Fallout 4 Old Guns: Mastering the Minutemen Arsenal and Artillery Domination

Introduction

Tired of your Fallout 4 settlements constantly under siege by raiders, Super Mutants, and those blasted Mirelurks? Do you yearn for a way to turn the tide and establish a truly secure Commonwealth? Look no further than the “Old Guns” quest, a pivotal moment in the Minutemen storyline that unlocks devastating artillery strikes and a renewed sense of hope for your struggling settlements. This isn’t just another fetch quest; it’s the key to transforming the Minutemen from a ragtag group of survivors into a powerful force to be reckoned with.

The “Old Guns” quest, initiated after reclaiming the Castle as the Minutemen’s base of operations and meeting the enigmatic Ronnie Shaw, presents a series of challenges, from clearing out the overgrown ruins to reactivating a long-dormant armory. However, the rewards are well worth the effort: the ability to rain down explosive devastation upon your enemies from afar, making settlement defense significantly easier and opening up new tactical possibilities. This article will provide a detailed walkthrough of the “Old Guns” quest, offering strategies for success and exploring the strategic benefits of artillery for your settlements, solidifying your role as the General of the Minutemen.

What the Old Guns Quest Entails

The Old Guns quest is a cornerstone of the Fallout 4 experience for players who embrace the Minutemen faction. It becomes available after successfully clearing the Castle, the former stronghold of the Minutemen, and establishing it as your primary base of operations. Upon returning to the Castle, you’ll encounter Ronnie Shaw, a mysterious woman with a deep connection to the Minutemen’s past and a wealth of knowledge about the Castle’s hidden secrets. Meeting her marks the real start of this thrilling adventure. While there is no level recommendation, it is generally a good idea to have above level 10 before attempting this quest, as there will be some challenges.

Ronnie tasks you with reclaiming the Castle’s former glory by securing its armory, recovering schematics for powerful artillery pieces, and ultimately, re-establishing the Minutemen’s artillery capabilities. This involves several stages: clearing the remaining Mirelurks from the Castle’s interior, locating the entrance to the old armory hidden deep within the fortifications, retrieving the artillery schematics and components, setting up and testing the artillery pieces, and finally, defending the Castle from a determined enemy attack. Successfully completing these objectives will not only strengthen the Minutemen but also grant you access to artillery support, a game-changing advantage in the Commonwealth.

Step-by-Step Guide to Conquering the Quest

Clearing the Castle Thoroughly

Before you can even think about artillery strikes, you need to ensure that the Castle is secure. The initial clearing of the Castle is usually a chaotic battle against a swarm of Mirelurks, but even after that, pockets of resistance remain. It is a good idea to bring strong weapons, such as a good rifle or automatic weapon. For armor, power armor is not required, but it is highly recommended. Bringing a companion that is good at range, such as Piper or MacCready, will give you an edge, as they can help with taking out enemies from afar.

Pay close attention to the Castle’s inner courtyard and the surrounding walls. Mirelurks often lurk in the flooded sections and beneath debris. The biggest threat is the Mirelurk Queen, a formidable opponent that can easily overwhelm unprepared players. Focus fire on her face to deal significant damage, and utilize any available cover to avoid her powerful attacks. Once the courtyard is clear, be sure to thoroughly search the Castle’s interior structures, eliminating any remaining Mirelurks and ensuring that the settlement is safe for settlers to occupy.

Finding the Armory Secret Entrance

With the Castle secured (or so you think), Ronnie Shaw will lead you to the secret entrance of the old armory. It is located in the back left corner of the courtyard when facing the radio tower. This involves some exploring. The entrance is typically blocked by debris, requiring you to clear the path to proceed. Be prepared for a lockpicking or hacking challenge to gain access to the armory itself. Make sure to bring bobby pins or are proficient in hacking, as the lock skill check is very high.

Retrieving Artillery Schematics and Components

Inside the armory, you’ll discover a treasure trove of pre-War military equipment, including artillery schematics, artillery pieces, and other valuable supplies. The schematics provide the blueprint for constructing artillery pieces in your settlements. The artillery pieces themselves are essential components needed to build functional artillery batteries. The armory may also contain some old weapons and ammunition, helping you with more firepower. As you make your way through the armory, exercise caution, as there may be traps or automated defense systems still active.

Setting Up and Testing the Artillery

Once you’ve secured the artillery schematics and components, it’s time to put them to use. Navigate to your workshop menu and locate the artillery construction option. Building the artillery requires a significant amount of resources, including steel, gears, and other components. Place the artillery strategically within your settlement, ensuring that it has a clear line of sight to potential targets. Settlers are needed to operate the artillery and must be assigned to them. It is recommended to assign settlers with high combat skills to man the artillery for optimal performance.

