Fallout 4: When to Betray the Brotherhood of Steel – A Completionist’s Guide

The Brotherhood of Steel, a powerful faction in Fallout 4, presents a unique moral and strategic dilemma. The decision of when to betray them is a complex one, heavily influenced by your playstyle, desired ending, and thirst for unique loot. The short answer? Betray the Brotherhood after you’ve maximized your benefits from them, securing their unique gear and completing relevant quests, but before you become irrevocably locked into their endgame scenario if you want to work with other factions like the Railroad or Institute.

Maximizing Your Brotherhood Experience Before the Break

The key to a successful betrayal lies in careful planning and execution. You need to exploit their resources without committing to their ideological endgame. Here’s a breakdown of the crucial steps:

• Join the Brotherhood: This is the foundation. You can’t betray them if you’re not initially on their side. The early quests are relatively harmless and offer valuable experience and equipment.
• Rank Up: Progress through the ranks to unlock better gear and opportunities. Getting to the rank of Paladin unlocks the most advanced benefits.
• Acquire Unique Gear: This is paramount. Focus on obtaining the Elder Maxson’s Battlecoat (obtained during their destruction mission), any unique power armor sets they offer (like T-60 variants with unique paints), and any legendary weapons they might have for sale or as quest rewards.
• Paladin Danse’s Loyalty: Max out your affinity with Paladin Danse. He’s an excellent companion, particularly in combat, and his personal quest line, Blind Betrayal, is crucial. The timing of this quest relative to your betrayal is critical (more on that below).
• Exploit Vendor Access: The Brotherhood’s vendors offer rare and powerful items. Regularly check their inventory and purchase anything that suits your needs. This is a great way to spend those hard earned caps.
• Complete Side Quests: Many of the Brotherhood’s radiant quests and side quests offer valuable rewards, experience, and faction reputation. Don’t neglect these opportunities.
• Timing Blind Betrayal: This quest is the turning point. Complete it before you become enemies with the Brotherhood if you want Danse to remain loyal to you. Alternatively, if you betray the Brotherhood after Blind Betrayal and side with the Railroad or Institute, Danse will side with you against the Brotherhood.

The Tipping Point: When to Pull the Trigger

The crucial moment for betrayal arrives when you reach the point of no return in the main questline. Specifically, the quests Mass Fusion (for the Institute) or End of the Line (for the Railroad) will force you to make a choice that will make you permanently hostile to the Brotherhood of Steel. Before triggering this quest, you need to ensure you have everything you want from the Brotherhood.

Here’s a decision-making checklist:

• All Unique Gear Acquired? Do you have Maxson’s Battlecoat, the best power armor you can get, and all the unique weapons?
• Danse’s Loyalty Secured? Have you completed Blind Betrayal? Are you happy with your relationship with him?
• Are You Ready to Sacrifice Brotherhood Support? Are you prepared to lose access to their vendors, quests, and general support in the Commonwealth?
• Which Faction is Your End Goal? Understanding your desired endgame faction (Institute, Railroad, or Minutemen) is crucial for making the right decision.

Betrayal Scenarios and Consequences

The consequences of betraying the Brotherhood vary depending on the timing and the faction you ultimately side with.

• Siding with the Institute: This path necessitates the complete destruction of the Brotherhood. You’ll be tasked with wiping them out, leading to a major battle at Boston Airport or the Prydwen. Danse will be on your side if you choose to side with the Institute after completing “Blind Betrayal”.
• Siding with the Railroad: Similar to the Institute, the Railroad ending requires the Brotherhood’s destruction. You’ll work with the Railroad to dismantle their operations in the Commonwealth. Danse will be on your side if you choose to side with the Railroad after completing “Blind Betrayal”.
• Siding with the Minutemen: The Minutemen ending allows for more flexibility. You can destroy the Institute while maintaining a tenuous alliance with the Brotherhood. In some scenarios, a Minutemen ending can avoid the need to destroy the Brotherhood, but be aware that the relationship will still be strained.

Morality vs. Completionism

Ultimately, the decision of when and how to betray the Brotherhood comes down to your personal playstyle.

