“The Gunners are the Commonwealth's most well organized mercenary group. Unscrupulous and highly skilled, they will take any contract... if the price is right.”— Fallout 4 loading screens
They serve as mercenaries, described as better equipped than raiders.[5][6][7][8][9]Robert MacCready states that their motivation is money, and protecting their bottom line.[10]Piper Wright describes them as having equivalent training as the Brotherhood of Steel.[11] They are well equipped and utilize combat robots.[Non-canon 1] The Gunners perpetrated the Quincy Massacre, attacking the settlement protected by the Commonwealth Minutemen. The town fell, with only twenty individuals escaping.[12]Deacon states that no one knows who is pulling the Gunners' strings, and Piper notes that their efforts are not coordinated.[13][14]
Gunner ranks range from recruits to brigadier and have tattoos on their foreheads.[15][16][17] Gunners utilize radio to organize and command initiatives and build fortifications on highway bridges and overpasses.[18][19] They accept contracts from the wealthy residents of Diamond City, bounties, as well as missions involving tech salvage.[20][21][22]
They do not take prisoners, and Danse mentions they cannot be reasoned with and do not surrender.[23][24] In some areas, Gunners will not immediately fire on the Sole Survivor, but will appear hostile on the radar. They will instead warn them to leave and if the Sole Survivor ignores them and approaches, the Gunners will become hostile and attack.
↑Sergeant Lanier's report: "This is Sergeant Lanier, audio log, day one. We've lost contact with Colonel Cypress at HQ. My private tells me the damage to our coms is irreversible, so this log will have to do."
↑Quincy ruins terminal entries#Col. Hollis: "Captain Wes assures me that the troops he's given me in exchange for breaking the siege will obey the chain of command, but two of the more senior troops are proving difficult."
↑Fallout 4 loading screens: "The Gunners are the Commonwealth's most well organized mercenary group. Unscrupulous and highly skilled, they will take any contract... if the price is right."
↑The Sole Survivor: "Never heard of the Gunners. Who are they?" Robert MacCready: "They're one of biggest gangs in the Commonwealth.Got a rep for being crazy... you know, so tightly wound, you'd think they were a cult or something.Stuck with them for a while cause the money was good, but I never fit in. That's why I made a clean break and started flying solo.Now, what about you? How do I know I won't end up with a bullet in my back?" (MacCready's dialogue)
↑Piper Wright: "Gotta have some serious issues to think an organization requiring facial tattoos is the place for you." (Piper Wright's dialogue)
↑Robert MacCready: "Look, pal/lady. If you're preaching about the Atom, or looking for a friend, you've got the wrong guy. If you need a hired gun... then maybe we can talk." The Sole Survivor: Maybe. Why don't you tell me who those guys were first." Robert MacCready: "A couple of morons looking to climb the ladder of success by stepping on everyone else on the way up.You shouldn't be surprised though, that's how it goes when you run with the Gunners." (MacCready's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "Who are the Gunners?" Nick Valentine: "High-end mercenaries. No job too brutal. They're in the running as likely suspects, but they wouldn't be the ones pulling the strings." (Nick Valentine's dialogue)
↑Robert MacCready: "This should send a message to the Gunners to stay off my back." The Sole Survivor: "You aren't afraid the Gunners will retaliate?" Robert MacCready: "The way these lunatics act, you'd think they would... but I know better.For the Gunners, it's always about the bottom line. They just lost this entire waystation and that cost them big.Besides, they have no way of knowing I was involved. Anyway, I guess I owe you a favor now. After all, you hired me but I'm the one that dragged you out here." (MacCready's dialogue)
↑Piper Wright: "Gunners. All the combat training of the Brotherhood of Steel, all the moral character of your neighborhood bully." (Piper Wright's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "What was the Quincy Massacre?" Preston Garvey: "I thought everyone in the Commonwealth knew about that by now.Where the Minutemen betrayed each other, and the people they were supposed to protect.I was with Colonel Hollis's group. A mercenary group called the Gunners was attacking Quincy; the people there called for the Minutemen to help.We were the only ones that came. The other groups... they just turned their backs. On us, and the folks in Quincy.Only a few of us got out alive. Colonel Hollis was dead. So I ended up in charge of the survivors.We never found a safe place to settle. One disaster after another... you saw how it ended, in Concord." (Preston Garvey's dialogue)
↑Piper Wright: "Oh, story idea. I get a tattoo on my forehead and cop a bad attitude. "Gunners Undercover." It'd probably actually move some papers." (Piper Wright's dialogue)
↑Gunner taunts: "God, I hope there's a bounty on you!" (Gunner's dialogue)
↑Danse: "Remember, Gunners can't be reasoned with, and they don't surrender." (Danse's dialogue)
↑Cait: "Remember, Gunners don't take prisoners so give it everythin' you've got." (Cait's dialogue)
Non-canon
↑Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Collector's Edition p.36: "GUNNERS Gunners claim to be soldiers for hire, but throughout the Commonwealth, they have a well-earned reputation as being a highly militarized gang of thugs. Aggressive and fiercely territorial, Gunners are guaranteed to attack anyone who wanders into an area they have claimed as their own. They’re well equipped and well organized, and a group of Gunners almost always includes at least one combat-ready robot. Gunners can be found in Mass Bay Medical Center, Hub City Auto Wreckers, and many other locations throughout the Commonwealth. Gunner Humans Low-ranking Gunners are usually limited to the protection offered by simple clothing, accessories, and the occasional piece of leather armor. Gunners who have reached the rank of Private sport a few pieces of combat armor. Further promotions grant Gunners better-quality pieces of combat armor. Gunners also enjoy a vast arsenal of weapons. Combat rifles and laser rifles are popular choices—and no Gunner would ever be caught relying on a handmade pipe gun—but virtually any projectile weapon weapon has a chance of appearing in a Gunner’s hands. Even valuable plasma weapons can be found on high-level Gunners. Batons and rippers are sometimes used, as are fragmentation grenades, Molotov cocktails, and a variety of heavy guns. Gunner Robots With the exception of custom paint jobs, Gunner robots are identical to their standard counterparts. When fighting a Mr. Gutsy, check its arms to estimate its offensive capabilities, then attack its eyes and torso. It’s often best to slow an Assaultron by crippling its leg. Simply using your most powerful weapons against a Sentry Bot is usually your best option." (Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Groups, Gangs, and Factions)
The Gunners have various paints for T-45, 51, 60, and X-01 power armor available in Creation Club Gunners Vs. Minutemen quest War Paint.
