In the world of Fallout, America’s wastelands are the ultimate test of survival. Deathclaws, Raiders, and various warring factions present a long list of dangers that can appear at any moment. Over any of those momentary fears is the idea of what comes next. The Fallout franchise has long focused one that, on one of the most horrifying post-apocalyptic outcomes possible, and that’s what has continued to keep the series so fascinating after all these years. With the destruction of modern civilization comes something new, and this is what paved the way for Fallout‘s many different factions.
From the Minutemen to the New California Republic, the Fallout games are filled with compelling groups that have their own agendas and moral codes. Some of these factions are far more ill-willed than others, though, and the most notable faction in that regard is The Enclave. This secret group was formed by some of the most powerful people in pre-War America, an underground fascist government that has continued to work in the shadows and serve as a major adversary in many of the Fallout games. Over the years, there have been critiques claiming that the Enclave is overused, but there are vocal Fallout fans who think that Bethesda has merely scratched the surface of the underground government group.
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Fallout Fans Are Calling for More Focus on the Enclave in Future Games
This discussion was kick-started by VirusOfCheese on Reddit. Sharing their “hot take,” VirusOf Cheese believes that the Enclave is being “underutilized by Bethesda.” For a little history, The Enclave made its first official appearance in Fallout 2. At this time, Bethesda hadn’t yet bought the rights to the Fallout franchise, but the company would expand on the faction with Fallout 3. Fallout 2 and Fallout 3 both feature the Enclave as major antagonists, but the following entries keep the group out of the spotlight.
Guess the games from the emojis.
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Other Fallout fans have been quick to agree with VirusOfCheese, with a lot of players believing that the most overused faction in Fallout is actually the Brotherhood of Steel. Although the term “overused” is debatable, the Brotherhood of Steel definitely has enjoyed a more upfront presence in the Fallout franchise. The faction has even had its own spin-off game. It’s a notoriously bad spin-off, but it’s still more than any other faction has gotten.
The Enclave Has Been a Ghost Haunting Fallout’s Narrative
After Fallout 3‘s finale, the Enclave’s east coast chapter is essentially defunct. Even though Fallout: New Vegas‘s story takes place out west, only small remnants of the Enclave are ever shown. By the time Fallout 4 rolls around, the Enclave is just a ghost of what it once was. The only significant mention of the group in Fallout 4 is in the Far Harbor DLC. Brian Richter, the Children of Atom member met in the expansion, was once an Enclave member. In Fallout 76, the members of an early Enclave chapter are all dead after being killed by the AI MODUS.
So, the Enclave has only really been a major fixture in two entries. This leaves Bethesda with a big decision for the next Fallout game. The developer can either continue to brush over the Enclave, or writers can finally bring it back as a major antagonist. After the latest season of Amazon’s Fallout series, that decision may have already been made for them.
Major spoilers ahead for Fallout Season 2.
Fallout’s Season 2 Sets Up the Return of the Enclave, and Bethesda May Have to Follow Its Lead
Fallout Season 2’s finale dropped a huge bomb, but it wasn’t the nuclear kind. It turns out that Hank MacLean has been connected to the Enclave this entire time. Oh, and Stephanie Harper is seemingly involved somehow, too. A lot of huge twists were presented in the final episodes, and it sets up a wild Season 3. The latter half of Season 2 put the underground government center stage. Of course, the series only dipped its toes into exploring the faction, but it’s clear that the shadow government is being set up as Season 3’s main antagonist. Amazon’s Fallout series is the Enclave’s biggest role in a long time, and it could influence the future of the entire franchise.
The Fallout Show’s Place in the Timeline is Important
- Fallout 76 – 2102
- Fallout 1 – 2161
- Fallout 2 – 2241
- Fallout 3 – 2277
- Fallout: New Vegas – 2281
- Fallout 4 – 2287
- Fallout (Series) – 2296
The live-action Fallout series is the latest entry in the timeline. No other Fallout story takes place after that, which puts the show in a fascinating position. The series finale teased that Fallout Season 3 will be set in Colorado. Barb leaves Cooper (The Ghoul) a clue that hints that she and Janey fled to the state. This leads to a drone shot of what appears to be the Rocky Mountains and a secret facility built within the mountains that looks an awful lot like an Enclave stronghold.
The Fallout series is planned to run for five to six seasons. A release target for Season 3 hasn’t been confirmed yet. It’s also unclear just how much the show will influence Fallout 5.
With the Fallout show being so far in the timeline, the Enclave having a base in Colorado means that the shadow government is still up and running in some capacity. Excluding Fallout 76, each new Fallout entry has continued to go later down the timeline. Bethesda hasn’t shared any details about Fallout 5, but it may take place after the show. If that’s the case, then it may have no choice but to feature the Enclave as a major villain again. There is always the chance that The Ghoul, Lucy, and Maximus somehow defeat the Colorado Enclave chapter, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t more hidden chapters working in the shadows across the country. Even if bringing the Enclave back as the main antagonist wasn’t Bethesda’s original plan, both the TV series and vocal fans hoping for a deeper dive may lead the franchise in that direction.
