Can Maxson Be Killed in Fallout 4? A Deep Dive

Yes, Elder Arthur Maxson can be killed in Fallout 4. However, the consequences of doing so are significant and will drastically alter your playthrough experience. Killing Maxson will almost always turn the Brotherhood of Steel (BoS) hostile towards you, regardless of where you are in the main questline. While there might be an option to kill him during the “Blind Betrayal” quest, the BoS will become hostile towards the player afterward. Prepare for a challenging fight and be ready to face the wrath of the entire Brotherhood.

Understanding the Implications of Killing Maxson

Killing Maxson is a watershed moment in Fallout 4, reshaping your relationships with factions and altering the course of the story. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly. So before you decide to take him out, here’s a breakdown of what you should expect:

• Brotherhood of Steel Hostility: The most immediate and pervasive consequence is that the entire Brotherhood of Steel will become your sworn enemy. This means that you will be attacked on sight by any Brotherhood patrols, Vertibirds, and Brotherhood members stationed at Boston Airport or the Prydwen.
• Questline Alterations: Siding with the Brotherhood of Steel will be completely off the table once Maxson is dead. You will be unable to complete any further quests in their storyline. This also blocks access to exclusive Brotherhood rewards, such as armor, weapons, and Vertibird support.
• Unique Loot: Maxson carries a unique Gatling Laser which is only obtainable by looting his corpse. This is a powerful weapon, but consider whether it’s worth the cost of alienating the Brotherhood. This is one of the only unique Gatling Lasers available in the game.
• Companion Relationships: Depending on your relationship with Paladin Danse, his reaction to Maxson’s death can be complex. Siding with the Brotherhood and executing Danse will get you promoted, however, saving Danse is preferred by many players. If you kill Maxson before completing “Blind Betrayal”, Danse is likely to become hostile. If you become an enemy of the BoS after Blind Betrayal, he won’t turn hostile. But you won’t be able to have him as a companion anymore.
• Roleplaying Considerations: Your decision to kill Maxson should align with your character’s motivations and moral compass. Is your Sole Survivor a ruthless pragmatist, or a champion of the oppressed? Killing Maxson could be justified in certain roleplaying scenarios, such as if you’re committed to the Railroad’s cause or have a personal vendetta against the Brotherhood.
• No Replacement Elder: There is no way to replace Maxson as the Elder of the Brotherhood of Steel. Even though there are some voice lines in the game files hinting at the option to replace Maxson with Danse, this option was removed from the final game.

Tactical Considerations: Preparing for the Fight

Maxson is no pushover. He’s a well-equipped and heavily armored opponent, so you’ll need to bring your A-game. Here are some tips for taking him down:

• Weaponry: Explosives, like Fat Man or Missile Launchers, are very effective against Maxson because they deal massive damage. You should use anti-armor weapons like Gauss Rifle or Plasma Rifle to counter Maxson’s Power Armor.
• Companions: Choose a companion that can deal high damage and soak up damage.
• Location: Fighting Maxson inside the Prydwen is challenging due to the confined spaces and the presence of other Brotherhood soldiers. Consider luring him outside, or initiating the fight in a more open area.
• Stealth: While you can attempt a stealth attack, be aware that killing Maxson will instantly trigger the Brotherhood’s hostility, even if you manage to remain hidden initially. Stealth is not a guaranteed way to avoid a large-scale conflict.
• Power Armor: Equip your best set of Power Armor to increase your damage resistance and survivability. This is essential for withstanding Maxson’s attacks and those of any other Brotherhood soldiers who join the fight.

FAQs: Addressing Common Questions about Maxson’s Fate

1. What unique weapon does Maxson drop upon death?

Maxson drops a unique Gatling Laser. This weapon is very powerful.

2. Does killing Maxson affect the Railroad storyline?

Killing Maxson will not directly affect the Railroad storyline. However, eliminating the Brotherhood of Steel is a key objective for the Railroad, so it will make it easier to support their cause.

3. Will Paladin Danse always turn hostile if I kill Maxson?

If you become an enemy of the BoS before the “Blind Betrayal” quest, Danse will turn hostile. If you become an enemy of the BoS after “Blind Betrayal”, he won’t turn hostile. However, you won’t be able to have him as a companion anymore.

4. Can I stealth-kill Maxson without the Brotherhood becoming hostile?

In Fallout 4, there is no way to stealth-kill a named faction NPC without making the faction hate you. So you can stealth-kill Maxson, but the BoS will turn on you as soon as you do.

5. What happens if I kill Maxson early in the game?

Killing Maxson early in the game will result in the Brotherhood of Steel becoming hostile, limiting your interactions with them and altering your quest options. It will not directly affect the RR story by killing him early.

6. Is it possible to reason with Maxson and avoid conflict?

While there are dialogue options that allow you to challenge Maxson’s decisions or express dissent, there is no way to completely avoid conflict with him if you choose to oppose the Brotherhood’s goals.

7. Can I still become a Sentinel if I kill Maxson?

You cannot become a Sentinel if you kill Maxson. Siding with the Brotherhood is a prerequisite for achieving that rank.

8. Is Maxson considered a villain in Fallout 4?

Whether Maxson is considered a villain depends on your chosen faction and perspective. If you side with the Institute, or the Railroad, Maxson is an antagonist. However, if you side with the Brotherhood, he is seen as a leader.

9. Can the Brotherhood of Steel be destroyed in Fallout 4?

Yes, you can destroy the Brotherhood of Steel by siding with the Institute or the Minutemen and completing their respective questlines.

10. What are the best strategies for destroying the Prydwen?

Pickpocket keycards off The Elder, Head Paladin, and Head Scribe and unlock the self-destruct terminal. Unlock the self-destruct terminal using 100 Science skill. Kill all of the NPCs in the bunker.

11. What happens if I choose to execute Danse during “Blind Betrayal”?

If you choose to execute Danse, you will be promoted to Paladin within the Brotherhood and gain access to Danse’s quarters and possessions.

12. Can I save Danse and still remain friendly with the Railroad?

However, if you don’t do the first objective which is “talk to Lancer Captain Kells” the Railroad will remain friendly and when you destroy the Brotherhood you won’t have to kill Danse.

13. What is the “best” ending in Fallout 4?

The “best” ending in Fallout 4 is subjective and depends on your personal preferences. But, the Minutemen ending is one of the most popular choices.

14. Can I maximize my affinity with Danse before “Blind Betrayal”?

And with Danse, you can’t maximize his affection before completing the mission ‘Blind Betrayal’. Unless you finish the game BoS you can’t max him/get his Perk.

15. Which faction is the strongest in Fallout 4?

If we’re talking about the entire factions, then it’s easily the Brotherhood. But if we’re limiting ourselves to the forces present in the Commonwealth, the answer is, potentially, the Minutemen. You can learn more about the complexities of factions in video games by visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

Killing Maxson is a game-altering decision with far-reaching consequences. Carefully consider the ramifications before drawing your weapon. It’s important to weigh the benefits of obtaining his unique Gatling Laser against the cost of alienating the entire Brotherhood of Steel. It is a strategic decision to reshape the Commonwealth according to your own vision, even if it means making enemies along the way.