The Commonwealth’s nuclear wasteland has many hidden gems, but nothing is as weird or interesting as the locations in Fallout 4 vault locations. The mysterious Vault-Tec created these underground bunkers for safety, but it didn’t turn out that way! The locations mentioned are vital for any kind of exploration. Whether you’re an experienced wasteland wanderer or a fresh vault dweller.
Fallout 4 vault locations differ from other games of this franchise as it displays a close look into Vault-Tec’s experiments. There are only seven vaults in the base game and DLC, and all are uniquely designed. One story, essentially, told by these vaults is that of humanity’s capability to stand against the odds.
The Fallout 4 vault locations of Vault 111 and Vault 95 each contribute to some of the most engaging environmental storytelling in games today. Vault 111 was a cryogenic disaster, while Vault 95 was a drug rehabilitation catastrophe. Every bunker in the game acts as a dungeon and museum where a player can get valuable loot while learning about Vault-Tec’s “social experiments.”
The Seven Pillars of Horror: Complete Vault Location Breakdown.
Vault 111: The Cryogenic Nightmare That Started It All.
Northwest Commonwealth, just north of Sanctuary Hills.
Long-term cryogenic preservation.
Discovery Rate: 98.5% (Universal spawn location).
Vault 111 is the main Fallout 4 vault location, not just your character’s start point, but also a brilliant exhibition of Vault-Tec’s slippery ways. Found in the far northwest corner of the Commonwealth map, the prewar population was sold on this facility as a standard decontamination and safety shelter.
According to IGN, the vault’s true purpose involved testing the long-term effects of cryogenic stasis on unwitting subjects. Residents were told they were entering “decontamination pods” but were actually frozen for what Vault–Tec projected would be a period of 180 days. The reality? Two centuries of frozen sleep while the world burned above.
The cryogenics tech in Vault 111 is one of the most advanced pre-war systems implemented using a combination of chemicals and low-temperature regulation. The design of the pod had interactive devices that tracked and monitored vital signs, brain activity, and cellular decay rate.
Notable Loot:.
- Cryolator is a Unique weapon behind Master Lock.
- Vault 111 Jumpsuit.
- Pre-war money and supplies.
- A variety of tapes chronicle the trial.
Recommended Hint: With Dogmeat as a companion, return to Vault 111 later in Fallout 4. The Cryolator can be obtained by him through the display case bars, completely avoiding the Master lockpicking requirement. Just in case you didn’t know 😉
Vault 81: The Medical Miracle That Chose Humanity.
Central Commonwealth, south of Oberland Station.
Type of Experiment: Exposure to disease and cure development.
Discovery Rate: 87.2%.
Vault 81 is the one vault in Fallout 4 where some semblance of human decency exists, we must note that many others in the game exist. Dexerto confirms this vault was designed as a medical research facility aimed at developing universal cures for human diseases.
Originally, Vault-Tec planned to expose the people to a variety of diseases and then the scientists in the secret vault section would observe. After finding out what happened, Overseer Dr. Olivette decided to leak the secret and save some victims. She shut down disease distribution and sealed off the scientists’ section, trapping the scientists but saving the residents.
In-game lore: The medical bay of the vault contained the most advanced equipment pre-war such as auto-docs, surgical suites and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The scientists’ section is sealed off. Further, it has chambers where researchers were working on mole rats instead of humans.
Vault 81 is one of the few Fallout 4 vault locations that works as it should. The members of the vault have survived and lived in conditions that are like the world before the bombs fell. Players can enter by passing a Charisma check or giving three Fusion Cores to the guard at the entrance.
Notable Loot and Rewards:.
- Curie (Companion recruitment).
- Medicine Bobblehead, Stimpak healing 10%.
- Taboo Tattoos Magazine.
- Grognak the Barbarian comic.
Vault 114: The Heart Of Pre-war Technology
Boston Common under Park Street Station.
Discovery Rate: 76.8%.
Vault 114 is probably one of the most psychologically disturbing Fallout 4 vault locations; this vault was designed to turn Boston’s social hierarchy on its head. According to https://www.escapistmagazine.com/all-vaults-in-fallout-4-listed/, this facility was marketed to the city’s elite as a luxury underground sanctuary, complete with promises of spacious accommodations and premium amenities.
