Update 20 is coming to Fallout 76 and along with it, buffed temporary public teams to join. Survival in the wasteland is always easier when you’re on a team, but your friends aren’t always online at the same time, and trying to join a permanent team of strangers can be an awkward experience. Bethesda is trying to erase that problem with Public Teams, a tool that will allow you to create or join a team to accomplish specific goals–with stat bonuses for added fun.
The option for public teams will be added to the Social Menu in update 20. All it takes is a click on a team with less than four players and you’re in. Alternatively, you can check your map for active teams, or—if nothing available suits you—you can even create your own team. Inside of your map, you will find that team leaders have special icons displaying their goals, which you can click on to see additional information, and a join button.
Being on a team is going to be good for everyone with the new update. In addition to making it easier to join a team, you will now get a base bonus to your stats when you’re in one. Staying on a team for a short period of time will produce a “bonding” effect with the other players, which stacks all of your bonuses, increasing your overall effectiveness. For example, a fully bonded hunting party will enjoy 25% more XP for ridding the world of Mirelurk Queens and Scorch Beasts, while a Roleplaying party will get +1 Charisma. There are currently six types of teams that you can join; Hunting, Roleplay, Events, Exploration, Building, and Casual. You will get a bonus to your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats with each one, unless you’re in a Hunting or Event teams, in which case you will get more XP.
In case you were wondering, no, private teams aren’t going anywhere. In fact, there are limits to private teams that should encourage players to actually join a private team. For instance, a public team can’t build in each other’s C.A.M.P.s or open locked doors or containers inside of those C.A.M.P.s. In addition to that, engaging in PvP when you’re in a public team does not tag your teammates, so you could find yourself on your own if your team isn’t interested in backing you up.
Working together was always the point of Fallout 76. It’s good to see that Bethesda is providing some additional incentives to work with other players around the wasteland. This update is perfect for those times when you want to just hop on real quick and get some work done, without all of the mess and fuss of coordinating with your existing party. With the addition of public teams, Appalaica is about to get a whole lot friendlier and a whole lot more fun.
