Fallout 3: Should You Save Or Destroy Megaton?

Few quests stick in the minds of Fallout 3 players more than the conundrum of Megaton and its titular bomb. Often one of the earliest quests the Lone Wanderer encounters after leaving the vault, what should be the fate of the town of Megaton is still hotly debated even 16 years later. But, while the choice might seem like a simple one on the surface, there are more factors to consider beyond the karmic ramifications.

Fallout 3‘s town of Megaton is often the first town many Lone Wanderers will stumble across after their hasty exit from Vault 101 and the first real signs of life in the desolate Capital Wasteland. Upon entering the ramshackle settlement, it is impossible to miss the large undetonated nuclear bomb in the center for which the residents will explain the town is named. Once inside Megaton, there are two ways to gain “The Power of the Atom,” but it might be worth holding onto this quest until all the pros and cons have been weighed.

How To Blow Up Megaton

What Happens If Burke & Tenpenny Are Sided With?

For those looking to destroy Megaton, “The Power of the Atom” can be picked up from Mister Burke, who can be found in Moriarty’s Saloon. When spoken to, Burke will tell the Lone Wanderer that he’s in town on behalf of his employer, Allistair Tenpenny, explaining that they are his best option as they have no prior ties to the “putrescent cesspool.” Burke will make an offer of 500 caps for the Lone Wanderer to “encourage” the town’s atomic bomb to detonate, although he can be persuaded to pay an extra 500 with a Speech check.

Burke will then hand over a Fusion Pulse Charge which needs to be attached to the bomb and requires an Explosives skill of 25 or higher. After this, the Lone Wanderer will need to travel to Tenpenny Tower, found to the far southwest of Megaton, to meet up with Burke once more. Burke will be in the penthouse suite, along with Tenpenny, and will give the Lone Wanderer the honor of pushing the button to destroy Megaton. The town’s explosion can be seen off in the distance, after which Burke will give the Lone Wanderer their rewards.

Destroying Megaton will reward 500 caps (or 1,000 if Burke is successfully persuaded), as well as the deed and key to a penthouse suite in Tenpenny Tower. Along with 300 XP, blowing up Megaton is also one of only four acts in Fallout 3 that will result in losing over 1,000 Karma, instantly setting the Lone Wanderer’s Karma level to Very Evil. And, having destroyed a peaceful settlement and murdered all its inhabitants, including children, the Lone Wanderer will have more than earned their bad Karma title, which can range from Vault Delinquent to Devil.

Is Blowing Up Megaton Worth It?

On the surface, the consequences of blowing up Megaton may seem purely moral and a choice between a good and evil playthrough. However, blowing up Megaton does lock the Lone Wanderer out of several smaller side quests, as well as an excellent source of good Karma and caps with “Walter’s Scrap Metal”. The other major quest involving Tenpenny Tower, involving Roy Phillips, can also be started and completed without blowing up Megaton, so there seems little reason to destroy the town unless aiming for maximum carnage during a playthrough.

How To Save Megaton

What Happens If Sheriff Simms & Megaton Are Sided With?

If blowing up a town full of people doesn’t seem like a good time, then “The Power of the Atom” can also be gained from Megaton’s Sheriff Lucas Simms. He will greet the Lone Wanderer as soon as they enter town and can be asked about the bomb straight away. He’ll explain that he doesn’t trust any of the locals to touch it and will reluctantly agree to let the Lone Wanderer try if they offer. Simms will offer 100 caps but can be persuaded to give 500 by passing a Speech check.

Just as with planting the charges, an Explosives skill of at least 25 is needed to disarm Megaton’s nuke. However, this solution is much quicker as the bomb can be immediately disarmed before returning to Simms for a reward. There is still the option to speak with Burke at Moriarty’s and even warn Simms about Burke’s offer. If done so, Simms will rush to the saloon to confront Burke, which will often lead to the Sheriff’s death unless Burke is shot first. If Simms does die, then his son Harden will give the Lone Wanderer their rewards.

Saving Megaton will reward 100 caps (or 500 if successful in persuading Simms), as well as the deed and key to a house in Megaton. If payment is refused, then it is possible to gain 200 Karma as well as the 300 XP from completing the quest. When looking at the quest purely from a reward perspective, saving Megaton yields the lowest number of caps. However, the Lone Wanderer will still gain a new home.

Is Saving Megaton Worth It?

Overall, saving Megaton is the better option, despite the lower initial rewards. As mentioned previously, the secondary Tenpenny Tower quest can be completed without siding with Burke. However, if Megaton is destroyed, then it does cut off any of the side quests from that location, except for “The Wasteland Survival Guide”, as Moira Brown will become a ghoul. Megaton is also the location of the Strength Bobblehead as well as one of Fallout 3’s best companions, Jericho.

Both choices for this iconic Fallout 3 quest result in gaining a player home and the same amount of XP, with the primary difference in results being the amount of caps, Karma, and which minor faction will occasionally show up and attack. While the suite at Tenpenny Tower is aesthetically more pleasing, many still prefer the Megaton house due to its proximity to the fast travel point and its superior amenities. However, ultimately, destroying Megaton is not worth it, as far more is lost than is gained and there are plenty more opportunities throughout the game to be evil.

Fallout 3

Platform(s)

PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC

Released

October 28, 2008

Developer(s)

Bethesda Game Studios

Publisher(s)

Bethesda Softworks

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

Engine

Gamebryo

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