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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

The Gunners are a ruthless mercenary organization that operates in the Commonwealth and Nuka-World in 2287. The Gunners are most known for their no prisoners mindset and have been known to wipe out entire settlements, like common raiders, but are better organized and equipped.[5][6][7][8]

For a list of all Gunner variants and characters, see this article.

Background[]

The Gunners are a violent mercenary outfit, for whom no job is too brutal to undertake.[9] They are widely regarded as no better than common raiders, as they will attack anyone they believe is too weak to defend themselves.[10] As long as it improves their bottom line, everyone's a potential target.[11] As a result, while Gunners claim to be soldiers for hire, they have a well-earned reputation throughout the Commonwealth for being a highly militarized gang of thugs with combat training considered equivalent to the Brotherhood of Steel, according to Piper Wright.[12] Aggressive and fiercely territorial, Gunners are guaranteed to attack anyone who wanders into an area they have claimed as their own. They are well equipped and well organized, and a group of Gunners almost always includes at least one combat-ready robot.[Non-game 1]

Perhaps the most heinous crime the Gunners perpetrated was the Quincy Massacre, when they attacked the southern settlement in force and the settlers' desperate defense could not withstand the Gunners' onslaught. The ruined town fell, and with it the Commonwealth Minutemen. Only twenty people made it out of there alive.[13]

Deacon speculates that the Gunners may be following the orders of another party, but to date, nobody has learned who pulls their strings.[14]

Organization[]

Gunners take inspiration from the pre-War United States Armed Forces in their organization, with certain modifications. Their military rank system is lifted largely from the pre-War US Army: Gunners rank from the basic recruit all the way to brigadier. They also tattoo their members on the forehead to distinguish their membership and ensure loyalty.[7][15][16] Blood types are also tattooed, to expedite medical care.[17][18]

In terms of training, the Gunners are one of the most well trained military forces out there, on par with the Brotherhood of Steel, but lacking the corresponding moral fiber.[12] They operate in a strict military fashion, with a well-defined chain of command and procedures for dealing with unforeseen circumstances, such as losing a ranking officer in the field or running operations while off the grid (without radio contact with Gunner command[19]). To improve their power projection capabilities, the Gunners operate a variety of strongholds throughout the Commonwealth, located in strategic spots that are easy to defend. Even temporary camps, such as those established during long range reconnaissance missions, are always set up in a way that makes them difficult to attack.[20]

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 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.[Non-game 1]

With all of their assets, the Gunners lack coordination on a strategic level. As a result, Gunners are deadly on a tactical level (as exemplified by the Quincy Massacre), but are unable to take control of the Commonwealth.[21]

Iconography[]

The Gunners style themselves after the US military, using most of their terminology and incorporating the Army Green as their dominant colors. Their primary symbol is that of a white head with an X mark on the forehead, and a tally-score over the mouth, typically over a green background. Most of their motifs include skulls, bullets, and tally-scores representing kill-scores. Occasionally words such as 'Boom' or Headshot' are used as motifs.

While they use a variety of outfits most Gunners utilize green as their dominant color acting as a uniform, many of them using variants of old US Army uniforms. Leather armor and combat armor are also typically used. Sunglasses are also favored by several individual Gunners.

Gunners use a wide variety of guns, and are supported by turrets and combat-robots. Their fondness for guns is well known, and can be used to lure them to certain locations.

Outside relations[]

As a mercenary outfit, the Gunners will accept any contract, no matter how violent or heinous. As long as the pay is good, they will take it, much like Talon Company in the Capital Wasteland.[9] Despite their lack of scruples, they are one of the top choices when it comes to escorting caravans (Old Man Stockton in particular is fond of hiring these mercenaries)[22] or special orders by wealthy residents of Diamond City, particularly when they entail dealing with dangerous wildlife.[23] They also deal in the securing and extraction of technology, in the form of tech salvage missions.[24]

Gunners do not take prisoners and will kill everyone who gets in their way,[25] likely to score any potential bounties that might be out on their targets.[26] Gunners are also not known to surrender.[27]

Deacon claims to be on their most wanted list, several times under different names.[28]

They have been known to attack the Atom Cats, in order to obtain their power armor.[29]

Technology[]

While they are functionally raiders, Gunners have adopted a military aesthetic and focus on acquiring pre-War military gear whenever possible. Their standard uniform is inspired by pre-War Army fatigues and typically combined with military-grade armor, primarily various types of combat armor, worn with bandanas, sunglasses and military caps.[30] They also utilize Power Armor.