To call in an artillery strike, you’ll need to craft smoke grenades. Throw a smoke grenade at the location you want to bombard, and the artillery will automatically fire upon the designated target. It is important to remember that settlers will only fire if enemies are nearby.

Defending the Castle from Attack

After setting up the artillery, the Castle will be subjected to a determined enemy attack, testing your defenses and the effectiveness of your artillery. Expect a wave of enemies, including raiders, Super Mutants, or even more Mirelurks, depending on your game’s difficulty and level. Defend the Castle using a combination of defensive structures, your own combat skills, and the devastating power of artillery strikes. Use the artillery to thin out the enemy ranks before they reach your fortifications, and then engage them in close-quarters combat to eliminate any remaining threats.

Rewards and Their Strategic Impact

Unleashing Artillery Strikes

The most significant reward for completing the “Old Guns” quest is the ability to call in artillery strikes on your enemies. This ability provides you with a massive tactical advantage in the Commonwealth. Use artillery strikes to soften up enemy positions before attacking, defend your settlements from large-scale assaults, or even clear out entire areas of the map. The range of the artillery is considerable, allowing you to target enemies from a significant distance. The effectiveness of the artillery varies depending on the target’s armor and resistance, but it’s generally effective against most common enemies. Using artillery to destroy raider camps before assaulting them provides a tactical advantage, as you can eliminate many enemies and fortifications before you even engage in combat.

Ronnie Shaw’s Unique Inventory

Ronnie Shaw becomes a valuable vendor after completing the quest, offering unique items that are not available elsewhere. Her inventory includes rare weapons, armor, and ammunition, making her a valuable asset for any player looking to upgrade their arsenal. Ronnie is also known to sell exclusive Minutemen-themed items, allowing you to further customize your character’s appearance and equipment. As you level up and your relationship with the Minutemen improves, Ronnie’s inventory will expand, offering even more powerful and rare items. Legendary items become more prevalent as you level up, increasing your chances of finding powerful weapons and armor.

Solidifying the Minutemen’s Foundation

Completing the “Old Guns” quest has a significant impact on your relationship with the Minutemen and advances their questline. Preston Garvey, the ever-optimistic leader of the Minutemen, will be greatly pleased by your success, further solidifying your position as the General. As the Minutemen’s artillery capabilities are re-established, they will become a more effective and influential force in the Commonwealth, providing protection and support to settlements in need.

Tips and Strategies for Quest Success

Early Game Preparation

Before embarking on the “Old Guns” quest, there are several things you can do to prepare for success. Gather a reliable set of weapons and armor, as the quest involves several combat encounters. Stock up on ammunition, healing items, and other essential supplies to ensure that you are well-equipped for the challenges ahead. Building up your character’s combat skills, such as weapon proficiency and damage resistance, will also make the quest easier.

Resource Management

Efficient resource management is crucial for building and maintaining artillery. Steel is the most important resource, as it is needed to construct the artillery pieces themselves. Gears, springs, and other mechanical components are also required. Scavenge for these resources in abandoned buildings, factories, and military installations. Investing in the Scavenger perk will increase your chances of finding valuable resources.

Companion Choice

The choice of companion can significantly impact your success in the “Old Guns” quest. Companions with strong combat skills, such as Strong or Paladin Danse, can provide valuable support in combat encounters. Companions with hacking or lockpicking skills, such as Nick Valentine or Cait, can help you access restricted areas and retrieve valuable items.

Addressing Common Problems

Players sometimes encounter problems during the “Old Guns” quest, such as settlers not manning the artillery or artillery strikes not firing. Make sure that settlers are assigned to the artillery and that they have a clear line of sight to the designated target. If the artillery is not firing, check the power supply and ensure that the artillery is properly connected to the settlement’s power grid.

Alternatives and Considerations

Ignoring the Minutemen

While embracing the Minutemen and completing the “Old Guns” quest offers numerous benefits, it is possible to ignore the faction altogether. However, doing so will mean missing out on the artillery support and the opportunity to establish a strong Minutemen presence in the Commonwealth. Furthermore, ignoring the Minutemen may have consequences for other quests and storylines in the game.

Mods and Quest Alterations

The Fallout 4 modding community has created numerous mods that alter the “Old Guns” quest and artillery functionality. Some mods make the quest easier or harder, while others add new features or customization options. Be sure to research and choose mods carefully, as they may impact your game’s stability and balance.

Conclusion

The “Old Guns” quest is a crucial turning point in Fallout 4, empowering players with the ability to defend their settlements and dominate the Commonwealth with devastating artillery strikes. By completing this quest, you’ll not only strengthen the Minutemen but also gain access to a powerful strategic tool that will significantly enhance your gameplay experience. So, gather your resources, rally your settlers, and prepare to unleash the fury of the artillery upon your enemies. The Commonwealth is waiting for you to take command!

Have you completed the “Old Guns” quest? Share your experiences and strategies in the comments below!