Fallout 4: Here’s How To Change Genders

Fallout 4 is a highly customizable game that is heavily reliant on choices. During the character creation, one of the first choices you’re going to make is deciding between the gender of the Sole Survivor. Even though gender doesn’t impact the game all that much, players still might come to regret it eventually. The matter is further complicated if you don’t have the willpower to play from the beginning when you’ve already managed to progress through the game significantly. Having said all that, players have been wondering for ages if is there some kind of a way to change gender in Fallout 4, and if there is, can you do it mid-playthrough? 

What does gender affect in Fallout 4? 

Gender has the most influence on your backstory but besides that, it doesn’t affect gameplay all that much. There are marginal differences between the genders related to perks, but it’s nothing significant. We know that by choosing gender your name and your spouse are affected as well as your voice. In some situations playing a female character is more fitting while in some, playing a male is better. 

However, it’s important to note that Nate is the canon Sole Survivor in the case of Fallout 4, so if you’re going for authenticity you should probably choose male. 

Gender will also not affect your romantic exploits since you can romance both females and males no matter what gender you decide to play. As I’ve mentioned, the only deciding factor for you choosing either gender should be your personal preferences. However, if you come to regret your choice there is a way to remedy it by using console commands. 

How to change gender in Fallout 4? 

The only way to change gender in Fallout 4 is by using the command sexchange. This will instantly change your male character into a female one and, your female character into a male one. Besides visually looking different, not much will change. However, there are serious complications related to this cheat if you decide to ever use it related to voice acting, interactions with NPCs, and various quests. 

The change command can be used on other NPCs as well. If you decide to play around with the command, keep in mind that this can also seriously mess up your game. Never attempt this command on essential NPCs important for quests without saving your game first. The consequences of using this cheat might not be as obvious from the start, but they may be difficult and game-breaking later on until you’ve advanced further through the game. 

Perks specific to gender, for example, “Black Widow”, are not transferable as well. 

Can you change your looks in Fallout 4? 

If you’ve decided to go through with the sex change you’re probably going to be interested in changing your looks as well to match your new gender. You can change your looks in two ways in Fallout 4. 

The first way involves visiting Doc Crocker in Diamond City. Doc Crocker also appears during the quest The Disappearing Act. You can purchase his services for 100 caps and he will provide you with total facial reconstruction. 

The other way to change your looks in Fallout 4 is to use showlooksmenu player 1 command. This command will open the character creation screen and will allow you to alter the physical characteristics of your character. Like skin tone, face, hair, and various other attributes like your overall fitness level. The only thing you cannot change via this command is gender, and for that, you have the sexchange command. 

As you can see just because you’ve already started playing the game doesn’t mean that your character creation opportunities have been taken from you. You can change your gender midway by using sexchange console commands, and if you decide to use it, be prepared to deal with the messy glitchy consequences. 

You can also alter your looks also via the console command albeit a different one, showlooksmenu player 1. Or you can simply purchase the services of Doc Crocker in Diamond City for 100 caps. He can be found either at his house or at the Diamond City Market. Either way, it opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to customization.  Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!