The Gunners also managed to create various power armor paints for the pre-War T-45, 51, 60, and X-01 sets.[31]

The Gunners also have access to heavy weapons such as the Fat Man and missile launchers, as seen used by high-ranking members such as Baker and Bridget.

They are also known to use a variety of robots to bolster their ranks, ranging from Mister Gutsy units all the way to assaultrons and sentry bots.[32]

The Gunners have made attempts to commandeer Vertibirds from the Brotherhood of Steel, which can be seen in an object-type random encounter.[33] They also possess a highly advanced communications network, which allows high-ranking officers at Gunners plaza to directly communicate with forces in the field. This is evident during the quest Hunter/Hunted.

Bases[]

Members[]

Notes[]

Appearances[]

The Gunners appear in Fallout 4, its add-on Nuka-World, and in Fallout: Wasteland Warfare.

Gallery[]

Fallout 4[]

Fallout: Wasteland Warfare[]

Magic: The Gathering[]

References[]

  1. Kaylor's orders
  2. 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."
  3. 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."
  4. Piper Wright: "Gunners are all based out of the GNN Building downtown. What a waste of a newsroom."
    (Piper Wright's dialogue)
  5. 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."
  6. 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)
  7. 7.0 7.1 Piper Wright: "Gotta have some serious issues to think an organization requiring facial tattoos is the place for you."
    (Piper Wright's dialogue)
  8. 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)
  9. 9.0 9.1 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)
  10. Settler: "Damn Gunners, they're just raiders with fancier weapons. They'll attack anyone they think is too weak to defend themselves."
    (Generic settlers' dialogue)
  11. 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)
  12. 12.0 12.1 Piper Wright: "Gunners. All the combat training of the Brotherhood of Steel, all the moral character of your neighborhood bully."
    (Piper Wright's dialogue)
  13. 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)
  14. Deacon: "Who's pulling the Gunners' strings? No one knows."
    (Deacon's dialogue)
  15. Danse: "The tattoos on their heads make for a nice bullseye."
    (Danse's dialogue)
  16. 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)
  17. Quincy ruins terminals; Gunner terminal, Tessa and Baker
  18. See the left temple of Winlock and Barnes
  19. Bradberton overpass terminal entries; Gunner terminal
  20. Codsworth: "Quite a novel idea, building a ramshackle town on an overpass. Especially if you hate yard work."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)
  21. Piper Wright: "Gunners pack a punch, but they're not coordinated. They're like Super Mutants without the charm."
    (Piper Wright's dialogue)
  22. Human Error
  23. Private Hart's holotape
  24. HalluciGen mission brief
  25. Cait: "Remember, Gunners don't take prisoners so give it everythin' you've got."
    (Cait's dialogue)
  26. Gunner taunts: "God, I hope there's a bounty on you!"
    (Gunner's dialogue)
  27. Danse: "Remember, Gunners can't be reasoned with, and they don't surrender."
    (Danse's dialogue)
  28. Deacon: "Gunner's have had bounties on me. Well, me under different names and faces. I want to see how many slots I can fill on their most wanted list."
    (Deacon's dialogue)
  29. Events of Atom Cats miscellaneous quest.
  30. Gunner equipment and appearance in the game.
  31. Creation Club Gunners Vs. Minutemen paints. Events of War Paint.
  32. Gunner robots are encountered at their strongholds.
  33. "Gunners trying to fly Vertibird" object-type random encounter

Non-game

  1. 1.0 1.1 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)
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