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This is a lore summary, presenting intradiegetic or in-universe information about the subject. For game characteristics and similar data, consult the table on the right.
Game-specific articles
FalloutMentats
Fallout 2Mentats
Fallout 3Mentats
Berry Mentats
Grape Mentats
Orange Mentats
FO: New VegasMentats
Party Time Mentats
Fallout 4Mentats
Berry Mentats
Grape Mentats
Orange Mentats
Bufftats
Psychotats
Fallout 76Mentats
FO TacticsMentats
 
Gametitle-FO1Gametitle-FO2Gametitle-FO3Gametitle-FNVGametitle-FO4
Gametitle-FO1Gametitle-FO2Gametitle-FO3Gametitle-FNVGametitle-FO4

A pillbox of mind-altering chems. Increases memory related functions, and speeds other mental processes. Highly addictive.

In-game description, Fallout

Mentats are a nootropic chem in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, and Fallout Tactics.

Background[]

The chalky red pills manufactured by Med-Tek were a popular recreational (party) drug before the Great War, favored by consumers for their effect on creativity.[1] The active ingredient is a powerful nootropic that increases memory related functions, and speeds other mental processes.[2] Of course, the effect is temporary, leaving the user tired and sluggish once it wears off. Excessive consumption could also result in health complications, including migraines and even debilitating neurological disorders.[3][4] Coupled with a high addiction rate, Mentats were a double edged sword.[2]

Despite that, chem packages (available both as cardboard packs and tins)[5] sold well, to the point where the company started developing flavored varieties with slightly different properties.[6][7] Their popularity survived the Great War and made them a popular drug across the wasteland. Some chemists even figured out how to iterate on the design and create special blends of Mentats.[8]

Variants[]

Mentats[]

Chem Mentats

All Mentats increase Intelligence and Perception and are moderately addictive. Mentats in Fallout and Fallout 2 also provide an increase to charisma.

Brilliantly Berry Mentats[]

FO3 Mentats
Gameplay article:

Berry Mentats are half as robust as common East Coast Mentats, only increasing ones Intelligence.

Berry Mentats[]

FO4MentatsNifskope
Gameplay article:

Another variant of berry flavored Mentats makes one more observant, and able to see living targets more easily.

Glamourously Grape Mentats[]

FO3 Mentats
Gameplay articles:

These Mentats are potent pills that increase ones Charisma but forgo increasing Intelligent and Perception.

Observantly Orange Mentats[]

FO3 Mentats
Gameplay articles:

Orange Mentats are similar to Berry Mentats, but reversed; they only increase one's Perception and accuracy in the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System.

Party Time Mentats[]

FO3 Mentats
Gameplay article:

Party Time Mentats are a variant crafted by chemists after the Great War. They provide the same bonus to Intelligence and Perception as regular Mentats, but greatly increase ones Charisma.

Behind the scenes[]

Fallout Demo Mentats Beta
  • Originally in Fallout, Mentats were supposed to be taken intravenously with a syringe: the .frm file for this item still exists in the Fallout Demo files.
  • Their name is a reference to Frank Herbert's Dune, where, in the wake of humanity rejecting artificially intelligent computers and robots, Mentats are humans trained for computer-like mathematical and logical computations. Additionally, the pills are colored red — red-stained lips are a distinguishing characteristic of a Dune Mentat.

References

  1. Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets p.74: "This party drug was once favored for the boost it gave to creativity—tune in, turn on, drop out. Mentats are just the ticket when you need to figure out something particularly perplexing or impress someone with your wits and charm. Mentats also sharpen your Perception, which greatly enhances long-range sniping attacks."
  2. 2.0 2.1 Fallout and Fallout 2 item description: "{5300}{}{Mentats}"
    "{5301}{}{A pillbox of mind-altering chems. Increases memory related functions, and speeds other mental processes. Highly addictive.}"
    (PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout), PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2))
  3. Little Yangtze terminals; Little Yangtze Log Terminal, Elijah's Journal - Day 4
  4. Mobius suffers from acute dementia as a result of extremely prolonged Mentats and Psycho abuse.
  5. Game items
  6. National Archives terminals; Prize Redemption Terminal
  7. National Archives terminals; Administrator Berkeley's Terminal, Notice u89003
  8. Different recipes available in Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 4.
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