- Fallout New Vegas power armor requires specialized training before your character can equip and benefit from it.
- Brotherhood of Steel offers the earliest training path via Hidden Valley bunker quests.
- Enclave Remnants provide late-game training and the strongest armor via Arcade Gannon's quest.
- NCR Salvaged Power Armor is the only variant wearable without any training, though it lacks stat bonuses.
Unlocking Fallout New Vegas Power Armor Training
Power armor represents the ultimate defensive gear in the Mojave Wasteland, offering unparalleled Damage Threshold (DT) and unique stat boosts. However, unlike earlier titles, you cannot simply pick up a suit and wear it immediately. You must first secure specialized training from one of the few factions that still retain pre-war military knowledge.
There are two primary factions capable of teaching you how to operate this heavy machinery: the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave Remnants. Each path involves a distinct set of quests, faction alignments, and moral choices.
Video Highlights:
- Brotherhood Route: Requires completing a series of fetch quests for Elder McNamara in Hidden Valley.
- Enclave Route: Triggered through Arcade Gannon's companion quest "For Auld Lang Syne" near the end of the game.
- Alternative Option: Learn how to utilize NCR Salvaged Power Armor without training.
While both pathways grant the same perk, the journey to unlock them is vastly different. Below is a quick comparison of the training methods available in the game to help you decide which route fits your current build and roleplay preferences.
| Faction | Key Contact | Quest Name | Reward Suit | Training Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brotherhood of Steel | Elder McNamara | Still in the Dark | T-45d Power Armor | Yes |
| Enclave Remnants | Arcade Gannon | For Auld Lang Syne | Remnants Power Armor | Yes |
| New California Republic | Major Elizabeth | None (Quartermaster) | NCR Salvaged Armor | No |
Recruiting Veronica Santangelo at the 188 Trading Post allows you to bypass the hostile security measures at the Hidden Valley bunker, saving you from a forced explosive collar sequence.
The Brotherhood of Steel Questline
The Brotherhood of Steel is the most straightforward faction to approach for training. They reside in the Hidden Valley bunker complex, located east of Sloan. The area is surrounded by sandstorms and bark scorpions, making navigation tricky. Look for the bunker door marked with "ban the bomb" graffiti to find the correct entrance.
If you enter without Veronica, the Brotherhood will strip you of your gear and place an explosive collar on your neck. You will be forced to deal with an NCR Ranger stationed in a nearby bunker. Once cleared, or if you brought Veronica along, you will gain access to Elder McNamara and begin the lengthy quest "Still in the Dark."
Find the Missing Patrols
Elder McNamara will task you with locating three missing Brotherhood patrols. You must retrieve holotapes from dead paladins located at the REPCONN Headquarters, near the Black Mountain path, and close to Camp Forlorn Hope.
Gather Scout Reports
After returning the tapes, you must travel across the Mojave to gather field reports from three hidden Brotherhood scouts. These scouts are positioned near major faction hubs, including Camp McCarran, HELIOS One, and the Nevada Highway Patrol Station.
Salvage Vault Components
The bunker's air filtration system is failing. You must venture into three dangerous vaults to recover replacement parts: Vault 11 (air filter cartridges), Vault 3 (pulse generator), and Vault 22 (diffuser cartridges). Be prepared to fight spore carriers, fiends, and security robots.
Install the Black Mountain Transmitter
The final task requires you to head to the mutant-infested peak of Black Mountain. Sneak or fight your way to the second floor of the radio building, unlock the terminal, and install the remote monitoring device.
Upon completing these tasks, speak to Elder McNamara. He will officially induct you into the Brotherhood of Steel, grant you the Power Armor Training perk, and gift you a refurbished suit of T-45d Power Armor.
| Vault Location | Primary Threat | Required Item | Recommended Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vault 3 | Fiends / Motor-Runner | Pulse Generator | 10+ |
| Vault 11 | Security Turrets / Sentry Bots | Diffuser Cartridges | 15+ |
| Vault 22 | Spore Carriers / Mantises | Air Filter Cartridges | 8+ |
During the quest, Paladin Hardin will ask you to help him overthrow Elder McNamara. Siding with Hardin is possible, but it delays your training. Hardin will only grant training after you complete his personal questline once he becomes Elder.
The Enclave Remnants Questline
For players looking for the absolute best armor in the game, the Enclave Remnants route is highly recommended. This route is unlocked via Arcade Gannon, a companion found at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside. To trigger his personal quest, "For Auld Lang Syne," you must earn his trust and progress far enough into the main storyline.
To earn Arcade's trust, you need to accumulate "history points" by traveling to locations that trigger dialogue about his past or the Enclave. Helpful locations include the crashed Vertibird, HELIOS One, and the Silver Rush in Freeside. Choose dialogue options that favor independent Mojave progression or support the Followers of the Apocalypse.
Recruit Arcade Gannon
Visit the Old Mormon Fort. You can recruit Arcade by having a high Speech skill, using the Confirmed Bachelor perk, or having a high reputation with the Followers of the Apocalypse.
