Can You Beat Nuka-World Without Preston Hating You?

The short answer is: yes, absolutely, you can beat Nuka-World without incurring the wrath of Preston Garvey. However, it requires a very specific approach to your playthrough of Fallout 4 and a clear understanding of the mechanics involved. The key is to complete the Nuka-World DLC before you ever meet Preston in Concord. This might sound counterintuitive to many players who stumble upon him early, but this sequence break is critical to maintaining a positive relationship with the leader of the Minutemen.

The Preston Paradox: How Nuka-World Triggers His Disapproval

Preston Garvey is a character driven by a strong sense of justice and the protection of innocent settlers. He becomes deeply distrustful and ultimately hostile towards the player if they choose to side with the raiders in Nuka-World, specifically when they participate in the quest “Home Sweet Home“. This quest forces the player to claim a Commonwealth settlement for the raiders, an act directly against everything Preston stands for. Once this occurs, there’s no turning back; Preston’s trust is permanently broken, and you will lose him as a companion and access to his perks, and you may be locked out of some of the Minutemen quests.

The Solution: Never Meet Preston Until After “Open Season”

The core strategy for avoiding Preston’s ire is to delay meeting him until after you have completed the Nuka-World DLC entirely, including the final quest “Open Season“. This means that you won’t initiate the quest “When Freedom Calls” by rescuing Preston in Concord when starting the main game. Here’s a breakdown of how it’s achievable:

• Avoid Concord: Immediately after leaving Vault 111, head to a different area and avoid Concord entirely. Do not engage with any of the main quest objectives that prompt a trip to Concord.
• Level Up and Gear Up: Spend time in other areas of the Commonwealth, doing side quests, exploring, and leveling up your character to prepare for Nuka-World’s challenges.
• Travel to Nuka-World: Once you’re adequately leveled and equipped, travel to the Nuka-World Transit Center (located far west of the map, you may need to do other side quests to trigger this to be available).
• Complete the Nuka-World DLC: Complete all of the questlines associated with Nuka-World, including ending the raider threat by participating in the “Open Season” quest. This allows you to resolve Nuka-World’s narrative without turning the Minutemen against you.
• Meet Preston: After successfully completing “Open Season” and defeating the Nuka-World raiders, then you can proceed to Concord. You will still trigger the events that would have otherwise occurred as if the main story had gone normally.
• Maintain a Relationship: By meeting Preston after you’ve finished Nuka-World and wiped out the raiders, you can successfully recruit him as a companion and begin the Minutemen questline without facing his disapproval. This allows for a normal, healthy relationship with Preston and the Minutemen.

Why This Works: The Game Mechanics

The key to this method lies in the fact that the game does not consider Preston to be a ‘real’ character that exists on the map until the “When Freedom Calls” quest is triggered in Concord. He is not ‘aware’ of your actions in Nuka-World until after he is recruited. This bypass allows you to engage in the morally ambiguous choices of Nuka-World without any direct consequences to your relationship with Preston and the Minutemen faction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I meet Preston before Nuka-World?

If you meet Preston before completing Nuka-World, claiming even a single settlement for the raiders will result in Preston permanently hating you. You will lose him as a companion, and he will no longer offer his services in the future.

2. Can I still do Minutemen quests if Preston hates me?

Yes, even if Preston hates you, you can still complete the main Minutemen quest line. You just won’t be able to use him as a companion and will not have access to his perk.

3. Can I make Preston like me again after Nuka-World?

No, there is no way to make Preston like you again once he has become hostile due to siding with the raiders. Even killing all the raiders in Nuka-World will not reverse the initial betrayal.

4. How far can I go in Nuka-World before Preston hates me?

You can progress through all the Nuka-World quest lines until you are asked to claim a settlement in the Commonwealth through the quest “Home Sweet Home.” You can complete every single quest of Nuka-World except this one, and Preston will remain neutral.

5. Does Preston dislike other factions, like the Brotherhood?

Yes, Preston does not approve of the Brotherhood of Steel, but he will not leave or become hostile if you side with them.

6. Is Preston a synth?

There is no in-game evidence that Preston is a synth, although some fans speculate about this theory.

7. Is it possible to romance Preston Garvey?

Yes, Preston is a romance option in Fallout 4, but the relationship won’t be possible if you’ve incurred his anger by completing “Home Sweet Home” before you meet him.

8. Can I stop Preston from giving me endless settlement quests?

Yes, you can stop Preston from giving you infinite quests by never taking him as a companion or by simply never talking to him. Alternatively, you can complete the main story, as this will drastically reduce radiant quests given by Preston.

9. Can I betray the raiders in Nuka-World?

Yes, you can betray the Nuka-World raiders by undertaking the “Open Season” quest, which involves wiping out all the raider bosses and returning the park to the people of the Commonwealth.

10. Is Nuka-World hard to complete?

Nuka-World can be challenging, especially at lower levels. Many enemies deal a lot of damage, and having a higher level and better gear will make the DLC easier.

11. Can Preston Garvey be killed?

No, Preston is marked as essential in the game, which means that he cannot be killed even using console commands.

12. What is the best way to gear up for Nuka-World?

Gearing up for Nuka-World depends on your playstyle, but focusing on leveling up and acquiring better weapons and armor from the Commonwealth beforehand is crucial.

13. Does Sturges know he’s a synth?

There is no explicit in-game evidence that Sturges is aware he is a synth. Fan theories exist but are not canon.

14. Can you do the Minutemen ending after Nuka-World?

Yes, you can still complete the Minutemen ending to the game even after completing Nuka-World, as long as you did not take part in Home Sweet Home before meeting Preston in Concord. You can simply ignore Concord until then.

15. Who is the hardest enemy in Nuka-World?

Many of the enemies in Nuka World can be considered difficult, but Mason, the leader of the Pack, is often regarded as one of the most challenging opponents, along with Overboss Colter.

Conclusion

Navigating the intricacies of Fallout 4’s DLC can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to your relationship with companions. By understanding the game’s mechanics and following the steps outlined here, you can explore the dark and intriguing world of Nuka-World without sacrificing your bond with Preston Garvey. This strategy enables you to experience the full spectrum of the Fallout 4 narrative, making for a more complete and engaging playthrough. Remember, delaying your encounter with Preston until after you’ve resolved the Nuka-World storyline is the key to having your cake and eating it too. Good luck in the wasteland!