Establishing reliable supply lines is crucial in Fallout 4’s post-apocalyptic wasteland, where resources are scarce and the struggle for survival is constant. By linking settlements across the Commonwealth, you can create a network that ensures a steady flow of essential goods and services, empowering your settlements to thrive and withstand the challenges of the harsh environment.
The process of setting up supply lines begins with identifying the settlements you want to connect. Each settlement has its own unique set of resources and capabilities, so it’s important to consider the specific needs of each community. Once you have selected the settlements, you will need to assign a provisioner to each one. Provisioners are NPCs who travel between settlements, transporting resources and facilitating trade. To assign a provisioner, simply speak to the settlement’s workshop and select the “Manage Provisioners” option.
Once you have assigned provisioners, they will begin to travel between settlements, automatically transferring resources and building up a shared inventory. The frequency of these transfers will depend on the distance between the settlements and the number of provisioners assigned to each route. You can monitor the efficiency of your supply lines by checking the Workshop menu of each settlement. By optimizing your supply lines, you can ensure that all your settlements have access to the resources and supplies they need to prosper.
Choosing the Right Settlements for Supply Lines
When establishing supply lines in Fallout 4, selecting suitable settlements is crucial for efficient resource management. Consider the following factors to optimize your network:
Proximity and Resources
Choose settlements that are relatively close together to minimize travel time for provisioners. Consider the resources available in each settlement, ensuring they complement each other. For instance, a settlement with abundant food production could support one with a higher population or industrial output.
Strategic Importance
Identify settlements that hold strategic importance in terms of their location or access to key resources. Secure these settlements to protect your supply lines from raiders or hostile factions. Consider the terrain and potential choke points when establishing routes to avoid vulnerable areas.
Connectivity
Establish a network that connects multiple settlements, rather than isolated pairs. This creates redundancy and ensures that resources can flow smoothly even if a single settlement is compromised. Plan routes that minimize the need for provisioners to cross dangerous or hostile terrain.
| Factor | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Proximity | Minimize travel time for provisioners |
| Resources | Complement the resources available in each settlement |
| Strategic Importance | Protect key resources and choke points |
| Connectivity | Create a resilient network that minimizes disruption |
Connecting Settlements via Workbenches
To connect settlements, you need to build a workbench in each one. Once you’ve built a workbench in a settlement, you can use it to manage the settlement’s resources, assign settlers to jobs, and build structures. You can also use workbenches to connect settlements to each other, creating a network of supply lines.
To connect two settlements, you need to build a supply line between them. To do this, you need to select the workbench in one settlement and then choose the “Connect” option. You’ll then need to select the workbench in the other settlement. Once you’ve selected both workbenches, you’ll need to confirm the connection. Once you’ve confirmed the connection, the two settlements will be connected by a supply line.
Supply lines allow you to share resources between settlements. This can be very useful, as it allows you to move resources from settlements that have a surplus to settlements that need them. Supply lines also allow settlers to travel between settlements, which can be useful for moving workers to settlements that need them.
| Resource | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Food | Increases settlement happiness and population growth |
| Water | Increases settlement happiness and population growth |
| Power | Allows for the construction of advanced structures and defenses |
| Beds | Increases settlement population growth |
| Defense | Protects settlement from attacks by raiders and other hostiles |
Utilizing Supply Routes and Caravans
Establishing Supply Routes
To establish a supply route, interact with the workbench in any settlement and select “Manage.” From the menu, choose “Supply Routes” and assign a settler to a route. This settler will then travel between designated settlements, carrying goods and resources.
Assigning Settlers to Routes
* Requirements: Settlers must be at or above Level 2 to be assigned to a supply route.
* Benefits: Assigned settlers gain experience in Charisma, which improves their ability to convince others to join their settlement.
* Restrictions: Only one settler can be assigned to a particular supply route.
Managing Caravans
Caravans operate similarly to supply routes, but they are designed for long-distance travel and trading. To establish a caravan, interact with the workbench in a settlement and select “Caravans.”
Creating and Dispatching Caravans
* Requirements: A settlement with a population of at least 10 and a provisioner of at least Level 10.
* Benefits: Caravans generate caps for your settlements and can help you acquire rare resources.
* Restrictions: Caravans can only travel to settlements that are connected by a trade network.
