I couldn't help but adopt Fallout 76's most hated feature

After toying with the idea of giving Fallout 76 another chance after years, I took the plunge at the end of October and I'm really glad I did. Sure, I had a few awkward crashes (which anyone who plays the PS4 version can have) and I fell victim to a misleading Space Suit in the Atomic Shop, but that didn't overshadow everything I loved about the game. I can't get the music out of my head, I get excited every time I hear the sound of Spooky Scorched, and I'm collecting the biggest pile of junk I can get away with building CAMP. It's the last point that made me pay for Fallout 1st because 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 controversy is that Fallout 76 players argued that the service was essential. While monthly atoms and bonus items are standard for video game subscription services and comparable to what's offered in programs like Fortnite Club, these are additional perks that players struggle with. When the service debuted, players pushed back at how long desired features were locked behind a paywall, a sentiment that never really went away. Private worlds, exclusive seasonal rewards, and the SCORE bonus for seasonal progress are 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.

Although you can definitely play Fallout 76 without this item, its sheer ease of play is significantly more enjoyable, as literally hours of inventory management can be removed from the experience. If players do not have this Fallout 1st exclusive item, they must store all their junk in their stash. With a limit of just £1,200, it fills up very quickly, especially if players are sentimental and want to keep certain items. Accumulation of copies of each weapon, decoration pieces for Fallout 76 CAMPs, clothing, and armor will be enough to fill a stash, meaning players have to make some tough decisions if they want to also have a healthy amount of junk on hand to build, craft, and repair. However, if players get a Scrapbox through Fallout 1st, that immediately changes as it gives them an infinite amount of junk storage. It can be accessed from almost anywhere via the survival tent, so players can quickly dump their junk and continue playing.

Fallout 76's Survival Stan also doubles as a free fast travel point, which is a great way to save on the Caps you'd normally spend traveling to points of interest.

Why I Couldn't Resist Fallout 76's Scrapbox (And Why I Won't Get My First Place Back)

One of the things players recommend to those who want to avoid Fallout 1st is to never get it, because once you have Scrapbox and see firsthand how much time it saves, it's hard to go back. Unfortunately for me (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) I never got that opportunity when I started playing Fallout 76 during the free trial of Fallout 1. Once or twice a year Bethesda will give a no-pay Fallout 76 users have the opportunity to experience the benefits of 1st through a free trial in the Atomic Shop and I happened to get into Fallout 76 at the end of his last trial. This meant I had access to Scrapbox right from the start and boy did it make a difference.

One of Fallout 76 The starting tips I've always heard is to pile up junk from the moment you leave the Vault, so that's what I did. The first day I filled my Scrapbox to the brim and it became a habit to grab a few points of interest, drop the tent and hit the Scrapbox. This gameplay loop was satisfying and addicting, and when I added in the utility of a free space for fast travel to return to via the survival tent, I was more than happy with the whole process. Then another day came and the end of my Fallout 1 trial. After about 30 minutes of trying to get by without Scrapbox (and the quick access Stash) and being constantly harassed, I backed off. I bought Fallout 1st for a month, something I will probably do whenever I play the game.

So while Scrapbox isn't really a paid microtransaction and the game isn't necessarily unplayable without it, Fallout 76 it's a lot less fun when you need to manage your inventory 24/7. For this reason, I fully understand the community backlash against Scrapbox. However, I don't mind paying for Fallout 1st and the trial was the nudge I needed to acknowledge 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 ripped from the beloved game New Vegas. All the Atomic Shop discounts add up and the monthly currency (which I would buy anyway) basically sees Fallout 1st pay for itself. Having a private world to relax in is also a benefit. All of this said, I don't regret my purchase and I fully recommend Fallout 1st, although I do admit that a few perks – like the almighty Scrapbox – are so useful that they really shouldn't be paid for.