Progress the Main Quest
You must advance the main story to the point where the battle for Hoover Dam is imminent. This means progressing Yes Man's, Mr. House's, or the NCR's questlines to their final stages. Note that Arcade will not trigger this quest if you side fully with Caesar's Legion.
Recruit the Five Remnants
Arcade will ask you to locate and recruit five former Enclave members scattered across the desert. You must visit each individual and convince them to meet at the Remnants Bunker.
Resolve the Bunker Dispute
Once all five are gathered at the Remnants Bunker, you must decide whether they should support the NCR or Caesar's Legion at Hoover Dam. If you choose the NCR, you must pacify Orion Moreno with a high Speech check or defeat him in combat.
After resolving the political dispute in the bunker, Judah Kreger or Arcade Gannon will provide you with the Power Armor Training perk. Additionally, you will receive Daisy Whitman's old suit of Remnants Power Armor, or the highly coveted Gannon Family Tesla Armor.
| Remnant Member | Wasteland Location | Recruitment Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Daisy Whitman | Novac | Ask about her history as a Vertibird pilot |
| Cannibal Johnson | Cannibal Johnson's Cave | Respect his isolated lifestyle |
| Judah Kreger | Westside | Convince him to fight one last battle |
| Orion Moreno | Moreno Agricultural Ranch | Remind him of his past duty |
| Dr. Henry | Jacobstown | Complete the quest "Guess Who I Saw Today" first |
If you wish to side with Caesar's Legion but still want Enclave training, you must trigger Arcade's quest before making your final, irreversible alliance with Caesar. Consult the Official Fallout Wiki for advanced sequence-breaking methods.
Best Power Armor Suits and Stats
Once you have secured training, you will want to seek out the best possible protection. The Mojave Wasteland contains several distinct models of power armor, each tailored to different playstyles and character builds.
The Remnants Power Armor offers the absolute highest Damage Threshold in the base game, making you virtually unkillable. However, it is incredibly heavy and degrades quickly. For energy weapon builds, the Gannon Family Tesla Armor is the superior choice, offering a massive boost to energy weapon skills while weighing significantly less.
Remnants Power Armor
- Damage Threshold: 28
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Bonuses: +1 Strength, +15 Radiation Resistance, -1 Charisma
Gannon Family Tesla
- Damage Threshold: 26
- Weight: 35 lbs
- Bonuses: +1 Strength, +20 Radiation Resistance, +10 Energy Weapons
T-51b Power Armor
- Damage Threshold: 25
- Weight: 40 lbs
- Bonuses: +1 Strength, +25 Radiation Resistance
If you do not want to go through the lengthy questlines to get training, the NCR Salvaged Power Armor is a decent stopgap. The NCR stripped the joint motors and microfusion packs from captured Brotherhood armor, turning them into heavy metal suits that do not require training. However, this stripping process removed all stat bonuses and increased the overall weight.
| Armor Set | Damage Threshold | Weight Class | Stat Modifiers | Training Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remnants Power Armor | 28 | Heavy | +1 STR, +15 Rad Res, -1 CHA | Yes |
| Gannon Family Tesla | 26 | Medium | +1 STR, +20 Rad Res, +10 Energy | Yes |
| T-51b Power Armor | 25 | Heavy | +1 STR, +25 Rad Res | Yes |
| T-45d Power Armor | 22 | Heavy | +2 STR, +10 Rad Res, -2 AGI | Yes |
| NCR Salvaged Armor | 20 | Heavy | None | No |
Power Armor Acquisition Checklist:
- Obtain Power Armor Training from Brotherhood or Enclave
- Locate the Remnants Power Armor at the Deathclaw Promontory
- Retrieve the Remnants Helmet from the Silver Peak Mine
- Purchase a backup T-51b set from the Hidden Valley Armory
- Acquire the Jury Rigging perk to easily repair heavy armor sets
Note that the Gannon Family Tesla Armor is classified as Medium armor, allowing you to benefit from perks like travel Light and active speed boosts, unlike the heavy variants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you get Fallout New Vegas power armor training without joining the Brotherhood?
Yes. You can bypass the Brotherhood completely by recruiting Arcade Gannon and completing the Enclave Remnants questline, which awards the training perk near the end of the game.
Q: Where is the best place to find free power armor in the Mojave?
The best free set is the Remnants Power Armor, located at the unmarked Deathclaw Promontory across the Colorado River, east of Cliffside Prospector Camp. Be prepared to fight dozens of Deathclaws.
Q: Does the NCR Salvaged Power Armor require training?
No. The NCR Salvaged Power Armor has had its motorized joints removed, meaning it functions as standard heavy armor and does not require the Power Armor Training perk to wear.
Q: Can I get training if I destroy the Hidden Valley bunker?
If you blow up the Hidden Valley bunker before getting training from the Brotherhood, your only remaining option to wear standard power armor is to complete Arcade Gannon's quest with the Enclave Remnants.
Power armor is expensive to maintain at standard vendors. Taking the Jury Rigging perk at Level 14 allows you to repair power armor using cheap heavy armor options like metal armor, saving you thousands of caps.