This Is How Fallout 76's Nukes Work, And What They Do

Bethesda's upcoming multiplayer RPG Fallout 76 aims to switch things up in a big way for the post-apocalyptic series. However, one new feature, and its ensuing ramifications, has gotten many players talking. First revealed during Bethesda's E3 2018 press conference, Fallout 76 will allow players to gain access to a stockpile of nuclear weapons hidden in post-apocalyptic West Virginia, and use them to decimate areas of the map. While talking about the new mechanics of Fallout 76 at QuakeCon 2018--which includes the new leveling and perk systems--game director Todd Howard and project leader Jeff Gardner elaborated further on just how nukes will work, and how they designed it to be less of a hassle than you may think.

To gain access to the nuclear weapons, you'll need to find a set of codes from specific enemies in the world. These codes form a sequence, which grant you passage into one of the hidden nuclear launch facilities in the wasteland. Once you're ready to launch, you can select a specific spot on the map to send the bombs, which will lay waste to the area and everything in it. While this may seem like a largely gimmicky move, there is a benefit to letting loose with the atomic bombs. With the ensuing nuclear fallout in full effect, it will grant players access to new items, rare materials, new locations, and even more powerful enemies to fight. As a part of the end-game, the materials and resources found from these irradiated places are vital to continuing progress for high-level characters. However, the chase and immediate aftermath of dropping the bombs had fans worried that it would more of nuisance than an interesting gameplay mechanic.

During the Fallout 76 panel at QuakeCon, the developers stated that they spent a great deal of time enforcing anti-griefing measures--which includes blocking players that harass others online. While nukes sound like the ultimate way to mess with others, the process of acquiring these nukes are elaborate enough to be events that occur only once in awhile. Furthermore, structures and settlements that players build can be saved via the C.A.M.P tool--which is an evolution of the building system from Fallout 4. With the new system, you're allowed to pack up your creations at anytime, and transport them to another spot. You can also save your settlements in the form of a blueprint, and pull them up again when you want to rebuild. This will be especially helpful in case of an enemy raid on your base, or when the bombs fall.

Releasing on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and as a Bethesda.net exclusive for the PC, Fallout 76 will launch on November 14, with the pre-release beta scheduled for sometime later this October. For more info on our coverage on QuakeCon 2018, including the first footage of Doom Eternal, check out the links to our coverage below.

QuakeCon 2018

• Full QuakeCon 2018 Schedule: Fallout 76, Doom Eternal, Quake Champions, And More
• Doom Eternal's First Brutal Gameplay Trailer And New Details Revealed At QuakeCon 2018
• New Rage 2 Gameplay Footage And Story Details Revealed At QuakeCon 2018
• QuakeCon 2018: Quake Champions Is Permanently Free-To-Play Now
• QuakeCon 2018: Doom And Rage Join Xbox Game Pass
• QuakeCon 2018: Watch The Keynote Here
• QuakeCon 2018: Rewatch The Fallout 76 Panel, Q&A Here
• Fallout 76's Solution To Dealing With Griefers Is Brutal; More PvP Details Revealed
• Fallout 76 Has Randomized Card Packs, And They Come With Gum