Vaults play a significant role in the Fallout universe. Almost every player character in the series is a resident of a Vault. Each one is unique in its own way and many of them possess some rather sinister backstories. Vault 114, located beneath an old subway station in the Commonwealth, is no exception.
Discovering what happened to the inhabitants of a Vault is often like unraveling a mystery. Vault 114 has its own somewhat bizarre history the Sole Survivor can uncover. It also contains some useful items that players shouldn't overlook. It's important, particularly for new players, to know what lies in store for them inside Vault 114.
5 It Was Built For The Rich
The executives at Vault-Tec designated Vault 114 as a shelter that would only accept wealthy and influential citizens. Like the rest of its kind, Vault 114 was the subject of a peculiar social experiment. People who signed up to live in Vault 114 were given exaggerated details concerning the facility's luxury. In actuality, the residents would be forced to share many of the Vault's amenities and lodgings, something akin to a college dormitory. The goal was to observe how people who were used to being pampered would react to the new change in lifestyle.
Another caveat was thrown into the mix by Vault-Tec. Under normal circumstances, the overseer of a Vault was meant to be a dedicated and conscientious administrator. In Vault 114's case, however, Vault-Tec purposely sought out an inept overseer. A homeless man by the name of Soup Can Harry was given the position due to his total lack of experience in a leadership role. He also seemingly possessed a strong anti-authority attitude. The string-pullers at Vault-Tec wanted to gauge the residents' reaction to such a buffoon being in charge.
4 The Vault Was Never Finished
Alas, Vault-Tec's experiments would never come to fruition. Vault 114 was unable to admit anyone prior to the bombs being dropped. The facility itself wasn't completed in time due to it still being under construction in October 2077.
The social experiment planned for Vault 114 never took place as a result. A noticeable lack of audio logs and computer entries, features that litter most other Vaults, confirms that the Vault never served its intended purpose. Unused Vault 114 jumpsuits can be found all over the place. One computer terminal that can be found within the Vault implies that certain families did register to live there, but were never given the chance.
3 It's Overrun With Gangsters
Ironically, Vault 114 would later be used, but not in the way Vault-Tec imagined. Instead of housing Boston's rich and famous, it became the refuge for some of the Commonwealth's worst criminals. Gangsters known as the Triggermen have made Vault 114 their turf by the time the Sole Survivor awakens in 2287.
The gang is led by Skinny Malone, a two-bit hood who holds Nick Valentine captive. The player needs to infiltrate Vault 114 and rescue Nick as part of the "Unlikely Valentine" quest. As with most quests in Fallout 4 there are a few decisions the player can make regarding Skinny and his gang. The Triggermen can be convinced to let the Sole Survivor leave peacefully, or the player can shoot their way out of Vault 114 guns blazing.
2 Worthwhile Collectibles
Fallout 4 is bursting at the seams with collectibles, which can help buff the player's stats and attributes. Vault 114 contains two collectibles that are definitely worth picking up before leaving with Nick. The first is a Speech Bobblehead that can be found in the overseer's office where Nick is being held captive. Its effect is to give all vendors 100 extra caps when bartering, which is always a useful perk.
The second collectible is an Astoundingly Awesome Tales magazine, specifically Issue #8. It can be found laying on a white Vault-Tec crate leading down a blocked hallway. This particular magazine grants an additional 5 Action Points while in combat. As a side note, holotapes detailing the overseer hiring process from before the war can be found in the office.
1 The Vault Is Mentioned In The Prologue
This is actually a bit of an easter egg for players with a sharp sense of hearing. During the prologue sequence, when the world was still untouched by nuclear war, a television is playing in the background. The TV news anchor, when starting his bulletin, will mention Vault 114 and a few others.
The newscaster, referring to Vault-Tec, will state, "They report openings are still available in Vaults 81, 111, and 114." This further confirms that Vault 114 was still searching for viable candidates by the time the bombs dropped. The player character, later known as the Sole Survivor, ultimately becomes a resident of Vault 111 instead.