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Gunners
Gunner Tag
Overview
TypeMercenary unit
LeadershipCaptain Wes[1]
Society
StructureStrict, hierarchy-based military organization
Notable Members
Territory
HeadquartersGunners Plaza[2]
Notable LocationsCommonwealth
  • Hub City Auto Wreckers
  • Mass Fusion building
  • Quincy ruins
  • Vault 75
  • Vault 95
  • Nuka-World Transit Center Nuka-WorldGametitle-fo4nw
  • Nuka World Nuka-WorldGametitle-fo4nw

     
    Gametitle-FO4Gametitle-fo4nw
    Gametitle-FO4Gametitle-fo4nw

    The Gunners are a ruthless mercenary army that operates mainly in the Commonwealth in 2287. The Gunners are most known for their no prisoners mindset and have been known to wipe out entire settlements, like common Raiders, but are more organized and equipped.[3][4][5][6]

    Background[]

    The Gunners are a violent mercenary outfit, for whom no job is too brutal to undertake.[7] They are commonly regarded as no better than common raiders, as they will attack anyone they believe is too weak to defend themselves.[8] As long as it improves their bottom line, everyone's a potential target.[9] As a result, while Gunners claim to be soldiers for hire, but throughout the Commonwealth, they have a well-earned reputation as being a highly militarized gang of thugs; with combat training considered equivalent to the Brotherhood of Steel.[10] Aggressive and fiercely territorial, Gunners are guaranteed to attack anyone who wanders into an area they’ve claimed as their own. They’re well equipped and well organized, and a group of Gunners almost always includes at least one combat-ready robot.[11]

    Perhaps the most heinous crime the Gunners perpetrated was the Quincy Massacre, when they attacked the southern settlement in force. A desperate defense could not withstand their onslaught and the ruined town fell - with it, the Commonwealth Minutemen. Only twenty people made it out of there alive.[12]

    Curiously, the Gunners seem to be following the orders of another party, but to date, nobody has learned who pulls their strings.[13]

    Organization[]

    Gunners take inspiration from the pre-War United States Armed Forces in their organization, with certain modifications. Their military rank system is lifted wholesale from the pre-War Army: Gunners rank from the basic recruit, through privates, all the way to colonel.[14] However, they also tattoo their members on the forehead to distinguish their membership and ensure loyalty.[15][16][5] Blood types are also tattoed, to expedite medical care.[17][18]

    In terms of training, the Gunners are one of the most well trained military forces out there, on par with the Brotherhood of Steel, but lacking the corresponding moral fiber.[10] They operate in a strict military fashion, with a well-defined chain of command and procedures for dealing with unforeseen circumstances, such as losing a ranking officer in the field or running operations while off the grid (without radio contact with Gunner command.[19] To improve their power projection capabilities, the Gunners operate and operate a variety of strongholds throughout the Commonwealth, located in strategic spots that are easy to defend. Even temporary camps, such as those established during long range reconnaissance missions, are always set up in a way that makes them difficult to attack.[20]

    Low-ranking Gunners are usually limited to the protection offered by simple clothing, accessories, and the occasional piece of leather armor. Gunners who have reached the rank of Private sport a few pieces of combat armor. Further promotions grant Gunners better-quality pieces of combat armor. Gunners also enjoy a vast arsenal of weapons. Combat rifles and laser rifles are popular choices—and no Gunner would ever be caught relying on a handmade pipe gun—but virtually any projectile weapon weapon has a chance of appearing in a Gunner’s hands. Even valuable plasma weapons can be found on high-level Gunners. Batons and rippers are sometimes used, as are fragmentation grenades, Molotov cocktails, and a variety of heavy guns.[11]

    With all of their assets, the Gunners lack coordination on a strategic level. As a result, Gunners are deadly on a tactical level (as exemplified by the Quincy massacre, but are unable to take control of the Commonwealth.[21]

    Outside relations[]

    As a mercenary outfit, the Gunners will accept any contract, no matter how violent or heinous. As long as the pay's good, they will take it, much like Talon Company.[7] Despite their lack of scruples, they are one of the top choices when it comes to escorting caravans (Old Man Stockton in particular is fond of hiring these mercenaries)[22] or special orders by wealthy residents of Diamond City, particularly when they entail dealing with dangerous wildlife.[23] They also deal in the securing and extraction of technology, in the form of tech salvage missions.[24]

