The House Always Loses: Consequences of Killing Mr. House in Fallout: New Vegas

Killing Mr. House in Fallout: New Vegas is a pivotal decision that fundamentally alters the trajectory of the game’s narrative. The immediate consequence is the failure of the quest “The House Always Wins”. This effectively locks you out of siding with him for the game’s ending. You’ll be unable to progress through his storyline, and any positive reputation you’ve built with him will become irrelevant. Furthermore, you will incur a -50 Karma penalty, impacting your overall moral standing within the game world. The act opens up opportunities to pursue quests with the NCR, the Legion, and Yes Man. However, pushing too far down the NCR or Legion paths after eliminating House can eventually lock you out of the remaining faction. Ultimately, eliminating Mr. House paves the way for an Independent Vegas ending where the player, with the assistance of Yes Man, takes control of the Mojave Wasteland.

The Ripple Effects: How Killing Mr. House Changes the Game

The death of Mr. House is more than just removing a character; it’s a declaration of independence from his vision for New Vegas. This singular act sets in motion a chain of events that affects various aspects of the game.

Faction Dynamics

• NCR: The NCR’s perspective of you might change based on your reputation with them and your actions leading up to and after House’s death. If you’ve maintained a positive relationship with the NCR, they may view you favorably as a potential ally, albeit a rogue one. They may see the opportunity to easily invade New Vegas. However, if you are already on poor terms with the NCR, killing Mr. House won’t improve the situation.
• Legion: Similar to the NCR, the Legion will see House’s death as a setback to their plans for the Mojave. Depending on your relationship with them, they may view you as either a useful tool or a dangerous enemy. If you have already earned the Legion’s ire, killing House won’t change that. They’ll likely view you as an obstacle.
• Yes Man: The primary beneficiary of House’s demise is Yes Man, who becomes your key to an independent New Vegas. He’ll guide you in securing the various factions’ support and ultimately preparing for the final battle at Hoover Dam.

Questlines

• The “The House Always Wins” questline is immediately failed.
• The Yes Man questline becomes the primary focus.
• Opportunities to complete quests for the NCR and Legion remain, but with the caveat that progressing too far with one faction can lock you out of the other.

Gameplay Changes

• Securitrons inside the Lucky 38 become hostile if you destroy Mr. House’s bunker.
• Access to certain areas and resources previously controlled by Mr. House will become available.
• Dialogue options with various NPCs will change, reflecting the shift in the balance of power in New Vegas.

Reputation and Karma

• Killing Mr. House results in a -50 Karma penalty.
• Your reputation with the NCR and Legion will be affected by your actions after his death.
• Your reputation with the various factions in the Mojave Wasteland will also be affected by your choices.

Moral Implications: Was Killing Mr. House the Right Choice?

The question of whether killing Mr. House is morally justifiable is complex. He envisions a technologically advanced, tightly controlled New Vegas under his absolute rule, which some might see as an authoritarian regime. However, he also promises stability and order, a valuable commodity in the post-apocalyptic wasteland. By removing him, you introduce uncertainty and the potential for chaos, especially if you are not prepared to lead New Vegas effectively. Ultimately, the moral implications depend on your character’s values and your vision for the future of the Mojave. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) could offer interesting perspectives on the ethical dimensions of player choices in narrative-driven games like Fallout: New Vegas.

Preparing for the Fallout: What to Do Before Taking Down the House

Before you pull the plug on Mr. House, consider these preparations:

• Complete all desired quests for Mr. House. This includes any side quests or exploration opportunities he unlocks.
• Maximize your reputation with factions you want to remain friendly with.
• Gather resources and equipment needed for the upcoming conflicts.
• Explore all areas you want to before the power dynamics shift.
• Consider your desired ending and plan your actions accordingly.

The Final Showdown: How to Kill Mr. House

To kill Mr. House, you’ll need to access his chamber within the Lucky 38 penthouse. This typically involves following the Yes Man questline, which will guide you to the necessary steps. Inside, you’ll have the option to either disable him or kill him outright. Disabling him leaves him alive but powerless, while killing him ends his influence permanently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does killing Mr. House give bad karma?

Yes, disabling or killing Mr. House results in a -50 Karma penalty.

2. What happens if I destroy Mr. House’s bunker?

If you destroy Mr. House’s secret bunker, the Securitrons inside the Lucky 38 will become hostile.

3. Can I give Mr. House the chip then kill him?

Yes, you can give Mr. House the Platinum Chip, let him upgrade the Securitrons, and then kill him. This is a common strategy for players who want to utilize his resources before betraying him.

4. Is it better to kill Mr. House?

Whether it is “better” depends on your desired ending and your character’s moral alignment. Killing Mr. House opens up the Independent Vegas ending with Yes Man.

5. What happens if you refuse to give Mr. House the chip?

Refusing to give Mr. House the Platinum Chip effectively seals his fate. It prevents you from siding with him and progressing his questline.

6. Can you side with Mr. House without destroying the Brotherhood?

No, you cannot fully side with Mr. House and also keep the Brotherhood of Steel alive unless you convince them to join the NCR, which is only possible through dialogue choices. Otherwise, you will be forced to destroy them to progress with his plans.

7. Can you disable Mr. House without killing him?

Yes, you can disable Mr. House, leaving him locked in his chamber. This will eventually lead to his death, but it allows you to avoid directly killing him.

8. What happens if you leave Mr. House alive?

If you side with Mr. House and he survives, he will continue to rule New Vegas, albeit with the Courier’s assistance. His vision for a technologically advanced, ordered society will be implemented.

9. Can you beat New Vegas without losing Karma?

It is challenging to finish the game with consistently “good” karma, but it is possible by making morally sound choices throughout the game.

10. What happens if you betray Mr. House?

If you betray Mr. House, you will fail his questline and become an enemy of his faction. The Yes Man questline will become available, allowing you to pursue an independent New Vegas.

11. What is Mr. House’s goal?

Mr. House’s primary goal is to rebuild humanity under his leadership, starting with a technologically advanced and prosperous New Vegas.

12. What should I do before I kill Mr. House?

Complete all quests you want to finish with him, maximize your reputation with factions you want to align with, gather resources, and explore the areas you want to before killing him.

13. Can I sell snow globes after killing Mr. House?

No, you can only sell them to Jane, who will turn hostile if you betray Mr. House.

14. Can you betray Mr. House after giving him the chip?

Yes, you can betray him after giving him the chip. In fact, this is a common point for players to switch sides and pursue a different ending.

15. Can you side with the NCR after giving House the chip?

You can’t side with both Yes Man and the NCR, but you can absolutely kill Mr House and switch sides after giving him the chip. While you can’t do Independent Vegas (Yes Man) and ally with NCR, you can ally with them up to a very late point.