Will Joining the Brotherhood of Steel Kick You Out of the Minutemen in Fallout 4?

The short answer is: no, joining the Brotherhood of Steel will not automatically kick you out of the Minutemen in Fallout 4. You can absolutely be a member of both factions simultaneously, at least for a significant portion of the game. This is a common point of confusion for new players, so let’s delve deeper into how these alliances work and what you can expect.

Understanding Faction Dynamics in Fallout 4

Fallout 4’s faction system allows you to engage with several groups, each with its own ideologies and objectives. The four major factions are: the Minutemen, the Brotherhood of Steel, the Railroad, and the Institute. Early in the game, you’re encouraged to interact with all of them to some extent. You can even join all of them, at least initially. However, as you progress down each faction’s questline, you will eventually reach points where your allegiances will be tested, and you will have to choose who to side with.

The Minutemen are unique in that they act as a sort of “fallback” faction, ensuring the game can always reach a conclusion even if you make decisions that alienate other groups. They are, in essence, the most neutral faction, which is why you can comfortably maintain your Minutemen status while exploring other options. The Brotherhood of Steel, on the other hand, is more structured and militaristic, with a focus on technology and a suspicion of non-humans and synths.

The Minutemen’s Flexibility

The Minutemen’s loose structure and goals make them incredibly forgiving in terms of alliances. They are primarily focused on helping settlements and protecting the innocent. They don’t have a rigid ideology that demands unwavering loyalty. This is why, unlike some of the other factions, the Minutemen are not inherently opposed to the Brotherhood. This allows you to progress with both factions’ questlines without immediate conflict.

However, it’s important to note that while you won’t be kicked out of the Minutemen by joining the Brotherhood, your actions can impact your relationship with the factions. Decisions you make in the Brotherhood quests might eventually put you at odds with the Railroad or, ultimately, the Institute, which could lead to larger consequences down the line.

Key Considerations

• Initial Alliance is Safe: Joining the Brotherhood doesn’t trigger an automatic Minutemen disengagement.
• The Minutemen as a Safety Net: The Minutemen are a “Yes Man” faction from Fallout New Vegas and serve as a failsafe.
• Flexibility: They are tolerant of other factions, even the Brotherhood.
• Later Conflicts: Your actions within the Brotherhood storyline may eventually create issues with other factions.

Reaching the Point of No Return

The ability to play all the factions is mainly in the first half of the story. The crucial point to understand is that there will come a point where you will be forced to choose between factions. Usually, this occurs during later parts of each faction’s main quest line. If you side with the Brotherhood of Steel, you’ll likely become enemies with the Railroad and the Institute. However, siding with the Minutemen lets you beat the game without necessarily destroying any other faction besides the Institute. In general, by siding with the minutemen, you will be able to complete the game without killing every other faction. This results in the “peaceful ending” that many players are after, although it is not a perfect peace.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions that often arise regarding faction interactions in Fallout 4:

1. Can I ally the Minutemen and the Brotherhood of Steel?

Yes, absolutely. You can be part of both factions. However, the alliance may not be permanent depending on the choices you make as the main storyline progresses.

2. Does the Brotherhood of Steel destroy the Minutemen?

No, the Brotherhood of Steel does not destroy the Minutemen. They stay neutral with the Minutemen. The primary conflict is between the Brotherhood and the Institute.

3. What happens if I side with the Brotherhood of Steel?

Siding with the Brotherhood of Steel will make you an enemy of the Railroad and ultimately the Institute, as well as ending any quests that may be available to you within those factions.

4. Can I complete Fallout 4 without killing a faction?

Yes, you can complete the game without destroying any faction except the Institute by siding with the Minutemen.

5. How do I get a “peaceful ending” in Fallout 4?

The closest you can get to a “peaceful ending” is through the Minutemen questline. This involves becoming the General of the Minutemen, destroying the Institute, and keeping other factions alive, even though they will still be distrustful of each other.

6. What is the best ending in Fallout 4?

Many players consider the Minutemen ending to be the best, as it allows you to maintain good standing with the most factions. However, it also results in a less powerful faction in the region.

7. Is it OK to join all the factions in Fallout 4?

Yes, it is recommended to join all four factions early in the game to experience their storylines and to make sure you have options. However, eventually you will be forced to betray some of them, unless you go the Minutemen route.

8. How can I keep the Railroad, Minutemen, and Brotherhood alive?

The only way to keep all three factions alive is to follow the Minutemen questline and side with them. It allows you to defeat the Institute without needing to completely eliminate either the Railroad or the Brotherhood.

9. Does Preston Garvey like the Brotherhood of Steel?

Preston Garvey doesn’t particularly like the Brotherhood of Steel, but it will not stop him from being your companion and supporting the minutemen. Be prepared to be locked out of quests if you become an enemy of the BOS, but he will not leave you.

10. Can I wipe out the Minutemen?

No, the Minutemen are designed to be the fallback faction and cannot be destroyed, ensuring you always have a way to complete the game.

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

You will lose out on some of the Brotherhood of Steel side quests, and access to unique quests associated with the faction. If you refuse to join them, you can still work for them.

12. What companions do you lose if you side with the Institute?

If you side with the Institute, you will lose Deacon as a companion.

13. Are the Brotherhood of Steel good or evil?

The Brotherhood of Steel is a complex faction that cannot be labeled as wholly good or evil. They are more interested in technology and power, which can put them at odds with what other characters view as good or evil.

14. Can you avoid killing the Brotherhood of Steel?

You can avoid having to kill the Brotherhood of Steel if you choose the Minutemen ending. However, you will likely face Brotherhood troops in that scenario.

15. Is Father Shaun really my son?

Yes, Shaun, also known as Father, is your son and the director of the Institute.

Final Thoughts

In Fallout 4, the Minutemen’s flexibility as a faction ensures that you can explore other options without immediately facing repercussions. Joining the Brotherhood of Steel will not automatically make you an enemy of the Minutemen, although you may have to ultimately make a choice between the Brotherhood and other factions in the game. By understanding the dynamics of the various factions and their respective goals, you can navigate the wasteland strategically, allowing yourself to experience the rich and varied story. So, go ahead, join the Brotherhood and continue helping the Minutemen if you desire. Just know your decisions will eventually lead to important choices.