    One thing to note is that they do not take prisoners and will kill everyone who gets in their way,[25] likely to score any potential bounties that might be out on their targets.[26] Perhaps as an extension of their violent nature, Gunners are not known to surrender.[27]

    Deacon is known to be on their most wanted list, several times under different names.[28]

    Technology[]

    While they are de facto raiders, Gunners have adopted a military aesthetic and focus on acquiring pre-War military gear whenever possible. Their standard uniform is inspired by pre-War Army fatigues and typically combined with military-grade armor, primarily various types of combat armor, worn with bandanas, sunglasses, and military caps.[29] The Gunners also have access to heavy weapons such as Fat Men and missile launchers, as seen used by high ranking members such as Baker and Bridget. In certain regions of the Commonwealth, Gunners also have vertibirds at their disposal.

    They are also known to use a variety of robots to bolster their ranks, ranging from Mr. Gutsy units all the way to Assaultrons and Sentry Bots.[30]

    Interactions with the player character[]

    • Gunners are one of the raider gangs encountered frequently throughout the Commonwealth. They are almost invariably hostile to the player and utilize a variety of military grade firearms and armor.
    • Their permanent emplacements are typically centered around former military areas, with the primary base located in Quincy ruins.
    • You can however, convince a couple of Gunners in Vault 95 to cease firing upon you, but not to "follow" you as you can command other enemies.

    Appearances[]

    The Gunners appear in Fallout 4 and its add-on Nuka-World.

    References[]

