The post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallout 4 is filled with countless secrets, but none are as iconic as the underground bunkers built by the Vault-Tec Corporation. These massive structures were designed to protect citizens from nuclear annihilation, though most hidden facilities actually hosted sinister psychological and medical experiments. Understanding the total number of these subterranean structures allows players to fully explore the rich lore and history scattered across the Commonwealth landscape.
The Core Vaults Found in the Base Game
The base version of the game features five distinct underground bunkers for players to discover and explore during their travels. Vault 111 serves as the starting point of your journey, cryogenic testing chambers keeping subjects frozen for over two centuries. Further into the ruins of Boston, you will encounter the fully functioning community of Vault 81, which successfully avoided its original dark directive.
Hidden deep beneath Malden Middle School lies Vault 75, a tragic facility designed to harvest genetic material from young children. Meanwhile, Vault 95 can be uncovered in the dangerous glowing regions, acting as a rehabilitation trap for individuals struggling with severe substance addictions. Finally, Vault 114 is located beneath Park Street Station, an incomplete structure meant to test wealthy citizens under poor leadership conditions.
Expanding the Underground via Downloadable Content
Beyond the core map locations, official expansions introduce two additional structures that expand the total vault count to seven. The Vault-Tec Workshop add-on grants players access to Vault 88, a massive cavernous space located near Quincy Quarries. This unique location allows players to assume the role of an Overseer and construct their own customized underground sanctuary from scratch.
Traveling north to the foggy island of Mount Desert opens the door to the mysteries of the Far Harbor expansion. Deep beneath the grand Cliff Edge Hotel, explorers will stumble upon the luxurious surroundings of Vault 118. This facility split its population between eccentric high-society individuals and Hollywood elite who transitioned into robotic brains.
Tips for Finding and Surviving the Bunkers
Uncovering every single facility requires thorough exploration as many entrances remain cleverly hidden beneath mundane surface buildings. Preparing for high radiation levels and aggressive raider factions is essential before stepping into these sealed environments. Gathering valuable bobbleheads, unique companion characters, and rare weapon modifications makes visiting every location highly rewarding for dedicated completionists.
