“The mark of the Explorer is to search out new and interesting locations. With this Perk, you have a greater chance of finding special places and people.”— Fallout 2 In-game description
Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas
“When you choose the Explorer perk, every location in the world is revealed on your map. So get out there and explore!”— In-game description
Notes
This perk only reveals the locations, similar to when a character marks them on the Pip-Boy. They still have to be traveled to on foot to enable fast travel.
The collector's edition guide erroneously claims that this perk allows fast traveling to all the locations, though this is incorrect.
Locations in add-ons will be revealed by this perk, but only if it was taken after the add-on was installed. If the add-on is installed after this perk is taken, those locations remain hidden.
The two locations added to the main map by the Lonesome Road, namely Long 15 & Dry Wells, both appear when this perk is taken. However, they are only accessible depending on how the Courier chooses to complete Lonesome Road.
In Lonesome Road, taking this perk gives the Courier a special dialog option with Ulysses about Denver during the quest The Launch.
Bugs
Sometimes in FO3 and New Vegas when you take the perk no location will be revealed. [verified]
In New Vegas, you can level up high enough to choose the Explorer perk before leaving Goodsprings for the first time by using the infinite XP exploit with Doc Mitchell or Chet. Then, when leaving the town you can rebuild your character. The Explorer perk won't be available because you've already taken it, however, all the markers will remain on your map. You can then choose any perk instead of having to choose the Explorer perk. [verified]
