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Character Build: The Brotherhood (FO4)

Tags: #Character Build Power Armor  #Fallout 4 Build  #Character Build Gunslinger  #Character Build Sharpshooter 
  • April 28, 2017

    So, I wanted to really delve into the Brotherhood for a change.  I usually find them unabideable but listening to the holotape for Scribe Haylen really got me thinking about the person inside the uniform.  And then reading the Wiki on Danse and realizing where he was coming from when he joined the Brotherhood added a new depth there as well.  So with that in mind I set out to create a layered Brotherhood build so that you could play from any direction you wanted to as a member of the Brotherhood of Steel. 

    You emerge from the vault with little to no understanding of where you are in this time and place.  Seeking some semblance of order and a similarity to the life you once had, you seek like minded people to find companionship, comraderie and ultimately salvation in the Wastes.  Many factions vie for your attention but the militaristic structure of the Brotherhood calls to you.  With a group of loyal brothers in arm you set out to conquer the wastes, reclaim the tech that you once took for granted and find a new home in this Godforsaken land.  Welcome to the Brotherhood, soldier!

    The Brotherhood is like any other militaristic group.  There is a ranking system, a hierarchy that you must progress through as you earn your way.  As a new recruit you start off as a lowly Initiate.  After proving your worth and mettle, you then progress up the ranks until you reach the rank of Scribe where you can choose to take the path of "the Sword" or "the Shield".  If you continue to show merit and cause then you might be lucky enough to rise to the rank of Paladin.  We will start off with the same base SPECIAL, no matter which course you want your career in the Brotherhood to take.  This is due to the fact that all recruits into the Brotherhood take the same Basic Training and Physical Training.  All Brotherhood members are sent into the field and thus are expected to be able to take care of themselves and support their team.   As with all military promotions you must prove yourself, put in the time and efforts to improve yourself and that is no different here.  SPECIALs will change, as you progress, depending on the path you want to take. 

    The Order of the Sword is a group of Scribes that are dedicated, under order, to Weapon Research.  Naturally, your career path will take you through perks such as Gun Nut and Science to perfect your ability to create and modify all weapons including Plasma and Energy Weaponry.  You receive basic training in combat and tactics as well as field medication.  As light infantry units, in a support role, you are not issued Power Armor; rather you rely on other body armors.  You are also skilled in the use of Rifles and these will be your tools of war when you go into the field. 

    Some initiates, when they complete their basic training, are found to be lacking in offensive warfare capabilities and rather than squander them in the Order of the Sword, these few are sent into the Order of the Shield.  This is, in no way, to be considered a slight on the Initiate as it takes great intelligence...and trust...to be inducted to this class of Scribes.  The Order of the Shield are tasked with Armor Research.  As Power Armor is the item most associated with the Brotherhood, it is this group of Scribes that research Power Armor tech.  Their path veers away from the Sword-Scribes at this point; going into Armorer and building up Intelligence to learn all they can about Power Armor and how to improve it's logistical use.  They are given a bit more flexability in weapon usage but more importantly they can go into heavier armor and modify them extensively. 

    If you excel in training and prove yourself to your training officer then you receive the opportunity to be mentored by a Paladin of the Brotherhood and can then gain promotion to that rank yourself.  Like any higher rank, this takes drive, desire and dedication to the cause, your unit and your creed.  Expect to put time in to improve your basic training skills (SPECIALs) in order to reap the rewards should you be up to the challenge.  Only a select few are called down this path and much like the Special Forces groups of your generation, this is volunteer only; the faint-hearted need not apply.  You will specialize in Heavy Guns and be issued your own set of Power Armor; possibly one that you yourself crafted while a Shield-Scribe.  You will push your knowledge into physics and become a nuclear physicist; able to crack the mysteries of the fusion core and the atom itself.  Once you have completed your perks as Sword or Shield (scribe) and get your INT to 9; then you gain promotion to Paladin and take your Nuclear Physicist points to begin donning your Power Armor.

     

    The perks are laid out above but note how there are minute differences between the two Scribe classes and then the additional perks and SPECIAL points needed for the Paladin.  No matter which class you want to play note that both Scribe classes begin with identical SPECIAL distribution (the Paladin does as well, just needing more points added during gameplay).  Even the Scribe Perks are very similar with the biggest differences being in Gun Nut/Armorer and Gunslinger/Rifleman.  All Initiates have similar skills from Basic Training (Medic, Locksmith, Action Boy).

    This is a choice for you to make in playing this build... it solely depends on where you want to end up and your playstyle and interest.  Once you become an Initiate then you begin your path in The Brotherhood.  Both of the Scribe paths take additions to similar ratings, the Shield advancing a bit further in some categories.  And then a Paladin takes a substantial amount more points invested into your "training" beyond the Scribe rank.  

