It can be a case of jolly cooperation or end up in a fight to the death.
To find a friend, you simply need to add them by searching for them in the Friend tab.
This doesn’t automatically join their team though.

To do that you’ll need to smack the player’s name and click “Invite to Team”.
So if a friend has the caps, they can bring along buddies for free.
Friends can also help with the hostile takeover of workshops.

you’re able to also hand some ammunition to another player if they’re running low.
How PVP works
When you begin Fallout 76, Pacifist mode will be automatically enabled.
Upon reaching this threshold though, you will still take reduced damage if someone shoots you.

But if you fire back, damage will be their regular figures.
Should you not wish to engage with PVP activities, Pacifist mode can be re-enabled via the options menu.
Dying isn’t immediate, putting you in an immobile state for a short time.

However any damage sustained while in this state will case that player to die.
This will leave a “death bag” that contains all their junk, but not weapons and ammunition.
you might mitigate any risk from death by redeploying your CAMP to a nearby location.