So you’ve been meandering the no man’s land, building your CAMP, smashing Super Mutants, possibly even making a handful of caps on the side, and now you’re ready for the big leagues.
It’s time to drop a nuke.
In Fallout 76, launching a nuke isn’t just about blowing stuff up (though yes, the explosion is awesome). Nukes are a key part of the late-game loop; they’re how you spawn high-level enemies, access unique zones like the Crater Area Prime, and trigger endgame events like Scorched Earth.
But here’s the thing:
Launching a nuke is a multi-step process. It’s not a side activity. It’s a full mission chain. You’ll need to enter bunkers, kill high-level enemies, collect nuclear codes, and even solve a literal puzzle (or cheat your way past it, more on that below).
Let’s break it down, exactly how to alacrity a nuke in Fallout 76, step by step, with expert tips along the way.
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Also Read: Best Places to Find Mole Rats in Fallout 76
Why Alacrity a Nuke in the First Place?
Before we get tactical, let’s be clear on the “why.” Nukes are endgame content, and launching one offers some major benefits:
- Triggers the Scorched Earth event – Summons the Scorchbeast Queen, the toughest boss in the game, and a loot goldmine.
- Changes enemy zones – Nuked areas spawn glowing, high-level enemies that drop superior loot and XP.
- Farm Flux and rare crafting materials – Required for high-end power armor, weapon mods, and CAMP upgrades.
- Flex on the map – Everyone sees the launch. Yes, it’s a power move.
Now, here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Join the Enclave and Unlock the Whitespring Bunker
Everything starts with the Enclave faction. If you haven’t joined them yet, head to the Abandoned Waste Dump in the Mire region and find the sealed entrance to the Whitespring Bunker.
What to do:
- Complete the “Bunker Buster” questline to gain access to the Enclave.
- Progress through the Enclave rank promotions until you get clearance to enter the bunker’s facilities, including the Command Center.
Once you’ve got access, you’re officially on the path to becoming a nuclear threat.
Step 2: Get a Nuclear Keycard
You can’t alacrity a nuke without a Nuclear Keycard, and these aren’t sitting on shelves.
Where to get it:
- Look for Vertibots (cargo bots) flying around the map.
- One will periodically show up as part of a public world event labeled “Nuclear Keycard Escort.”
- Shoot the bot down. Kill the high-level escort drones. Loot the wreckage.
Pro tip: These bots fly high. Bring power armor with jetpacks, a scoped weapon, and follow the bot’s path until it gets low enough to hit. It’s a great idea to group up for this part.
Once looted, the Keycard goes into your inventory and doesn’t expire (unless you fail a launch attempt, more on that later).
Step 3: Get Nuke Code Pieces
Now it’s time to gather the nuke code pieces, and here’s where the grind begins.
Each silo (Alpha, Bravo, or Charlie) requires eight code pieces, and you must collect all of them within the same weekly rotation (they reset each week).
How to get them:
- Kill high-level Scorched Officers, they carry code pieces.
- Officers spawn in random locations across the map, often near public events, high-level areas, or nuked zones.
- Listen for beeping sounds and watch for a radio signal on your HUD, that’s how you know an Officer is nearby.
Once you’ve collected all eight code pieces for one silo (they’re labeled), you can move to the next step.
Pro tip: You don’t have to decode the nuke codes manually; sites like nukacrypt.com post the weekly launch codes. Save yourself the headache.
Also Read: Best Places for Screws in Fallout 76
Step 4: Pick a Silo – Alpha, Bravo, or Charlie
Once you’ve got a Nuclear Keycard and the full code for one silo, choose your launch location. They’re located here:
- Silo Alpha – In the Savage Divide, northeast of National Isolated Radio Array.
- Silo Bravo – Near Sugar Grove, just west of the Divide.
- Silo Charlie – In the far south of the map, near R&G Station.
Each silo is virtually identical. The only difference is the map location. Just pick the one closest to where you want the bomb to hit.
Step 5: Enter the Silo and Fight Your Way to the Control Room
Inside each silo is a full dungeon, no joke. You’ll face:
- Laser turrets
- Assaultrons
- Mr. Gutsy units
- Radiation traps
- Security lockdowns
- Mechanical puzzles
It’s not easy, and it’s not solo-friendly unless you’re extremely geared. Bring power armor, stimpaks, and a full loadout. Most players run this with a group.
Expect 20–40 minutes of combat before reaching the Control Room.
Step 6: Insert the Code and Keycard
Once you’re inside the Control Room:
- Use the terminal to insert the Keycard.
- Enter the correct eight-digit launch code for your silo.
- Select your nuke target on the map.
You’ll see a targeting overlay, and place your nuke zone somewhere important. Popular zones include:
- Cranberry Bog (Fissure Site Prime) – Triggers the Scorched Earth event.
- Whitespring or Watoga – Spawns glowing enemies and flux.
- Random zones – Just to watch the world burn.
Confirm your target. Hit the launch button.
Step 7: Watch the Fireworks (and Prepare for Chaos)
Once launched, everyone on the server sees your name and the blast radius. The nuke will detonate after about three minutes, giving you time to gear up.
The moment it hits:
- All enemies in the blast zone transform into high-level glowing variants.
- The Scorchbeast Queen spawns if you hit Fissure Site Prime.
- Other players will rush to the area (expect competition)
Pro tip: Bring Rad-X, Power Armor with Radiation Resistance, and a full stash of stimpaks or healing buffs. Nuked zones are brutal, but the loot is worth it.
What Happens After You Alacrity a Nuke?
Here’s what you can expect post-blast:
- Nuked zones remain active for about 2 hours.
- Unique flora like Flux plants spawn, used for high-end crafting.
- Rare materials and legendary drops become more common.
- You get loot credit for launching the nuke if other players enter your blast zone.
And yes, you can launch multiple nukes, as long as you have more keycards and codes. Some players do “double nukes” or coordinate with others to cover large parts of the map.
Nukes Are a Grind, But They’re Worth It
Let’s be real, launching a nuke in Fallout 76 isn’t easy. It takes time, planning, and effort. You’ve got to gather code pieces, track down bots, fight through a deadly silo, and punch in a code that’s eight digits long.
But when you finally do it? When you watch that rocket drop and the blast zone light up the map? It’s worth it. It’s one of the few moments in Fallout 76 where you feel like the game is handing you the keys to the sandbox and saying, “Here. Break things.”
So gather your group, stock up your stims, load the codes, and get ready to light up Appalachia.
Because nothing says “endgame” like turning half the map into radioactive rubble, and getting amazing loot while you’re at it.