Gunners and the Enclave: A Deep Dive into Fallout’s Mercenary Mayhem and Government Gone Rogue
The Fallout universe includes mutated creatures, survivors, and factions. Each faction seeks power in a nuclear-ravaged world. The Gunners and the Enclave stand out. They offer flavors of ruthlessness and ambition. Let’s dive in to dissect both groups and answer burning questions.
The Gunners: Commonwealth’s Kings of Chaos?
Who are the Gunners? They resemble neighborhood watch groups. They trade sensible shoes for combat boots. Armed with laser rifles, they are better organized. They exhibit a decidedly more violent nature.
- Did the Enclave create the Gunners?
The million-cap question is here. Did the Enclave help create the Gunners? The short answer is no certainty about this. The game leaves it murky. In the wasteland, murkiness is common.
No evidence links the Enclave to the Gunners’ origin. But it’s fun to ponder the possibilities. The Gunners are well-equipped for a mercenary group. They display military tactics and have organization. This is rare among wasteland factions. Many lean toward chaos or rigid structures, like the Brotherhood of Steel.
Are they a splinter group from the Enclave? Perhaps Enclave remnants initiated this project after their defeat? It’s possible as the Enclave planned for the long term and used manipulation. A mercenary group like this could align with their future goals. Think of it as an Enclave expansion plan in the wasteland.
Alternatively, Gunners may simply be a product of their brutal environment. In a dangerous land, a well-organized mercenary group could naturally form for survival advantages. Perhaps they watched past war films and took notes. The wasteland is strange.
- Can you befriend the Gunners?
What if you could become friends with the Gunners? Imagine walking into Gunners Plaza, waving and aiming to negotiate. Unfortunately, Fallout 4 quickly ends that fantasy.
“I think it was a missed opportunity that we couldn’t join the gunners or at least do a mission where we talk with them. They’re permanently hostile at you just like raiders! Nov 27, 2015”
This is a common sentiment from players. Unlike other factions, Gunners are hostile from the start. There’s no dialogue or diplomacy; just gunfire and ill intentions. They behave like the angry neighbor who yells at you for stepping on their lawn—except their lawn is enormous.
It’s a pity. Imagine morally gray quests with them. What if working for Gunners meant clashing with the Minutemen or Brotherhood? Internal conflict and moral dilemmas could create depth! Instead, they remain in the “shoot on sight” category, simplifying interactions while missing chances for narrative complexity.
- Are Gunners always hostile in Fallout 4?
“Gunners will occasionally attack settlements allied with the Sole Survivor. Two non-hostile Gunner mercenaries can be found protecting the traders Dreth and Fred O’Connell. Gunners are openly hostile to the Commonwealth Minutemen.”
Yet, exceptions exist, as two non-hostile Gunners guard traders. This hints at their mercenary nature. They aren’t just ruthless; they show some professionalism, sort of. If you pay them, they might leave you alone or even work for you. This suggests underlying nuance beneath their aggressive facade.
Their hostility toward Minutemen is worth noting. It highlights their position in the Commonwealth as major power players who challenge Minutemen goals of establishing order. It’s a clash of techniques and ideologies between profit-driven brutality and community-focused ideals.
- Why did MacCready leave the Gunners?
“Though the caps were plentiful, the Gunners’ lack of scruples and indiscriminate approach to collateral damage were at odds with MacCready’s personal code and the promise he made to his son. MacCready broke ties with the mercenary group in the summer of 2287 and attempted to resume his career as a freelance contractor.”
MacCready’s exit emphasizes their moral failings. The Gunners are unscrupulous mercenaries willing to cause collateral damage without care for it. They hurt innocents and disregard ethics for profit above all else. This depicts a group that is not only dangerous but also deeply corrupt.
His personal code unveils his underlying humanity amidst brutality. He represents those who still hold onto their moral compass in such harsh conditions. MacCready’s rejection of their methods shows how far they strayed from decency. Classic tale: a good man in a bad situation chooses principles over money. Props to you, MacCready, even if you owe me caps for ammo.
- Are Gunners evil in Fallout?
“They are a mercenary organization with advanced military training and the largest mercenary group in the Commonwealth, being vastly superior than Raiders in discipline, organization, training and weaponry but similar to them due to their hostile and brutal behavior.”
Evil? They aren’t running charity work. The Gunners sit firmly in moral ambiguity associated with many Fallout factions. They won’t twirl mustaches or act as villains but they definitely aren’t heroes handing out Nuka-Cola.
Their mercenary nature secures their place among those lacking moral compasses. They work for caps, plain and simple. If the price is right, they’ll do anything for anyone without care. Their superior training makes them a dangerous force, maybe akin to an unethical security firm.
Comparing them to Raiders works well. Raiders are chaotic without structure; however, Gunners are like Raiders with training and organization. They offer a sophisticated brand of wasteland brutality driven by profit over mere aggression. So, are they evil? Not cartoonishly so, but definitely no tea party guests.
The Enclave: America, America, God Shed His Grace on… Just Us?
Now let’s talk about the Enclave—the self-proclaimed heirs of the American dream who missed humanity’s inclusion in the dream. Imagine Uncle Sam fully embracing survivalist ideals, deeming everyone else as mutant liabilities—that is, in essence, the Enclave.
- Who wiped out the Enclave?
“Weakened and cut off from
The remaining Enclave personnel in New California were ultimately defeated. The Brotherhood of Steel and the New California Republic brought them down. They had nowhere to run.
The Enclave has a spotty survival record. They faced downfall after downfall, more than bowling pins in a recruitment drive. Their operations in the West Coast fell apart due to the Brotherhood and the NCR joining forces. It was quite the beatdown.
Their defeat laid bare an Enclave weakness: their isolation. They had superior technology, but they were outnumbered and outmaneuvered. The NCR, a growing democracy, and the Brotherhood, a military force, became a strong alliance against the Enclave’s rigid beliefs and loss of manpower. Numbers mattered in the wasteland. Even power armor can’t defeat a strong opposition.
- Is the Enclave evil?
The Enclave is known for evil acts. They kill off mutants in the wasteland and take territory by force. They serve as the main antagonist in Fallout 3, battling against the Brotherhood of Steel for control of the old capital.
Their genocidal actions against mutants and ghouls show their evil nature. They wish to restore America but in their own twisted way, free of anyone they consider “impure.” It’s a vision of America that is not about freedom but about selective purity, ruled by them. In Fallout 3, they attempt to poison Project Purity with a modified FEV virus, proving their willingness to sacrifice lives for their twisted goals.
- Can you ever join the Enclave?
You cannot join the Enclave or ally with them. It would have been interesting, but you must side with the Brotherhood of Steel instead.
No, you cannot join them. While wielding power armor and spouting Enclave propaganda seems enticing, Fallout games usually prevent you from joining their ranks. You’re forced to oppose them with the Brotherhood of Steel. It’s unfortunate for those who want to explore darker paths.
Think about the role-playing potential! Infiltrating the Enclave, climbing their ranks, or even sabotaging them from within could be exciting. Embracing their ideology and becoming a true believer in their vision of “pure” America would be complex, but you can’t do that with the Enclave. The game makes it clear you’re either with or against them. The path is set.
- What’s the difference between the Enclave and the Brotherhood of Steel?
The Enclave shows fascist traits against non-humans like mutants and ghouls. They wish to exterminate them by poisoning water supplies or just killing them, while the Brotherhood distrusts them.
The Enclave are fascists armed with power armor. They advocate for racial purity among humans and authoritarian rule. They aim to exterminate those who don’t meet their strict standards of humanity. They consider themselves rightful rulers of America, viewing others as expendable.
On the flip side, the Brotherhood resembles tech-hoarding knights. They focus on preserving pre-war technology as a sacred responsibility. Though they too are wary of mutants and ghouls, their motives aren’t based on purity but on threats to humanity and technological order. They are pragmatic and genocidal less overtly than the Enclave. Think of a tyrant vs. a grumpy librarian with guns; both are issues, but in different ways.
- Did the Enclave create the FEV?
The modified strain of Forced Evolutionary Virus was developed by Enclave president John Henry Eden around 2277. It was based on the earlier FEV Curling-13 strain from the Chemical Corps in 2241.
The Enclave and FEV have a twisted history. They did not create the original Forced Evolutionary Virus (FEV); however, they did develop modified strains for their own dark purposes. President John Henry Eden had plans for his unique FEV brew around 2277 using earlier strains pre-war. He operated like a mad scientist with biological weapons.
This modified FEV played a crucial role in the Enclave’s goals in Fallout 3. Their intent was to “purify” the wasteland by eliminating anyone exposed to radiation. Their extreme ideology is clear through their plans to commit mass genocide to maintain power and reshape America. Such aggression defines their hostile takeover.
- Did the Enclave create Deathclaws?
The Enclave had their research before the war and developed intelligent Deathclaws for combat use. Fallout 2 shows that some escaped and formed a culture.
Deathclaws are fearsome wasteland predators, but imagine intelligent ones bred for combat by the Enclave. Terrifying, isn’t it? They modified pre-war Jackson’s Chameleons into monstrous Deathclaws and attempted to enhance their intelligence for combat.
While their experimentation produced some intelligent Deathclaws, those did not become obedient soldiers as expected. Some escaped captivity and built tribes in Fallout 2. This showcases the downfall of scientific hubris: instead of producing ultimate weapons, they unleashed more dangerous threats on the wasteland. Epic failure.
- Did the Enclave create super mutants?
Fallout 76 showcases super mutants from FEV experiments at West Tek in Appalachia. This includes exposure of Huntersville denizens and infection by the Enclave under President Thomas Eckhart’s orders.
Super Mutants are iconic creatures orbiting Fallout’s origins, leading to confusion in their creation narrative. While the Enclave did not create the original Super Mutants (that credit goes to Vault-Tec and West Tek), they contributed to their spread, notably in Appalachia shown in Fallout 76.
President Thomas Eckhart, questionable leader of Enclave, initiated mass exposure using FEV, aiming to affect DEFCON ratings and gain access to something unspecified. This plan resulted in more Super Mutants roaming the wastes due to their interference. It’s like they operated a factory producing green giants as a side project. So reckless!
- Did the Enclave cause the Great War?
The Enclave represented a conspiracy controlling the government at that time. Though nearly all government avenues collapsed during the war, they continued to exist.
launched out of desperation because they were about to lose. Mar 18, 2021″
The Great War changed everything. It turned the world into the Fallout wasteland. This event is surrounded by mystery and conspiracy theories. Did the Enclave orchestrate the apocalypse for twisted reasons? Evidence suggests they probably didn’t, but speculation is fun.
The Enclave had shadowy ties to the government. However, it seems they didn’t start the war. China launched the first strikes, possibly due to desperation from resource scarcity and internal instability. The Enclave might have seen the impending conflict and positioned themselves to survive, securing their existence while the world fell apart. They acted like ultimate preppers, hiding in bunkers with power armor, not cans and shotguns.
- Should I trust the Enclave?
“The enclave is bad because they will do anything to obtain their goals. If Col. Autumn had activated Project Purity, the capital wasteland would have been very nearly wiped out by the modified FEV.”
Trusting the Enclave is risky. It’s like letting a Deathclaw babysit your puppy. Spoiler: it won’t end well. The Enclave manipulates and deceives. They’ll do anything for their goals, which often include genocide and domination. Their ethics are questionable.
Colonel Autumn’s plan to taint Project Purity shows their treachery. They would have sacrificed the Capital Wasteland for their agenda, showing a lack of regard for human life. Trust them? Only if you enjoy betrayal or being turned into a lab rat. Otherwise, it’s a hard no.
- Will the Enclave ever return?
“The Enclave is definitely back as of 2296 According to Prime Video’s Fallout series, the Enclave has since recovered. They were shown to have what appears to be a fully staffed base in an unspecified, snowy region somewhere in the United States. Apr 27, 2024”
The Enclave has returned like a persistent Radroach. In the Fallout series set in 2296, they are back and seemingly stronger. They have a fully staffed base in a snowy region, suggesting they are up to their old tricks. Fascists are hard to keep down, even in the apocalypse.
This return means the Enclave may be more resilient than we thought. Their previous defeats could have been setbacks. The TV series introduces exciting possibilities for future games, hinting at renewed conflict and the Enclave’s presence in the wasteland. Brace yourselves; they are back and likely not here for a friendly chat.
- Why does the Enclave make dogs?
“As the show promptly reveals, people at the Enclave were breeding dogs for scientific purposes. The animals were receiving injections that greatly enhanced their physical capabilities and went through extensive behavioral training. Jun 2, 2024”
Dogs in Fallout can be loyal or feral. The Enclave, however, took it up a notch. The Fallout series reveals they breed dogs for super strength. These aren’t average wasteland mutts; they’re enhanced, aggressive, and rigorously trained.
The Enclave’s breeding program shows their penchant for manipulation and control. They wanted engineered attack dogs to solidify dominance, not just power armor and plasma rifles. It’s extreme even for them, but it fits their profile. Why settle for regular dogs when you can have genetically modified attack hounds? That’s just who they are.
- Are the Enclave evil in Fallout?
“The Enclave is notoriously evil, killing off mutated inhabitants of the wastes and using their power to take territory by force. The Enclave is featured as the main antagonist of Fallout 3, fighting against the Brotherhood of Steel for control of the former capital.”
Yes, they are evil. No debate here. The Enclave is not just morally questionable; they embody villainy. Their actions and ideology scream “bad guys.” They stand for xenophobia and genocide, making them irredeemable.
They are the villains players love to hate, antagonists that make you root for the Brotherhood of Steel. In Fallout’s moral landscape, the Enclave embodies the dark side, waving fascist flags. They may not cackle, but they definitely are villains.
- Is the Enclave more powerful than the BoS?
“This tells us that although the NCR needed help against the Enclave (who were therefore more powerful than them), they were certainly more powerful than the Brotherhood of Steel. Jul 29, 2020”
Power levels in Fallout factions are tough to quantify. It changes based on location and resources. However, when comparing the Enclave and Brotherhood of Steel, a pattern appears: at peak power, the Enclave was probably more advanced and powerful than the Brotherhood.
The NCR needed help against the Enclave, indicating that they were more formidable than the Brotherhood at that time. The Brotherhood is strong but localized. The Enclave had broader ambitions and connections, at least initially. Picture them as a high-tech superpower versus a highly skilled task force, both dangerous but on different scales.
- Why is the Enclave not in Fallout 4?
“Why wasn’t the Enclave originally in Fallout 4? At the end of Fallout 3 and its Broken Steel DLC, the Enclave were wiped out on the East Coast, with only a few survivors here and there who assimilated into society. Apr 26, 2024”
The Enclave’s absence in Fallout 4 stems from their story arc in Fallout 3 and its DLC. They were defeated in the Capital Wasteland. Their East Coast presence was obliterated, leadership neutralized, forces scattered. By Fallout 4’s timeline, they are basically irrelevant.
While some remnants might exist, they aren’t significant in the Commonwealth. Their powerful influence has dimmed to whispers and rumors. The story of the East Coast was concluded with their defeat. To bring them back would feel forced and undermine this conclusion. Even villains need closure; sometimes they should stay mostly dead.
- Does the NCR hate the Enclave?
“Several years after the destruction of the Oil Rig by the Chosen One, the NCR, convinced that the remaining Enclave forces were a threat to security of the region, staged a full-scale assault on Camp Navarro. The NCR proved victorious, either capturing or destroying the base.”
“Hate” might be too strong. “Strongly Disapprove Of Their Actions” is more accurate. The NCR and the Enclave are opposites in ideology, defined by hostility. The NCR seeks to rebuild civilization while viewing the Enclave as a fascist threat.
The NCR’s assault on Camp Navarro shows their proactive stance against remnants of the old government. They didn’t let them fester; they aimed to dismantle their organization and neutralize any threat. This conflict contrasts two visions for America’s future: NCR’s inclusive democracy versus Enclave’s oppression.
to a rigid, exclusionary past. No love lost between these two, that’s certain.
- Does The Enclave hate ghouls?
“The Enclave kills mutants, ghouls and anything exposed to radiation. Ghouls face execution, like a walking dead episode. Only A) knows who they are, or B) is foolish to try that. Aug 10, 2022”
Hate ghouls? “Strongly Disapprove Of Their Existence. Wish To Eradicate Them” describes their stance. They do not just dislike them; they aim to exterminate them and other mutated beings “tainted” by radiation.
Their policy towards ghouls stems from an obsession with purity. They view ghouls and mutants as abominations, deviations from their ideal humanity. They do not just hold prejudice; they engage in ethnic or species cleansing on a massive scale. Ghouls are viewed as inherently inferior and must be eliminated to purify the gene pool. Charming, right?
- Was the whole world nuked in Fallout?
“The entire world experienced multiple nuclear strikes. The world and its ecosystem changed irrevocably for centuries.”
Yes, pretty much. Fallout is not just about America. It is a global apocalypse. Nuclear strikes rained down worldwide, devastating civilization and altering the environment forever. It was a world-ending catastrophe.
This global destruction accounts for the wasteland’s condition. It isn’t just localized radiation; it is a planetary ecological disaster. The entire ecosystem faced disruption, mutation, and chaos. Humanity, what’s left, struggles to survive in a world reshaped by nuclear fire. It’s not rebuilding America; it’s civilization from scratch on a shattered planet.
