Unlocking Power: A Complete Guide to Fallout 76 Legendary 4th Star Mods and Their Effects
In the constantly evolving world of Fallout 76, Bethesda continues to introduce new layers of customization and complexity for players to explore. One of the most impactful additions in recent updates has been the Legendary 4th Star Mods, which expand the potential of legendary gear by adding a powerful fourth mod effect. For veterans and Wasteland newcomers alike, understanding how these mods work—and which ones are worth your time—is key to building a truly formidable character.
Below, we break down everything you need to know about Legendary 4th Star Mods, including how they function, where to find them, and a detailed effects list to help you make informed choices.
What Are Legendary 4th Star Mods?
Traditionally, legendary gear in Fallout 76 featured up to three star-level effects, each adding unique perks like increased damage, faster reload speed, or boosted carry weight. With the introduction of Legendary 4th Star Mods, players can now slot an additional mod onto certain weapons and armor pieces, offering a fourth effect that can drastically enhance performance in both PvE and PvP.
These mods aren’t part of the regular random legendary roll. Instead, they are crafted and applied separately, allowing for targeted customization—a welcome change for those frustrated by RNG-based upgrades.
How to Obtain and Apply 4th Star Mods
To apply a Legendary 4th Star Mod, you’ll need:
A compatible weapon or armor piece (must already have three legendary stars)
Legendary Modules (available from Purveyor Murmrgh at The Rusty Pick)
The corresponding 4th Star Mod plan (obtained through events, Season Pass rewards, or vendor sales)
Access to a weapon or armor workbench
Once you have all the components, use a workbench to apply the mod. Keep in mind that not all legendary effects can be combined—some mods are exclusive to specific item types or builds.
Legendary 4th Star Mods Effects List
Here’s a non-exhaustive effects list of currently available Legendary 4th Star Mods in Fallout 76. These are subject to balance changes, so always check patch notes for the latest stats.
Weapons
Overdrive Capacitor – Increases energy weapon damage by 15% at the cost of durability.
Explosive Payload – Adds explosive area damage (similar to legacy explosive effect).
Rapid Response Trigger – Greatly increases fire rate while aiming.
Cryo Conduit – Adds a chance to freeze enemies on hit.
Mutant Slayer’s Edge – +10% damage to Super Mutants and a small chance to stagger.
Armor
Reactive Plates – Reflects 10% of melee damage back to the attacker.
Overcharged Shielding – Grants +25 Energy Resistance at night.
Tactical Response Lining – +15% movement speed for 10 seconds after being hit.
Auto-Stim Injector – Automatically uses a Stimpak when health falls below 25% (cooldown applies).
Stealth Enhancer – Greatly reduces detection from enemies when crouching.
Best 4th Star Mod Combos by Build
Depending on your build, certain 4th Star Mods can significantly improve performance:
Heavy Gunner Builds: Explosive Payload + Rapid Response Trigger on a Gatling Plasma can turn you into a crowd-control monster.
Stealth Snipers: Combine Stealth Enhancer armor mods with Cryo Conduit for effective hit-and-freeze tactics.
Tank Builds: Reactive Plates with Auto-Stim Injector ensure you stay alive longer while absorbing heavy damage.
Final Thoughts
The arrival of Legendary 4th Star Mods has added another compelling layer of strategy and personalization to Fallout 76. Whether you're perfecting your endgame build or experimenting with new loadouts, these mods allow for some of the deepest character customization the game has seen yet.
Keep grinding those events and checking vendor inventories—you never know when the next game-changing mod might drop. As always in the Wasteland, adapt, experiment, and stay prepared.
If you've discovered a particularly effective combination or want to share your favorite 4th star setup, sound off in the comments or the community forums. The Appalachian frontier is only as strong as its survivors.