    1. Wes' holotape has the following script notes referring to Wes: "Calm. Collect. Professional. Gunner Boss talking to Gunner out on patrol over radio."
    2. Piper Wright: "Gunners are all based out of the GNN Building downtown. What a waste of a newsroom."
      (Piper Wright's dialogue)
    3. Fallout 4 loading screen hints: "The Gunners are the Commonwealth's most well organized mercenary group. Unscrupulous and highly skilled, they will take any contract... if the price is right."
    4. The Sole Survivor: "Never heard of the Gunners. Who are they?"
      Robert MacCready: "They're one of biggest gangs in the Commonwealth. Got a rep for being crazy... you know, so tightly wound, you'd think they were a cult or something. Stuck with them for a while cause the money was good, but I never fit in. That's why I made a clean break and started flying solo. Now, what about you? How do I know I won't end up with a bullet in my back?"
      (Robert MacCready's dialogue (Fallout 4))
    5. 5.0 5.1 Piper Wright: "Gotta have some serious issues to think an organization requiring facial tattoos is the place for you."
      (Piper Wright's dialogue)
    6. Robert MacCready: "Look, pal/lady. If you're preaching about the Atom, or looking for a friend, you've got the wrong guy. If you need a hired gun... then maybe we can talk."
      The Sole Survivor: Maybe. Why don't you tell me who those guys were first."
      Robert MacCready: "A couple of morons looking to climb the ladder of success by stepping on everyone else on the way up. You shouldn't be surprised though, that's how it goes when you run with the Gunners."
      (Robert MacCready's dialogue (Fallout 4))
    7. 7.0 7.1 The Sole Survivor: "Who are the Gunners?"
      Nick Valentine: "High-end mercenaries. No job too brutal. They're in the running as likely suspects, but they wouldn't be the ones pulling the strings."
      (Nick Valentine's dialogue)
    8. Fallout 4 dialogue: "Damn Gunners, they're just raiders with fancier weapons. They'll attack anyone they think is too weak to defend themselves."
    9. Robert MacCready: "This should send a message to the Gunners to stay off my back."
      The Sole Survivor: "You aren't afraid the Gunners will retaliate?"
      Robert MacCready: "The way these lunatics act, you'd think they would... but I know better. For the Gunners, it's always about the bottom line. They just lost this entire waystation and that cost them big. Besides, they have no way of knowing I was involved. Anyway, I guess I owe you a favor now. After all, you hired me but I'm the one that dragged you out here."
      (Robert MacCready's dialogue (Fallout 4))
    10. 10.0 10.1 Piper Wright: "Gunners. All the combat training of the Brotherhood of Steel, all the moral character of your neighborhood bully."
      (Piper Wright's dialogue)
    11. 11.0 11.1 Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Collector's Edition p.36: "GUNNERS
      Gunners claim to be soldiers for hire, but throughout the Commonwealth, they have a well-earned reputation as being a highly militarized gang of thugs. Aggressive and fiercely territorial, Gunners are guaranteed to attack anyone who wanders into an area they’ve claimed as their own. They’re well equipped and well organized, and a group of Gunners almost always includes at least one combat-ready robot.
      Gunners can be found in Mass Bay Medical Center, Hub City Auto Wreckers, and many other locations throughout the Commonwealth.
      Gunner Humans
      Low-ranking Gunners are usually limited to the protection offered by simple clothing, accessories, and the occasional piece of leather armor. Gunners who have reached the rank of Private sport a few pieces of combat armor. Further promotions grant Gunners better-quality pieces of combat armor. Gunners also enjoy a vast arsenal of weapons. Combat rifles and laser rifles are popular choices—and no Gunner would ever be caught relying on a handmade pipe gun—but virtually any projectile weapon weapon has a chance of appearing in a Gunner’s hands. Even valuable plasma weapons can be found on high-level Gunners. Batons and rippers are sometimes used, as are fragmentation grenades, Molotov cocktails, and a variety of heavy guns.
      Gunner Robots
      With the exception of custom paint jobs, Gunner robots are identical to their standard counterparts. When fighting a Mr. Gutsy, check its arms to estimate its offensive capabilities, then attack its eyes and torso. It’s often best to slow an Assaultron by crippling its leg. Simply using your most powerful weapons against a Sentry Bot is usually your best option."
      (Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Groups, Gangs, and Factions)
    12. The Sole Survivor: "What was the Quincy Massacre?"
      Preston Garvey: "I thought everyone in the Commonwealth knew about that by now. Where the Minutemen betrayed each other, and the people they were supposed to protect. I was with Colonel Hollis's group. A mercenary group called the Gunners was attacking Quincy; the people there called for the Minutemen to help. We were the only ones that came. The other groups... they just turned their backs. On us, and the folks in Quincy. Only a few of us got out alive. Colonel Hollis was dead. So I ended up in charge of the survivors. We never found a safe place to settle. One disaster after another... you saw how it ended, in Concord."
      (Preston Garvey's dialogue)
    13. Deacon: "Who's pulling the Gunners' strings? No one knows."
      (Deacon's dialogue)
    14. Gunner characters appearing in the game are distinguished by rank affixed to their name.
    15. Danse: "The tattoos on their heads make for a nice bullseye."
      (Danse's dialogue)
    16. Piper Wright: "Oh, story idea. I get a tattoo on my forehead and cop a bad attitude. "Gunners Undercover." It'd probably actually move some papers."
      (Piper Wright's dialogue)
    17. Quincy ruins terminals; Gunner Terminal, Tessa and Baker
    18. See the left temple of Winlock and Barnes
    19. Bradberton Overpass terminals; Gunner Terminal
    20. Codsworth: "Quite a novel idea, building a ramshackle town on an overpass. Especially if you hate yard work."
      (Codsworth's dialogue)
    21. Piper Wright: "Gunners pack a punch, but they're not coordinated. They're like Super Mutants without the charm."
      (Piper Wright's dialogue)
    22. Human Error
    23. Private Hart's holotape
    24. HalluciGen mission brief
    25. Cait: "Remember, Gunners don't take prisoners so give it everythin' you've got."
      (Cait's dialogue)
    26. Gunner taunts: "God, I hope there's a bounty on you!"
    27. Danse: "Remember, Gunners can't be reasoned with, and they don't surrender."
      (Danse's dialogue)
    28. Deacon: "Gunner's have had bounties on me. Well, me under different names and faces. I want to see how many slots I can fill on their most wanted list."
      (Deacon's dialogue)
    29. Gunner equipment and appearance in the game.
    30. Gunner robots are encountered at their strongholds.
    Gunners
    Gunner Tag
    Gunner Tag
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