Fallout 4: The Nuclear Option (the Brotherhood of Steel ending) Fallout 4 Guide
Last update: 17 April 2024
How to unlock: The quest will start automatically after jumping into the Institute during the Ad Victoriam quest.
Quest objectives:
- Talk to Elder Maxson
- Reach Institute Reactor
- Use Terminal to Override Institute Lockdown
- Reach Institute Reactor
- Plant Fusion Pulse Charge Inside Reactor
- Talk to Elder Maxson
- Talk to Proctor Ingram
- Talk to Shaun
- Step Into the Relay
- Activate Detonator
- Talk to Elder Maxson
Reach the reactor
The Nuclear Option is actually the last quest done for the Brotherhood of Steel. It focuses on complete destruction of the Institute. The quest starts after you enter the heart of the organization during the Ad Victoriam quest.
First talk to elder Maxson. He will give you a device that is used for blowing the reactor in the Institute up. Go to the center of the complex after the conversation. You will have to defeat groups of enemies. Elder Maxson and two other Brotherhood members will be helping you, so it shouldn't be too hard. Try to hack all terminals on your way, some of them will deactivate the turrets, other will activate robots that will help you out.
Use the terminal to deactivate the lockdown
Once you're on the main square of the Institute and you defeated all enemies, enter the elevator in the middle and press the button. Walk ahead and enter the second elevator. After a while you will reach the room where Shaun is located. You can talk to him. Nearby there is a terminal on novice level. Hack into it. Select the available options. Once you're done, the passage to the main part of the Institute will open. Go to the Advanced Systems building. There you must defeat few other enemies and enter the room with the reactor.
Plant fusion charge inside the reactor
Keep going through the tunnel. Destroy few automatic turrets and go on ahead. After a while you will reach a large room with a reactor. Here you will have to face dozens of enemies, it will be a hard battle. Once you defeat them, walk upstairs and place the charge in the reactor. Now talk to elder Maxson. You will be teleported from the room. Before escaping the Institute you can once more talk to Ingram and Shaun. Enter the teleport, it will move you to the roof of the building.
Activate the detonator
The detonator which you must use is lying in front of you. The institute will be destroyed and you will see the ending. After watching the movie, talk again to elder Maxson. The quest will end.
Quest rewards: Experience points.