Fallout 76: How To Launch A Nuke (2024)

Launching nukes plays a big role in the core storyline of Fallout 76. At some point, almost every player will launch at least one nuke. Launching a nuke is a great way to farm flux. Also, launching a nuclear bomb over certain areas will trigger certain events.

For newer players, launching a nuke can feel like a daunting experience. While it is one of the more challenging aspects of the game, with the right know-how, launching a nuke can be done with relative ease. From gathering nuclear keycards to finding launch codes, this guide will go through all there is to know about nuclear bombs in Fallout 76.

How To Get Nuclear Keycards

Can't Launch A Nuke Without Keycards

Nuclear keycards are small cards that give the player the ability to enter a launch code and unleash the wrath of a nuclear bomb somewhere in Appalachia. There are a couple of ways that players can get nuclear keycards.

The main way is through the Whitespring Bunker. You'll need to start a Seek and Destroy mission. To start a Seek and Destroy mission, head to the Command Center. The Command Center can be found inside the Military Wing in the Whitespring Bunker. As you go up the stairs, you will see a terminal on the right called the Surveillance System Terminal. Use the terminal and select Nuclear Keycard Escort to begin a Seek and Destroy mission.

Once the mission has been started, the location of a SAC Cargobot will appear on your map. You'll need to head to its location and take it down. Once it has been taken down, it will drop a container with a nuclear keycard inside.

The other ways of getting nuclear keycards are through trading with other players and as occasional season rewards. It's also possible to be awarded a couple of nuclear keycards for completing certain limited-time challenges, but these don't pop up very often. The most reliable way of getting nuclear keycards is by completing Seek and Destroy missions.

When launching a nuke, it's important to bring more than one nuclear keycard along with you. Using a nuclear keycard gives you access to a keypad. You'll need to enter the launch codes on this pad. If you accidentally enter the wrong number, then you will need to use another keycard and try again.

How To Get Nuclear Launch Codes

Three Silos, Three Different Codes

The codes needed to launch nuclear bombs change every week. There are two ways of obtaining nuclear launch codes. The first one involves running around the wasteland hunting down Scorched Officers. When killed, a Scorched Officer will drop a code piece. Once you have all of the pieces, you can unscramble the code using your Pip-Boy.

However, this is such a time-consuming task. It is much easier just to check websites like Falloutbuillds to find out the codes straight away. After all, hunting down Scorched Officers, finding all of the code pieces, and then unscrambling the code can take a very long time. Considering that the codes expire after one week, it's better to look up the answers online and save a lot of grinding.

Fabricate A Biometric ID Card

Gain Access To The Inner Silo

Launching a nuke isn't easy, especially for newer players. The most efficient way to launch a nuke is to do it in a team with friends. But, with the right know-how, it can be done alone in around 10 minutes. To start, head to one of the launch sites. The launch site locations can be seen below:

• Site Alpha: Located North of the National Isolated Radio Array and East of Big Fred's BBQ Shack
• Site Beta: Located South of the Palace of The Winding Path and East of Poseidon Power Substation PX-03
• Site Charlie: Located South of Mountainside Bed & Breakfast and Southwest of Foundation

It doesn't matter what silo you choose, as the interiors are all the same. The only real difference is the code. So be sure to have the right code for the specific site from which you are going to be launching a nuke.

Once you have chosen the site that you'd like to launch a nuke from, head to the location and go down the elevator. Then, follow the steps below. Just be sure to bring plenty of ammo, as missile silos are pretty challenging areas:

• Read The Terminal Marked On Your HUD and Select Security Protocol - Security Station Alpha/Bravo/Charlie
• Go To The Biometrics System Terminal and Read Operating Instructions
• Find an Old Biometrics ID Card (There Are Several Scattered Around The Area On Tables And Desks)
• Use One of The Biometric Scanners
• Head Back To The Biometrics System Terminal, Erase The Old Biometric Card, and Use The Terminal To Fabricate A New Biometric Scanner
• Head Back To The Security Station Terminal And Register your New ID Card

Reboot The Reactor Room

Dodge Robots While Repairing Pipes

Once you have registered your ID card, you'll be able to venture further into the silo. Follow the path until a message pops up telling you to find a way to end the Reactor Security Lockdown. Then, follow the steps below to progress to the next stage:

• Equip A Hazmat Suit or Use Power Armor, as This Area is Highly Irradiated
• Use The Reactor Control Terminal and Shut Down The Reactors
• Once The Reactors Have Been Shut Down, Repair All of The Pipes in the area within 3 Minutes
• After The Pipes Have Been Repaired, Either Wait For The Reactor To Start Up Again Or Restart The Reactor Manually Via The Terminal
• Once The Reactors Have Started Up Again, The Bulkhead Doors Will Open, Allowing You To Move On To The Next Location

Destroy The Mainframe

Break Down Laser Doors

After heading through the bulkhead doors and down the corridor, you'll come to a room with lots of consoles with Mainframe Cores all over them. Destroy the Mainframe Cores while taking on enemy robots. Once enough of them have been destroyed, the laser grid blocking the door will be disabled, and you'll be able to go into the next room.

Just like the first room, you'll need to destroy more Mainframe Cores to disable the laser grids. Make your way through the room and destroy any Mainframe Cores you come across. You can destroy them by interacting with them or by shooting them. Once the Mainframe is destroyed, you'll be able to head to the next area.

Repair Mainframe Cores

Unlock the Door To The Control Room

Now that you've destroyed all of the Mainframe Cores in the previous rooms, you'll need to reinstall new ones to gain access to the control room. There are two ways of doing this.

The first way is to search the area and find 15 working Mainframe Cores, then replace the broken ones with the working ones. The second way is easier, but it costs some resources. Take all of the broken Mainframe Cores and use the Tinker's Workbench located in the back room to repair them. Then, put them back in the console and use the terminal to unlock the door.

Launching A Nuke

Defend Robot Chiefs

After making your way through the silo, you'll end up in the control room. This is the final part of launching a nuke. Use the terminal marked on your HUD to initiate the launch. Once the launch sequence has been initiated, Section Chiefs will come in and begin preparing to launch a nuke. Defend the Chiefs from the robots until the bar in the top right corner of the screen is filled.

Once the Chiefs have done their job, enemies will stop spawning, and you can launch a nuke. To launch the nuke, use the Nuclear Keycard Receptacle to insert a keycard. Then, enter the launch code via the Launch Code Entry Panel.

After you have done those steps, use the Targeting Computer and select where you'd like to launch the nuke. Once you've confirmed the area you'd like to decimate, a three-minute launch countdown will begin. Head to just outside the soon-to-be blast radius and watch the nuke hit.

Fallout 76

Action

RPG

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , Xbox One

Released

November 14, 2018

Developer(s)

Bethesda