One of the most important recurring structures found in the Fallout games are Vaults; gigantic subterranean bunkers designed to house dozens to hundreds of people in the United States and protect them from the fallout of nuclear warfare. These underground colonies were built by the Vault-Tec corporation to last a tremendously long time, however, not all were the sanctuaries that they were made out to be by Vault-Tec representatives.
There are 5 Vaults to be found in the main game of Fallout 4 (excluding DLC), and these structures are always loaded with loot, quests, and interesting characters, so they are definitely worth seeking out and delving into, even if they sometimes house strange and deadly enemies.
Vault 111 - Where The Sole Survivor Begins Their Journey
Players are sure to be familiar with this Vault, as it is the place where they and their family sought refuge as the bombs began to fall. However, it turned out that Vault 111 was a site for Vault-Tec’s cryostasis experiment, which meant the freezing of all the inhabitants, including the player. That is until a mercenary enters the picture to kidnap the player’s child, murder their spouse, and catalyze the main quest of the game.
Vault 111 is located just northwest of the settlement known as Sanctuary, the first upgradable location in the game and where the player will call home until they decide to build their house somewhere else.
Vault 75 - Full Of Memories Of Murder & Torturous Experiments
Another prime example of why to never trust a huge corporation like Vault-Tec, Vault 75 turned out to be a place of torture and murder more than a shelter to protect people. According to the information that the player can find while inside, this Vault’s staff executed the adult dwellers inside soon after it was activated following the dropping of the bombs and then began experimenting on the now orphaned children to see if they can be twisted into becoming creatures that could survive in a nuclear wasteland. Now, though, nothing remains of the staff or the children and this vault is now occupied by members of the Gunners gang.
To find this macabre underground laboratory, head south and a bit east from Lake Quannapowitt until one finds the location known as that Malden Middle School. In the basement of the school, the Sole Survivor will find an open entrance leading to an elevator that descends into Vault 75.
Vault 81 - One With A Thriving Community
Like Vault 75 and many others, Vault 81 was set up so that Vault-Tec could experiment on people without repercussions, however, the original Overseer of this one was significantly less cruel than most others possessing this job title. Vault 81 was supposed to research horrible diseases by infecting people against their will, however, the original Overseer disabled the equipment meant to do this and turned this Vault into a true place of shelter for the dwellers within. As the Sole Survivor enters this location, they’ll notice the open and healthy community that is a far cry from most Vaults.
To trade with members of this thriving Vault, and more, players can find it by traveling east and slightly south from Fort Hagen. Vault 81 is north of Coast Guard Pier, though, as one approached the entrance, one will need 3 Fusion Cores to complete a short quest or pass a difficult Speech check to enter.
Vault 95 - A Failure Of Drug Rehabilitation
When activated, Vault 95 was home to many people trying to get over their addictions to various illegal drugs, in addition to a Vault-Tec employee disguised as one. After a few years, they had all cleaned themselves up and were living happy and drug-free…until the Vault-Tec employee revealed a hidden stash of drugs five years after the Vault was sealed. This led to the inhabitants falling back into addiction, with many ending up killing themselves and each other. By the time the Sole Survivor discovers Vault 95, however, it has become yet another den for the Gunners gang.
This Vault will be pretty easy to find, as the entrance is within the side of a cliff and has scaffolding adorning its exposed bits. It is east and a bit north of the Capsized Factory as well as slightly southeast of the Edge of the Glowing Sea.
Vault 114 - Meant To Torment The Rich But Was Never Completed
From the information that the player can gather from inside, it can be learned that this Vault was meant to be only inhabited by wealthy individuals such as politicians and force them to live in impoverished conditions as an experiment to see how they would cope. The rich escaped this life of squalor as Vault 114 was never completed, which seems strangely convenient, though not that hard to understand. The remnants of this unfinished Vault became the home of some Triggermen gang members that players will need to clear out as they loot the place.
Those seeking to plunder these ruins should start from Goodneighbor and travel southwest, though they won’t need to go far. Enter Park Street Station and head down into its depths to find the way leading to Vault 114’s entrance.
NEXT: Fallout 4: How To Create The Ultimate Charisma Build
