Fallout New Vegas Console Commands: Your Ultimate Guide

What are Console Commands?

Stuck in a wall again? Questline completely bugged out and preventing you from progressing? Or maybe you’re just curious about experimenting with the world of Fallout New Vegas in ways the developers never intended. Whatever the reason, Fallout New Vegas console commands are your key to unlocking a whole new level of control over the Mojave Wasteland.

Deep within the game’s code, Bethesda left a powerful tool: the console. Think of it as a hidden control panel allowing you to directly interact with the game world. This isn’t some external mod or hack; it’s a built-in feature intended for developers to test, debug, and fine-tune the game. Fortunately for us, they didn’t remove it!

Fallout New Vegas console commands allow you to manipulate almost anything within the game. You can add items, change your character’s stats, alter the environment, complete quests instantly, and much more. It’s like having the power of a game master at your fingertips.

Why Embrace the Power of Console Commands?

The beauty of Fallout New Vegas console commands lies in their versatility. They can be used for a multitude of reasons, from fixing frustrating glitches to simply having some fun and experimenting with the game’s mechanics.

• Bug Squashing and Glitch Annihilation: Fallout New Vegas is a beloved game, but it’s also notorious for its bugs. If you find yourself stuck in the environment, unable to interact with an NPC, or facing any other game-breaking glitch, console commands can often provide a quick and easy fix.
• Quest Troubleshooting: Sometimes, questlines can get tangled. An NPC might not be where they’re supposed to be, or a trigger might not fire correctly. Console commands allow you to advance the quest stage, bypass problematic sections, or even reset the entire questline.
• Experimentation and Creative Freedom: Ever wondered what it would be like to play through the game with maxed-out stats from the very beginning? Or perhaps you want to equip yourself with the most powerful weapons and armor right away and see how it changes the gameplay. Console commands enable you to explore these possibilities and personalize your experience.
• Item Acquisition and Resource Management: Running low on ammo? Need a specific item to complete a quest? Console commands allow you to add any item to your inventory instantly. This can be particularly useful if you’re playing on a difficulty setting where resources are scarce.
• Companion Customization: Want to tweak your companions? You can add them to specific factions, adjust their relationship with you, or even resurrect them if they happen to meet an untimely end.

A Word of Caution Before You Begin

With great power comes great responsibility. While Fallout New Vegas console commands can be incredibly useful, they also come with potential risks. It’s crucial to exercise caution and understand the potential consequences of your actions.

• The Risk of Save File Corruption: Using console commands can, in rare cases, corrupt your save files. This is especially true if you’re using commands that significantly alter the game world or your character’s data.
• Quest Breaking Potential: Incorrectly using quest-related commands can break the questline entirely, preventing you from completing it.
• Imbalance and Lack of Challenge: Overusing console commands to give yourself an unfair advantage can diminish the game’s challenge and reduce the overall sense of accomplishment.

The Golden Rule: Backups are Your Best Friend. Always create a backup save before using any console commands. This way, if something goes wrong, you can simply revert to your previous save and avoid any permanent damage to your game.

Accessing the Console: Entering the Matrix

To access the console in Fallout New Vegas, press the tilde key ( `~` ) on your keyboard. This key is usually located to the left of the number one key and above the tab key. Note that on some keyboard layouts, such as UK keyboards, the key may be a backtick ( “ ` “ ) or another similar character.

Once you press the correct key, a text box will appear at the bottom of the screen. This is where you’ll enter your console commands.

Basic Console Usage: Your First Steps

Entering commands into the console is relatively straightforward. Simply type the command and press the enter key to execute it. Most commands are case-insensitive, meaning you can type them in uppercase, lowercase, or a combination of both.

Targeting Objects: Selecting Your Prey

Many console commands require you to target a specific object in the game world. This could be an NPC, a container, a door, or any other interactable object. There are two main ways to target objects.

• Mouse Targeting: The easiest way to target an object is to open the console, click on the object with your mouse, and then type the command. The command `prid` (Player Reference ID) can be used after selecting an object. This will display the object’s reference ID in the console.
• Object IDs: Every object in Fallout New Vegas has a unique ID. You can find these IDs using the Garden of Eden Creation Kit (GECK) or online resources like the Fallout Wiki. You can then use the object ID to target the object directly in the console. Understanding Reference IDs versus Base IDs is also important. Reference IDs are specific instances of an object within the world. Base IDs define the basic properties of an object. Commands often require the Reference ID to work correctly.

Command Syntax: Speaking the Language of the Machine

Understanding the syntax of console commands is essential for using them effectively. Most commands follow a basic structure:

`command [parameter1] [parameter2] …`

Parameters are values that you pass to the command to specify how it should be executed. Parameters can be numbers, strings of text (enclosed in quotation marks), or boolean values (zero or one, representing false or true).

Essential Console Commands: The Arsenal at Your Disposal

Here are some of the most useful and essential Fallout New Vegas console commands, categorized for easy reference.

