What Happens If You Refuse to Join the Brotherhood of Steel in Fallout 4?
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Refusing to join the Brotherhood of Steel (BoS) in Fallout 4 fundamentally alters your gameplay experience. While you won’t be locked out of the main story entirely, you’ll miss out on several unique questlines, powerful equipment, and the opportunity to engage with a significant faction. The BoS represents a considerable source of advanced technology and firepower, and choosing not to align with them presents both challenges and opportunities in shaping the Commonwealth’s future. You’ll be closing off one avenue to complete some quests, but be opening yourself up to other opportunities in the game that could be better for your playthrough.
The Immediate Consequences of Rejection
Quest Lockout
The most immediate impact is the inability to access specific Brotherhood of Steel quests. Quests like “Call to Arms,” given by Paladin Danse, are essential for initiating your relationship with the BoS. Refusing this quest and subsequent recruitment effectively blocks you from their entire questline, including pivotal missions like “Semper Invicta,” “Shadow of Steel,” and ultimately, their involvement in the main storyline’s endgame.
Restricted Access
You’ll be denied access to the Prydwen, the Brotherhood’s massive airship base. This floating fortress acts as a hub for the BoS, offering vendor services, quest givers, and a unique atmosphere. Without membership, you remain an outsider, unable to freely explore its decks or participate in its activities.
Missed Opportunities for Unique Gear
The Brotherhood offers access to unique weapons, armor, and, most notably, power armor. Joining grants you a relatively easy path to acquiring a decent suit of power armor early in the game, a significant advantage in the harsh Commonwealth. Refusal means relying on alternative, often more challenging, methods of obtaining comparable equipment.
Reduced Companion Options
While not directly turning hostile initially, your relationship with Paladin Danse is fundamentally altered. He may express disappointment or disapproval of your choice, affecting your affinity with him. Ultimately, if you later become enemies with the Brotherhood, Danse’s loyalty becomes a complex issue, potentially leading to conflict.
Long-Term Implications
Altered Story Progression
Refusing the Brotherhood influences the available paths to complete the main quest. While the Minutemen, Railroad, and the Institute remain viable options, you lose the BoS as a potential ally or enemy. This significantly impacts the political landscape of the Commonwealth and the ultimate resolution of the game’s central conflict.
Shift in Faction Dynamics
Your choice directly shapes the balance of power among the Commonwealth’s factions. By denying the Brotherhood your support, you potentially strengthen their rivals. This can have unforeseen consequences as different factions vie for control, impacting settlements and the overall safety of the region.
Enhanced Reliance on Other Factions
Without the Brotherhood’s firepower, you might find yourself relying more heavily on the Minutemen for defense, the Railroad for technological assistance, or even aligning with the morally ambiguous Institute. Your decision forces you to commit more fully to one of the remaining factions, shaping your character’s moral compass and the future of the Commonwealth.
Different Narrative Experience
Ultimately, refusing to join the Brotherhood of Steel provides a distinct narrative experience. It allows you to explore alternative storylines, forge unique alliances, and develop a protagonist who rejects the Brotherhood’s ideology. This choice can lead to a more nuanced and personalized playthrough, diverging from the typical “heroic” path.
Shaping the Commonwealth’s Future
Your choices determine the fate of the Commonwealth. By refusing to join the BoS, you deny them a valuable resource and potentially weaken their grip on the region. This can pave the way for other factions to thrive, leading to a radically different outcome for the wasteland’s inhabitants.
Should You Refuse the Brotherhood?
The decision depends entirely on your desired playstyle and roleplaying preferences. If you prioritize technological advancement, military might, and a strong sense of order, joining the Brotherhood might be the right choice. However, if you value individual freedom, distrust authoritarian organizations, or seek a less conventional path, refusing their offer can lead to a more rewarding and morally complex experience. It’s all about aligning your character’s values with the factions that best represent them. The Games Learning Society offers a variety of resources to help you navigate complex ethical decisions in games. For more information, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Fallout 4: Brotherhood of Steel – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I join the Brotherhood of Steel later if I initially refuse?
Typically, no. Refusing to join during the “Call to Arms” quest closes the door on official recruitment. However, you might still interact with them and potentially benefit from their presence without becoming a full member.
2. What happens if I become enemies with the Brotherhood of Steel?
Becoming enemies with the Brotherhood initiates a hostile relationship. They will attack you on sight, and you may face increasing BoS presence in areas you control. This makes travel more dangerous and can lead to conflicts with your settlements.
3. Does refusing to join the Brotherhood prevent me from finishing the main story?
No, it does not. You can still complete the main story by aligning with the Minutemen, Railroad, or the Institute. Each faction offers a unique path to resolving the game’s central conflict.
4. Can I still get power armor if I don’t join the Brotherhood?
Yes, you can. Power armor can be found throughout the Commonwealth, purchased from vendors, or obtained through other quests and events. It might require more effort to acquire, but it is definitely accessible without joining the Brotherhood.
5. Will Paladin Danse become hostile if I refuse to join the Brotherhood?
Not immediately. However, if you later become enemies with the Brotherhood, Danse’s loyalty will be tested. Depending on your choices, he may turn against you or remain by your side. His reactions are complex and influenced by your actions.
6. Can I betray the Brotherhood after joining?
Yes, you can. The Fallout 4 storyline allows you to work with the Brotherhood up to a certain point, then betray them in favor of another faction. This decision has significant consequences and will lead to open conflict with the BoS.
7. Will the Minutemen hate me if I destroy the Brotherhood?
The Minutemen are primarily concerned with protecting settlements. While they may disapprove of your actions against the Brotherhood, they won’t automatically become hostile. However, certain actions might lead to a negative relationship.
8. What are the benefits of destroying the Brotherhood?
Destroying the Brotherhood eliminates a powerful military force from the Commonwealth, potentially creating a power vacuum that other factions can fill. This can lead to new opportunities and challenges, reshaping the political landscape of the region.
9. Is it possible to have a peaceful ending with the Brotherhood?
A fully “peaceful” ending with the Brotherhood is difficult. However, siding with the Minutemen and avoiding direct conflict with the BoS can lead to a relatively stable coexistence, although tensions may remain.
10. Can I use the Prydwen as a base if I’m not a member of the Brotherhood?
No. The Prydwen is strictly a Brotherhood of Steel facility. You cannot freely access or use it as a base without being a member.
11. Does refusing to join the Brotherhood affect my companion relationships besides Danse?
It can indirectly affect your relationships with other companions. Some companions may disapprove of your decision, while others might support it. Your choices and actions have a ripple effect on your relationships with everyone.
12. Are there any quests that become impossible to complete if I refuse the Brotherhood?
Yes, there are several Brotherhood of Steel specific quests that become unavailable if you refuse to join. These include quests given by Rhys and Haylen, and those related to advancing through the Brotherhood’s ranks.
13. What happens to the Brotherhood if I side with the Institute?
If you side with the Institute and complete their ending, you will likely destroy the Brotherhood of Steel as they are a primary enemy of the Institute’s goals.
14. Can I complete the game without allying with any of the major factions?
While difficult, it is theoretically possible to complete the main quest by focusing solely on the Minutemen and avoiding alliances with the Railroad, Institute, or Brotherhood. This requires careful planning and resource management.
15. What are some alternatives to the Brotherhood’s power armor if I don’t join them?
You can find pieces of power armor scattered throughout the Commonwealth. Check locations like military checkpoints, raider camps, and crashed Vertibirds. Additionally, you can purchase power armor from vendors in Diamond City and Goodneighbor, or earn it through completing quests for other factions.