Where is Fallout 76 set?

Fallout 76 is set squarely in the heart of Appalachia, an area known in real life as West Virginia. The game‘s vast open world is Bethesda Game Studio‘s take on the Mountain State set 25 years after the bombs fell in 2077. Keep reading for everything you need to know about Fallout 76‘s wild, wonderful West Virginia!

Choosing the Setting

According to interviews, Bethesda selected West Virginia as the setting after references to Appalachia in Fallout 3 and player feedback asking to see more of the region. The studio sent developers on research trips to scout locations and soak up local legends that ultimately shaped the tone and quests of Fallout 76.

"It‘s an area we‘ve never been to in Fallout before, and allowed us to do some different things with the game," said Project Lead Jeff Gardiner in a Making Of documentary. The rich folklore and eccentricities of West Virginia proved fertile ground for Fallout‘s signature Americana and touches of the bizarre.

The Lay of the Apocalyptic Land

Fallout 76‘s map encompasses a wide swatch of West Virginia alongside bits of neighboring states. Using the real world as a foundation, Bethesda crafted a post-nuclear Appalachia rife with familiar Fallout monsters and environments:

Here are some of Appalachia‘s major regions:

The Forest: Lush woodlands surrounding Vault 76 perfect for low level players to get their bearings. Watch out for Scorched hiding among the trees!

Toxic Valley: Bleak industrial area choked with pollutants, Grafton monsters and other irradiated Fallout nasties.

Savage Divide: High elevation mountainous zone running down the center of the map, separating the two sides. Prepare for volatile weather patterns!

The Mire: Swampy basin filled with overgrown vegetation and horrors like anglers – one of 76‘s toughest enemies. It lives up to its unsettling name.

Cranberry Bog: Marshes and bogs dense with cranberry plants, home to the monstrous Scorchbeasts first unleashed from the ill-fated Vault-Tec lab beneath the terrain.

A Pivotal Period in Fallout History

Fallout 76 gives players a firsthand look at Appalachia in the wake of the 2077 nuclear attack that altered the series‘ universe forever. The game takes place in 2102, so we get to experience the fresh devstation and chaos as survivors emerge from their shelters to face a changed world.

As one of the legendary "Vault Dwellers" from Vault 76, users witness the new difficulties and dangers facing Appalachia‘s fledging communities. Hostile factions vie for territory while the notorious Scorched plague spreads, transforming humans into aggressive ghouls.

This period also marked the rise of pivotal groups like the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave that would shape Fallout lore for decades to come. So Appalachia‘s role cannot be overstated even if coastal cities like Washington D.C., Boston and Los Angeles dominated later episodes.

A Familiar Yet New Wasteland

Veteran Fallout fans will find plenty that‘s familiar about West Virginia‘s retro-futurist nuclear wasteland. Rusted robots, faded Americana, bizarre mutated beasts and struggling survivors facing tough choices – the series‘ hallmarks are out in full force.

Yet the Appalachian terrain coupled with fresh early postwar chaos bring exciting opportunities. The sprawling wilderness feels more savage and provides freedom to roam off the beaten quest paths. Public events like fighting the Scorchbeast Queen or seasonal holiday celebrations foster cooperative play. And CAMP bases let users construct their dream Wasteland homes almost anywhere they desire.

While stylistically consistent with past games, Fallout 76 crafts a distinctly rugged and raw atomic wilderness. This makes for memorable adventures whether braving Appalachia solo or banding together with the colorful characters you‘ll meet along the way.

So come give West Virginia a try if you haven‘t already! Just watch out for the mega sloths.