Fallout 76 has its next big mystery, and this one has a distinctly murderous edge. Fallout 76: The Slasher, the game’s 70th free update, is now available, bringing a season-long investigation to Appalachia alongside the game’s long-awaited next-generation upgrades for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
A mysterious killer claiming the legacy of the infamous Pint-Sized Slasher is terrorizing the Wasteland, leaving behind a trail of clues, grisly discoveries and devoted followers. Vault Dwellers will need to piece together the evidence while dealing with new enemies and earning rewards along the way.
The Slasher’s story will unfold through December 1, with new activities and challenges becoming available across Appalachia throughout the event. Players can take part in scavenger hunts, investigate unmarked graves, tackle Daily Ops and Infestations, participate in Mischief Night celebrations and more as they gradually get closer to uncovering the truth behind the killer.
The mysterious evidence scattered throughout Appalachia forms the backbone of the investigation, eventually leading to a cinematic showdown. Players will also have to contend with the Pint-Sized Phantoms and other fanatical followers who have gathered around the Slasher, with themed rewards including new power armor and skins available for those willing to follow the trail.
Bethesda says The Slasher also introduces a new approach to Fallout 76, connecting activities across Appalachia into one evolving experience rather than treating them as entirely separate pieces of content. The limited-time system could also be used for future updates, allowing new stories and activities to develop over several weeks.
Creative Director Jon Rush described The Slasher as “a first of its kind update for Fallout 76,” with the experience designed to unfold throughout the game’s Fall updates. The team was particularly interested in bringing the Pint-Sized Slasher concept into the modern Fallout 76 timeline, reimagining the legend around a manipulative fanatic and his followers.
Alongside the new content, Fallout 76 has also received its next-generation console upgrade. Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 players can now experience the game at 1440p and 60fps, with the improvements applying to The Slasher and future updates. Players who own the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 versions can upgrade to the current-generation versions for free, while Bethesda will continue supporting previous-generation consoles with additional visual improvements and stability updates.
Fallout 76: The Slasher is available now on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. The game is also available through Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra.