Can You Get Elder Maxson’s Coat in Fallout 4?
The question of obtaining Elder Maxson’s iconic battlecoat in Fallout 4 is a popular one, often debated within the game’s community. The short and direct answer is: Yes, you can get Elder Maxson’s coat, but only by killing him. There is no peaceful way to acquire this unique piece of apparel, nor can it be pickpocketed, no matter how high your Pickpocket perk is. The coat, a visual symbol of his authority within the Brotherhood of Steel, is only accessible by looting his corpse during specific quests.
Why is Elder Maxson’s Coat So Sought After?
Maxson’s battlecoat isn’t just any piece of clothing; it’s a highly desirable item for several reasons. Firstly, it’s unique; no other character in the game possesses an identical garment. This instantly makes it a coveted collectible for many players who are completionists or fashion enthusiasts. Secondly, it offers a solid base level of protection and, crucially, it is compatible with ballistic weave, making it one of the most versatile and protective pieces of non-armor clothing available in the game. In fact, when fully upgraded, it provides better protection than the Railroad Armored Coat V while weighing less. This combination of style, protection, and upgrade potential makes it a very desirable item.
The Only Way to Obtain the Coat: Confrontation
As mentioned previously, obtaining Maxson’s coat requires you to kill Elder Maxson. This occurs during a few specific quests when you’ve sided against the Brotherhood of Steel. These scenarios are:
- Airship Down: This quest is triggered if you side with the Institute and ultimately destroy the Prydwen.
- Precipice of War: This is part of the Railroad questline where, if chosen, you are actively in conflict with the Brotherhood.
- Rockets’ Red Glare: This quest also sees you in direct conflict with the Brotherhood, and is part of a specific ending to the game.
During these quests, Maxson will confront you, often accompanied by Brotherhood Paladins. The confrontation begins immediately with the intention of killing you. Once Elder Maxson is defeated, you can loot his body to acquire his signature battlecoat, as well as his unique Gatling laser, Final Judgement.
Can You Get Maxson’s Coat Without Destroying the Prydwen?
Unfortunately, the answer to this is a firm no. The coat is tied to the narrative of confronting and defeating Maxson, which inevitably leads to the downfall of the Prydwen as part of the narrative. Regardless of the faction you choose, if it results in you facing Maxson, you will have to destroy the Prydwen. There is also no option to obtain the coat by playing as the Brotherhood. To get Maxson’s coat, you must ultimately betray the Brotherhood.
Modifying the Rules: The Use of Mods
While the game itself provides strict limitations on acquiring Maxson’s coat, the modding community has come to the rescue for those who desire the coat without the necessary narrative consequences. Using mods, players can acquire the coat without killing Maxson. However, this is not a part of the vanilla game and requires using third-party software.
Conclusion
In summary, Elder Maxson’s coat remains a sought-after but obtainable item in Fallout 4. The only way to get it is by killing him during specific questlines that involve either the Institute or the Railroad ending. While it is not a requirement to progress through the game, it provides a very helpful advantage to the player and makes for a unique collectible item. However, this also means that you will have to be prepared to make the very difficult decision to go against the Brotherhood of Steel, ending a very powerful force in the game’s world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can You Pickpocket Elder Maxson for his Coat?
No, despite having a high Pickpocket perk, you cannot pickpocket Elder Maxson for his coat. The game specifically prevents this action, making combat the only option.
2. Can You Get Maxson’s Coat After Blowing Up the Prydwen?
No. Once the Prydwen is destroyed, you cannot go back and get it. The only way is to acquire it from his body at the time of his death, during the confrontations on the Prydwen.
3. Is Maxson’s Coat Compatible with Ballistic Weave?
Yes, Maxson’s Battlecoat is compatible with the ballistic weave modification. This allows for significant improvements in damage resistance.
4. Can Elder Maxson’s Power Armor Be Obtained?
Yes, it’s possible to obtain a unique power armor frame called “Elder Maxson’s Power Armor” by shooting out the fusion core from his suit during the Airship Down quest. This is separate from the coat.
5. Can I upgrade Maxson’s Battlecoat?
Yes, you can upgrade the coat with the ballistic weave mod, making it one of the best non-armor pieces of apparel in the game.
6. Does Elder Maxson’s Coat Offer Good Protection?
Yes, it offers good base protection. Furthermore, with the ballistic weave modification, it becomes one of the most protective non-armor items.
7. Can You Wear Armor Over Elder Maxson’s Coat?
No, the coat counts as clothing and cannot be worn underneath armor pieces.
8. How Do You Get Elder Maxson’s Gatling Laser?
You can loot Final Judgment, his unique Gatling laser, from Elder Maxson’s corpse when he dies, alongside his coat.
9. Can You Replace Elder Maxson with a Synth?
Yes, there is a narrative aspect where if you decide to betray the Brotherhood, you will have to fight him, and there is a common theory that you can replace him with a synth.
10. What Happens if You Bring X6-88 to the Prydwen?
If you bring X6-88 to the Prydwen after it arrives at Boston Airport, the Brotherhood will become hostile towards him. Dismissing him at the Prydwen can also lead to conflicts.
11. What Kind of Material is Maxson’s Coat Made of?
The coat is depicted as a thick leather battlecoat in the game, with a quilted lining and a distressed aesthetic.
12. Is Elder Maxson a Bad Guy?
Whether Maxson is a “bad guy” depends on your chosen faction. He is a possible antagonist if you side with the Institute or the Railroad, but he is not seen as an antagonist if you choose to side with the Brotherhood of Steel.
13. Where is Elder Maxson’s Room on the Prydwen?
Elder Maxson’s briefing room is located on the command deck of the Prydwen, accessible from the lower deck by a series of hallways.
14. What Happens if I Can’t Talk to Elder Maxson after Blowing up the Institute?
If you cannot talk to Maxson after destroying the Institute, you might have encountered a bug. Use the console commands on a PC: prid 1cc18, recycleactor and then moveto player to fix this.
15. Is Elder Maxson in Fallout 3?
Yes, Elder Arthur Maxson appears as a young squire in the Citadel in Fallout 3. In Fallout 4 he commands the Brotherhood.