Fallout 4’s The Lost Patrol: Guide, Lore and Quest Analysis

Starting the Quest

The Commonwealth wasteland in *Fallout 4* is a vast and unforgiving place. Dotted with ramshackle settlements, irradiated wildlife, and remnants of a bygone era, it’s a land ripe for exploration and fraught with danger at every turn. While the main quest line pulls you towards finding your missing son, the true heart of *Fallout 4* lies in its side quests, offering unique stories and glimpses into the lives (and afterlives) of its inhabitants. One of the most compelling of these is “The Lost Patrol,” a Brotherhood of Steel mission that tasks you with uncovering the fate of a missing reconnaissance squad. This article will serve as a guide to completing “The Lost Patrol”, as well as delve into the lore and thematic significance of this memorable quest, exploring the ideals and inherent cost of being part of the Brotherhood of Steel.

To embark on “The Lost Patrol” quest, you’ll first need to familiarize yourself with the Brotherhood of Steel and gain enough favor to access their missions. This typically involves finding the Prydwen, the massive airship that serves as the Brotherhood’s mobile base of operations in the Commonwealth. The Prydwen arrives in the skies above Boston Airport following the completion of the quest “Reunions,” a main story quest that takes you to Fort Hagen. Once it arrives, you’ll automatically tune into Military Frequency AF ninety-five, where you will hear a distress signal from Paladin Brandis.

Alternatively, if you stumble across the remains of Recon Team Bravo before reaching the Prydwen, you will automatically start the quest. Either way, the journey to uncover the fate of the missing patrol then begins.

Paladin Danse, a prominent figure within the Brotherhood of Steel, will likely task you with locating the squad. He expresses concern for their well-being and the potential loss of valuable technology they might be carrying. Danse will task you with following the path laid by the missing reconnaissance squad, and discovering what happened to them.

Quest Walkthrough

Following the path of Recon Team Bravo is the first step. The location is situated in the northern region of the Commonwealth, near the listening post Bravo.

You’ll find the location easily marked by a series of Brotherhood of Steel flags marking their path. Be prepared to encounter a variety of hostile creatures along the way. Ghouls, mutated dogs, and potentially even stronger enemies like Super Mutants could be lurking in the area.

Once you reach the location, you’ll likely find the remnants of a fierce firefight. Examine the area carefully. Look for bodies, spent ammunition, and any clues that might shed light on what happened. Key items to look for include Brotherhood of Steel dog tags and a holotape, which will provide audio logs and reveal the squad’s last known actions and location. This audio log will point you in the direction of Recon Team Charlie.

Recon Team Charlie’s location can be found south-west of Recon Team Bravo, along the coast. At this location, you’ll face even stiffer resistance. Be prepared for encounters with Mirelurks, Mirelurk Hunters, or even the fearsome Mirelurk Queen. Utilize cover and strategic positioning to overcome these challenges.

Like the previous location, thoroughly investigate the area. Look for similar clues: dog tags, bodies, and another holotape. The information gleaned from this location will be crucial in pinpointing the final location of the lost patrol.

Recon Team Alpha’s location is not far from the location of Recon Team Charlie. You will find the remaining member of Recon Team Alpha inside a small storage unit.

Sergeant Astlin is the only survivor of Recon Team Alpha. Be aware that Astlin is not in a good state of mind.

Engaging with Astlin will reveal the horrors he witnessed and the trauma he endured. He describes a brutal ambush, the loss of his comrades, and the psychological toll the experience has taken on him. His mental state is fragile, and he is plagued by guilt and PTSD.

At this point, you’ll face a difficult moral decision. Astlin begs you to end his suffering. You can choose to grant his wish or convince him to return to the Brotherhood. Regardless of your choice, ensure you retrieve his dog tags and any other valuable items from the location.

Returning to Paladin Danse

After uncovering the fate of the lost patrol, you must return to Paladin Danse on the Prydwen. Reporting your findings will conclude the quest.

The rewards for completing “The Lost Patrol” will vary depending on your choices throughout the quest. You’ll receive experience points and increased standing with the Brotherhood of Steel, as with most quests. However, the items you receive and the specific dialogue options available will be influenced by whether you helped Astlin or granted him his request. Either way, completing the quest contributes to your overall progress with the faction and opens up further opportunities for advancement within their ranks.

The Brotherhood’s Ideals and Their Cost

The Brotherhood of Steel is a complex and often controversial faction within the *Fallout* universe. They believe in preserving pre-war technology and preventing it from falling into the wrong hands. They see themselves as guardians of humanity, protecting the wasteland from the dangers of unchecked technological advancement.

However, their rigid ideology and military structure can lead to fanaticism and questionable decisions. They often prioritize technology over human life, viewing outsiders with suspicion and distrust. This is evident in “The Lost Patrol” quest. The Brotherhood sent a team to what appeared to be a safe location, but were ill equipped for a potential ambush. In their zeal to recover technology and expand their influence, they sent a team into the unknown. The outcome of Recon Team Alpha’s mission is indicative of the fact that, sometimes, the Brotherhood can value technology more than the soldiers under its charge. The Brotherhood’s focus on technology and their strict adherence to their code can create a culture of immense pressure on its members. Soldiers are expected to follow orders without question and to uphold the Brotherhood’s ideals at all costs. This can lead to psychological strain, particularly when faced with the brutal realities of the wasteland. “The Lost Patrol” highlights this pressure. Sergeant Astlin’s descent into PTSD is a direct result of the horrors he witnessed while trying to fulfill his duty to the Brotherhood. The cost of their ideals is measured in the psychological toll on their soldiers.

Recon Team Alpha: A Case Study in PTSD

Sergeant Astlin is the heart and soul of “The Lost Patrol.” He is not just a quest NPC. He is a character struggling with the aftermath of trauma. His dialogue is filled with fragmented memories, expressions of guilt, and a palpable sense of despair. He is haunted by the faces of his fallen comrades and the decisions he made during the ambush.

His mental state is a stark reminder of the human cost of war. *Fallout 4* often focuses on the external dangers of the wasteland but “The Lost Patrol” provides a powerful glimpse into the internal battles fought by those who have survived its horrors.

Astlin’s desire to end his life is not presented as a simple desire to escape the wasteland. It is a complex manifestation of PTSD. He believes he has failed his comrades, his mission, and the Brotherhood of Steel. The guilt and trauma have become unbearable, and he sees death as the only escape from his suffering. The final choice you face in this quest is not about the right or wrong path, but rather whether to end a life or to risk Astlin’s life further.

Conclusion

“The Lost Patrol” is more than just a fetch quest. It’s a microcosm of the *Fallout 4*’s exploration of morality, duty, and the lasting impact of war. As a player, guiding yourself through the map in search of the Recon Team Alpha allows you to take on the role of both a warrior and a humanitarian.

By uncovering the fate of the missing patrol, you learn about the ideals and limitations of the Brotherhood of Steel. You witness the psychological toll of war on individual soldiers, and you are forced to make a difficult moral decision that has lasting consequences.

The themes explored in this *Fallout 4* quest resonate far beyond the Commonwealth wasteland, making “The Lost Patrol” a story that lingers in the mind long after the quest is complete. Its exploration of PTSD, duty, and the complexities of human nature contribute to its status as one of the most memorable and thought-provoking side quests in *Fallout 4*.