Tips for Effective Supply Lines
* Optimize Resource Management: Use supply routes and caravans to distribute resources evenly among your settlements.
* Increase Settlement Happiness: Well-supplied settlements have higher happiness levels, which improves productivity and attracts new settlers.
* Secure Supply Routes: Protect your supply routes from raiders and other threats by placing turrets and patrols along the way.
Assigning Settlers to Supply Lines
Once you have established a supply line between two settlements, you can assign settlers to transport resources between them. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the settlement where you want to assign a settler to a supply line.
- Talk to the settler you want to assign.
- Select the “Assign” option.
- Select the “Supply Line” option.
- Select the destination settlement for the supply line.
- The settler will now be assigned to the supply line and will start transporting resources between the two settlements.
You can assign multiple settlers to a supply line, which will increase the amount of resources that are transported between the two settlements. However, each settler that you assign to a supply line will require food and water, so make sure that you have enough resources to support them.
Here are some additional tips for assigning settlers to supply lines:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Assign settlers with high Endurance. | Settlers with high Endurance will be able to carry more resources, which will increase the efficiency of your supply line. |
| Assign settlers who are not assigned to other tasks. | Settlers who are assigned to other tasks, such as farming or scavenging, will not be able to transport resources as efficiently. |
| Create a dedicated supply line network. | By creating a dedicated supply line network, you can ensure that all of your settlements have access to the resources they need. |
Establishing Safe and Efficient Routes
Choosing the Right Paths
Select pathways that minimize obstacles, such as enemies, radiation, and difficult terrain. Consider using roads, bridges, and other infrastructure whenever possible.
Establishing Rally Points
Designate intermediate locations along the supply line as rally points. These serve as safe havens for provisioners and checkpoints for you. Establish turrets or other defensive measures at rally points.
Staggering Provisioner Shipments
Assign multiple provisioners to the same supply line but stagger their departure times. This ensures a steady flow of supplies while reducing the risk of all provisioners being attacked simultaneously.
Establishing Secondary Routes
Create alternative pathways as backup in case the primary route becomes obstructed. Secondary routes should be as secure and efficient as possible.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Regularly check provisioner status and supply line efficiency. Use the "Provisioners" tab in the Pip-Boy to track their locations and progress. If a provisioner encounters difficulties, respond promptly to resolve the issue.
| Measure | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Minimizing obstacles | Reduces risk of attacks and delays. |
| Establishing rally points | Provides safe havens and checkpoints. |
| Staggering shipments | Ensures a steady supply flow and reduces vulnerability. |
| Establishing secondary routes | Provides backup in case of primary route obstruction. |
| Monitoring and troubleshooting | Ensures efficient operation and timely resolution of issues. |
Maximizing Resource Transportation
Establishing Optimal Supply Routes
Plan efficient routes that minimize travel time and distance between settlements. Consider factors such as terrain, enemy encounters, and potential scavenging opportunities along the way.
Prioritizing Resource Allocation
Identify settlements with abundant resources and assign them as production hubs. Conversely, settlements with limited resources can be designated as recipients.
Utilizing Pack Animals
Assign pack animals, such as brahmin or dogs, to transport large quantities of resources. Their higher carrying capacity allows for efficient movement of bulk items.
Matching Resource Needs
Match the resources produced by settlements to the needs of others. For example, a settlement producing food can supply a settlement that specializes in weapon production.
Regular Supply Runs
Schedule regular supply runs to maintain a steady flow of resources. This ensures that all settlements have access to essential supplies and reduces the risk of resource shortages.
Optimized Caravan Management
Assign skilled companions with high charisma and agility to lead supply caravans. Their traits enhance the efficiency of transportation, minimize travel time, and protect against potential threats along the way.
Maintaining and Troubleshooting Supply Lines
Maintaining supply lines is crucial for the smooth flow of resources and trade in Fallout 4. Here are the key steps to keep them running efficiently:
Monitor Trade Routes and Settlers
Regularly check the assigned trade routes of provisioners and ensure the settlers are alive and well. Dead settlers or pathfinding issues can disrupt supply lines.
Clear Obstacles and Threats
Remove any obstacles, such as rubble, enemies, or environmental hazards, that may hinder the provisioners’ progress along their routes.
