Fallout 4 mod gives you special glasses to help you spot hidden synths

Fallout 4's Vault Boy alongside some synths.
Credit: Mobygames and Hellgeist on Nexus Mods.

Fallout 4's Vault Boy alongside some synths.
Credit: Mobygames and Hellgeist on Nexus Mods.

When they’re not decorating their settlements or laughing at a joke told by a robotic clown, Fallout 4’s Sole Survivor can often be found fending off the many dangers of The Commonwealth.

Whether it’s hideous mutated creatures, bloodthirsty raiders or imposing Brotherhood of Steel gunships, life on the surface of the wasteland certainly isn't very safe for those not used to blasting or zapping their way out of trouble.

Also high on the list of terrifying threats the people of Boston have to try and shield themselves from are advanced Institute synths, who often blend easily into the populaces of major settlements, but, thanks to a new mod, might be getting easier to spot.

Feel like seeing Fallout 4’s Institute-fearing NPCs through a different lens?

The mod in question is simply titled ‘Synth Hunter’ and is the work of modder Hellgeist. Some of their previous projects have forced the Sole Survivor to fight using a primitive bow and made Skyrim’s Serana look a little less photogenic.

This time, they’ve decided to give those who live in fear of accidentally befriending a robotic impostor a new fashion accessory that’ll hopefully help combat some of that paranoia.

The mod does this by adding some craftable ‘Synth Hunter’ glasses to the game, which are inspired by the classic John Carpenter movie They Live and will mark any synths you look at while wearing them with a visual effect similar to Skyrim’s detect life spells.

These sexy specs will definitely feed you some spoilers, making them unsuitable if this is your first foray into Fallout 4, but if you’re a veteran of many trips to The Commonwealth rodeo, they can provide the means to do an interesting playthrough based around covertly taking out hidden synths in places like Diamond City and Goodneighbour.

If your eyes have lit up at the idea of creating a vigilante Blade Runner-style character, you’ll need to head for the HalluciGen facility.

Here, after scything through some gunners, you’ll find the blueprints for the glasses, named ‘Armitage's blueprints’ after the Brotherhood Scribe Hellgeist has designed as a lore-friendly reason for their creation, resting on a desk.

Regardless of whether you’re now taking on the mantle of being humanity’s bespectacled saviour, make sure to follow us for more updates on interesting mods like this one for Skyrim and Cyberpunk 2077. You can also check out our mods of the month for February 2023.