Every Fallout Vault Explained: A Comprehensive Guide
Welcome, vault dweller, to the ultimate guide on every Fallout vault. From the desolate wasteland of the Capital Wasteland to the lush forests of Appalachia, we'll delve into the secrets and stories of these underground sanctuaries. So, grab your Pip-Boy and let's embark on this post-apocalyptic journey.
Understanding Fallout Vaults
Vaults in the Fallout series are underground shelters built by the Vault-Tec Corporation before the Great War. They were designed to protect a select group of people from the nuclear holocaust. However, the true purpose of many vaults was far more sinister, as revealed through the series' signature dark humor and social commentary.
Vault-Tec's sinister agenda
Vault-Tec's ultimate goal was to conduct secret experiments on the vault dwellers. These experiments, known as the "Control," were designed to study the effects of various stimuli on human behavior. Some vaults were subjected to experiments like low food rations, psychological manipulation, or even exposure to radiation.
Vault 101: The Original Vault
Vault 101, located in the Capital Wasteland, is the first vault introduced in the series. It was designed to be a self-sustaining community, with its own water treatment plant and farm. However, its true purpose was to study the effects of isolation and inbreeding on its inhabitants.
Vault 111: The Cryogenic Vault
Vault 111, featured in Fallout 4, was designed to preserve its inhabitants through cryogenic freezing. The vault's experiment was to see if the inhabitants could be successfully reanimated after the war. Spoiler alert: they could, but with some... unexpected side effects.
Vaults in Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas introduced several new vaults, each with its unique twist on the Vault-Tec experiment. Here are a few standouts:
Vault 3: The Water Vault
Vault 3 was designed to study the effects of water rationing on its inhabitants. The experiment was a success, as the vault dwellers developed a deep-seated distrust of outsiders and a fierce desire to protect their water supply.
Vault 22: The FEV Vault
Vault 22 was one of the few vaults not controlled by Vault-Tec. Instead, it was run by the Enclave, who used it to create their own strain of the Forced Evolutionary Virus (FEV). The result? The super mutants that now roam the Mojave Wasteland.
Vaults in Fallout 76
Fallout 76 takes place in West Virginia, and with it comes a new set of vaults. While many of these vaults follow the same pattern as their predecessors, some offer unique twists on the Vault-Tec experiment.
Vault 51: The RobCo Vault
Vault 51 was designed to study the effects of automation and AI on society. The vault's inhabitants were subjected to constant surveillance and were expected to perform menial tasks for the benefit of RobCo, the company that ran the vault.
Vaults in Fallout 4
Fallout 4 introduced several new vaults, including some that deviate from the traditional Vault-Tec experiment. Here are a few notable examples:
Vault 81: The Medical Vault
Vault 81 was designed to study the effects of medical advancements on its inhabitants. The vault's doctors were encouraged to experiment on their fellow vault dwellers, leading to some... unethical practices.
Vault 118: The Agricultural Vault
Vault 118 was designed to study the effects of sustainable agriculture on its inhabitants. The vault's experiment was a success, as the vault dwellers developed a deep understanding of farming and plant life.
Vaults in Fallout: Tactics
Fallout: Tactics, a spin-off of the main series, features several unique vaults. While these vaults follow the same basic premise as their predecessors, they offer new insights into the Vault-Tec experiment.
Vault 15: The Raider Vault
Vault 15 was designed to study the effects of low food rations on its inhabitants. The experiment was a failure, as the vault dwellers turned to raiding nearby settlements for food, eventually becoming the raiders that now plague the wasteland.
Vaults in Fallout 4: Far Harbor
The Far Harbor DLC for Fallout 4 introduces a new vault, with a unique twist on the Vault-Tec experiment. Here's a brief overview:
Vault 11: The DiMA Vault
Vault 11 was designed to study the effects of isolation and psychological manipulation on its inhabitants. The vault's experiment was a success, as the vault dweller known as DiMA developed advanced AI capabilities and a deep-seated distrust of outsiders.
Table of Vaults
| Vault Number | Location | Experiment | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Capital Wasteland | Isolation, inbreeding | Successful, but with severe consequences |
| 111 | Boston | Cryogenic freezing | Successful, but with unexpected side effects |
| 3 | New Vegas | Water rationing | Successful, leading to a deep distrust of outsiders |
| 22 | New Vegas | FEV creation | Successful, leading to the creation of super mutants |
| 51 | Appalachia | Automation, AI | Successful, but with severe consequences |
| 81 | Boston | Medical advancements | Successful, but with unethical practices |
| 118 | Boston | Agricultural sustainability | Successful, leading to a deep understanding of farming |
| 15 | Capital Wasteland | Low food rations | Failure, leading to the creation of raiders |
| 11 | Far Harbor | Isolation, psychological manipulation | Successful, leading to advanced AI capabilities |
From the Capital Wasteland to the forests of Appalachia, vaults in the Fallout series offer a unique blend of social commentary, dark humor, and post-apocalyptic storytelling. Each vault is a testament to the twisted genius of Vault-Tec and the resilience of the human spirit. So, the next time you find yourself exploring the wasteland, keep an eye out for these underground sanctuaries. You never know what secrets they might hold.
