Bethesda has unleashed the highly anticipated "Ghoul Within" update for Fallout 76, marking a significant transformation in the game's landscape. This major update introduces playable Ghoul characters, a plethora of new features and content additions, and a host of bug fixes.  Alongside this update comes the launch of Season 20: Glow of the Ghoul, offering players access to unique Ghoul-themed abilities and exciting new content.

The ability to become a Ghoul in Fallout 76 has been a long-awaited feature, generating considerable excitement among fans since its confirmation by Bethesda.  Players were granted early access to the Ghoulification feature during a Public Test Server phase in December 2024, providing valuable feedback. While reception was largely positive, some concerns arose regarding the 1,000 Atoms ($10) fee required to revert to human form and then transform back into a Ghoul. Now, three months later,  players can finally embrace their inner Ghoul and experience the wasteland from a whole new perspective.

With the arrival of the Ghoul Within update, players are exploring new build possibilities for their transformed characters.  The update (version 1.7.18.22), available on all platforms, officially kicks off Season 20: Glow of the Ghoul.  The Ghoulification process begins with the "Leap of Faith" questline, which leads players to a previously unexplored area of the Savage Divide.  Through interactions with key characters in this questline, players complete their transformation, unlocking two Ghoul-exclusive abilities, Glow and Feral, and gaining access to 30 unique Perks.

Glow provides significant health boosts and enables specific Perks, while Feral grants stat boosts and penalties based on the fullness of the Feral meter.  Maintaining a Feral meter above 60%, for example, grants a +15 Max HP bonus. The Feral meter depletes over time but can be replenished by consuming Chems.

While Ghouls can revert to human form, the 1,000 Atom "Ghoul Retransformation" fee presents a barrier for those who wish to switch back and forth. The "Leap of Faith" questline can only be completed once, and being a Ghoul can limit access to certain content due to hostile factions.  To navigate these challenges, Ghouls can utilize disguises crafted by Jaye, a new NPC introduced with the update, allowing them to access content typically reserved for humans.

Beyond Ghoulification, update 1.7.18.22 introduces a range of Ghoul-themed rewards as part of Season 20, including a Mini Nuke Stein, a "Goo-tub," and more. Players can earn these rewards by participating in various events throughout the season, which concludes in June. Additionally, a new Level 50 Character Boost is available for 1500 Atoms ($15), providing a fast track to level 50 with unlocked weapons, map markers, and other valuable items to quickly engage with recent content.

Finally, the update addresses numerous technical bugs and glitches while introducing weapon and perk balance changes.  Notable adjustments include significant base damage buffs to pistols and new effects for existing perks like Spiritual Healer and Gunslinger.

The Ghoul Within update has dramatically changed the Fallout 76 experience, offering players a unique and exciting way to explore Appalachia.  Embracing the Glow has never been so rewarding.