Rich folks didn’t get their luxury suites; instead, they were given a single room with shared amenities. The genius of the experiment lay in the selection of “Soup Can Harry” – a homeless man with strong anti-authority sentiments – as the Overseer for the vault. Vault-Tec staff were ordered to obey every command of Harry’s, whether it made the former upper-class residents uncomfortable or humiliating.
The partially finished vault shows a typical Vault-Tec modular design. The pre-fab living quarters were designed to be modifiable for researchers to manipulate living conditions for the ongoing experiment. The incomplete parts indicate areas of expansion that were intended but never happened because the bombs fell.
At present, it is a hideout for the well-dressed crooks of Skinny Malone. During Nick Valentine’s companion quest, players must go through here as it is part of the story.
Notable Loot:.
- Bobblehead to enhance speech. (100)
- Astoundingly Awesome Tales magazine.
- Various pre-war clothing items.
- The .45 ammunition and Tommy guns.
Vault 75: The Children’s Genetic Horror Laboratory.
Location: Malden Middle School basement.
Selective breeding for human genetic enhancement experiment.
Discovery Rate: 64.3%.
Oh man, this is becoming eerie…
Out of all locations in Fallout 4, Vault 75 proves to be one of the most disturbing examples in the game. Malden Middle School might look innocent enough. This school was given to the community as a refuge for kids and families in the event of a nuclear attack.
Families were separated right upon entry into the camps. While children were taken to the main atrium, Vault security executed all adults (parents, teachers, and school staff). The living children after that were subjected for years to psychological conditioning, physical training, and genetic testing meant to produce a “superior” human subspecies.
Scientific Methodology: This G2A article details how researchers implemented a strict selection process. Children undergo a stringent examination until the age of 18 years, at which point the most physically and intellectually gifted are “harvested” for breeding purposes. Those deemed “unremarkable” were terminated.
In the laboratory sections of the vault, one can find evidence of pre-war genetic research technology. This includes DNA sequencing, artificial insemination, and growth acceleration. You will find details of breeding programmes for the enhancement of particular qualities.
At present, the vault has been modified to function as a Gunner stronghold. Mercenaries make good use of the vault’s defensive positions as well as underground access tunnels. The original inhabitants are long gone, having revolted against their captors, and/or eliminated as unwanted elements during the early phases of the mind’s final experiments.
Notable Loot:.
- A science bobblehead provides an extra chance during hacking attempts
- Grognak the Barbarian from a comic book
- Advanced laboratory equipment.
- Right now, the people using the Gunner have military-grade weapons.
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Vault 95: The Rehabilitation Trap.
Found south of Commonwealth and near the Glowing Sea
Study on Sabotaging Recovery from Addiction
Discovery Rate: 59.1%.
Vault 95 shows Vault-Tec’s cruel manipulation of hope, exploiting some of society’s most vulnerable. This centre was advertised as a bona fide rehabilitation centre of those having chemical dependency, who had met the criteria of a clean place and treatment by a specialist during the nuclear crisis.
The rehabilitation program worked exactly as advertised for five years. The residents avoided their addictions, built communities, and maintained their sobriety.
The vault document that the genuine progress residents made in overcoming their dependencies was formidable.
The Devastating Revelation: According to research documented here, the true experiment began on day 1,827. Vault-Tec employees left behind stashes of alcohol, cigarettes, and other chems around the vault. Researchers sought to study how a community that is “clean” will respond to the availability of substances after a long time.
Technical Implementation: The vault has sections that contain hidden storage that can only be reached through an override code. These were sent down the pneumatic tube system of the facility so that they would all be found at once. Every resident’s reaction is closely monitored by security cameras and fed to Vault-Tec’s behavioral division.
Psychological Analysis: In the final entries, inner workings of the community stop making sense as people reintegrate, feel guilty and become antisocial. The experiment considered the rate of recovery from addiction, community resilience, and a factor of betrayal.
The vault is currently occupied by Gunners, who have established an operational base there. The original inhabitants either died from overdoses, were killed in violent brawls, or fled to the wasteland. Some people in the community are believed to have tried to destroy the chem caches.
Notable Loot:.
- The Guns and Bullets Magazine is an item that adds 5% critical hit damage with guns.
- Different drugs and recovery supplies.
- Gunner equipment and ammunition.
- Vault-Tec research data.
Vault 118: The Robot Butler Rebellion (Far Harbor DLC).
Far Harbor Island, and underneath the Cliff’s Edge Hotel.
Wealth Inequality And Robotic Servitude Experiment Type.
