- Fallout New Vegas power armor training is required to equip most high-tier power armor suits in the game.
- Two main factions can grant this training: the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave Remnants.
- The Brotherhood path involves completing a lengthy fetch questline starting in the Hidden Valley bunker.
- The Remnants path is unlocked late-game by progressing Arcade Gannon's companion quest.
- NCR Salvaged Power Armor serves as a viable alternative that requires zero training to wear.
The Path to Heavy Protection
Power armor represents the pinnacle of personal defense in the Mojave Wasteland. However, you cannot simply pick up a suit of high-tech armor and put it on. Your character must first acquire specialized Fallout New Vegas power armor training to understand how to operate the heavy servo-motors and joint systems. Without this training, the armor remains unusable in your inventory.
There are two primary factions that can teach you this skill: the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave Remnants. Each faction has its own requirements, questlines, and associated moral choices. While the Brotherhood of Steel can be accessed relatively early in your playthrough, the Enclave Remnants path is a late-game reward tied to a specific companion.
| Training Path | Associated Faction | Key Quest | Primary Armor Reward | Recruitment Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brotherhood | Brotherhood of Steel | Still in the Dark | T-45d Power Armor | Moderate (Fetch heavy) |
| Remnants | Enclave Remnants | For Auld Lang Syne | Remnants Power Armor | Hard (Late-game triggers) |
Video Highlights:
- Detailed walkthrough of the Hidden Valley bunker entrance and security bypass.
- Step-by-step guide to finding the three missing Brotherhood of Steel patrols.
- How to trigger Arcade Gannon's companion quest for Enclave training.
- Location of the unique power armor suits that do not require training.
If you are running a heavy weapons or high-defense build, plan your route early. The Brotherhood path is accessible sooner, but the Remnants path offers the best power armor in the game.
Brotherhood of Steel Path to Fallout New Vegas Power Armor Training
The Brotherhood of Steel is the most direct path to obtaining your training. To begin, you must locate their hidden bunker in Hidden Valley, located east of Goodsprings and south of Sloan. The area is surrounded by a fence and is frequently covered in dust storms. Look for the bunker entrance that features a "ban the bomb" graffiti sign on the door.
Entering the bunker can be difficult. If you approach without preparation, the Brotherhood security team will strip you of your gear, place an explosive collar on your neck, and force you to deal with an NCR Ranger hiding in a nearby bunker. You can completely bypass this hostile security check by recruiting Veronica Santangelo as your companion at the 188 Trading Post. With Veronica in your party, the bunker doors will open peacefully.
Initiate 'Still in the Dark'
Speak to Elder McNamara inside the Hidden Valley bunker. He will task you with locating three missing Brotherhood of Steel patrols scattered across the Mojave Wasteland.
Locate the Missing Patrols
Search the bodies of the dead paladins at the REPCONN Headquarters, near the Nellis Air Force Base, and near the Black Mountain area to retrieve their encrypted holotapes.
Gather Scout Reports and Vault Parts
Return the tapes to McNamara. He will then ask you to download reports from three surface scouts, followed by a quest to retrieve air filtration system parts from Vault 3, Vault 11, and Vault 22.
Deal with Black Mountain Security
After repairing the bunker systems, Elder McNamara will ask you to install a remote monitoring device on the second floor of the radio tower at Black Mountain. Watch out for Nightkin and Super Mutants.
Receive Your Training
Return to Elder McNamara after placing the device. He will officially induct you into the Brotherhood of Steel, grant you the training perk, and reward you with a refurbished suit of T-45d Power Armor.
During this questline, Paladin Hardin will approach you privately and ask for your help in overthrowing Elder McNamara. You can choose to side with either leader. Siding with McNamara is the most straightforward route, but Hardin will also grant you the training perk once he becomes Elder, provided you complete his follow-up quests.
| Vault Location | Key Hazard | Required Quest Item | Specific Item Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vault 3 | Hostile Fiends faction | Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier | Maintenance wing locker |
| Vault 11 | Automated security and traps | Differential Pressure Controller | Lower utility level flooded section |
| Vault 22 | Spore Carriers and plants | HEPA 20 Filters | Oxygen recycling room |
If you choose to side with Mr. House or Caesar's Legion for the main story, you may eventually be forced to destroy the Brotherhood of Steel. Ensure you secure your training before progressing these main faction quests too far.
Enclave Remnants and Arcade Gannon's Questline
The second method to unlock training is through the Enclave Remnants. This path is highly favored by players seeking the superior Remnants Power Armor or the Gannon Family Tesla Armor. To unlock this path, you must recruit Arcade Gannon, a researcher located at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside.
Arcade can be recruited by having a high reputation with the Followers of the Apocalypse, passing a high Speech check, or using the Confirmed Bachelor perk. Once Arcade is in your party, you must accumulate "trust points" by traveling to specific historical locations in the Mojave and triggering his unique dialogue.
