The Onslaught system in Fallout 76 is a dynamic combat mechanic that enhances player damage output by stacking bonuses through consecutive hits on the same target. This system has been refined in recent updates, particularly in the Public Test Server (PTS), to integrate with legendary mods and perk cards, offering players new strategies for maximizing their damage potential.
How Onslaught Works
Stacking Onslaught: Each consecutive hit against the same target grants a stack of Onslaught. These stacks expire after 10 seconds or when the player targets a different enemy.
Stack Limit: The base stack limit is 0, but this can be increased using specific perk cards and legendary mods like the Furious mod, which adds up to 9 stacks.
Effects per Stack: Each stack provides various benefits, such as increased damage, reload speed, and damage to weak spots, depending on the equipped perks and mods.
Key Components of the Onslaught System
Perk Cards
Guerilla Expert and Master: These perks add +3 max stacks and provide bonuses like increased reload speed and damage to close enemies per stack.
Gunslinger Expert and Master: Similar to Guerilla, these perks add stacks and enhance fire rate or damage to weak spots per stack.
Legendary Mods
Furious Mod: Considered an Onslaught effect, it adds +9 max stacks and +5% damage per stack, significantly boosting overall damage output when combined with perk cards.
Calculating Onslaught Benefits
At maximum stacks (up to 28), players can achieve substantial bonuses:
Damage Increase: Up to +224% damage with all stacks and mods combined.
Reload Speed: Up to +84% increase in reload speed.
Weak Spot Damage: Additional damage to weak spots per stack.
Strategic Builds with Onslaught
Ghoul Commando & Rifleman Builds: These builds leverage Onslaught to enhance damage output without sacrificing health, making them competitive with Bloodied builds.
Shotgun Builds: Onslaught can also improve shotgun effectiveness by stacking damage bonuses.
Conclusion
To fully utilize the Onslaught system in Fallout 76, players must also manage and optimize their Fallout 76 items, including legendary mods and perk cards, to maximize damage output. For example, combining the Furious mod with Guerilla or Gunslinger perks can create powerful builds that take full advantage of Onslaught's stacking bonuses. Effective management of these items ensures that players can achieve the highest possible damage benefits, making them formidable opponents in both solo and group plays.
The Onslaught system in Fallout 76 offers a versatile way to enhance combat performance by stacking bonuses through strategic use of perk cards and legendary mods. As the game continues to evolve, players can expect further refinements to this mechanic, potentially leading to new meta builds that maximize Onslaught's potential.