The Fallout 76 Public Test Server (PTS) is introducing a major underarmor rework, completely changing how underarmor stats, mods, and SPECIAL bonuses work. If these changes go live, players will need to relearn plans, rethink builds, and choose underarmor more strategically than ever before.

Here’s a full breakdown of what’s changing, how the new system works, and which underarmor types will be the best choices moving forward.

Fallout 76 Underarmor Base Stats Are Still Type-Specific

Underarmor in Fallout 76 will still retain unique base resistances depending on the type:

- Brotherhood of Steel Underarmor – High ballistic resistance
- Civil Engineer Underarmor – Strong energy and fire resistance
- Secret Service Underarmor – Excellent ballistic and energy resistance, weaker elemental resistance
- Enclave Secret Operative Underarmor (Raid) – Best overall balance of ballistic and energy resistance, but includes a small AP penalty

These base stats are not massive on their own, but they matter more now because mod bonuses scale from the underarmor’s starting stats.

Lining Mods Have Been Reworked

Underarmor now features two modification slots, starting with the familiar lining slot:

- Protective
- Shielded
- Resistant
- Treated

Unlike before, linings no longer provide universal bonuses. Their effectiveness now depends on the underarmor type. For example:

- Brotherhood underarmor can reach 28 ballistic resistance with Protective lining
- Civil Engineer underarmor maxes at 25 ballistic resistance, but gains far more energy and fire resistance

Shielded Is No Longer Always Best

Shielded lining now focuses primarily on energy resistance, not overall stats. Depending on your build and armor set, another lining may be more effective.

New Style Slot: SPECIAL Bonuses Explained

The biggest change is the brand-new Style mod slot, which determines your SPECIAL stat bonuses.

Key Changes:

- SPECIAL bonuses are no longer tied to underarmor type
- Every style provides exactly 10 total SPECIAL points
- Styles can be applied to any underarmor
- Styles still require stable flux to craft

Fallout 76 Underarmor Styles and SPECIAL Bonuses

Here are some notable styles and what they offer:

- Vault Style – +5 Intelligence, +3 Luck, +2 Endurance (best for XP farming)
- Casual Style – High Charisma and Luck (great for trading and XP)
- Raider Style – +5 Luck (excellent for crit-focused builds)
- Brotherhood Style – Strength, Endurance, Perception, Agility (melee builds)
- Enclave Style – Ideal for VATS and commando builds
- Marine Style – Strength, Endurance, Agility
- Civil Engineer Style – Strength, Perception, Charisma

The default Standard Style only provides 6 total SPECIAL points and is clearly inferior.

How to Unlock Underarmor Styles

Vault Style can be purchased with Gold Bullion at Foundation

Other styles are not fully confirmed yet and may come from:

- Events
- Drops
- Rewards or future vendors

Vault Style being easily accessible ensures XP farming builds won’t be locked behind RNG.

Best Underarmor Choices After the Rework

Based on the PTS changes, top-tier underarmor options include:

- Secret Service Underarmor – Strong all-around performance
- Enclave Secret Operative Underarmor – Best ballistic and energy balance (minor AP penalty)
- Civil Engineer Underarmor – Extremely strong fire and energy resistance
- Brotherhood Underarmor – Best ballistic resistance for tanky builds

The “best” option now depends heavily on your armor set, build goals, and chosen style.

Final Thoughts on the Fallout 76 Underarmor Changes

The underarmor rework adds meaningful depth and flexibility to Fallout 76 builds. Decoupling SPECIAL bonuses from underarmor types allows players to optimize resistances and stats independently, opening the door to stronger XP farming, VATS builds, melee setups, and trading characters.

With +5 Intelligence now available through Vault Style, experience farming becomes significantly stronger than in the current live version. Overall, this rework is a welcome change for players who enjoy fine-tuning their builds.