Verify Supply Lines and Linked Settlements
Ensure that all supply lines are properly established between the desired settlements and that there are no broken or invalid connections.
Assign Multiple Provisioners
To increase reliability, consider assigning multiple provisioners to each supply line. This provides redundancy in case one is injured or encountered with obstacles.
Check Supply Line Routes
Manually walk the supply line routes to identify any potential issues, such as dangerous areas or difficult terrain that may cause delays.
Use Supply Line Icons
The map interface displays supply line icons. Utilize these to quickly identify and troubleshoot any issues related to route disruptions or missing provisioners.
Troubleshooting Common Supply Line Problems
If you encounter supply line issues, here are some common problems and their potential solutions:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Provisioners are not moving | Check for obstacles, threats, or long paths. |
| Supplies are not being delivered | Verify supply line connections, check settler inventory, and ensure provisioners are alive. |
| Settlements are not connected | Establish supply lines between the desired settlements and assign provisioners. |
| Inventory is not shared | Ensure that the settlements linked by the supply lines have the appropriate workshop connections. |
| Provisioners are being attacked | Protect the provisioners by escorting them, building guard posts, or eliminating threats. |
| Supply lines are not showing | Check if the provisioners are assigned and the supply lines are active. |
Increasing Carry Weight
Carry weight is a major constraint in Fallout 4, both in terms of hauling loot and managing supply lines. Fortunately, mods like “Carry Weight Plus” and “Weightless Junk” exist to alleviate this problem. Carry Weight Plus increases your base carry weight by a significant amount, while Weightless Junk removes the weight from certain junk items, such as cloth and duct tape.
Fast Travel Anywhere
The ability to fast travel anywhere in the Commonwealth greatly enhances the efficiency of managing supply lines. With mods like “Everywhere Fast Travel,” you can fast travel from any location to any other, regardless of whether you’ve discovered it or not. This saves countless hours of trekking back and forth and allows you to quickly resupply settlements in need.
Settlement Management
Mods like “Settlement Management Menu” and “Sim Settlements 2” provide a range of tools to improve the management of your settlements. They allow you to quickly assign settlers to jobs, customize building placement, and automate the production of resources. This streamlines the process of setting up and maintaining supply lines.
Map Markers
Mods like “Map Markers” add customizable markers to your in-game map. This allows you to easily mark the locations of supply hubs, settlements, and resources. The ability to see these markers on the map helps you plan efficient routes and identify areas that need additional supplies.
Trading
Mods like “Extended Trading Menu” and “Trade Routes” enhance the trading system in Fallout 4. They allow you to set up trade routes between settlements, automatically exchanging goods and resources. This automation reduces the need for manual management and ensures that your settlements have a steady supply of needed items.
Warehouse Management
Mods like “Warehouse” and “Scrap Everything” provide tools for managing the inventory of your settlements. They allow you to designate specific containers as storage areas, transfer items between containers, and scrap unwanted items. This keeps your settlements organized and ensures that resources are stored efficiently.
Improved Pathfinding
Mods like “Improved Pathfinding” and “Path Finding Fix” improve the way NPCs navigate the game world. This includes supply line provisioners, who will be able to find and use the most efficient routes between settlements. Better pathfinding reduces the risk of provisioners getting lost or stuck, ensuring a steady flow of supplies.
Settlement Expansion
Mods like “Settlement Expansion Pack” and “Settlement Objects Expansion Pack” add new objects and building options to the game. This allows you to create more elaborate and functional supply hubs, with facilities dedicated to storage, production, and defense. Larger and better-equipped settlements can support larger numbers of provisioners and handle higher volumes of supplies.
| Mod Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Carry Weight Plus | Increases carry weight |
| Weightless Junk | Removes weight from certain junk items |
| Everywhere Fast Travel | Allows fast travel from any location |
| Settlement Management Menu | Enhances settlement management tools |
| Sim Settlements 2 | Automates settlement building and management |
| Map Markers | Adds customizable map markers |
| Extended Trading Menu | Enhances trading system |
| Trade Routes | Automates trading between settlements |
| Warehouse | Provides warehouse management tools |
| Scrap Everything | Allows you to scrap unwanted items |
| Improved Pathfinding | Improves NPC pathfinding |
| Path Finding Fix | Fixes pathfinding issues |
| Settlement Expansion Pack | Adds new building options |
| Settlement Objects Expansion Pack | Adds new objects to settlements |
Strategies for Efficient Resource Distribution
Maximize Connections
Establish as many supply line connections as possible to ensure a robust network. Consider connecting remote settlements to central hubs, creating multiple routes between important locations, and utilizing the Provisioner perk to increase the number of settlers assigned to supply lines.
