Can the Enclave Help Yes Man in Fallout: New Vegas? A Deep Dive

The short answer is no, the Enclave remnants cannot directly support Yes Man in a way that’s explicitly acknowledged within the game’s dialogue or quest structure. While you can manipulate events to have them present at the final battle, there’s no specific dialogue option to enlist them in service to Yes Man or an independent New Vegas. The game lacks a clearly defined path where you can say, “Hey, Enclave, how about we team up for an independent Vegas under the control of an securitron army?”. However, the nuances of their involvement are much more interesting than a simple yes or no. You can get their assistance to help the courier in the final battle for the Hoover Dam.

Understanding the Enclave Remnants

Before diving deeper, it’s crucial to understand the Enclave Remnants. This group, led by figures like Orion Moreno and former members of the Enclave like Judah Kreger, are survivors of the once-powerful pre-War organization. They hold onto a belief in Enclave ideals, which, even in their diminished state, lean towards restoring America, though they may have nuanced perspectives on how to achieve it. The Enclave’s history in the Fallout universe is complex, marked by extreme actions like attempted genocide, but the remnants are more interested in finding a place for themselves after the Enclave was destroyed.

Why a Direct Alliance is Impossible

Several factors contribute to the impossibility of a direct alliance:

• Ideological Differences: The Yes Man ending centers on a truly independent New Vegas, free from external control. The Enclave, even in their weakened state, are ideologically driven towards some form of centralized authority, ideally under their control. Their goals, while not explicitly stated in New Vegas, clash with Yes Man’s vision.

• Lack of Dialogue Options: The game simply doesn’t provide the dialogue options to actively recruit them for Yes Man. While you can gain their loyalty through the quest “For Auld Lang Syne,” the conversation branches don’t extend to explicitly aligning them with Yes Man.

• Arcade Gannon’s Role: Arcade Gannon, a potential companion and the key to unlocking the Enclave Remnants’ quest line, is ideologically aligned with an independent New Vegas, but he has no influence over directly recruiting the Enclave Remnants to fight for Yes Man. If he remains with you and you pursue a Legion ending, he will leave.

The “Indirect” Support Option

Here’s where things get interesting. While a direct alliance isn’t possible, you can achieve a form of indirect support. This involves:

1. Completing “For Auld Lang Syne”: This quest is essential. By helping the Enclave Remnants resolve their past and find a renewed purpose, you gain their loyalty.

2. Choosing the Yes Man Ending: Even without explicitly telling them you’re backing Yes Man, their loyalty to you established in “For Auld Lang Syne” translates to them assisting you in the final battle, even if you are fighting for Yes Man.

3. Lying about supporting the NCR: You can lie to them and say you are going to support the NCR and then switch over to a House or Yes Man finish and they will still help.

This means that, practically speaking, they will fight alongside you during the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, supporting your goal of an independent New Vegas, even if they aren’t explicitly fighting for Yes Man’s vision. This is a result of the game’s mechanics, where their loyalty overrides any ideological discrepancies.

Strategic Implications

Think of it this way: the Enclave Remnants aren’t necessarily embracing Yes Man’s ideals, but they’re supporting the Courier, the individual who earned their trust and gave them a purpose. Their presence at the final battle can be a significant advantage, bolstering your forces against the NCR or Legion. It allows you to leverage their combat prowess without compromising the overarching narrative of an independent New Vegas.

FAQs About the Enclave and Factions in Fallout: New Vegas

1. Can you get the Enclave to help Mr. House?

No, there are no direct dialogue options to get the Enclave Remnants to explicitly fight for Mr. House. You may get them to help you in the final battle, if you have recruited them.

2. Can you ally with the Enclave?

The Enclave Remnants start with a neutral status. Helping them during “For Auld Lang Syne” will make them friendly and ultimately provide you with help in the final fight for Hoover Dam.

3. Can you ally with both Yes Man and the NCR?

You can work for both factions up to a certain point, but eventually, you’ll have to choose one. There’s no way to complete both questlines fully without betraying one of them.

4. Can you get the Enclave to help Caesar’s Legion?

Yes, but it comes at a cost. If you recruit the Enclave Remnants and then side with Caesar’s Legion, Arcade Gannon will leave your party. You will get the Enclave’s power armor, but not the Tesla armor.

5. Can the Brotherhood of Steel ally with the Legion?

No. The Brotherhood of Steel’s core ideology is fundamentally opposed to the Legion’s. The Brotherhood seeks to preserve technology and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, while the Legion despises advanced technology.

6. Who would the Enclave side with in New Vegas if they had more power?

Hypothetically, the Enclave might initially find common ground with Mr. House, as he could be open to their ideas of cleansing the Mojave Wasteland. However, their long-term goals would likely clash, as the Enclave seeks total control, while Mr. House is primarily interested in profit and control of New Vegas.

7. What happens if you tell Yes Man to ignore a faction?

Telling Yes Man to ignore a faction essentially bypasses their questline. It’s a quicker way to advance the main story, but it means you miss out on potential allies and resources.

8. Why are the NCR and the Brotherhood of Steel enemies?

The NCR and the Brotherhood of Steel have a long history of conflict, primarily stemming from the NCR’s desire to control technology and the Brotherhood’s refusal to relinquish it. The NCR-BOS war cemented their animosity.

9. Can you get the Brotherhood of Steel to support Yes Man?

Yes, you can recruit the Brotherhood of Steel to assist you whether you’re working with the NCR or Yes Man. You just need to complete their questline. While Yes Man has no specific dialogue acknowledging their support, they will still aid you in the final battle.

10. Is the Enclave stronger than the Brotherhood of Steel?

At their peak, the Enclave was arguably stronger than the Brotherhood of Steel, possessing more advanced technology and resources. However, by the time of Fallout: New Vegas, both factions are severely weakened.

11. Why can’t you play as the Enclave in Fallout games?

The Enclave’s core ideology often revolves around a specific, often morally questionable, vision for America. Making them a playable faction could compromise their established lore and character.

12. Is Enclave power armor better than Brotherhood power armor?

In terms of stats, Enclave power armor generally has higher damage threshold (DT) and strength bonuses compared to Brotherhood of Steel power armor.

13. What is the most evil faction in Fallout: New Vegas?

Caesar’s Legion is widely considered the most evil faction in Fallout: New Vegas, due to its brutal methods, enslavement, and oppressive ideology.

14. Are the Enclave evil in New Vegas?

The Enclave Remnants in New Vegas are a more nuanced group than their predecessors. While they still retain some of their original ideals, they are more focused on survival and finding a new purpose. However, their past actions and association with the Enclave’s history make them morally ambiguous.

15. What are some examples of “Very Evil” NPCs in Fallout: New Vegas?

The game categorizes characters like Mortimer, Cook-Cook, Duke, Philippe, and Vulpes Inculta as “Very Evil” due to their actions and affiliations. Other characters, like Salt-Upon-Wounds, could also be considered for this category.

Conclusion: A Complicated Alliance

While the Enclave Remnants can’t directly support Yes Man through explicit dialogue choices, they can indirectly contribute to an independent New Vegas by fighting alongside the Courier in the final battle. This makes them a valuable asset, even if their motives are more aligned with personal loyalty than ideological agreement. The complexities of faction alliances and betrayals are a key element of what makes Fallout: New Vegas such a rich and engaging gaming experience. If you are interested in more information about gaming, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.