In Fallout 3, one of the most unforgettable moments takes place during the The Power of the Atom quest, but the act of launching an ICBM is truly brought to life in the Broken Steel DLC. This post-apocalyptic RPG is known for its vast open world and branching storylines, and launching a nuclear missile offers one of its most explosive climaxes. Whether you’re playing as a righteous hero or a ruthless wanderer, understanding how to launch the ICBM adds depth to your choices in the game. This mechanic not only ties into Fallout’s larger themes of war and destruction but also gives players direct control over the world’s fate in a very literal sense.
Where to Launch an ICBM in Fallout 3
Broken Steel DLC Overview
To access the ICBM launch in Fallout 3, you must have the Broken Steel DLC installed. This expansion continues the story beyond the original game’s ending, allowing the Lone Wanderer to work alongside the Brotherhood of Steel or oppose them. The quest line eventually leads to a confrontation at the Adams Air Force Base, a heavily guarded military installation containing the last operational ICBM system.
Adams Air Force Base
Adams AFB is introduced during the Who Dares Wins quest. This military base is crawling with Enclave soldiers and automated defense systems. Navigating through its dangerous corridors and fortified zones is necessary to reach the missile control platform. The journey through this base is one of the most intense in Fallout 3, as it represents the Enclave’s final stronghold.
How to Reach the ICBM Launch System
Step-by-Step Progression
To successfully launch the ICBM, you must follow the final mission steps carefully. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to do:
- Start the Mission: Begin the Who Dares Wins quest, which becomes available after completing Shock Value. You’ll be tasked with striking at the heart of the Enclave’s operations.
- Travel to Adams AFB: Using the Presidential Metro, make your way to Adams Air Force Base. You’ll need to fight through waves of Enclave resistance along the way.
- Secure the Platform: Once you reach the launch platform, clear out all remaining Enclave forces to gain access to the missile system terminal.
- Access the Terminal: Use the nearby computer to target the ICBM. You will have a choice of where to direct the missile strike, which greatly influences the narrative ending of the DLC.
- Launch the ICBM: After selecting the target, confirm the launch sequence. A dramatic cutscene shows the missile rising into the sky and striking the designated location.
Targeting Options for the ICBM
Decision-Making Consequences
One of the key elements of Fallout’s gameplay is player choice. When launching the ICBM in Broken Steel, you’re given two primary targets:
- Raven Rock: The former Enclave headquarters, already heavily damaged. Targeting it can feel symbolic, representing a final blow against their power.
- Mobile Base Crawler: This massive Enclave vehicle serves as their current operations center. Destroying it cripples their forces completely and effectively ends the conflict.
Your decision not only affects the ending dialogue and scenes, but also the loot and area availability post-launch. Destroying the Crawler, for instance, removes access to its high-tier equipment and loot rooms. However, it also permanently ends the Enclave threat.
Best Gear to Bring When Attempting the Launch
Recommended Equipment
Due to the high concentration of enemies, traps, and radiation at Adams AFB, it’s important to be fully prepared. The following items and weapons are highly recommended:
- Power Armor: Ideally upgraded Enclave or Tesla Armor to absorb energy damage.
- Energy Weapons: Plasma Rifle or Tesla Cannon to handle armored foes efficiently.
- Stimpaks: Bring a large supply, as combat is relentless and healing is critical.
- Rad-X and RadAway: Radiation hazards near the missile control zone are significant.
Also, consider companions like Fawkes or Sergeant RL-3, who can help handle the numerous enemies and absorb damage during the mission.
Impact on Fallout 3’s World
Gameplay Changes Post-Launch
Launching the ICBM changes the game world in subtle but meaningful ways. If you destroy the Mobile Base Crawler, the Enclave presence in the Capital Wasteland is effectively removed. This reduces high-level enemy encounters, making exploration safer but less challenging.
Conversely, choosing to spare the Crawler can allow you to revisit it for rare weapons and armor, though Enclave troops may still pose threats elsewhere. The choice reflects the series’ core theme: freedom comes with responsibility and consequences.
Narrative and Ending Shifts
The ending of Broken Steel incorporates your launch decision into its final scenes. The Brotherhood of Steel reacts differently depending on your choice, and the game world adjusts accordingly. This offers a sense of player agency rarely seen in many RPGs of the era.
ICBM Lore in Fallout Universe
Pre-War Missile Systems
ICBMs were central to the lore of Fallout even before Fallout 3. The Great War that devastated the world was initiated by a global nuclear exchange. These missiles symbolize the old world’s ultimate weapon destructive, efficient, and irreversible.
In Fallout 3, the ICBM you launch is a leftover remnant of that era. It reflects humanity’s ongoing struggle with the same technologies that brought about the apocalypse. Players are reminded that even in the new world, power can still corrupt and destroy.
Connections to Other Fallout Titles
Later Fallout games, such as Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 4, continue to explore themes of nuclear launch systems and massive weapon deployment. The concept of choosing whether to use these weapons is a recurring moral question in the series. The ability to launch an ICBM in Broken Steel stands as one of the earliest and most iconic versions of this moral challenge.
Launching an ICBM in Fallout 3 isn’t just about pressing a button it’s a culmination of quests, battles, and moral choices that highlight the best of the Fallout experience. Through the Broken Steel DLC, players are given control over an ancient weapon with the power to shape the post-apocalyptic world around them. Whether you choose to obliterate the remnants of the Enclave or spare them for your own gain, the decision leaves a lasting impact. This moment stands as one of the most thrilling and memorable in Fallout history, offering both narrative depth and gameplay payoff for players bold enough to face the consequences of ultimate power.