The Brotherhood of Steel is well-known for its power armor, advanced weapons, and a strong commitment to preserving technology inFallout. For nearly thirty years, this iconic group has been a key part of theFalloutseries, appearing in every main game, influencing the storyline, and serving as either friends or foes based on the player’s choices. However, removing the well-known faction raises important questions about the franchise’s foundation, along with the potential risks and rewards of a new direction without the classic power armor and the famous phrase “Ad Victoriam!”

The idea of losing the Brotherhood presents both advantages and disadvantages. It could create new narratives, but it would also open up the challenge of filling the void left by such a significant part ofFallout. Ultimately, it’s not just about whetherFalloutcan survive without the Brotherhood, but it’s also a question of whether the series should consider this change and what the long-term effects would be on a franchise that has become so closely tied to the Brotherhood’s influence. Even for those who don’tjoin the Brotherhood of Steel, it’s weird to think about them not being around.

The Fallout Vault Boy next to the Sole Survivor from Fallout 4.

Why Fallout 5 Could Avoid Using The Brotherhood Of Steel

There Are Reasons To Drop Them

The Brotherhood of Steel has been a constant presence in theFalloutgames, which some longtime players find comforting. However, losing the facction inFallout 5could be a great chance to refresh the series. It wouldallow the game to break free from predictable storylinesand explore new territory. Without the Brotherhood’s influence, Bethesda could introduce new factions with interesting beliefs and goals, making the game feel more surprising and engaging.

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Fallout 5 is a chance for the franchise to return to what made it great, but it could also change pace and continue the story it started in Boston.

This change could give attention to smaller groups in theFalloutuniverse that haven’t been fully explored. Groups like the Followers of the Apocalypseand the Enclavestill have so much hidden, but thanks to the focus on the Brotherhood,players don’t learn much about them. A new set of characters, free from the usual Brotherhood stories, could lead to deeper relationships and better plots in other factions, which would help players feel more involved in the game.

Arcade Gannon from Fallout New Vegas and DiMA from Fallout 4.

Is A Fallout Game Without The Brotherhood Still Fallout?

Can The Series Shake The Brotherhood?

The Brotherhood of Steel is a well-known group in theFalloutgames. Its unique power armor, advanced weapons, and a strong focus on preserving technology are key parts of the game’s style and themes. For many players, the Brotherhood isa core part of theFalloutexperience, just like bottle caps or the constant threat of nuclear disaster. They oftenshift roles from allies to enemiesbased on player choices, which makes it more fun, but why are they there so often?

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It’s hard to remember thatFalloutisn’t about the Brotherhood of Steel at all. They can be a big part of the story, but the overall story is normally about the player and the world at large. The Brotherhood can help, but it probably shouldn’t have been involved in everyFalloutgame. It’s weird that the faction spread across the entire US but has less power than any major entity in other games. TheNCR almost annihilates them, Caesar’s Legion would definitely take them out, and even the Institute doesn’t consider them much of a threat.

Vault 111 from Fallout 4, an NCR Ranger from Fallout New Vegas, and a ghoul from Fallout 3.

The Brotherhood has created a familiar power struggle in past games that can make the storylines feel predictable.

If a newFalloutgame decided to leave out the Brotherhood, it could upset longtime fans who are used to seeing the faction. It raises concerns about the identity of the franchise and the risks of moving away from what has been traditional. On the other hand, not having the Brotherhood couldopen up new stories and ideasabout the post-apocalyptic world, providing a chance for fresh and innovative gameplay.

Three Fallout 76 players standing together in different versions of Power Armor

How Fallout Could Survive Without The Brotherhood of Steel

It’s Possible To Remove The Faction

AFalloutgame without the Brotherhood of Steel mightseem strange to longtime fans, but leaving them out could actually bring new life to the series. The Brotherhood has created a familiar power struggle in past games that can make the storylines feel predictable. By removing this faction, Bethesda could explore new ideas and build a more interesting world. They could focus on less prominent factions or invent new ones with different beliefs and goals.

10 Fallout Factions Perfect For Fallout 5

Fallout 5 is still far over the horizon, but the series has plenty of in-universe factions that are perfect for making a return in the upcoming title.

This change could result in more complex storylines as the focus shifts from advanced technology to everyday people trying to survive in a tough environment. Imagine a gameplay experience where community building and diplomacy are more important than having the best weapons. This couldlead to deeper character developmentand tough moral choices, making the game feel more immersive and full of surprises.

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Additionally, without the Brotherhood’s dominant role as a major faction, the power dynamics in the game would change. This would lead to more varied and exciting interactions between factions. Theoverall story would feel fresher. While this would challenge the franchise’s traditional identity, it could also result in a lot of creativity. However, there’s something to be said about little details that make a franchise feel grounded.

Fallout 5 Must Include The Brotherhood

The Brotherhood Cannot Leave

Ultimately, the absence of the Brotherhood of Steel inFallout 5would be a big change and could disappoint longtime fans who love the faction. The faction’s power armor, advanced weapons, and a huge part in the story are what many people think of when they rememberFallout. Whether as allies or enemies, the Brotherhood’s role hasbeen important for the series’ lasting appealand replay value. Not having them could disrupt the core experience ofFalloutand leave players feeling uncertain or missing something.

Real-Life Fallout Power Armor Shows The Rebellious Side Of The Brotherhood Of Steel

A Fallout fan’s real-life power armor represents one of the Brotherhood of Steel’s branches featured in Fallout Tactics.

Instead of the usual Brotherhood, Fallout 5 could introduce different Brotherhood groups, similar to how Fallout 3 differentiated their Brotherhood from the Western faction. Each has its own beliefs and conflicts. This fresh take would allow the game toexplore their internal strugglesand changing ideas, leading to new stories and interactions in the game world. Letting the player start a group would help the series find some fresh territory without leaving an iconic faction behind.

The Brotherhood of Steel has become a staple for the Fallout series at this point. Eventhose who don’t join themlike to see how much they’ve grown and developed. It’s nice to see them come in and know they’re the one thing in the wasteland that stays when so much has been destroyed. It’s a bad idea to remove them, but letting them develop past their origins inFalloutmay be a good idea.