Is the Enclave Hostile? A Deep Dive into Fallout’s Most Controversial Faction
Unequivocally, yes, the Enclave is hostile. In almost all of their appearances throughout the Fallout series, the Enclave presents itself as an antagonistic force, readily engaging in violent conflict with other factions and wastelanders. Their core ideology, rooted in a belief of genetic purity and the right to inherit a decimated America, often justifies their aggressive actions and indiscriminate violence against anyone they deem “mutated” or “impure”. The Enclave is defined by its hostility.
Understanding the Enclave’s Aggression
The Enclave’s hostility stems from a complex mix of factors, including their history, ideology, and goals. They are the remnants of the pre-War United States government, preserved in secure bunkers and military installations. This isolation fostered a sense of superiority and detachment from the realities of the post-apocalyptic world.
Ideology of Purity
At the heart of the Enclave’s aggression is their obsession with genetic purity. They view the mutated inhabitants of the wasteland, including ghouls, super mutants, and even regular humans exposed to radiation, as abominations that must be eradicated to pave the way for a “pure” America. This warped worldview fuels their violent actions and justifies their attempts at genocide. They are notorious for their evil nature, killing off mutated inhabitants and taking territory by force.
Resource Acquisition and Control
Beyond their ideological convictions, the Enclave also resorts to violence as a means of acquiring resources and establishing control over territory. They often deploy their heavily armed soldiers to seize valuable assets, eliminate rivals, and enforce their authority. This ruthless pursuit of power further solidifies their reputation as a hostile and dangerous faction.
Evidence of Enclave Hostility in Fallout Games
Throughout the Fallout series, numerous instances demonstrate the Enclave’s inherent hostility:
- Fallout 2: The Enclave’s deployment of a modified Forced Evolutionary Virus (FEV) to wipe out all mutated life in the wasteland is a prime example of their genocidal intentions.
- Fallout 3: The Enclave’s attempts to seize control of Project Purity and eliminate the wasteland population, including the Lone Wanderer and the Brotherhood of Steel, showcase their aggressive and expansionist nature. The Enclave even tries to trick the player into joining them, then betrays them later.
- Fallout 76: While players can technically join the Enclave in Fallout 76, this is more of an initiation into their system and ideology rather than a partnership. The Enclave’s ultimate goals remain focused on eliminating threats to their vision of America, even if it means sacrificing the lives of others.
Is There Any Nuance to Enclave Hostility?
While the Enclave is generally portrayed as an antagonistic force, some argue that there are shades of gray within the faction. Certain Enclave leaders, like Colonel Autumn in Fallout 3, may believe they are acting in the best interests of humanity, albeit through extreme and morally questionable methods. However, these nuances do not negate the Enclave’s overall hostile nature and the devastating consequences of their actions.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Enclave
1. Are there any situations where the Enclave is not hostile?
In most Fallout games, the Enclave is consistently portrayed as a hostile faction. While individual characters might exhibit moments of doubt or internal conflict, the organization as a whole remains dedicated to its aggressive and exclusionary ideology.
2. Why do some players find the Enclave appealing despite their hostility?
Some players are drawn to the Enclave’s advanced technology, disciplined organization, and vision of restoring order to the wasteland. They may also appreciate the Enclave’s patriotism, even if it is misguided and extreme. GamesLearningSociety.org studies the motivations of game players and finds that these often complex.
3. Can you ever truly join the Enclave and side with them?
In Fallout 3, you cannot join the Enclave or side with them. You are forced to side with the Brotherhood of Steel. In Fallout 76, you can join the Enclave but remain independent of their overarching goals. You’ll never see the Brotherhood and the Enclave side by side.
4. What are the Enclave’s ultimate goals?
The Enclave’s ultimate objective is to destroy all mutation and rebuild America in their image, populated only by “pure” humans. They are notorious for their evil nature, killing off mutated inhabitants and taking territory by force.
5. What makes the Enclave different from other factions in Fallout?
The Enclave stands apart from other factions due to their pre-War origins, advanced technology, and unwavering belief in their superiority. They are not simply trying to survive in the wasteland; they are trying to reclaim it and reshape it according to their own distorted vision.
6. How does the Enclave’s ideology contribute to their hostility?
The Enclave’s ideology of genetic purity directly fuels their hostility by demonizing and dehumanizing anyone they deem “mutated.” This allows them to justify acts of violence and genocide against entire populations.
7. Is Colonel Autumn a benevolent leader?
While Colonel Autumn may have believed he was acting in the best interests of humanity, his methods were undeniably ruthless and his goals aligned with the Enclave’s exclusionary ideology. He sought to control the water purifier for leverage.
8. How do the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave differ?
While both the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave are militaristic organizations with advanced technology, they differ significantly in their goals and ideologies. The Brotherhood focuses on preserving technology and protecting humanity from its dangers, while the Enclave seeks to eliminate mutation and rebuild America in their own image. The Enclave has killed many mutants, so they are seen as evil.
9. Why did the Enclave shoot the Vault Dweller?
The Enclave had reasons. Officially it was because they were “resisting capture”, although it was likely a show of force to show the rest of the vault dwellers in Vault 13 that they meant business.
10. What is the Enclave’s relationship with ghouls and super mutants?
The Enclave hates ghouls and super mutants, viewing them as abominations that must be eradicated. In some field reports, the terminal will say that some Ghouls are nice as they previously thought they were all like the Ferals.
11. How were the Enclave defeated?
The Enclave has been defeated in various Fallout games through a combination of player actions, factional alliances, and their own internal weaknesses. The NCR and the BoS have both helped defeat the Enclave. In Fallout 3, the Brotherhood of Steel, with the help of the Lone Wanderer, ultimately defeats the Enclave at Raven Rock and Adams Air Force Base.
12. Are there any Enclave Remnants in Fallout: New Vegas?
Yes, the Enclave Remnants are a group of surviving Enclave soldiers and officers who can be found in Fallout: New Vegas. They are disillusioned with the Enclave’s past actions and may offer assistance to the player. You can lie to them and say you are going to support the NCR then switch over to a House or Yes Man finish and they will still help.
13. Did the Enclave create Deathclaws?
The Enclave had its own research project and developed intelligent Deathclaws that it could use for combat. In Fallout 2, it was discovered that some Enclave Deathclaws escaped captivity and became intelligent enough to develop a culture.
14. Why do people hate the Enclave?
People hate the Enclave because their main plan was to release a biological agent into the airstream, killing almost every living thing that had been exposed to radiation and mutated since the bombs fell. So, the reason they are hated is because they wanted to kill everybody that was not them.
15. Why didn’t the Enclave nuke the Citadel?
The Enclave considers the Pentagon their property – it’s a US government building, after all, and the Enclave considers itself to be the US government. They want to end the war without using it at all, if possible. If it must be used, it needs to be absolutely decisive not to be a waste.
In conclusion, the Enclave’s hostility is a defining characteristic, rooted in their ideology, goals, and history. While individual members might exhibit nuances, the organization as a whole remains a dangerous and antagonistic force within the Fallout universe. The Games Learning Society explores these elements of gaming, focusing on the complex relationships and moral dilemmas that arise in virtual worlds.