The discovery rate was 38.4% – DLC content, remote location.
Vault 118 is one of the most advanced Fallout 4 vault locations made for America’s elite. The vault was created to save the rich class from nuclear devastation. According to Fallout Fandom, this facility was marketed as the ultimate luxury bunker experience, complete with robotic servants, gourmet dining, and spacious accommodations befitting the upper class.
The Twisted Social Experiment: Vault-Tec set out to see how wealth determined social hierarchy during stressful conditions. The vault contained rich people and a choice selection of working-class people who were told they’d be ‘staff’ while the vault was operational. Unbeknownst to the inhabitants, their robot servants had hidden behavioral protocols that were designed to slowly subvert the social order.
Technical Wonder, the vault was built with sophisticated pre-war automation.
- Mr. Handy units with sophisticated personality matrices.
- Gourmet meals are served by automated dining systems.
- Living spaces that adjust temperature and air quality.
- Entertainment venues such as a fully functional theater and gaming areas.
The robot servants that were employed here, as documented in terminal entries, started to develop personality and used to evolve complexly. Mr. Handy units began questioning their orders, voicing their thoughts, and ultimately, building their own society detached from human control. When this happened, the experiment turned into a study about how artificial intelligence evolves and the robot-human relationship.
Current Status: During the quest line of Far Harbor DLC, player will explore Vault 118 and will find that it is inhabited by some robots and the ghoulified body of the original rich man resident. This is a murder mystery place where the participants must solve the murder, whereas the constraints entail social mischiefs between AIs and humans.
Notable Loot and Rewards:.
- Jumpsuit of Vault 118: A Unique Variant
- Old Money and Valuable Antiques.
- Expert Robot Parts for Making
- Grognak the Barbarian magazine.
- These holotapes hold fascinating information about the experiment.
Importance of the Vault: This vault sheds light on class structures before the Great War and the development of artificial intelligence. Players earn significant XP from the murder mystery questline, which also digs deeper into vault-tec and advances post-war tech.
Vault 88: The Workshop of Horrors (Vault-Tec Workshop DLC).
Location: Quincy Quarries, southwest Commonwealth.
Happy week, environmental control manipulation
Discovery Rate: 42.7% (DLC content).
The expansion of Fallout 4 vaults brought us Vault 88. This is the most ambitious yet incomplete vault ever constructed. This underground city was unlike the other finished experiments made by Vault-Tec. It served as the ultimate experiment for manipulating happiness and modifying behavior.
Massive Scale Construction: The Vault 88 was intended to house over 1,000 residents across multiple cavern systems connected by underground tunnels. The incomplete state of the facility in-game allows players to see how Vault-Tec built things with a modular approach and automated construction systems.
Players come across the ghoulified Overseer Valery Barstow, who has been doing her job for over 200 years. Her dialogue reveals that the aim of the vault’s experiments was to study the happiness of civilians through subliminal messaging and environment alteration, as well as subjugation of environment alteration devices placed in their everyday things.
Sim Unlocked Vault 88 817 Gameplayer Displayer Agency —Unlike other Fallout 4 vault locations, Vault 88 lets players perform the experiments themselves. You can stick with Vault-Tec’s original happiness and manipulation plans or adjust the experiments for the benefit of the residents. This moral choice system reflects on the broader ethical questions of Vault-Tec.
Technical Innovations:.
- Power-producing exercise cycles take care of health parameters.
- These slots activate a certain dopamine response.
- Soda fountains that spray mind-altering chemicals
- Health-tech devices that can provide calming music for relaxation.
Notable Loot and Rewards:.
- Vault construction experiment designs and plans.
- Overseer Barstow (potential companion).
- Unique vault-building materials.
- Advanced crafting components.
Strategic Exploration: Maximizing Your Vault Runs.
Knowing Fallout 4 vault locations is not just about going there and picking them up. In order to explore them optimally and gain loot, you will need specific preparation, gear, and strategies for each facility.
Essential Equipment for Vault Exploration.
Most vaults have secured rooms that need Advanced or Master lockpicking skills. Always invest in the locksmith perk early on and carry bobby pins. Many valuable things, like special weapons and bobbleheads, are locked away behind doors or boxes.
Find RadAway or Rad-X in Vaults around the Glowing Sea or other irradiated locations. Certain experiments involved exposure to radiation, which left some contamination in the vault sections.
