Ionizing radiation, often referred to as simply radiation, is an ever-present enemy lurking in the wastelands.
Gameplay[ | ]
Kodiak in level 1 radiation field. Notice green clouds.
Kodiak in level 2 radiation field. Notice green waves.
Kodiak in level 3 radiation field. Notice yellowish waves and clouds.
In Wasteland 3 radiation works similar to the one in Wasteland 2 and blocks early player progression to higher level map areas. It is primarily found on the world map as large irradiated clouds. In order to safely traverse it (the party will otherwise take damage per 1.5 seconds), Kodiak has to be upgraded with proper level of radiation resistance. Taking radiation damage has a chance to cause mutations.
Each radiation field has a specific intensity, marked by color and waves of radiation. Level 1 radiation appears in light green clouds. Level 2 radiation can be identified by green waves. And, finally, level 3 radiation has yellowish waves and clouds. This intensity determines how protective Kodiak have to be in order to traverse the field without taking damage, i.e. a level 2 field requires a level 2 radiation resistance upgrade. Partial protection will reduce damage taken, i.e. crossing a level 3 field with level 2 radiation resistance upgrade will cause damage as if the team was crossing a level 1 field unprotected.
Radiation damage[ | ]
| Radiation resistance | Radiation level 1 | Radiation level 2 | Radiation level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| No resistance | 7.5% CON per 1.5 seconds | 20% CON per 1.5 seconds | 30% CON per 1.5 seconds |
| Resistance level 1 | — | 7.5% CON per 1.5 seconds | 25% CON per 1.5 seconds |
| Resistance level 2 | — | — | 7.5% CON per 1.5 seconds |
| Resistance level 3 | — | — | — |
Radiation resistance[ | ]
Unfortunately resistance to radiation effect found on Nuclear Crown 
and Infused Nuclear Crown 
does nothing against world map radiation neither with Holy Radiation 
. It is probably a bug, or exact behavior is unrevealed.
Note[ | ]
Surprisingly, having a combat encounter in radiation field will prevent taking damage from radiation (for the encounter duration) as if there is no radiation field completely.
See also[ | ]
- Kodiak upgrades - for upgrades with radiation resistance.
- Wasteland 3 mutations - for the list of mutatutions caused by radiation.