• The Moral Player: If you prioritize ethical choices, you might betray the Brotherhood sooner rather than later, particularly if you disagree with their ideologies or actions.
• The Completionist: The completionist will likely milk the Brotherhood for everything they’re worth before severing ties, even if it means compromising their character’s morals. This ensures they acquire every unique item and experience every questline before moving on.
• The Roleplayer: Consider your character’s backstory and motivations. Would they align with the Brotherhood’s goals? Or would they inevitably clash with their worldview? This will help guide your decision-making process.

Fallout 4 offers a dynamic and engaging experience. As you journey through the Commonwealth, you’ll face many choices, and deciding when and how to betray the Brotherhood of Steel is a significant one. By carefully considering your goals and weighing the consequences, you can make the decision that best suits your playstyle and ensures a memorable experience.

Remember to explore the broader implications of your choices through resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, where the intersection of gameplay and social impact is explored.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I avoid destroying the Brotherhood of Steel altogether?

The easiest way to avoid destroying the Brotherhood of Steel entirely is to side with the Minutemen and forge a specific type of ending. However, this requires careful navigation of the main questline to ensure the Brotherhood doesn’t become hostile. A strained relationship is still likely.

2. Will Paladin Danse turn hostile if I betray the Brotherhood?

This depends on when you betray the Brotherhood. If you become enemies with them before completing his personal quest, Blind Betrayal, he will likely turn hostile. If you complete the quest first and then betray the Brotherhood, he will remain loyal to you and side against them.

3. What are the benefits of joining the Brotherhood of Steel?

The Brotherhood offers access to powerful power armor, advanced weaponry, a unique airship base (The Prydwen), and numerous quests and rewards. They provide strong support in combat and offer a sense of belonging within a structured organization.

4. What happens if I refuse to join the Brotherhood of Steel?

You won’t have access to their unique resources, quests, and storylines. However, you can still interact with them to a limited extent, and you can always change your mind later.

5. Is the Brotherhood of Steel evil?

Whether the Brotherhood is “evil” is a matter of perspective. They have a strong sense of justice, but their methods can be extreme, and their ideology is often seen as exclusionary and oppressive. Their technology hoarding and intolerance towards synths are often criticized.

6. Who is the most evil faction in Fallout 4?

Opinions vary, but the Institute and the Brotherhood of Steel are often considered the most morally questionable factions, albeit for different reasons. The Institute’s experiments and disregard for human life are often seen as more insidious, while the Brotherhood’s zealotry and intolerance are seen as more overt.

7. What happens if I side with the Institute?

Siding with the Institute requires you to destroy both the Brotherhood of Steel and the Railroad. You’ll become their champion and work to further their goals in the Commonwealth.

8. Can the Minutemen and the Brotherhood of Steel work together?

Yes, to an extent. The Minutemen are generally neutral and can coexist with the Brotherhood. However, tensions may still exist, and certain actions can strain the relationship.

9. What is Elder Maxson’s Battlecoat, and how do I get it?

Elder Maxson’s Battlecoat is a unique and powerful piece of apparel. You can only obtain it by killing Elder Maxson, which typically occurs during the final stages of the Brotherhood’s destruction.

10. What are the disadvantages of joining the Brotherhood of Steel?

Joining the Brotherhood can lock you out of certain quests and storylines associated with other factions, particularly the Railroad and the Institute. You may also have to compromise your moral compass to align with their ideology.

11. Why does Piper dislike the Brotherhood of Steel?

Piper is critical of the Brotherhood’s technology hoarding, anti-synth policies, and perceived self-serving nature. She believes they are not genuinely interested in helping the people of the Commonwealth.

12. What does the Brotherhood of Steel think of the Minutemen?

The Brotherhood generally views the Minutemen with a mix of indifference and disdain. They see them as disorganized and ineffective, but they may tolerate their presence as long as they don’t pose a threat.

13. Will Danse become hostile if I side with the Institute or Railroad?

As long as you complete the Blind Betrayal quest before becoming enemies with the Brotherhood, Danse will not turn hostile. He will side with you against the Brotherhood, regardless of whether you side with the Institute or the Railroad.

14. What happens if I kill Maxson during Blind Betrayal?

Killing Maxson during Blind Betrayal will immediately make you an enemy of the Brotherhood. It’s generally not recommended unless you’re specifically aiming for that outcome.

15. Is there a “best” ending in Fallout 4?

The “best” ending is subjective and depends on your personal preferences. The Minutemen ending is often seen as the most “good” ending, as it allows for the survival of multiple factions. However, each ending has its own merits and drawbacks.