A new update for Fallout 76, dubbed Fortifying ATLAS, looks set to properly introduce one of the series’ most famous factions into the game: the Brotherhood of Steel. Patch 21, due to be released next Tuesday, will see the start of a two-part community event involving new quests and rewards centred around helping to build the titular ATLAS Observatory in preparation for the arrival of these power armoured soldiers.
The Brotherhood of Steel is a quasi-religious militaristic organisation that has played a core role in almost every entry of the Fallout series, ever since their first appearance in the original Fallout in 1997. A descendant of the US army, they are best known for their use of the hulking metal power armour suits that give the faction its name – and which have been used for several games’ box art – and the role they have played in the series has largely been that of protectors of the Wasteland survivors.
However, despite their prevalence in Fallout lore, the group was largely absent from Fallout 76 upon release. The Brotherhood was mentioned as part of the main quest, but only towards the end and players never met any human NPCs involved in the Brotherhood. Instead, players were tasked with following in the footsteps of Brotherhood soldiers who had tried to fight the Scourge and lost.
Now, with Fortifying ATLAS, that is about to change.
The new operation is set to start with Project Alpha on 4th August, with Project Bravo landing towards the end of the month. To get involved, players with the patch downloaded will need to head to the ATLAS Observatory in the Savage Divide to speak with a new NPC called Russell Dorsey, a Brotherhood fan who is in charge of organising the construction efforts. Together, the community will be asked to deliver millions of units of materials like steel, wood, and concrete to earn in-game rewards including banners and new clothing items. Alongside community rewards for specified milestones, players will be able to earn randomised ‘goodies’ each time they donate.
Bethesda, the developers of the open world, online RPG, have made it clear that this event will need everyone to work together; in Project Alpha, for example, players will be asked to supply 200,000,000 units of cork in just 4 days, a goal which, if reached, will grant a reward of High S.C.O.R.E Double Daily Challenges between 20th to 24th August. With such a high target to reach and so little time to do it, players are going to have to band together if they want to share in the rewards.
The collection goals and dates are fully outlined in a blog post from Bethesda.
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