Prioritize High-Value Resources
Identify settlements that produce valuable resources, such as water, food, or materials. Prioritize these settlements for supply line connections to ensure that these resources are distributed efficiently to locations where they are needed most.
Create Resource Chains
Establish supply lines between settlements that produce different resources. For example, connect a farm to a water source and then to a settlement in need of both food and water. This strategy maximizes resource utilization and reduces reliance on external sources.
Manage Settlement Population
Ensure that settlements have an adequate population to support supply line activity. Assign a sufficient number of settlers to resource production and provisioner tasks. Consider building additional homes and resources to increase settlement capacity.
Utilize Workshop Mode
Access Workshop mode in each settlement to manage supply lines and resource distribution. Assign workers to specific resources, adjust the quantity of resources to be transferred, and establish additional supply line connections as needed.
Use Trade Routes
Establish trade routes between settlements that offer different resources or goods. This allows you to obtain items that cannot be produced locally and further diversifies your resource base.
Manage Resource Consumption
Monitor resource consumption in each settlement to identify areas where resources are running low. Adjust production levels, trade routes, or supply line connections as necessary to ensure that all settlements have sufficient supplies.
Establish Contingency Plans
Prepare for potential disruptions to supply lines by establishing alternative routes or stockpiling resources at strategic locations. Consider assigning provisioners with high endurance or combat skills to increase their chances of survival during encounters.
Automate Resource Management
Utilize mods or external tools to automate resource management and supply line optimization. These tools can provide real-time updates on resource levels and alerts for potential shortages, making it easier to maintain a stable and efficient supply chain.
Optimizing Supply Lines for Late-Game Challenges
10. Prioritize Crucial Resources
Late-game challenges require an abundance of specific resources, such as ammo, stimpaks, and building materials. Designate specific settlements as production hubs for these vital items. Assign settlers to production facilities, ensuring a steady supply of the resources you need most.
| Resource | Production Settlement |
|---|---|
| Ammunition | Hangman’s Alley |
| Stimpaks | Red Rocket Truck Stop |
| Wood | Sanctuary Hills |
11. Secure Provisioners
Ensure the safe passage of your provisioners by assigning them appropriate weapons and armor. Avoid sending them alone; escort them with companions or heavily armed settlers to deter attackers.
12. Use Settlement Beacon Towers
Build settlement beacon towers to extend the range of your supply lines. These towers allow provisioners to travel farther and connect more settlements to your network.
13. Avoid Overburdening Settlements
Prematurely flooding a settlement with provisioners can overwhelm its storage capacity and hinder resource production. Gradually increase the number of provisioners as your settlements expand and your resource needs grow.
14. Consider Fast Travel
Utilize fast travel to quickly deliver resources between settlements, bypassing the need for provisioners. This method is particularly useful for transporting large shipments or urgent supplies.
15. Utilize Robotics
Deploy robots as provisioners, eliminating the need for human escorts and reducing the risk of attacks. Robots provide reliable transportation without requiring sustenance or rest.
How to Set Up Supply Lines in Fallout 4
Establishing supply lines is a crucial aspect of managing settlements and resources in Fallout 4. By connecting settlements with supply lines, you can share resources, such as food, water, scrap, and other items, between them. This enables you to specialize settlements for different purposes, maximize efficiency, and ensure a smooth flow of resources throughout your network.
To set up a supply line, you will need to select one of your available settlers as a provisioner. Provisioners are responsible for traveling between settlements and transporting resources. You can find provisioners in your workshop menu under the “Assign” tab. Once selected, you will need to assign the provisioner to a settlement and designate a second settlement for them to establish a connection with. Once the supply line is established, the provisioner will begin regularly transporting resources between the two settlements.
When setting up supply lines, it is important to consider the distance between settlements and the safety of the route that the provisioner will take. