Mr. House, the Brotherhood of Steel, and the Mojave Wasteland: A New Vegas Deep Dive
Wandering the Mojave Wasteland? You encounter two factions: Mr. House and the Brotherhood of Steel. They aren’t sending holiday cards. Mr. House has a strong disdain for the Brotherhood. Why? Let’s dive into the drama of New Vegas.
Mr. House’s Beef with the Brotherhood: It’s Personal (and Technological)
Mr. House, ruler of New Vegas, hates sharing tech. The Brotherhood loves to hoard it. They have power armor and laser rifles. To House, the Brotherhood are “technology terrorists.” They believe they should control all advanced tech in the wasteland. This annoys Mr. House.
Consider Mr. House’s advanced tech. His life support system is unique. It keeps him alive. The Brotherhood would love to “liberate” that tech. In their words, it means “confiscate it for preservation.” Mr. House won’t let anyone take his precious tech. This creates animosity. It’s a case of territorial tech-lust.
Taking Down the Brotherhood: Consequences and Considerations
Feeling bold? Want to help Mr. House destroy the Brotherhood? This choice has serious consequences. It’s like moving furniture in a landmine-filled room.
First, Caesar. Yes, *that* Caesar. Both House and Caesar want the Brotherhood gone. House wants them reduced to atoms. If you think Caesar might spare the Brotherhood, think again. Even if you charm him into doing so, he’ll betray you. He will wipe them out regardless. So much for diplomacy with a dictator.
Then there’s Veronica. Sweet Veronica has Brotherhood blood in her. If you destroy her faction, she won’t be happy. Your choices will impact her directly. Destroying the Brotherhood with her as your companion leads to emotional turmoil. You may lose a valuable friend.
Want to betray them later? That’s quite the plan. To destroy the Brotherhood while allied with factions like the Minutemen, you must keep them alive until the endgame. You need to provoke them first. Pick fights to create tension. Shoot a few Brotherhood members. Their rifles will be aimed at you.
What if you just ignore them? Yes Man will comment on this choice. He’ll highlight the irony of building a robot army while allowing tech-obsessed Luddites to run around. Their tendencies clash with your robot-led future. Yes Man will ultimately accept your choice. Ignoring the Brotherhood is an option, but it has consequences.
Mr. House: More Than Meets the Monocle
Siding with Mr. House is often intriguing. He isn’t a traditional good guy, yet he has perks. He aims to preserve New Vegas. Think of him as a city planner with a dictatorial bent. Choosing factions like the NCR or Caesar’s Legion may lead to more wasteland troubles. House offers a unique vision.
Now consider the Enclave. They have fancy power armor and share tech interests with House. Arcade Gannon supports an independent New Vegas. However, you can’t recruit Enclave remnants for House’s vision in this game. No alliance for epic tech warfare exists.
But is Mr. House evil? That’s complex. He operates in a vast moral grey area. House values power and wealth above all else. He is not a charity worker. The Strip glimmers with opulence, but outside its walls lies neglect and poverty. His system benefits a few at the expense of many.
He manipulates and controls, disregarding human rights. Some view him as a self-serving dictator. Evidence mounts against him. But at least the lights in New Vegas glow brightly.
Caesar’s Legion: Not Exactly the Good Guys
Let’s switch focus to Caesar’s Legion, a major player in the Mojave. They aren’t winning any ethical awards.
Playing as a woman in the Legion? Things get rough. Female Couriers aren’t equal in this group. They can’t fight in the arena, except against Benny. Apparently, defeating a smooth-talking gambler is acceptable for women in the Legion.
Thinking about taking out Caesar? Some perks exist. Killing him nets two companion points. You can buddy up with Craig Boone and trigger his quest. So, assassinating a dictator can help friendship? Surprising.
Have grand ambitions? After killing Caesar, can you replace him? Nope. Leadership isn’t for everyone. The title goes to Legate Lanius, Caesar’s right-hand man. He embodies Caesar’s will and is a difficult opponent.
Is Caesar’s Legion evil? Is water wet? Yes, they are evil in the Fallout universe. Crucifixions? Check. Attempts to seize Hoover Dam causing casualties? Check. The Nipton Massacre? They take credit for that brutality as well. Their cruelty towards women is chilling.
The Point of No Return: Hoover Dam and Beyond
A warning to wasteland travelers: there’s a point of no return in New Vegas—the final battle at Hoover Dam. This event is crucial, where factions clash, and choices matter.
When sent to Hoover Dam, expect things to escalate quickly. Before heading off, you’ll receive a prompt confirming your decision to proceed. It’s your last chance to finish side quests and admire the Mojave scenery.
When you see that prompt, prepare yourself. Grab a Nuka-Cola if needed. Decide if you’re ready for the battle at Hoover Dam. Once you cross it, there’s no turning back.
