Custodial Compulsions: A Fallout 76 Quest Guide

"Custodial Compulsions" is a standalone quest in Fallout 76, introduced as part of the Atlantic City update. This quest offers players a unique narrative and gameplay experience, combining elements of mystery, cleanup tasks, and moral choices. To access this quest, players must first complete several prerequisite quests in the Atlantic City storyline.

Starting the Quest

To initiate "Custodial Compulsions," players need to complete the quests "Opportunity Knocking," "All the World's a Stage," and "Honor Bound" in the Russo questline. Once these are completed, a "Help Wanted" flyer becomes available at the Whitespring Refuge, which triggers the quest.

Quest Overview

Objective 1: Meet Saltwater Sam

After starting the quest, players must travel to Atlantic City and meet Saltwater Sam at Showman's Pier. Sam is involved in a mysterious incident and requires assistance with cleanup tasks. He is reluctant to provide details but mentions that things occasionally go awry during events hosted by the Showmen.

Objective 2: Cleanup Tasks

Upon arriving at Showman's Pier, players are tasked with cleaning up trash, wiping away blood from the stage, and gathering stage props. This is an opportunity to explore the area and uncover clues about what happened. An optional side quest allows players to delve deeper into the incident, revealing that a prop gun was replaced with a real one during a rehearsal, leading to a fatality.

Objective 3: Dispose of the Suspicious Trunk

After completing the cleanup, Sam instructs the player to dispose of a suspicious trunk in the ocean. The trunk has bloody scratch marks, hinting at its potentially gruesome contents.

Objective 4: Meet the Client

Following the trunk's disposal, Sam leads the player to meet a client. However, instead of a straightforward transaction, the player encounters a captive named Stratton. This reveals a darker side to Sam's activities, as he is involved in kidnapping and murder.

While completing quests like "Custodial Compulsions" in Fallout 76 can provide a rich narrative experience, earning Fallout 76 caps is essential for progressing through the game. Caps can be obtained by selling junk to vendors, trading items via vending machines, completing events, and discovering cap stashes. Additionally, farming specific locations like Lucky Hole Mine for materials to craft valuable items can also yield a significant amount of caps. These methods allow players to accumulate wealth and enhance their gameplay experience in Appalachia.

Moral Choices

The quest culminates in a moral dilemma where the player must choose between three options:

1. Take Payment and Leave: This option allows the player to complete the quest without further involvement in Sam's illegal activities.

2. Kill the Victim (Optional): Players can choose to kill Stratton, aligning with Sam's sinister plans.

3. Kill Sam (Optional): The most common choice is to eliminate Sam, stopping his criminal activities.

"Custodial Compulsions" offers a unique blend of exploration, mystery, and moral choice in Fallout 76. While the consequences of these choices are minimal in terms of the overall narrative, they provide a rich role-playing experience. The quest is a testament to the game's ability to weave complex stories within its vast open world.

Tips for Completing the Quest

• Complete Prerequisite Quests: Ensure you have completed "Opportunity Knocking," "All the World's a Stage," and "Honor Bound" before starting.

• Explore Thoroughly: Take time to collect all clues and holotapes for additional dialogue and insights.

• Manage Your Inventory: Be prepared to carry heavy items like the suspicious trunk by using carry weight boosters if necessary.

• Choose Your Path Wisely: Consider the moral implications of your choices, as they reflect your character's personality in the game.