once installed. Always make backup saves before trying anything in a mod. This will ensure that, no matter what happens, you can revert to an unaltered state.
Because Fallout 4 has no respec option, players will have to use mods to alter their S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Attributes, as well as their perks. This is fairly simple on PC and Xbox, as there are a wide variety of mods that get the job done well. Unfortunately, respeccing in the classic sense is impossible on PlayStation consoles. There are several reasons why this is the case, and it currently appears that it will not change anytime soon.
There are some alternative methods that offer PlayStation players ways to add points to both S.P.E.C.I.A.L. And perks, but there is no way to wipe everything out and start from scratch (other than starting a new game). This guide will do its best to explain this process.
Downloading Mods in Fallout 4
The first step to respeccing in Fallout 4 is to download the appropriate mods. This guide will focus on two mods that work extremely well, and are very easy to use:
- Cheat Room by Bradenm1 (PC, Xbox, and PlayStation)
- Cheat Terminal by NexusAU (Xbox and PC Only)
Make sure to read all mod descriptions, as they will often have notes on Load Order. Check and change load order by pressing the appropriate prompt at the bottom of the mods menu.
How to Respec in Fallout 4
Respec with Console Commands (PC)
Console commands are a feature in Fallout 4 that is exclusive to PC players. With console commands, Fallout 4 players can modify numerous aspects of the game, including NPC behaviors, spawning items, and of course, modifying your own stats, perks, and build.
Depending on what you want to respec in Fallout 4, there are two console commands you can use: player.addperk, and player.modav.
|
Console Command |
Effect |
Explanation |
|---|---|---|
|
player.addperk [perk ID] |
Grants a specified perk to your character. |
Does not increase your level or adjust other stats. Notably, you can get perks that you would not normally have pre-requisite levels or stats for with this. |
|
Player.removeperk [perk ID] |
Removes a specified perk from your character. |
Though there is no level cap in Fallout 4 and you can theoretically pick up every perk in the game, this command can be used to remove a perk from your character, allowing you to change an early mistake into a specific build. |
|
Player.modav [SPECIAL attribute] [number] |
Set a SPECIAL attribute to the value you specify. |
Allows you to directly modify your stats, essentially allowing the ability to respec in the middle of a playthrough. |
To use either of these console commands, you must press the tilde (~) key on your keyboard. This is typically located just above the "tab" key on the top-left of your keyboard, though this may change depending on the language and layout of your keyboard. If this does not work, check your keybindings in the Fallout 4 controls menu to see which key is associated with opening the console.
To add and remove perks in Fallout 4, you must find the specific perk ID associated with that perk, and copy-paste that perk ID into the [perk ID] section of the commands listed above. To modify your SPECIAL stats, you must write the SPECIAL stat in the [SPECIAL attribute] section of the command above, then specify the level you wish to set that SPECIAL attribute to.
Cheat Room (PC and Xbox)
Cheat Room works well on both PC and Xbox. There are other mods that offer repseccing capabilities, but both of these are extremely highly rated, and come with a massive variety of uses. Once they are installed, they both work essentially the same way: through the holoplayer built into the Pip-Boy.
Cheat Room is a completely new POI just southwest of Vault 111. Inside the room, players will find a holotape that features the repsec function. Follow these steps to respec:
- After completing the prologue, the player can immediately visit the Cheat Room. Obviously, when respeccing, it'll likely be later in the game. This is simply when it becomes available.
- Upon entering, there is a table against the far wall that contains a gun and a holotape. Play the tape and select the Cheats option.
- Next, select Player Cheats, the second option on the list.
- On the next list, Perks and S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Will be two different options. To completely reset all points, go into S.P.E.C.I.A.L. And select 'Reset All to Zero.' It is then possible to add points to each attribute individually.
- Once that is complete, visit the Perks section. Here, you can add as many perk points as you'd like.
- Reassign the perk points as you see fit.
Remember, no matter how many perk points you have, many perks are level locked, and this still holds. There are ways to use the cheats to increase your level. This can be done in the Experience section, above Perks.
Cheat Terminal (PC and Xbox)
Cheat Terminal takes the form of a holotape that is automatically added to your inventory when you find the Pip-Boy during the prologue. The tape will always be found at the top of the Misc list, no matter how full it gets. To repsec with Cheat Terminal, follow these steps:
- Once the Pip-Boy is collected, and Cheat Terminal is installed, the Cheat Terminal holotape will be found in your inventory.
- It will always be the first thing found under MISC.
- When the tape is played, a list of choices will come up, with SPECIAL and PERKS at the very top. Select this option.
- Under the SPECIAL menu, players can select which attribute they want to alter, and do so accordingly.
- The Perks menu is broken down by attribute as well. This mod allows players to pick the actual perk they want to unlock, instead of awarding perk points. It also allows you to remove all perks from each category.
Respeccing on Playstation Consoles
PlayStation has always lagged behind Xbox and PC when it comes to Fallout 4 mods, and whatever the reason, it seems to have an effect on exactly what modders can do. There is no way to take away perks and S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Points and reassign them on PlayStation. However, there are ways to simply add every perk. This does mean that if you were hoping to disengage a perk, you are out of luck on PlayStation.
Cheat Room is a great option for PlayStation players, as it has just about everything other than respeccing. Here is how to unlock add perk points and level up:
- The Cheat Room Holotape does not work on PlayStation, even though it can still be found in certain areas of the mod.
- Here, when you first enter the Cheat Room, look for a door to the left of a terminal. This door leads down to the main Cheat Room area that houses all the items.
- Head down into the room, and look for a shelf on the right that contains several footlockers.
- There are two footlockers on the top shelf. Hover over the one on the right, labeled 'The Cool Cheats Add.'
- In this footlocker there is an item called 'Level Up.' Picking it up will add it to your AID inventory. Using it will add a huge amount of experience. This will give you over a hundred perk points to use, but it will completely break leveling.
- Likewise, there is a First Aid box on the wall to the left of the shelves. Inside are items that vastly increase your experience. This box is actually labeled 'This Will Break Your Leveling.'
- In the 'Cool Cheats Add' box, there are several items that add to each S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Attribute, but there is nothing that actually takes anything away. While it is not respeccing, it is as close as players can currently come on PlayStation.
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
