Bethesda Game Studios announced that Fallout 76 has surpassed 25 million players since its launch. The free major update "World Pets" will arrive on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox on December 1, 2026, further expanding the game's animal companion system.
Once the update goes live, pets will no longer be confined to camps; they can follow survivors as they explore Appalachia. Players can manage their companions via the Pip-Boy and radial command wheel, with taming options including dogs, cats, mutated pigs, and deathclaws.
Animal companions can level up to a maximum of 200. They can not only participate in combat but also find stimpaks or track legendary enemies. The development team stated that the combat effectiveness of various companions will be balanced, encouraging players to choose primarily based on aesthetic preferences rather than solely pursuing damage numbers.
The "World Pets" update will also adjust environmental decorations in the southern region of Skyline Valley and add bounty hunting contracts. In conjunction with the Fallout Day celebrations, players who log in before November 1 can claim the "Wasteland Wanderer" themed outfit for free from the Atomic Shop.