In the sprawling, post-apocalyptic world of Fallout 4, amidst the ruins of Boston and its surroundings, lie remnants of a bygone era submerged in mystery and dark secrets: the Vaults. These subterranean shelters, ostensibly designed for the protection of the populace from the nuclear apocalypse, harbor tales of social experiments, treachery, and survival. Navigating these vaults is not just a journey through forgotten vault doors but a deep dive into the twisted ethos of Vault-Tec Corporation and how its legacy intertwines with the fate of the Commonwealth.

Understanding these vaults, their locations, the dark histories they contain, their once-trapped dwellers, and the secrets they hold is essential for any wastelander aiming to conquer the challenges of Fallout 4. Additionally, the vaults’ intriguing connection with the game’s main quest cannot be underestimated. So, grab your Pip-Boy and let’s unlock the secrets of the vaults together.

Vault Locations#

Vault 111:#

Nestled atop a small hill in Sanctuary Hills, Vault 111 is where it all begins. The Sole Survivor awakens here, setting the stage for a journey of vengeance and discovery. The cryogenic technology used in this vault is its defining feature, having preserved the protagonist and other residents for over 200 years.

Vault 114:#

Located underneath the Boston Common and accessed during the mission “Unlikely Valentine,” Vault 114 housed Boston’s elite under the guise of providing luxury shelter. Instead, they found themselves in a Spartan environment devoid of privacy, a social experiment focusing on the effects of wealth and entitlement removal.

Vault 81:#

Vault 81 is a rarity among the Vault-Tec experiments— a mostly success story. Near the Chestnut Hillock Reservoir, this vault’s community survived intact by avoiding the full brunt of Vault-Tec’s experimental designs, thanks to its Overseer’s defiance. It’s a living, breathing society where the player can interact, trade, and uncover hidden depths.

Vault 95:#

Found in the Southwestern corner of the map, near the edge of the Glowing Sea, Vault 95 housed individuals struggling with substance dependency, promising rehabilitation. Yet, in typical Vault-Tec fashion, it was designed to study the effects of reintroducing those substances after a clean period, resulting in chaos.

Vault 75:#

Located in the basement of Malden Middle School, Vault 75’s exterior belies the darkness of its intended purpose. Designed to house children, it aimed to enhance their physical and intellectual capacities through rigorous training and genetic manipulation, aspiring to create a superior human stock.

Vault 118:#

Located underneath the Cliff’s Edge Hotel on Mount Desert Island, a feature from the Far Harbor DLC, Vault 118 is split between two feuding classes of residents—robots and the ultra-wealthy. It’s a classic study in class warfare, submerged in the unique intrigue and storylines the DLC offers.

Vault Histories#

The histories of these vaults are a sordid collection of unethical experiments, social manipulations, and, in rare instances, stories of hope and survival against the odds. Created under the facade of nuclear shelters, each vault was, in reality, a petri dish for Vault-Tec’s twisted social experiments. From the freezing crypts of Vault 111 to the class warfare of Vault 118, the corporation sought to push the limits of human psychology and physiology, often with disastrous outcomes.

Vault 81 stands out as a beacon of hope, where the overseer’s secret defiance of Vault-Tec’s directives led to the survival and flourishing of its community, a stark contrast to the ill fates of many others.

Vault Dwellers#

The tales of those who called these steel caverns home weave a poignant thread through the Fallout 4 narrative. From the Sole Survivor, seeking to reshape the Commonwealth, to the disillusioned residents of Vault 114, crammed into luxury sans privacy, each vault dweller adds depth and complexity to the game’s rich tapestry.

In Vault 81, we encounter a thriving community, a stark anomaly in the desolate and danger-ridden wasteland, offering quests, trading opportunities, and vital interpersonal connections.

Vault 95’s inhabitants showcase the tragic folly of Vault-Tec’s experiments. Designed to help addicts recover only to push them back into the abyss, the vault illustrates the devastating effects of manipulation and betrayal.

Vault Secrets#

Peeling back the layers of dust and decay, numerous secrets await the curious and the brave. Each vault houses unique items, lore-rich terminals, and shadowy corners hiding both treasures and traps. These secrets not only enrich the player’s understanding of the game world but often provide indispensable resources for survival and progress.

For instance, Vault 81 rewards explorers with the chance to acquire one of the game’s most beloved companions, Curie, an advanced Miss Nanny robot with a passion for science. Meanwhile, Vault 114 plays a pivotal role in the main storyline, intertwining with the fate of a key NPC, Nick Valentine, an essential ally in the Sole Survivor’s quest.

Vaults and the Main Quest#

The vaults of Fallout 4 are deeply integrated into the main quest and the broader narrative arc of the game. Vault 111 is the starting point of the Sole Survivor’s journey, a personal odyssey that branches out into a quest for justice and answers in the sprawling wasteland.

The search for Shaun, the Sole Survivor’s missing son, leads to encounters with the remnants and legacies of Vault-Tec’s experiments, highlighting the corporation’s far-reaching influence on the post-apocalyptic world. Moreover, several vaults serve as pivotal locations for quests, encounters, and revelations that propel the story forward, revealing the intertwined destinies of the Commonwealth’s inhabitants and the shadowy figures pulling the strings behind the scenes.

In conclusion, the vaults of Fallout 4 are not just relics of a pre-war world or mere shelters from the nuclear apocalypse. They are a mosaic of human experiences, ambitions, and tragedies. Each vault door opens to a chapter of the broader Fallout saga, rich with stories of survival, intrigue, and the indomitable human spirit facing the fallout of its own follies. Unraveling their secrets is not just a quest for loot and knowledge but a journey into the heart of Fallout’s depiction of human nature, confronted with its own endgame. As you traverse the Commonwealth, remember that each vault, with its unique story and inhabitants, is a testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and, at times, the inhumanity of mankind. Happy exploring, wanderer.