Fallout 76 Items: 13 Armor Mods You Should Always Keep
In Fallout 76, armor isn’t just about protection—it’s a toolbox of survival strategies, especially when modded properly. Whether you’re a daily Wastelander or a casual looter, keeping the right armor mods can drastically improve your build’s effectiveness. Mods can be rare, expensive, or locked behind reputation and RNG, so when you find one worth keeping, don’t scrap it.
Here are 13 armor mods that are always worth hanging onto.
1. Pocketed and Deep Pocketed
Encumbrance is a never-ending battle in Fallout 76. These mods increase your carry weight—hugely valuable when you’re running heavy gear, farming resources, or hoarding loot to later sell. If you’re trying to grind and buy Fallout 76 caps PC, carry weight becomes even more important.
2. Cushioned
Fall damage is a hidden killer in Appalachia, especially in areas like Cranberry Bog or The Mire. Cushioned mods help you avoid unnecessary death when platforming or dropping from cliffs during combat.
3. Lead Lined
Radiation can sneak up on you, especially in events like Radiation Rumble or areas like West Tek. Lead Lined helps reduce that constant Rad buildup, saving you from burning through RadAway mid-fight.
4. Dense
If you’re a melee tank or spend time face-to-face with explosive enemies, Dense is a lifesaver. It reduces explosive damage—a must for taking on Super Mutants, Scorchbeasts, or PvP grenade spam.
5. Ultralight Build
This mod reduces armor weight and increases AP regeneration. If you’re a VATS or stealth build user, this one is huge. Not only do you move lighter, but you can spam VATS more easily and escape faster.
6. Asbestos Lining
Flamers and fire traps are more common than people realize. This mod significantly reduces fire damage, which helps during Daily Ops and specific events where fire effects are everywhere.
7. Buttressed
A go-to for heavy armor users, Buttressed adds a massive defensive boost. If you like playing the frontline or often solo tougher events, this mod keeps you standing longer.
8. BioCommMesh
This less common mod reduces the effect of chems wearing off. It’s a must-have for junkie builds and chem-reliant players. Even if you’re not, it has great synergy with temporary buff stacking.
9. Custom Fitted
Mobility is crucial for both PvE and PvP. Custom Fitted improves sprint speed—especially helpful in heavy combat zones or when you’re trying to outrun enemy waves or retreat smartly.
10. Pneumatic
Helps reduce limb damage, which is more useful than it seems. Getting crippled mid-battle can ruin your momentum. Pneumatic is solid insurance against that kind of inconvenience.
11. Welded or Tempered
These mods give armor a flat defense increase. While not fancy, they’re dependable and help low- to mid-level players survive tougher areas while farming or doing dailies.
12. Motion-Assist Servos (Power Armor only)
Boosts Strength, which means more carry weight and melee damage. If you’re rocking Power Armor, especially for events or long farming sessions, this is a fantastic pick.
13. Emergency Protocols (Power Armor only)
This rare mod reduces damage and increases movement speed when your health is low. For players who like to live dangerously or run bloodied builds, this can literally save your life.
Armor mods in Fallout 76 are more than passive bonuses—they shape your playstyle and determine how far you can push your build. Whether you’re min-maxing for damage, survivability, or utility, keeping the right mods in storage or your crafting rotation is just smart planning.
And if you’re looking to level the playing field or stock up on gear faster, many players choose to buy Fallout 76 items PS5 or buy fallout 76 caps PC to save time and streamline their build optimization. Just be sure you always hold onto mods that match your playstyle—you never know when the meta or your mood might shift.
Stay prepared, and keep modding. Appalachia rewards the resourceful.