After toying with the idea of giving Fallout 76 another chance for years, I bit the bullet in late October, and I’m truly glad that I did. Sure, I’ve had some annoying crashes (something anyone playing the PS4 version can relate to), and I fell victim to the misleading Space Suit in the Atomic Shop, but that hasn’t overshadowed all that I’ve loved about the game. I can’t get the music out of my head, I’ve gotten excited every time I hear the Spooky Scorched sound, and I’m gathering the biggest pile of junk I can so that I can go wild with CAMP-building. It’s that final point that has pushed me to pay for Fallout 1st, though, as I just can’t live without the controversial Scrapbox.
Why Fallout 76’s Scrapbox Has Always Been Controversial
Fallout 1st has been around since 2020, and the main source of the controversy is that numerous Fallout 76 players have argued the service is essential. While the monthly Atoms and bonus items are standard for video game subscription services, and are comparable to what’s offered in programs like Fortnite Club, it’s the other benefits that players take issue with. When the service debuted, players pushed back on how long-requested features had been gated behind a paywall, a sentiment that has really never gone away. Private worlds, exclusive seasonal rewards, and a SCORE bonus for seasonal progress are all examples of things fans have shared their disdain for. However, it’s the Scrapbox (and, by extension, the Survival Tent) that has drawn the most ire from fans.
While it is certainly possible to play Fallout 76 without this item, the sheer convenience of it makes the game significantly more enjoyable to play, as literal hours of inventory management can be removed from the experience. If players do not have this Fallout 1st exclusive item, they have to store all their junk inside their Stash. With a limit of only 1,200 pounds, this fills up very fast, especially if players are sentimental and want to keep certain items. Hoarding copies of each weapon, decorative pieces for Fallout 76 CAMPs, outfits, and armor will be enough to fill a Stash, meaning players have to make hard choices if they also want to keep a healthy amount of junk for builds, crafting, and repairs on hand. However, if players get the Scrapbox through Fallout 1st, that instantly changes, as it gives them an endless amount of junk storage. It can be accessed nearly anywhere via the Survival Tent as well, letting players quickly dump their junk and continue playing.
Fallout 76’s Survival Tent also acts as a free Fast Travel point, which is an excellent way to save on Caps typically spent when traveling to points of interest.
Why I Couldn’t Resist Fallout 76’s Scrapbox (and Why I Don’t Reget Getting 1st)
One of the things that players recommend to those looking to avoid Fallout 1st is to never get it in the first place, as once they have the Scrapbox and see firsthand how much of a timesaver it is, it’s hard to go back. Unfortunately for me (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), I never got that chance, as I started playing Fallout 76 during a free Fallout 1st trial. Once or twice every year, Bethesda gives non-paying Fallout 76 users a chance to try the benefits of 1st via a free trial in the Atomic Shop, and I just so happened to get into Fallout 76 at the tail end of its most recent trial. This meant that I had Scrapbox access from the get-go, and boy did that make a difference.
Fallout 76’s Fallout 1st subscription costs $13 a month or $100 for a yearly subscription.
One of the Fallout 76 starter tips I had always heard mentioned was to hoard junk from the second you leave the Vault, so I did just that. I filled my Scrapbox to the brim on day one, and it became a habit to loot a few points-of-interest, drop my tent, and hit the Scrapbox. This gameplay loop was satisfying and addicting, and when adding on the usefulness of having a free fast travel spot to return to via the Survival Tent, I was extremely satisfied with the whole process. Then came the next day, and the end of my Fallout 1st trial. After trying to go without the Scrapbox (and the quickly accessible Stash) for maybe 30 minutes, and constantly being overcumbered, I caved. I purchased a month of Fallout 1st, something I’ll likely continue to do whenever I’m playing the game.
So while the Scrapbox isn’t a truly pay-to-win microtransaction, and the game isn’t necessarily unplayable without it, Fallout 76 is so much less fun when needing to manage your inventory 24/7. For this reason, I fully understand the community’s backlash against the Scrapbox. However, I also don’t mind paying for Fallout 1st, and the trial was the push I needed to recognize that it’s a solid service if you’re someone who plans to play Fallout 76 long-term. Yes, the Scrapbox is cool, but so is the Ranger armor pulled from the beloved game New Vegas. All the discounts on the Atomic Shop add up, and the monthly currency (which I would have purchased anyway) essentially sees Fallout 1st paying for itself. Having a private world to relax in is also a boon. This all goes to say that I don’t regret my purchase, and I do fully recommend Fallout 1st, even if I recognize that a few of the benefits — like the all-powerful Scrapbox — are so useful that they really shouldn’t be paid access.
Fallout 76
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 54 /100 Critics Rec: 9%