Enclave Remnants Recruitment Checklist:
- Recruit Arcade Gannon at the Old Mormon Fort
- Earn 5 trust points by visiting locations like the Crashed Vertibird and REPCONN HQ
- Progress the main story until you reach the final stages of the Hoover Dam conflict
- Locate and recruit all five former Enclave members scattered across the map
- Meet at the Remnants Bunker to begin the final briefing
Once you have earned Arcade's trust and progressed the main story sufficiently (specifically to the point where you are preparing for the Battle of Hoover Dam), Arcade will initiate the quest For Auld Lang Syne. He will ask you to gather five former Enclave soldiers to reform their old squad.
| Remnants Member | Wasteland Location | Specific Recruitment Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Daisy Whitman | Novac | Speak to her in her room at the Dino Dee-lite Motel |
| Cannibal Johnson | Cannibal Johnson's Cave | Speak to him directly inside his isolated mountain cave |
| Judah Kreger | Westside | Locate him near the playground on the north side of town |
| Orion Moreno | Moreno Agricultural Ranch | Speak to him inside his farmhouse north of Vegas |
| Doc Henry | Jacobstown | Complete the companion quest 'Guess Who I Saw Today' first |
After recruiting all five members, travel to the Remnants Bunker located in the mountains north of the Mojave Wasteland. Inside, the squad will hold a briefing. You must decide whether to support the NCR or Caesar's Legion during the upcoming battle.
If you decide to support the NCR, Orion Moreno will become hostile. You must either kill him or pass a Speech check of 80 to convince him to stand down. Once the conflict is resolved, speak to Judah Kreger. He will grant you the necessary training and hand over a pristine suit of Enclave armor.
Depending on your dialogue choices during this quest, Arcade Gannon may choose to fight alongside you or return to Freeside. If he returns to Freeside, he will gift you the highly protective Gannon Family Tesla Armor.
Power Armor Specifications and No-Training Alternatives
If you want the aesthetic of heavy armor but do not want to complete the lengthy faction questlines, you can utilize the NCR Salvaged Power Armor. This armor was stripped of its joint motors and hydraulic systems by NCR engineers so that regular soldiers could wear it without specialized training.
While the salvaged version does not require training, it suffers from several distinct disadvantages. It lacks the strength-enhancing properties of fully functional power armor, weighs significantly more, and offers slightly lower defensive stats.
T-45d Power Armor
- Defense: 22 Damage Threshold
- Attributes: +1 Strength, +10 Radiation Resistance, -2 Agility
- Faction: Brotherhood of Steel
T-51b Power Armor
- Defense: 25 Damage Threshold
- Attributes: +1 Strength, +25 Radiation Resistance, +1 Charisma
- Faction: Brotherhood of Steel
Remnants Power Armor
- Defense: 28 Damage Threshold
- Attributes: +1 Strength, +25 Radiation Resistance, -1 Charisma
- Faction: Enclave Remnants
For players seeking the ultimate defensive setup, the Remnants Power Armor is unmatched. It features the highest Damage Threshold in the entire game. However, its low durability means you will need to invest in the Jury Rigging perk or spend significant caps on repairs at vendors like Major Knight at the Mojave Outpost.
| Armor Model | Weight | DT | Training Required | Unique Attribute Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-45d Power Armor | 45 | 22 | Yes | +1 ST, +10 Rad Res, -2 AG |
| T-51b Power Armor | 40 | 25 | Yes | +1 ST, +25 Rad Res |
| Remnants Power Armor | 45 | 28 | Yes | +1 ST, +25 Rad Res, -1 CH |
| Gannon Family Tesla | 35 | 26 | Yes | +20 Energy Weapons, +20 Rad Res |
| NCR Salvaged Armor | 40 | 20 | No | No attribute bonuses, -2 Agility |
The Gannon Family Tesla Armor is classified as medium armor despite its high defense. This allows you to benefit from medium armor perks like Travel Light while enjoying near-maximum protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get Fallout New Vegas power armor training without joining the Brotherhood?
Yes. You can bypass the Brotherhood of Steel entirely by completing Arcade Gannon's companion quest, For Auld Lang Syne, which allows you to receive training from the Enclave Remnants.
Q: What happens if I destroy the Brotherhood of Steel before getting trained?
If you blow up the Hidden Valley bunker, you will lock yourself out of the Brotherhood training path. You will have to rely on Arcade Gannon's questline to obtain your training perk.
Q: Is there any power armor I can wear without training?
Yes, the NCR Salvaged Power Armor and the NCR Salvaged Power Helmet can be worn without any training. You can obtain these from NCR heavy troopers or safehouses.
Q: Can I do both questlines in a single playthrough?
Yes, you can complete both Still in the Dark and For Auld Lang Syne in the same playthrough to experience both stories and collect all unique armor sets.
If you are playing an energy weapons specialist, aim for the Enclave Remnants path to secure the Gannon Family Tesla Armor. For traditional ballistic and melee builds, the Brotherhood's T-51b suit offers excellent durability and protection.