Unearthing the Past: Triggering the Old Guns Quest in Fallout 4

So, you’re ready to arm the Minutemen with some serious firepower, eh? The “Old Guns” quest in Fallout 4 is your ticket to unlocking the armory at The Castle and equipping your faction with artillery. But how exactly do you kickstart this explosive journey? Here’s the lowdown:

To trigger the “Old Guns” quest, you need to fulfill a few key requirements:

1. Settlement Consolidation: You must control at least four settlements for the Minutemen. This means completing quests for settlements, defending them from attacks, and generally ensuring their allegiance.
2. Preston Garvey’s Approval: After securing those settlements, have a chat with Preston Garvey. He’s the Minutemen’s go-to guy for handing out radiant quests and keeping you busy.
3. Taking Independence: The Taking Independence quest must be completed. This involves liberating The Castle from the Mirelurk infestation.
4. Radio Freedom: After completing the Taking Independence quest, you may need to wait in-game for a few days, then tune into Radio Freedom. Listen for a message from Ronnie Shaw – she will be the one to begin the quest.

Once you meet those requirements, the “Old Guns” quest should initiate, allowing you to delve into the history of the Minutemen and unlock a powerful asset for your burgeoning faction.

Delving Deeper: Unlocking the Armory

The “Old Guns” questline itself is fairly straightforward, but here’s a breakdown of the key steps to ensure you don’t miss anything:

• Meet Ronnie Shaw: Head to The Castle and find Ronnie Shaw. She’s a former Minutemen arms dealer with a knack for old-fashioned weaponry.
• Clear the Rubble: Ronnie will ask you to clear the rubble blocking the entrance to the tunnels beneath The Castle. Enter workshop mode and scrap the trash into materials. They’ll come in handy later when you need to build some objects for the castle.
• Sarge’s Last Stand: You’ll face off against a Robobrain named Sarge. Neutralizing Sarge is crucial to progressing.
• Armory Access: Once Sarge is destroyed, Ronnie will use a terminal to open the security door to the Minutemen armory.
• A Blast from the Past: Inside, you’ll discover a former Minutemen leader and his uniform. Grab the uniform for a stylish touch.
• The West Bastion: Enter the door to the West Bastion to finally reach the armory. It’s time to loot!
• Artillery Setup: Ronnie will also task you with setting up artillery at The Castle.
• Field Test: Finally, you’ll need to conduct a field test of the artillery, using smoke grenades to designate targets.

Setting Up Artillery

A key aspect of “Old Guns” is learning to utilize artillery. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Workshop Mode: Enter workshop mode at a settlement.
2. Build Artillery: Under the “Special” category, you’ll find the option to build an artillery turret.
3. Assign a Minuteman: Highlight any unnamed Minutemen soldier and assign them to the turret.
4. Smoke Signals: To call in artillery support, throw a smoke grenade towards your desired target.

Artillery can be a game-changer in defending your settlements and engaging enemies from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Old Guns

1. What happens if I kill Preston Garvey before starting Old Guns?
   • Killing Preston Garvey can significantly impact your ability to progress with the Minutemen questline. While it might not completely prevent you from starting “Old Guns,” it could introduce complications. It’s generally recommended to keep Preston alive until you’ve secured the Minutemen as a reliable faction.
2. Can I skip the settlement requirement for Old Guns using console commands?
   • Yes, you can use console commands to advance the quest, bypassing the settlement requirement. The command ‘setstage MinRecruitmentTWCastle 100‘ might help. However, be warned that using console commands can sometimes lead to unforeseen bugs or glitches.
3. Is there a level requirement for starting Old Guns?
   • There is no specific level requirement for starting “Old Guns.” However, the enemies you’ll encounter during the quest, particularly at The Castle, can be challenging. It’s recommended to be at least level 15 or higher before tackling this quest.
4. What if Ronnie Shaw is dead? Can I still complete Old Guns?
   • If Ronnie Shaw is dead, you will not be able to complete the “Old Guns” quest through normal gameplay. She is essential for initiating the quest and accessing the armory. You may need to use console commands to bypass her role, but this could lead to instability.
5. Does the order I take the settlements matter for triggering Old Guns?
   • The specific order in which you take the four settlements generally doesn’t matter. As long as you control at least four settlements for the Minutemen, you should be able to trigger the quest.
6. Can I use the artillery against the Institute?
   • Yes, once you have established artillery at your settlements, you can use it to bombard the Institute during certain quests related to the main storyline. This can provide a significant tactical advantage.
7. What are the best settlements to use for artillery support?
   • Settlements located closer to common enemy locations or those with a good line of sight are ideal for artillery support. The Castle itself is a great choice, as it’s centrally located. Spectacle Island can also be effective with proper placement of the artillery.
8. How do I repair the artillery if it gets damaged?
   • You can repair damaged artillery by entering workshop mode and interacting with the damaged turret. You’ll need the necessary materials, such as steel and gears, to perform the repair.
9. Can I have more than one artillery piece at each settlement?
   • Yes, you can build multiple artillery pieces at each settlement. This allows you to provide concentrated firepower and cover a wider area.
10. Are there any unique weapons or items I can find in the armory at The Castle?
    • While the armory at The Castle primarily contains standard weapons and ammunition, you’ll also find the Minutemen General’s Uniform, which is a unique outfit. The real treasure is the ability to utilize artillery.
11. Does my relationship with other factions affect my ability to do Old Guns?
    • Your relationships with other factions generally don’t directly affect your ability to start or complete “Old Guns.” However, siding with certain factions later in the game could impact your overall allegiance with the Minutemen.
12. How can I improve the accuracy of my artillery strikes?
    • The accuracy of artillery strikes is somewhat random. However, placing artillery pieces strategically and having a clear line of sight to the target area can improve your chances of a successful hit.
13. Is there a way to automatically trigger artillery support in Fallout 4?
    • There is no way to have the artillery automatically trigger, but there may be mods available that add such a feature. However, keep in mind that using mods can sometimes introduce bugs or glitches.
14. What is the best way to defend The Castle from attacks after taking it?
    • Fortifying The Castle with walls, turrets, and traps is essential for defending it from attacks. Placing artillery strategically can also help to deter enemies.
15. Where can I find more information about Fallout 4 quests and gameplay?
    • There are numerous resources available online, including wikis, forums, and video tutorials. The Games Learning Society also offers insights into the educational aspects of gaming. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.

By following these steps and addressing these FAQs, you’ll be well on your way to triggering the “Old Guns” quest, reclaiming The Castle, and providing the Minutemen with the firepower they need to protect the Commonwealth. Now go out there and rebuild!

This content is designed to provide valuable information for gamers interested in Fallout 4.