If you’re interested in putting some significant work into exploringsettlementbuilding inFallout 4, there are a few basics first. And while any build can have some fun with settlements, be aware thatCharismaandIntelligencebased builds have a lot more tools at their disposal early on. If you plan to build a network of settlements, having 6 in Charisma for theLocal Leaderperkis a must. But again, this is not a gamebreaker if you’re already deep into your playthrough.
Initial Considerations
Do some spring cleaning, it’s about 200 years overdue! Scavenge your settlement so that it is free from debris like ruined houses, mailboxes, cars and more. Not only will it make your new real estate empire look more tidy, it’s a great way to scavenge materials you need to begin constructing more useful structures and stuff your settlers need to thrive. Just walk around your settlement in Workshop mode and look around you. Things that can be scavenged or stored will be highlighted. Anything that can be scavenged will be highlighted in orange, anything that can be scavenged or stored will be highlighted in green.
You can also move objects around in Workshop view mode, so if you’re planning on doing a lot ofcrafting, it may be a good idea to move all your stations and workbenches within close proximity of each other to minimize running back and forth. Just select a highlighted object with X/A and relocate it wherever you’d like.
Let There Be Light
I doubt I’m the only one scratching my head as to how working out all the intricacies of settlement building, so I figured I’d drop a few hints myself. My first perplexing problem was gettingpowerto items inside settlement houses. It’s not exactly an intuitive process. While there may be an easier way than this, considering the number of switches available, here’s what worked for me:
Get To Work
Another aspect of settlement building is assigning jobs. When you put in crops and build defense posts, someone has to be assigned before the stat takes effect. If you put down a half dozen Tato plants, while in the building menu, look at a settler and press X/A to give them a command, then walk over to the plants and press the button again. It takes a second or two, but will say that the “task has been assigned”. To double check, just look at the plant while in build mode. The “person” icon should be green, not red. I also discovered there is a handy way to see what any given settler’s current assignment is. While in build mode, look at them so they have a green outline, and a task nearby should also turn green without you looking at it. For instance, I put a settler on a scavenging station, and did this when they were at least thirty feet away from it - the specific station turned green as well. I was able to assign a settler to a single scavenging station, but they seem to be able to cover two guard posts as long as they’re close to each other.
Come One Come All
Something I should mention is that in order to get settlements rolling you need to attract other people. This happens is if you build a radio beacon tower to send out a message across the wasteland. Unfortunately, one of the items required is hard to find -crystal. You need two units. As soon as you find one, ensure to tag it in your inventory so it shows up when you explore (also, pick up a lot of anything that hasceramic, likemugsandashtrays, andcopper, such aslight bulbsand other electronics - you need a lot of this to create powered items).
Once the settlers start coming in, make sure you have 3 or 4 extra beds built at any given time, or else they’ll move on. Just put them inside empty houses, or build some shacks. Make sure your food production always exceeds your population, and set up a water purifier down by the water in Sanctuary. Lastly,defenseis important. Turrets cost more to build, but provide a lot of defense. In your settlement list on thepip boy, if any one place has an exclamation warning, that means this resource is lacking. I thought I had good defense, but it showed up as being a problem, so don’t neglect it unless you want to return and find there’s been a lot of pillaging. Keep piling up turrets until the warning goes away.
Having a growing settlement can also have another benefit: traveling merchants. If you get yours going, then travel the road south out ofConcord, you may seeTrashcan Carla. Talk to her, buy a few things, and she’ll start visiting your town regularly with supplies.
Although Bethesda didn’t put a lot of explanation into how it works, settlement building is shaping up to be an awesome little metagame, especially if you are running a more non-violent, charisma and intelligence based character. Both categories contain decent perks for expanding the experience, especially Charisma (Local Leader perk). This tip list is not exhaustive, in fact it’s probably the tip of the iceberg as far as what’s possible. More information will emerge as we expand our settlements and start adding traders, etc. Visit theSettlements Guideon the wiki to see these tips evolve and add your own!
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