Are the Enclave the Evil Faction? Unpacking Morality in the Fallout Universe
Yes, in most iterations of the Fallout storyline, the Enclave can be definitively considered an evil faction. Their actions, motivations, and ultimate goals align with a pattern of ruthless disregard for human life, fanatical adherence to a warped ideology, and a willingness to employ genocidal tactics to achieve their aims. While morality in the post-apocalyptic wasteland is often a murky shade of grey, the Enclave’s darkness tends to stand out.
Delving Deeper: The Enclave’s Depravity
The Enclave’s evil isn’t just about being “bad guys” in a simplistic narrative. It stems from a complex interplay of factors. They aren’t motivated by mere greed or power, although they certainly seek both. Instead, their depravity is rooted in a deep-seated belief in their own superiority and the perceived impurity of the wasteland’s inhabitants. This belief system drives their actions, justifying atrocities in their own minds as necessary steps towards restoring America – their America.
The Purity Crusade
Central to the Enclave’s ideology is the concept of “pure” humanity. They view those exposed to radiation and mutated by the wastes as abominations, unfit to inherit the “new” America they envision. This obsession with purity leads them to pursue horrific projects, such as the development and deployment of Modified FEV (Forced Evolutionary Virus), a weapon intended to eradicate all mutated life, including the vast majority of wastelanders.
Totalitarian Control and Suppression
The Enclave’s vision of a restored America is one of authoritarian control, where individual freedom is sacrificed for the sake of order and enforced conformity. They are quick to suppress dissent, eliminate perceived threats, and manipulate populations to maintain their power. This suppression extends not only to wastelanders but also to those within their own ranks who question their methods or ideologies.
A Legacy of Destruction
Across multiple Fallout games, the Enclave leaves a trail of destruction and suffering. From the massacres of Vault dwellers in Fallout 2 to the attempted poisoning of the Capital Wasteland in Fallout 3, their actions consistently demonstrate a willingness to inflict widespread harm in pursuit of their twisted ideals. This legacy of violence cements their status as a major antagonistic force and a symbol of the dangers of unchecked power and ideological extremism.
FAQs: Unraveling the Enclave’s Mysteries
1. Are the Enclave really evil?
Yes, generally speaking, the Enclave are depicted as an evil faction. Their actions, such as attempting to wipe out mutated populations with FEV and their authoritarian rule, demonstrate a clear disregard for human life and a willingness to commit atrocities to achieve their goals.
2. Are the Enclave Remnants evil?
The Enclave Remnants are a more nuanced case. While they were formerly part of the Enclave, their experiences and disillusionment with the organization’s leadership lead some to question their past actions. Some remnants express remorse for their involvement in the Enclave’s atrocities, while others remain steadfast in their belief in the Enclave’s original goals.
3. Why do people hate the Enclave?
The Enclave’s plan to release a modified FEV virus to kill all mutated life is a major reason for the animosity towards them. Their desire to eliminate anyone who doesn’t fit their definition of “pure” human makes them a hated and feared enemy to most wastelanders.
4. Why is the Enclave evil in Fallout 2?
In Fallout 2, the Enclave is actively trying to use a modified FEV virus to eradicate all mutated life. Their goal is to create a world inhabited only by “pure” humans, justifying the mass murder of wastelanders as a necessary step towards achieving this vision.
5. Can the Enclave support Yes Man in Fallout: New Vegas?
While you cannot directly recruit the Enclave Remnants to support Yes Man (or Mr. House) as a faction, you can deceive them into assisting you by initially claiming to support the NCR, then switching allegiance. They will still assist with the Hoover Dam battle if you haven’t become locked out of the NCR questline.
6. Is it possible to join the Enclave?
In Fallout 76, it is possible to join a version of the Enclave. You can gain access to their underground bunker by finding the Whitespring Access Card and completing the “Bunker Buster” and “One of Us” quests, which involve interacting with the AI MODUS.
7. Why can’t you play as the Enclave in the main games?
The Enclave’s core ideology of “pure” humanity is fundamentally at odds with the player’s character, who is often a mutated wastelander or someone who has interacted extensively with the wasteland environment. Allowing players to fully embody the Enclave would require significant compromises to their established lore and motivations.
8. Who destroyed the Enclave in Fallout 3?
The Enclave in the Capital Wasteland (East Coast) was ultimately destroyed by the combined efforts of the Lone Wanderer and the Brotherhood of Steel. Key battles at Raven Rock and Adams Air Force Base led to the Enclave’s downfall.
9. Is the Enclave stronger than the Brotherhood of Steel?
In terms of technology and resources, the Enclave often held an advantage over the Brotherhood of Steel. They possessed advanced power armor, vertibirds, and robots. However, the Brotherhood’s tenacity, strategic prowess, and unwavering dedication often allowed them to overcome the Enclave’s technological superiority.
10. Why didn’t the Enclave destroy the Citadel (Pentagon)?
The Enclave viewed the Citadel, located in the Pentagon, as their property, a symbol of the United States government, which they believed they were the rightful successors to. Destroying it would be self-destructive to their cause.
11. What if the Enclave won in Fallout?
If the Enclave had succeeded in their plans, the wasteland would likely have been purged of most mutated life. The Enclave members and those in closed vaults might survive, but their long-term survival would be threatened by inbreeding and a lack of genetic diversity.
12. Did the Brotherhood of Steel destroy the Enclave?
Yes, in several instances, the Brotherhood of Steel played a significant role in the destruction of Enclave forces, particularly on the East Coast in Fallout 3.
13. Why is there no Enclave in Fallout 4?
By the time of Fallout 4, the Enclave had suffered devastating defeats on both the West and East Coasts. Their remnants were scattered and hunted, making their presence as a significant faction in Fallout 4 unlikely.
14. What did the Enclave want in Fallout 3?
The Enclave in Fallout 3 aimed to control the East Coast’s water supply and, under the influence of the AI President Eden, sought to eliminate all mutated life through the use of a modified FEV virus.
15. Are the Enclave and NCR enemies?
Yes, the Enclave and the NCR were enemies. The NCR fought against the Enclave on the West Coast, often alongside the Brotherhood of Steel, to eliminate the Enclave’s control over territory and resources.
Beyond Good and Evil: Exploring Ethical Dilemmas
While the Enclave is generally depicted as evil, exploring their motivations and understanding their perspective can lead to valuable insights into the nature of power, ideology, and the complexities of morality in a post-apocalyptic setting. Games, like the Fallout series, can act as a powerful tool for ethical exploration and moral reasoning, a concept explored in detail by the Games Learning Society. For more information on the intersection of games and learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Ultimately, the question of whether the Enclave is “evil” is not a simple one. However, based on their consistent actions and motivations throughout the Fallout series, it is clear that they represent a significant threat to the wasteland and embody many of the darker aspects of human nature.