    The scribe levels are very similar and broken down in the descriptions above.  Both Sword and Shield are skilled in either rifles or handguns/laser weapons (non-automatic).  The Sword focus on gun mods while wearing scavenged armor but seeking Combat Armor.  Shield primarily focuses on armor and armor mods and are a more defensive class.  They can take 1 point in Nuclear Physicist but this is actually to make reference to their working knowledge of Power Armor rather than actually using it in gameplay.  Paladins go all out into PA and will be the prototypical minigun wielding, power armor wearing behemoth.  You will end up with points in Gunslinger or Rifleman (depending on your path as a Shield or Sword Scribe) and then Heavy Gunner (when you become a Paladin). 

    The objective is to follow the Brotherhood of Steel quest line to the end of the game.  You can interact with the other factions to the extent that the game and your conscience will allow you to but it all ties back in to the Brotherhood for end game.

    From a build perspective you need to consider which rank you wish to attain in the playthrough.  All three builds start off at the same point as a Novice and then once you join the Brotherhood, choose your next step; Sword or Shield.  Begin placing your points into the appropriate places.  Always keep in the back of your mind the additional points needed for Paladin, should you wish to advance to that Rank, but it is not needed for the build as this gives you three options depending on your playstyle. 

    If you only wish to be a Scribe; select the scribe option and advance through the perks and play through the end game as a Scribe.  However there are specific points that entail following the Paladin class.  First choose your Scribe path.  Continue to do quests for Scribe Haylen and Knight Rhys from the Cambridge Police Station outpost.  Do NOT advance the main quest by Killing Kellogg as this triggers the "Paladin Stage" of the build.  Once you've completed all the scribe perks and gotten your Intelligence to 9 (at a minimum) then trip the Main Quest trigger by killing Kellogg.  When you exit the building you will be recalled to the Police Station outpost to speak with Paladin Danse.  This will then bring you to the Prydwen where you are promoted into the BOS and given a suit of Power Armor.  At this point you make your transition to a Paladin although you still have a ways to go to officially attain the rank.  Begin putting points into Heavy Gunner (if you haven't yet) and begin boosting your SPECIAL stats into the Paladin build as well as adding the needed perk points into Nuclear Physicist.  NP should be a priority for longer core life.  There are 17 perks and 17 SPECIAL points needed to become a full rank Paladin.  You have to EARN your rank soldier.  The Brotherhood gives nothing away for free!

    If you wish to remain a scribe then you can do the Killing Kellogg quest at any point and this just furthers you along the Brotherhood quest line.  Ignore the Power Armor for personal use and just continue through with the gameplay.

  • Member
    April 28, 2017
    I'm not going to read in fear of BoS spoilers. I'll finish their story on my latest character and then come back here. :D
  • Member
    April 28, 2017

    Aersome job John

  • April 28, 2017

    Noodles said: I'm not going to read in fear of BoS spoilers. I'll finish their story on my latest character and then come back here. :D
    No real spoilers.  If you've already killed Kellogg in the main quest they you know what happens right after that.  Nothing beyond that in the build.  But better safe than sorry.  LOL

  • April 28, 2017

    Chris said:

    Aersome job John

    Thanks Chris

  • Member
    April 28, 2017

    John LeBlanc said:

    Noodles said: I'm not going to read in fear of BoS spoilers. I'll finish their story on my latest character and then come back here. :D
    No real spoilers.  If you've already killed Kellogg in the main quest they you know what happens right after that.  Nothing beyond that in the build.  But better safe than sorry.  LOL

    Yeah, but I still know close to nothing about, say, Liberty Prime because I always somehow end up siding with the Railroad!!! Once I experience the whole Bortherhood story, I'll be able to appreciate your build on a more profound level. :D

  • April 28, 2017

    Oh, nothing remotely close to Prime or any of those types of details.

  • April 28, 2017

    Nice build John. I like the three subdivisions and levels of progression. 

  • Member
    April 28, 2017

    Good work John. It's a valiant attempt to make the BoS bearable, but I'm afraid I'm a bit of a lost case - I just can't find any love for them at all ;) 

    Excellent work though

  • April 28, 2017

    Lissette Long-Chapper said:

    Nice build John. I like the three subdivisions and levels of progression. 

    Thanks Lissette.

     

    Paul said:

    Good work John. It's a valiant attempt to make the BoS bearable, but I'm afraid I'm a bit of a lost case - I just can't find any love for them at all ;) 

    Excellent work though

    Yeah, I hear you.  Not a big BOS fan either but there are some humanizing moments within it.  Just thought it would be interesting to put an actual Brotherhood build together.