Fallout 76 Nuclear Keycards: The Ultimate Guide to Launching Nukes - 33rd Square (2024)

Launching nukes in Fallout 76 is an exhilarating endgame activity that offers unique rewards, gear, and irradiated zones to explore. However, the process requires proper preparation, team coordination, specialized gear, and decryption of launch codes.

This 1800+ word guide will provide everything you need to know about obtaining nuclear keycards in Fallout 76 and successfully launching your own nukes.

Table of Contents

• Overview of Nukes in Fallout 76
• Joining the Enclave Faction
• Acquiring Your First Nuclear Keycard
  • Initiating the Keycard Quest
  • Locating and Destroying the Cargobot
• Understanding Launch Codes
  • Decrypting Codes with NukaCrypt
  • Quest to Find Code Pieces
• Checking Nuclear Silos Status
• Running a Nuclear Silo
  • Biometrics and Keycard Duplication
  • Sabotaging and Repairing the Mainframe
  • Reaching the Launch Room
• Target Selection and Launch
• Preparing for Nuked Zones
• Major Tips for Nuke Runs

Overview of Nukes in Fallout 76

Nuclear missiles alter the landscape and unlock new rewards in Fallout 76. Here‘s a quick primer:

• Unique Zones: Nuked regions become inhospitable, irradiated zones filled with dangerous new enemies that drop rare gear.

• Community Targets: Popular nuke target spots include Whitespring Resort and Fissure Prime.

• Camp Destruction: You can demolish player camps, but prepare to become wanted. Griefing rules still apply.

• Specialized Equipment: Make sure your character and gear are prepared for hazardous radioactive environments before entering a nuke zone.

• Group Activity: While silo runs can be soloed, launching nukes is best tackled in a coordinated group for efficiency and fun.

Now let‘s cover the initial steps for acquiring keycards and access to nuke silos.

Joining the Enclave Faction

To launch nuclear weapons in Fallout 76, you must first join the secretive Enclave faction. Here is the initiation process:

1. Travel to the Abandoned Waste Dump in the Mire region at the far right of the map.

2. Enter the caves and defeat two high level Deathclaws to obtain a holotape.

3. The holotape grants access to an elevator with a laser grid barrier. Override security protocols to pass through into the Deep.

4. Register through decontamination arches to gain identity credentials for the Enclave.

5. Activate a questline from Camp McClintock as an Enclave hopeful.

6. Earn "Officer on Deck" commendations to become promoted to Enclave General.

Only Enclave Generals can enter silos and access nuclear weapons systems. Earning commendations involves eliminating difficult legendary enemies and completing Enclave missions.

Acquiring Your First Nuclear Keycard

Nuclear keycards are needed to activate silos and interface with launch computers. Here are the main methods for obtaining them:

Initiating the Keycard Quest

The primary approach is repeating the "Hide and Seek and Destroy" quest. Steps:

1. Use the Military Command terminal to initiate a keycard escort quest.

2. A Cargobot will appear on the map along with Vertibird escorts.

3. Destroy the Cargobot before it escapes the quest zone to claim the nuclear keycard it was transporting.

Tip: The Vertibirds are initially neutral until attacked, so focus fire only on the Cargobot.

Locating and Destroying the Cargobot

The Cargobot spawns randomly within a quest zone each run. Effective tactics include:

• Using automatic weapons to quickly destroy the Cargobot.
• Employing V.A.T.S. targeting to disable the Cargobot rotors.
• Drawing out the encounter so the timer doesn‘t expire.

Once you secure the nuclear keycard, you can rerun the quest to stock up on spares. Now let‘s examine how launch codes work.

Understanding Launch Codes

In addition to nuclear keycards, correct launch codes are entered to finalize the arming sequence at control terminals.

Decrypting Codes with NukaCrypt

Launch codes expire and change weekly. Rather than the in-game decryption quests, most players utilize the NukaCrypt website to conveniently lookup active codes.

Quest to Find Code Pieces

Alternatively, initiate the "I Am Become Death" quest at the Military Command terminal to search for code fragments in Appalachia and decipher that week‘s nuclear launch codes.

Checking Nuclear Silos Status

Before starting a silo run, check which silo is currently available for launch. Steps:

1. Play the Missile Silo State holotape item from your Pip-Boy.

2. It will list details on silos Alpha, Bravo and Charlie, including cooldown timers if recently launched.

3. Select an operational silo for your next nuke run.

Running a Nuclear Silo

Traversing a missile silo to reach the launch room is a lengthy, multi-stage process filled with security barriers.

Biometrics and Keycard Duplication

Early silo steps involve acquiring keycards:

1. Defeat robots in the silo Mess Hall and find a blue keycard.

2. Scan the card at the first biometric reader to verify credentials.

3. Visit the nearby Fabrication Terminal to duplicate the found blue keycard.

4. Now you have two keycards to bypass upcoming laser grids.

Sabotaging and Repairing the Mainframe

In the Launch Chief‘s office, steps include:

1. Hack a security terminal to override reactor lockdown protocols.

2. Fight defenses while demolishing mainframe component terminals.

3. Collect mainframe cores around the room and adjoining hallways.

4. Repair damaged cores at the Tinker‘s Bench to re-enable the mainframe.

Reaching the Launch Room

After the control room sabotage and repair phase, continue to the final launch room.

1. Insert prepared mainframe cores to bring systems back online.

2. Proceed through the base to the Launch Control Room.

3. Initialize the launch prep sequence at the central terminal.

Target Selection and Launch

Now comes the moment you‘ve prepared for – unleashing a nuke upon a site of your choosing!

1. After launch prep finishes, access the nuclear weapon terminal.

2. Insert your nuclear keycard to authorize arming.

3. Input the 8-digit launch code for that specific silo.

4. Select a target location anywhere on the Appalachia map.

5. Confirm your selection to ignite the 3-minute countdown before rocket launch!

Preparing for Nuked Zones

Entering nuked regions requires planning and defensive measures:

• Hazmat Suit: Equip a Hazmat Suit with 1000+ rad resistance.

• RadShield: Take the RadShield perk, Rad-X, RadAway and other radiation meds.

• Weapons/Ammo: Stock ballistic and energy weapons plus spare ammo for intense battles.

• Explosives: Pack grenades, mines and a missile launcher to swiftly eliminate tough, swarming enemies.

• Stimpaks: Carry 40+ Stimpaks to frequently heal between enemy waves.

Major Tips for Nuke Runs

Finally, here are key suggestions to smoothen silo runs:

• Team Up: Launch solo only if very overleveled. Otherwise, run in a group for efficiency.

• Decrypt Codes Early: Lookup codes on NukaCrypt before starting to avoid retries.

• Pack Rad Protection: Ensure you have ample Rad-X, RadAway and Hazmat Suits or Power Armor.

• Use Stealth Boys: Repeatedly rely on Stealth Boys while maneuvering to avoid unnecessary combat.

And that concludes our complete guide to acquiring nuclear keycards and raining down missile strikes upon targets in Fallout 76! Let us know if you have any other tips for silo runs or launching nukes.

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