Fallout: 8 Best Power Armor Models In The Franchise (2024)

The Fallout franchise has a number of iconic characters, locations, and weapons. Still, perhaps the most iconic of them all is the various models of power armor featured in the games (and now the series). Power armor has become synonymous with Fallout, i.e. it's not a Fallout game if it doesn't feature power armor!

With that being said, it's often difficult to choose which power armor players should take with them on their travels. With each new entry in the franchise, there's an increasing number of options to choose from. Some of these sets carry over from game to game, while others are only featured in a single entry. At the end of the day, which model of power armor is best for a player comes down to a matter of opinion... but fans all know there are right and wrong answers!

1 T-45

Found In: Fallout 3, New Vegas, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Fallout Shelter Online

The T-45 power armor is perhaps the most iconic suit from the entire Fallout franchise, as it appears on multiple box art. It was one of the first power armor models designed by West Tek and serves as the original precursor to later, more advanced models. In most Fallout titles, the T-45 power armor is the first set players obtain.

While not overly powerful, the T-45 is a reliable and upgradable set that still offers many advantages. It boosts the player's health and defense as well as offering increased radiation resistance. The downsides lie in the fact that it's a very basic model, serving more as an introduction to power armor for the player.

2 CC-00 aka Captain Cosmos

Found In: Fallout 4, Fallout 76 (Paint Scheme)

See Also

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The CC-00 power armor is modeled after the iconic "Captain Cosmos," an in-game television show character. It's one of the most unique and coolest looking models in the entire franchise as it references classic sci-fi films like Forbidden Planet or The Day the Earth Stood Still. It's one of the best choices for any sci-fi fan.

The CC-00 power armor can be obtained in both Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. In Fallout 4, this iconic model was originally introduced through the Creation Club and was added as an obtainable suit in Hub 360, in a room above the scaffolding, beside the film set. In Fallout 76, the CC-00 can be obtained as a paint scheme, which can be unlocked through progression in The Legendary Run. The paint set is unlocked at level 88, while the jetpack is unlocked at level 96.

3 T-60

Found In: Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Fallout TV Series

A clear upgrade from the T-45, the T-60 is an enhanced power armor model with heightened defense stats. Primarily used by the United States military before the war, the T-60 was one of the most advanced power armor models of its time and proved a great addition to the US military due to its innovative defensive plates.

The T-60 power armor model can be easily obtained in Fallout 4 as it's the most common power armor model for Brotherhood of Steel faction members. Players can either steal suit parts from looting Brotherhood of Steel bases or by defeating their soldiers. In Fallout 76, the T-60 model can be found in a variety of power armor spawn locations, including The Forest, Toxic Valley, Savage Divide, and Ash Heap.

4 Scorched Sierra

Found In: New Vegas - Lonesome Road DLC

The Scorched Sierra power armor is a unique model which serves as a modification of the Remnants power armor, worn by leading NCR members. It combines scorched, NCR military aesthetics with a worn metal appearance and is certainly one of the coolest power armor models in the franchise.

In the Lonesome Road DLC for Fallout: New Vegas, the Scorched Sierra power armor can be obtained as a reward from Ulysses towards the end of the main storyline, making it relatively easy to obtain. It doesn't require fusion cores to power, which is always a welcome bonus. However, it does utilize Fallout: New Vegas' power armor training feature.

5 Hellfire

Found In: Fallout 3, Fallout 4, Fallout 76 (Paint Scheme)

The Hellfire power armor is directly linked to the Enclave, a highly advanced faction in the Fallout universe. It features a bulky design, with menacing and glowing amber eyes that almost resemble lava. It's aesthetically very striking, and one of the most intimidating models in the franchise.

In Fallout 3 the Hellfire power armor can be looted from Enclave Hellfire Troopers in the DLC Broken Steel. In Fallout 4, it's a little easier to obtain from Pyro, a member of the Forged Raider gang. This is located during the Fallout 4 creation club content quest, "Pyromaniac."

6 Winterized T-51b

Found In: Fallout 3 - Operation: Anchorage DLC

This is a unique model of the standard T-51 power armor line, featured in the Operation: Anchorage DLC from Fallout 3. Designed for freezing situations, the Winterized T-51 can withstand some of the harshest weather conditions and features a unique white and gray color scheme. Due to its nature, the Winterized T-51b features one of the best durability capabilities of all the power armor models in the franchise.

Players can obtain this great power armor model as they progress through the Operation: Anchorage story. After completing a virtual reality simulation of the Sino-American war, players are given the model as a reward and can use it throughout the game world.

7 Overboss

Found In: Fallout 4 - Nuka-World DLC

Unsurprisingly, the Overboss power armor is worn by the Overboss in Fallout 4's Nuka-World DLC. The Overboss is the leader of the central group of raiders. This power armor model draws clear inspiration from the many pieces of raider armor found in the Fallout franchise, with bulky and spikey designs looking to spark fear upon sight.

With high damage resistance from the start and offering good protection against ballistic, energy, and explosive damage - the Overboss is a great pick for players. It can be obtained by defeating the Overboss once and for all in the "Taken for a Ride" quest in the DLC.

8 X-01

Found In: Fallout 4, Fallout 76

The X-01 is one of the best power armor models found in Fallout 4, if not THE best. It's not necessarily everyone's favorite, but it's objectively one of the most powerful as it's the strongest tier armor in the game. It boosts the player's HP massively and gives them an extremely high defense boost. The only major downside is that it's expensive to maintain.

The easiest way to acquire this powerful suit of armor in Fallout 4 is to infiltrate Fort Hagen and head for the hangar where a full suit can be located. Players should be aware of the numerous rust devils nearby when attempting this feat. In Fallout 76, players will need to join the Enclave and rank up to General. The X-01 plans can be downloaded from the archival terminal in the Enclave Bunker Armory.