Fallout 4 Controls Guide: PC, Xbox, and PlayStation

by Charlotte Riggs / Articles, Fallout, Game Controls & Hotkeys, Misc. Guides / 22 Apr 2024

When it comes to post apocalyptic games, Fallout 4 has to be one of the most well known, with Bethesda no doubt building on the franchise’s immense success over the decades. Indeed, the Fallout name has become synonymous with post apocalyptic RPGs, and I for one think that, despite its age (approaching nearly a decade old at this point), it lives up to this day.

Fallout 4 allows players to choose between playing as one of two characters, canonically called Nate & Nora, who were a pre-war veteran and lawyer respectively. When the nuclear warning goes off, the player is rushed into the local vault, where they’re cryogenically frozen – and subsequently wake up two hundred years later in a wasteland that’s packed with a huge array of new enemies to face.

If you ask me; perhaps one of the best things about Fallout 4 – aside from the stunning visuals alone – has to be the immersive nature of the game and the truly open world feeling… Enemies are diverse, and companions and gameplay styles even more so – giving you complete freedom for how you want to play. It’s something that very few games can pull off, and even less so games of its era, but Fallout 4 does so without even breaking a sweat.

Of course, there’s a lot to be said for the exhilarating and ever changing experience that this incredible title can offer; however, that’s not much use if you’re not sure how to play!! Don’t worry, though; we’ve outlined the main Fallout 4 controls you’ll need to know as follows to really help you get to grips with the game and build your character, your way.

All PC Settings

PC Keyboard Controls

ESC – Pause

F5 – Quicksave

F9 – Quickload

1 thru 0 – Hotkeys

TAB – Pip-Boy

Q – VATS

W – Forward

E – Activate

R – Ready/Reload

CAPSLOCK – Always Run

A – Strafe Left

S – Back

D – Strafe Right

F – Favorites

SHIFT – Sprint

CTRL – Sneak

ALT – Bash/Power Attack/Grenade

SPACEBAR – Jump

X – Toggle Always Run

C – Auto Move

V – Toggle POV

Mouse 1 – Attack

Mouse 2 – Aim/Block

Default Scheme

Xbox Controls

A – Activate

B – Toggle Pipboy (open/close)

X – Ready Weapon/Reload Weapon (hold to sheath or holster)

Y – Jump

Start – Pause Game

Back – Toggle Point of View

RB – Bash/Power Attack/Grenade (hold to use grenade)

LB – V.A.T.S. Activation

RT – Attack

LT – Aim/Block

LS – Move/Sprint (click to sprint)

RS – Look/Sneak (click to sneak)

D-Pad – Access Favorites (press A to select a favorite)

PlayStation Controls

X – Activate

Circle – Toggle Pipboy (open/close)

Square – Ready Weapon/Reload Weapon (hold to sheath or holster)

Triangle – Jump

Options – Pause Game

Touchpad – Toggle Point of View

R1 – Bash/Power Attack/Grenade (hold to use grenade)

L1 – V.A.T.S. Activation

R2 – Attack

L2 – Aim/Block

L3 – Move/Sprint (click to sprint)

R3 – Look/Sneak (click to sneak)

D-Pad – Access Favorites (press X to select a favorite)

Charlotte Riggs

Growing up when the Nintendo DS Lite was still in its heyday, Charlotte has long held a passion for gaming. These days, her favourite games and franchises include Fallout, Pokemon, Red Dead Redemption, Civilization, and a range of other indie titles.
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