List of Random Encounters

Explore the world of Fallout 3 with our guide to random encounters. From fighting creatures to meeting unique NPCs, find out what awaits you in the Wasteland.

Walkthrough:

1. Ants: Encounter a pair or trio of Giant Ants near a radioactive barrel.
2. Ants and a Giant Radscorpion: Witness several Giant Ants fighting a Giant Radscorpion; the Scorpion usually wins.
3. Ben Canning: Meet Ben Canning, a beggar who asks for water. If given, he may appear with merchants but offers no goods.
4. Brahmin Walking: Observe two Brahmin wandering the area.
5. Chinese Commando: Find a Dead Chinese Commando with minor loot after receiving a Pip-Boy 3000 message about a Chinese Radio Beacon.
6. Dead Scavenger (Fat Man): Discover a dead Scavenger carrying a Fat Man launcher and a Mini Nuke.
7. Dead Scavenger (Merchant): Find a dead Scavenger with a full merchant inventory.
8. Deathclaw and Brotherhood Outcasts: Encounter three Brotherhood Outcasts fighting a Deathclaw.
9. Deathclaw Gauntlet: Find a Deathclaw over a dead Wasteland Settler who possesses the Schematic - Deathclaw Gauntlet.
10. Dog Pack: Come across a pack of Vicious Dogs that have killed a Wastelander.
11. Enclave Soldier: Encounter an Enclave Soldier in the Wasteland; loot their gear after defeating them.
12. Firelance: Witness an alien object explode, scattering Alien Power Cells and dropping the Firelance pistol.
13. Ghoul Wastelanders: Find a trio of Ghouls by a fire discussing the Underworld and marking it on your map.
14. Hit Squad: Be attacked by a trio of Hitmen (Talon Company Mercenaries) if Mister Burke is displeased, which can happen by killing him or generally causing trouble in Megaton.
15. Hunters: Observe a Hunter or Hunters attempting to take down an animal like a Giant Ant, Vicious Dog, or Yao Guai.
16. Mad Brahmin: Encounter two hostile Mad Brahmin and kill them for steaks.
17. Massacre at Megaton: (Requires Broken Steel DLC) Witness Megaton Settlers confront the Brotherhood of Steel over water. You can intervene with Speech checks to prevent violence and gain karma, or side with either group.
18. Mugger Mel: Be confronted by Mel, who attempts to rob you with a Sawed Off Shotgun. Use Speech or SPECIAL checks to deter him.
19. Laszlo Radford: Find Laszlo Radford in leather armor wielding a Railway Rifle.
20. Oasis Merchant: Encounter a merchant who speaks of the Wasteland's life before dying; a note on him mentions the Oasis.
21. Outcast Patrol: Come across a group of Brotherhood Outcasts patrolling the Wastes.
22. Protectron Scavenger: Find a Scavenger looting a Protectron. They become hostile if you attempt to loot it and may have a Yao Guai pet.
23. Radroach Feast: Discover Radroaches near a dead Wastelander with a diverse inventory.
24. Raider Bomb: A person approaches you stating Raiders strapped an explosive to them. Attempt to disarm it to prevent their death.
25. Raider Initiation: Witness Raiders performing an initiation ceremony by beating up another Raider, often occurring near the Super-Duper Mart.
26. Rude Landmines: Encounter landmines that cannot be disarmed.
27. Sam Warrick: Be targeted by Sam Warrick, who uses a Sniper Rifle.
28. Scavenger and Mr. Handy: Find a Scavenger with a malfunctioning Mr. Handy. A high Repair skill can yield Mentats, and you can choose to repair or disable the robot, with consequences for the Scavenger's reaction. Repairing yields two Energy Cells.
29. Scavenger and Pet: Encounter a Scavenger and their pet dog or Yao Guai selling items. One may offer a Nuka-Cola Quantum for 100 Caps, reducible to 50 Caps with a Speech check, and reveals the Girdershade map marker.
30. Scavenger and Pets: Find a Scavenger with their pet dog or Yao Guai, and a Brahmin, who are also selling items.
31. Slaver Envy: If you bring slaves to Paradise Falls, rival slavers may attack you, jealous of your standing with Eulogy.
32. Slave Escort: Encounter a slaver with slaves. A high Science skill allows you to remove the slaves' collars for karma, making the slaver hostile.
33. Super Mutant and Raider Shootout: Between Farragut West Metro Station and Anchorage Memorial, Raiders on the eastern shore are shot at by Super Mutants arriving on the western shore.
34. Uncle Leo: Meet Uncle Leo, an unarmed, non-hostile Super Mutant who shares information about his kind.
35. Vault Emissary: If you sided with Amata in