The second season of Fallout has been nothing short of an expansive odyssey. From the terrifying emergence of deathclaws to the bizarre sight of feral ghouls donning Elvis attire, the show has delivered pivotal revelations that suggest we might be witnessing a stealth adaptation of Fallout 4.
While the narrative scale has ballooned between the first and second seasons, the internal timeline remains remarkably tight; only a few weeks have elapsed within the story. In the unforgiving geography of the Wasteland, that isn’t much time at all. Nevertheless, our central trio—Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), Maximus (Aaron Moten), and the Ghoul (Walton Goggins)—has endured enough trauma and triumph to fill a lifetime. As this chapter of the live-action adaptation reaches its conclusion, it’s the perfect moment to apply the logic of the games: How much “XP” have these characters actually accrued, and which perks have they unlocked on their journey?
[Editor’s note: The following contains significant spoilers for the entirety of Fallout season 2.]
Progression in the Fallout universe is a familiar grind: you earn experience by checking off quests, uncovering map markers, bypassing security, and neutralizing threats. Various consumables, such as magazines and specialized gear, can accelerate this growth. Clever players might even leverage the “Idiot Savant” perk to boost their gains through sheer, lucky incompetence.
In our analysis of Season 2, it’s clear that while everyone has progressed, their growth rates vary wildly. Using the level 50 cap from Fallout: New Vegas as our yardstick (rather than the infinite scaling of Fallout 4), here is how the protagonists stack up.
The Ghoul
The Ghoul enters the fray with a massive head start, having survived the nuclear frontier for over two centuries. While much of that time was spent in subterranean dormancy, his introduction in the series debut immediately signaled a high-level build.
However, despite his legendary reputation, he isn’t invincible. He has been bested by radscorpions and even took a heavy hit from Lucy, who managed to propel him through a window. Given that he still struggles against top-tier Wasteland threats, we estimate him to be around Level 20-25. He is a formidable veteran, but he hasn’t quite reached the “God-mode” feeling of a Level 40 character.
His build leans heavily into Endurance. He clearly possesses the Cannibal perk, evidenced by his grim dining habits after being rescued by Maximus. His reliance on chemical vials—likely his version of Rad-Away or specialized stims to stave off feralization—suggests the Chem Resistant and Ghoulish perks are active. Furthermore, his tactical use of explosives at the Caesar’s Legion camp implies high Perception and the Demolition Expert perk.
Maximus
Maximus began his journey as a Level 1 initiate, possessing more discipline than actual field experience. While the Brotherhood of Steel provided a foundation of strength, his true education occurred in the wild. By the end of Season 2, he has survived internal Brotherhood politics and survived a brutal melee with Deathclaws. We place him around Level 10-15.
Interestingly, Maximus appears to have invested heavily in Charisma—or perhaps he’s just benefiting from a high Luck stat. Only a character with a unique social build could deliver his famously awkward dialogue and still maintain a sense of sincerity. His bonds with Dane and Thaddeus suggest he has unlocked the Inspirational perk. On the physical side, his ability to withstand a thrashing from multiple Deathclaws points to a heavy investment in Toughness and Lifegiver.
Lucy MacLean
Like Maximus, Lucy entered the surface world as a total novice. Her Vault 33 upbringing provided her with technical knowledge but zero practical survival skills. However, her narrative arc has been a “speed-run” of Wasteland horrors. By the time she reunites with Maximus in the finale, she has effectively cleared her primary questline: finding her father. We also place her in the Level 10-15 bracket.
Lucy’s mechanical build is the antithesis of Maximus’s. She consistently fails Speech checks, most notably with the Great Khans and at the Legion camp. Her Sneak skill is similarly lacking, as her attempt at stealth in Sonny’s Sundries was a disaster.
Instead, Lucy has dumped all her points into Perception and Agility. Her marksmanship with a rifle is elite, suggesting she has acquired the Sniper perk. She also displays a surprising knack for the Pickpocket skill, managing to liberate a Power Fist and covertly handcuff her father without raising an immediate alarm.
Final Thoughts
As Fallout Season 2 draws to a close, Lucy and Maximus find themselves as a balanced party—her long-range precision and his frontline durability making up for their individual shortcomings. They are now prepared for the escalating conflict on the horizon. Meanwhile, the Ghoul’s trek toward Colorado, fueled by the hope of finding his family, ensures he will be forced to grind out even more levels in the episodes to come.
Fallout Season 2 is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
Source: Polygon
