The Power of the Atom

Upon arriving in Megaton, speak with Lucas Simms. Ask about the bomb and offer to disarm it. You can use a Speech challenge to increase his initial 100 Cap offer to 500 Caps.

Ask Lucas Simms about your dad; he will direct you to Moriarty.

Head west past the Sheriff's house and up a ramp to the Water Processing Plant to find Walter. Accept his quest to fix leaky pipes.

Fix the first leaky pipe south of the entrance (requires Repair 30).

Fix the second leaky pipe up the stairs southeast of the bomb.

Fix the third leaky pipe on the roof of the Children of the Atom building. From Craterside Supply, head east and look below the Power of the Atom globe. Jump from the Craterside Supply platform to the roof.

Return to Walter to report the fixed pipes. You will receive 100 XP and 200 Caps. He will also offer to buy Scrap Metal for Caps.

Go to Moriarty's Saloon. Speak with Lucy West to receive the quest "Blood Ties."

Find Mister Burke to the right of the entrance. He will ask you to detonate the bomb. You can use a Speech challenge to get an extra 500 Caps, or use the Black Widow perk to convince him to leave Megaton alone.

If you fail the Speech check or don't have the perk, ask Burke what to do if you can't set the charge; he will mention Leo Stahl.

Wait until nightfall and go to the Water Treatment Plant to find Leo Stahl. Use Speech checks to convince him to get off drugs, earning 100 XP and the key to his stash (meds and over 100 Caps).

Choose how to deal with the bomb:

• Tattle on Mister Burke: Tell Lucas Simms about Burke's plan. Lucas will confront Burke, who will then shoot Lucas. You can intervene and kill Burke before he shoots Lucas. If Lucas lives, disarm the bomb for your reward and acquire Burke's Scoped .44 Magnum and clothes. This path, combined with getting Leo off drugs and killing Burke, yields the most rewards.

Disarm the Bomb: Disarm the bomb yourself. Speak to Lucas Simms for your reward of 100 Caps (or 500 with Speech) and 300 XP. You will also receive a home in Megaton.

Plant the Pulse Charge: If your Explosives skill is below 25, see Leo Stahl for drugs (Mentats can boost Perception and Explosives skill). With at least 25 Explosives, plant the Pulse Charge on the bomb. Meet Burke in Tenpenny Tower (south-west of Megaton). Go to the Penthouse Suites and then the balcony to activate the remote detonator. You will receive 300 XP, 500 Caps (or 1000 with Black Widow or Speech), and a Penthouse in Tenpenny Tower.

If you sided with Mister Burke, consider completing all Megaton quests and collecting the Bobblehead - Strength before detonating the bomb, as it becomes unobtainable afterward.

If you act against Mister Burke (kill him, disarm the bomb, or convince him to leave), he will send Hitmen (Talon Company Mercenaries) after you later as a random encounter.

Acquire your home: either your house in Megaton (if you disarmed the bomb) or the suite in Tenpenny Tower (if you detonated the bomb). The Tenpenny suite requires a Big Book of Science, while the Megaton house requires Nikola Tesla and You. Both locations can yield a Lying, Congressional Style book.