Player Manipulation: Shaping Your Courier

• `tgm` (Toggle God Mode): Makes you invulnerable and grants infinite ammo. A classic for a reason.
• `tcl` (Toggle Clipping): Allows you to walk through walls and other solid objects. Useful for getting unstuck or exploring out-of-bounds areas.
• `player.additem [ItemID] [Quantity]`: Adds a specified quantity of an item to your inventory. For example, `player.additem 0000000f 1000` will add one thousand bottle caps to your inventory.
• `player.removeitem [ItemID] [Quantity]`: Removes a specified quantity of an item from your inventory.
• `player.setlevel [Level]`: Sets your character’s level to the specified value.
• `player.addperk [PerkID]`: Adds a specified perk to your character.
• `player.removeperk [PerkID]`: Removes a specified perk from your character.
• `player.rewardxp [Amount]`: Grants your character a specified amount of experience points.
• `player.modav [Skill/Stat] [Amount]`: Modifies a skill or stat by a specified amount. For example, `player.modav strength 10` will increase your strength by ten points.
• `player.resethealth`: Fully restores your character’s health.
• `player.movetoqt`: Teleports your character to the current quest target location.

Quest Manipulation: Bending the Narrative

• `getqueststage [QuestID]`: Displays the current stage of a specified quest.
• `setqueststage [QuestID] [StageNumber]`: Sets the stage of a specified quest to a specific number.
• `caqs` (Complete All Quest Stages): Completes all stages of the current quest. Use with extreme caution, as it can break the questline.
• `sqs [QuestID]` (Show Quest Stages): Displays a list of all stages of the quest and whether they are completed.
• `resetquest [QuestID]` (Resets the quest): This will restart the quest from the beginning.

World Manipulation: Godlike Powers Over the Mojave

• `killall`: Kills all NPCs in the immediate area. Be very careful when using this command, as it can have unintended consequences.
• `resurrect`: Resurrects a targeted NPC.
• `tai` (Toggle AI): Disables or enables the artificial intelligence of NPCs. Disabling AI can make NPCs stand still and stop reacting to their environment.
• `tcai` (Toggle Combat AI): Disables or enables the combat artificial intelligence of NPCs. This prevents NPCs from attacking you or each other.
• `set timescale to [Number]`: Adjusts the speed of time in the game. The default value is twenty. A value of one will make time pass very slowly, while a value of one hundred will make it pass very quickly.
• `tmm one` (Toggle Map Markers): Reveals all map markers on the world map.
• `unlock`: Unlocks a targeted door, container, or terminal.
• `lock`: Locks a targeted door, container, or terminal.
• `duplicateallitems`: Duplicates all items from the targeted object. Use this command with caution, as it can cause performance issues or even crash the game if used on objects with a large number of items.

Companion Commands: Managing Your Squad

• `addtofaction [FactionID] one`: Adds a targeted NPC to a specific faction. Useful for making any NPC a companion, although this requires knowing the appropriate faction ID.
• `removefromfaction [FactionID] one`: Removes a targeted NPC from a specific faction.
• `setrelationshiprank [PlayerReferenceID] [Rank]`: Changes the relationship rank between the targeted NPC and the player. The ranks are numerical, research the appropriate values for friend, ally, etc.

Debugging and Troubleshooting: When Things Go Wrong

• `qqq` (Quick Quit): Forces the game to close immediately. Useful when the game has become unresponsive or you are completely stuck.
• `save [SaveName]`: Saves the game from the console. Can be useful if the game is crashing when you try to save normally.
• `fov [Degrees]`: Changes the field of view. Useful if the FoV is incorrect or distorted.
• `enableplayercontrols`: Can help if your character’s controls are locked or unresponsive.

Finding Item IDs and Quest IDs: The Treasure Hunt

Finding the correct Item IDs and Quest IDs is key to effective use of console commands. Here are some methods to find those critical codes:

• The Garden of Eden Creation Kit (GECK): The GECK is the official modding tool for Fallout New Vegas. You can use it to browse through all of the game’s assets and find the IDs of any item, NPC, quest, or other object. There are plenty of tutorials online to help you learn how to use the GECK.
• Online Resources: Many websites and databases, such as the Fallout Wiki, contain comprehensive lists of Item IDs and Quest IDs. These resources are a valuable source of information for anyone using console commands.

Troubleshooting Common Problems: Taming the Console

Even with a good understanding of console commands, you may encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Command Not Working:
  • Double-check for typos in the command.
  • Ensure you are targeting the correct object.
  • Verify that the command is available in the current game context.
  • Check for mod conflicts that may be interfering with the command.
• Game Crashing:
  • Avoid overusing console commands, especially those that modify the game world.
  • Load a previous save to see if the problem persists.
  • Disable any mods that may be causing conflicts.
• Quest Still Broken:
  • Try reloading an earlier save.
  • Consult online forums or communities for possible solutions.

In Conclusion: Unleash Your Inner Wasteland Architect

Fallout New Vegas console commands are a powerful tool that can enhance your gaming experience, fix frustrating bugs, and allow you to experiment with the game in ways you never thought possible. Remember to exercise caution, back up your saves, and use these commands responsibly. Now, go forth and shape the Mojave Wasteland to your liking! Don’t hesitate to share your favorite Fallout New Vegas console commands in the comments below and help other players discover new and exciting ways to play!