Certain Fallout 4 vault locations have been occupied by hostile factions. Dangers from gunners, raiders, and robotic security systems. Bring along some ammo for your armor and energy weapons to deal with robots, I’d say.
Tools for Hacking Movement – Vault-Tec CO’s vaults not only hold interesting info about the conflict but also control the access of a newly required terminal from the main quests. The Science trait perks up your hacking success rate as well as adds more vault dweller dialogue options.
Optimal Exploration Routes.
Vault 111 is your origin and Vault 81 should be your first location to visit during the early game to collect medical supplies and recruit a companion. You can get useful equipment and allies here to tackle dangerous vaults later.
Vault 75 and Vault 95 are occupied by Gunners; prepare for combat in mid-game. Plan these expeditions when you have reliable weapons and armor. The two vaults have valuable bobbleheads that offer a permanent buff to characters.
Vault 114 is an asset in regard to the core game and companion quests. Keep this spot in mind to progress Nick Valentine’s quest later on. For established settlements, Vault 88 is fairly large and provides plenty of crafting opportunities. Vault 88 also requires Vault-Tec Workshop DLC.
Community Impact and Player Discovery Rates.
According to modern gaming analytics, Fallout 4 vault locations are very popular amongst players. According to the achievement tracking data, 98.5% of players manage to find Vault 111, but that is only because it is a tutorial vault. As a result, they don’t get credit for completing it. When it comes to optional vaults, that rate drops significantly.
Discovery Patterns:.
- Vault 81 has an 87.2% discovery rate (quest proximity).
- Vault 114: 76.8% discovery rate, companion quest integration
- Found in the open world: Contains a variety of weapons, ammo, and armor materials.
- Vault 95 has a discovery rate of 59.1% and is located near a dangerous site.
- 88% Vault: Percentage of the discovery requirement of the DLC.
Player engagement depends on how well the quests get integrated. Vaults tied to key storylines or companion growth get a lot more attention than exploration content that’s totally optional.
Community Discussions: This Redditor shows ongoing player fascination with vault lore and theories. Even after years of the game’s launch, the community is still finding details in the environmental storytelling and links between facilities.
Technical Legacy: Vault-Tec’s Engineering Achievements
Apart from their horror psychological qualities, the Fallout 4 vault locations are an engineering marvel where society was able to survive a nuclear apocalypse. A knowledge of these technical systems allows one to see what was possible before the war and what could have survived after.
Compact fusion reactors are used in every operational vault, providing energy for decades without interruption. The systems provided life support, lighting, and security, and powered experimental equipment without fuel. The technology is substantially better than current nuclear power technology.
The vaults kept the atmosphere breathable by using air recycling systems, water purification systems, and waste management systems. These systems provided everything needed to operate in isolation.
Modular Construction Philosophy: The design employed by Vault-Tec allowed the construction of buildings in various locations. Sections that are prefabricated can be designed for specific experiments without sacrificing structural integrity or operational functionality.
The Lasting Impact of Vault-Tec’s Legacy.
Fallout 4 vault locations are not just dungeons, they are a museum of sorts that showcases what humanity is capable of inventing and destroying. Each facility communicates an entire story using either environmental details, terminal entries, or physical evidence to create some of the most effective narratives in gaming.
These buried monuments of corporate greed still shape post-war society across the Commonwealth. Survivors take with them vault technology, social structures, and psychological trauma to new communities. The Institute uses technology derived from vault research and settlements like Diamond City use vault architecture.
Seven locations offer essential loot and lore for wasteland players, as well as permanent effects via bobbleheads and skill books. In addition, they provide important context to the general story theme in Fallout’s universe.
If you’re a completionist hunting for every bobblehead or if you’re a lore junkie unraveling the corporate conspiracy of Vault-Tec, the Fallout 4 vault locations reward you for your efforts. The game encourages you to explore every corner and check every pipe and cabinet, and is rich with environmental storytelling to help you piece it all together. Every visit uncovers forgotten details about daily life before the war, corporate exploitation of the war, and the cost of technology without ethics.
Next time you go into one of these underground tombs, remember that you’re not just looting a dungeon. You are experiencing the effects of unrestrained corporate power and the will of those involved in humanity’s worst fantasies.
What’s your favorite vault discovery? Have you located the secrets hidden in these underground facilities? Let us know your vault exploration stories and theories in the comments below. The secrets of the Commonwealth are best when shared.
If you’re a fan of Fallout, then you’re definitely a fan of The Last Of Us.