After spending over 200 hours exploring the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout 4, I‘ve gotten to know the various factions vying for power quite well. Each one has their own ideology, goals, benefits for joining, and impact on the overall story. So which is the best faction to align yourself with?
While there‘s no definitive "right choice", some factions offer better gear, more interesting quests and backstories. In this guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about the four major Fallout 4 factions and offer my verdict on which is the best join.
Overview of The Major Factions
There are four primary factions you can join in Fallout 4:
- The Minutemen: Defenders of the people focused on building settlements and helping communities.
- The Brotherhood of Steel: High-tech military outfit obsessed with hoarding pre-war technology.
- The Railroad: Secretive group dedicated to freeing synthetic humans (synths).
- The Institute: Shadowy scientists that create synth technology.
You can join some factions without impacting your standing with others, but eventually you‘ll have to choose sides. Your relationships will change based on the faction you side with, so choose wisely!
Now let‘s take a deeper look at each faction.
The Minutemen
The Minutemen are devoted to protecting and assisting the citizens of the Commonwealth. Their goal is to build a network of settlements that can defend themselves and help each other.
You first encounter the Minutemen early in the main story when you save Preston Garvey‘s group from raiders. He goes on to become a companion and gives you the ability to establish artillery in settlements once you progress far enough with the faction.
Key Minuteman Story Quests:
- Retake the Castle
- Form Ranks
- Old Guns
Benefits of Joining:
- Summon Minuteman allies to help you in battle
- Prestige as General of the Minutemen
- Build artillery and flares to call for fire support
- Very flexible – can remain allied even if you join other factions
The Minutemen are arguably the most clear "good guy" faction. They primarily want to protect and provide for the average wastelander. You‘ll get plenty of settlement building quests and opportunities to defend various locations from outside attacks.
I‘d recommend doing at least some of the early Minuteman quests no matter what faction you ultimately side with since their goals aren‘t diametrically opposed to the others. Plus you get Preston Garvey as a companion.
Just don‘t expect any high-tech gear or massive battle airships like some of the other factions…
The Brotherhood of Steel
Obsessed with obtaining advanced pre-war technology and keeping it out of the hands of wastelanders and rival factions, the Brotherhood of Steel are uncompromising in their vision for the Commonwealth.
The Brotherhood‘s army arrives aboard a massive airship called the Prydwen about halfway through the main story. You first encounter Brotherhood scouts earlier when you go to help Danse‘s recon squad fight ghouls.
Their advanced power armor and energy weapons make the Brotherhood a formidable fighting force. But they can also be ruthless when it comes to crushing anything that opposes their goals.
Key Brotherhood of Steel Story Quests:
- Call to Arms
- Shadow of Steel
- Blind Betrayal
- Ad Victoriam
Benefits of Joining:
- Access to Vertibird signal grenades for fast travel
- Use of Brotherhood weapons, gear and power armor
- Radiant quests to retrieve tech from across the Commonwealth
In terms of pure firepower and loot, the Brotherhood of Steel is hard to beat. They provide you with a constant stream of quests focused on combat and gear collection. Your power armored character will fit right in striding about the Prydwen as well.
Just know that they have zero tolerance for ghouls, synths or anyone else that goes against their vision of confiscating all advanced technology. If you‘re hoping for a "good" playthrough, look elsewhere…
The Railroad
The mysterious Railroad is dedicated to liberating synths (synthetic humans created by The Institute) and smuggling them out of the Commonwealth to freedom. They operate in secrecy out of fear the Institute will crush them if their presence becomes too widely known.
You first learn of The Railroad when you need to track down Nick Valentine. Eventually you can perform missions to rescue synths and fully join their faction. The Railroad provides safehouses across the Commonwealth and unique gear awards.
Key Railroad Story Quests:
- Road to Freedom
- Tradecraft
- Underground Undercover
- Rockets‘ Red Glare
Benefits of Joining:
- Gain Ballistic Weave clothing upgrades
- Access faction safehouses with supplies
- Unique gear like the Deliverer pistol
- Advance synth liberation goals
The Railroad is for players that sympathize with the synths‘ plight. They aren‘t nearly as well-equipped as the Brotherhood or Institute, but they make up for it with secrecy and determination. You‘ll also get the powerful Deliverer pistol and unlock game-changing Ballistic Weave upgrades.
Just know that by fully siding with the Railroad, you make enemies of the Institute and Brotherhood. Make sure to complete their story missions before you progress too far down the liberation path.
The Institute
Perhaps the most morally ambiguous faction, the Institute resides deep underground, conducting secretive experiments to further their understanding of advanced sciences and synth technology.
You first hear rumors about The Institute early in the main quest when you discover Shaun was kidnapped. As you unravel their secrets, you learn the Institute replaces people with synth infiltrators and has grand plans for the Commonwealth‘s future.
After finally locating The Institute midway through the story, you have the option of joining them for exclusive gear and the chance to influence their actions.
Key Institute Story Quests:
- Institutionalized
- Mankind Redefined
- Nuclear Option (Institute version)
Benefits of Joining:
- Access Institute weapons like plasma and laser guns
- Use powerful Courser synths as allies
- Influence scientist‘s experiments from within
- Unlock exclusive faction gear and paint
The technology and equipment available to Institute members makes them formidable faction. And some players may wish to steer the scientists toward less nefarious experiments from inside their ranks.
Just know that the Institute has a history of ruthlessness when it comes to achieving their goals. And most Commonwealth citizens fear and distrust them. Join at your own moral peril…
Which Faction is Best?
So there you have it – the four major factions and their key traits. But which one should you ultimately side with? Here is my take:
For those wanting the most straight-forward good guy path = The Minutemen
To roleplay a tech-hoarding soldier = Brotherhood of Steel
For extra gear rewards + an underdog vibe = The Railroad
If you think you can change them over time = The Institute
Personally, I think The Railroad makes for the most compelling faction choice from a story perspective. Their operations remain interesting throughout, you get cool spy-themed quests and gear, plus the Ballistic Weave rewards.
The Minutemen are a little bland after a while, The Brotherhood turns you into a tech raider, and no matter what The Institute still comes across as manipulative scientists.
Ultimately though, there is no right or wrong faction – just choose the one that fits your character and style of play!
Hopefully this overview gives you a better sense of which Fallout 4 faction you‘ll want to side with when you emerge from Vault 111. Let me know which one you think is best in the comments!
