Fallout 76 is out now, the first massively-multiplayer online Fallout RPG, and there’s lots to see and do. One of the most fun things you can do in the game is find and join one of the many factions in the West Virginia Wasteland. There’s the spy network called the Order of Mysteries under the spooky Riverside Manor, or you may want to join the iconic Brotherhood of Steel. Then again, for those of an evil disposition, how about becoming the villains and joining the Fallout 76 Enclave faction?
You may remember the Enclave as the villains of Fallout 3, and they’ve returned in Fallout 76. You can now actually join their side, but how do you go about doing that? Where are they hiding in West Virginia? Is there any special reason to join the Enclave? We’ve got the answers to all these questions.
Where is the Fallout 76 Enclave Bunker?
The Enclave bunker is actually located in the Whitespring Bunker, which is the giant white building on the map by Route 63A, directly east of Charleston. However, you will not be able to access it just yet. Instead you’ll have to go somewhere else first, and it’s quite a journey to get there. In the farthest Eastern-most area of the Fallout 76, directly east of Flatwoods, is the Abandoned Waste Dump you can see on the map above. Head there. You’ll have a fight on your hands, both to get there and when you reach the Waste Dump, so bring all your best weapons, armor, and all the friends you can muster.
How to Join the Enclave
There’s a cave at the Abandoned Waste Dump which you’ll need to head into and clear. Be warned though, it’s guarded by two Deathclaws, one of the hardest enemies in any Fallout game, so be prepared for a fight. Try to take them on separately, which is possible, and maybe get in a location such as the cave entrance where you can cheese them and they can’t get to you. We personally advise you to have some Power Armor ready to take them on directly, and preferably some fighting partners too.
Once the Deathclaws are both dead, explore the left side of the caverns and you should find an Enclave soldier. Search him, and you’ll find instructions on how to access the Enclave bunker, at which point the Bunker Buster mission should begin. Follow the instructions, and complete the series of puzzles in various locations, and you’ll be allowed in the Whitespring Enclave Bunker. The MODUS AI will greet you, since like all areas of Fallout 76 there are currently no living NPCs. You’ll get a new Enclave faction quest to go to Sugar Grove (almost exactly between Whitespring and the Waste Dump) and defeat the robot guardian there.
What Do You Get For Joining the Enclave?
Congratulations, you’re now part of the Enclave. But what do you get for it? For starters, if you did the main questline above then you’ll have access to one of the game’s Nuke launch locations, which is good in and of itself. Much like joining the other factions in the game, the main bonus in being accepted by the Enclave is gaining access to new quests and equipment. The most important piece of equipment you can get by being part of the Enclave is the Laser Minigun, an extremely powerful (and generally fun) weapon that’ll allow you to mow down enemies with impunity. Once you’ve been accepted by the Enclave, you can get it by accessing the main Vault terminal and buying the plans for a staggering 1000 caps. You’ll then have to craft it.
Who are the Enclave?
The Enclave have been in all the main Fallout games apart from Fallout 1 and Fallout 4, and were the main antagonists of Fallout 2 and Fallout 3. They’re comprised of descendants of the US Government and other powerful corporations, including Vault-Tec, and so see themselves as the rightful rulers of the United States. They are extremely isolationist and opposed to anything non-human, and pride themselves as the most technologically advanced faction in the Wasteland. As a Vault Dweller your character will be fine.
From their base on a Oil Rig near California, they sent out Vertibird aircraft to establish bases in the former United States, including the secret bunker in Appalachia. They attempted to cleanse the Wasteland of anything less than pure human, which unfortunately after their experiments did not include most survivors in the Wasteland. These attempts were stopped and the Enclave were all but destroyed… but that’s long after the events of Fallout 76, so they’re alive and well right now. If you can’t beat them, join them…
