Far Harbor or Nuka-World First? A Wastelander’s Guide to Fallout 4 DLC Order

So, you’re standing at the crossroads of the Commonwealth, Power Armor gleaming, Pip-Boy humming, and the tantalizing question hangs in the air: Far Harbor or Nuka-World first? The answer, my friend, isn’t as simple as flipping a bottle cap, but generally, Far Harbor is the recommended first choice for most players.

Why Far Harbor first? Several reasons contribute to this recommendation. Far Harbor offers a compelling narrative experience that feels more integrated into the overall Fallout 4 universe, tackling themes of morality, prejudice, and difficult choices with more nuance. Secondly, Far Harbor is typically considered a better “warm-up” in terms of difficulty and challenge, allowing you to gain levels and better gear before tackling the more demanding Nuka-World. Nuka-World’s raider-centric gameplay can also clash with certain character builds, particularly those leaning towards the noble hero, and starting it first could trigger unintended consequences with your companions and settlements. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but consider Far Harbor as the appetizer before the chaotic and morally ambiguous main course that is Nuka-World.

Diving Deeper: Far Harbor’s Strengths

Far Harbor’s strength lies in its narrative depth and atmospheric setting. The fog-drenched island of Mount Desert Island, or “The Island,” offers a stark contrast to the Commonwealth’s familiar landscapes. The story, revolving around the conflict between the synths of Acadia, the Children of Atom, and the local townspeople, presents complex moral dilemmas. The choices you make genuinely matter, influencing the fate of the island and its inhabitants. It’s a more traditional Fallout experience, emphasizing player agency and consequence. It also helps ground the game in the Fallout universe that many have come to love.

Confronting Chaos: Nuka-World’s Unique Appeal

Nuka-World, on the other hand, throws you into the deep end of depravity. As the new Overboss of a raider gang, you’re tasked with conquering the park’s various zones and establishing a network of raider settlements in the Commonwealth. This DLC allows you to fully embrace the role of a villain, a stark departure from the often-heroic path of the main game. While this can be incredibly fun and liberating, it also comes with consequences, particularly impacting your relationship with companions like Preston Garvey and potentially alienating your settlements. Nuka-World is also designed for higher-level characters. It can be a brutal experience for those venturing in too early.

Making the Right Choice: Key Considerations

Before making your decision, consider these factors:

• Your Playstyle: Are you a goody-two-shoes who cringes at the thought of raiding settlements? Or do you relish the opportunity to unleash your inner wasteland warlord? Far Harbor caters to a more neutral or morally good playthrough, while Nuka-World is ideal for those embracing the dark side.
• Your Level: Far Harbor recommends a level around 30, while Nuka-World is genuinely challenging until you reach at least level 30, and even higher is preferable.
• Your Companions: If you’re attached to keeping Preston Garvey happy, avoid starting Nuka-World before completing the main quest or becoming the Minutemen General.

The Timeline Perspective: Release Order Matters

Far Harbor was released before Nuka-World. This is also something to take into consideration, as playing through them in release order can help with a better experience. The developers may have designed the game to play this way.

FAQs: Untangling the Fallout 4 DLC Dilemma

To further assist you in making the best decision for your playthrough, here are some frequently asked questions:

1. What level should I be for Far Harbor and Nuka-World?

The recommended level for Far Harbor is around 30. While you can start it earlier, you may find the enemies and challenges quite difficult. Nuka-World is best tackled at level 30 or higher, preferably even higher, as the enemies are significantly tougher than those in Far Harbor.

2. Will Nuka-World ruin my relationship with Preston Garvey?

Yes, it likely will. Once you start establishing raider settlements in the Commonwealth as part of Nuka-World’s questline, Preston will become hostile towards you and refuse to be your companion. The only way to reconcile with him is to complete the “Open Season” quest, which involves wiping out all the raiders in Nuka-World. You will still permanently lose him as a companion.

3. Can I complete Nuka-World without angering the Minutemen?

No, not entirely. As mentioned above, establishing raider settlements will inevitably lead to conflict with the Minutemen. However, you can delay starting Nuka-World until after you’ve completed the main quest and reached a point where your relationship with the Minutemen is less critical.

4. Is Far Harbor harder than Nuka-World?

Generally, no. Nuka-World is considered the more challenging DLC, with tougher enemies and more demanding combat encounters. However, some areas and enemies in Far Harbor can still pose a significant threat, particularly at lower levels.

5. Can I betray the raiders in Nuka-World?

Yes, absolutely. You can choose to side with the raiders and complete their questline, or you can turn against them and liberate Nuka-World by initiating the “Open Season” quest.

6. Does the order of playing the DLCs affect the main quest?

Not significantly. The main quest has minimal influence on the DLCs, and the DLCs have only a handful of dialogue options that affect the main quest. The order of completion has an affect, but minimal.

7. What is the best weapon in Far Harbor?

Several weapons stand out in Far Harbor, including the Harpoon Gun, Lever-Action Rifle, and the Radium Rifle. The Harpoon Gun is particularly effective against larger enemies, while the Lever-Action Rifle offers excellent damage and accuracy at medium range. The Radium Rifle is also great, as it does radiation damage.

8. What is the best weapon in Nuka-World?

Nuka-World boasts several powerful weapons, including the Aeternus Gatling Laser, the Thirst Zapper, and the Problem Solver. The Aeternus is known for its never ending ammo clip. The Thirst Zapper is also a great weapon in that it turns enemies into well hydrated friends. The Problem Solver is a great assault rifle for dealing a lot of damage.

9. Where is Far Harbor located in real life?

Far Harbor’s fictional setting is based on Bar Harbor, Maine, and the surrounding Mount Desert Island.

10. Can I start Far Harbor before completing the main quest?

Yes, you can. Far Harbor becomes available after you’ve progressed a certain way in the main quest, specifically after meeting Nick Valentine.

11. What should I do first in Far Harbor?

Start by picking a side in the conflicts on the island, getting a Harpoon Gun, establishing a settlement, collecting Island Almanacs, and completing The Captain’s Dance quest.

12. Can you turn on the power in Nuka-World after completing Open Season?

Yes. Even after wiping out the raiders, you can still complete the necessary steps to restore power to Nuka-World.

13. Which Fallout DLC should I play first if I have multiple Fallout games?

This is an open ended question, but Fallout New Vegas Honest Hearts DLC is an extremely popular choice. The Honest Hearts DLC does not affect other DLC.

14. What is the hardest enemy in Nuka-World?

Several enemies in Nuka-World can be challenging, but Mason, the leader of The Pack, is often considered one of the toughest. Overboss Colter is another challenging fight due to his power armor and unique weapon.

15. What is the most important reason people enjoy Far Harbor?

The choices you make matter! People enjoy that Far Harbor has multiple endings, and choices to make that can alter the outcome of the game.

The Verdict: A Matter of Preference

Ultimately, the choice between Far Harbor and Nuka-World comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a more nuanced and morally complex story with a strong connection to the Fallout universe, start with Far Harbor. If you want to embrace your inner villain and unleash chaos upon the Commonwealth, Nuka-World is the way to go. No matter your choice, the wasteland awaits!

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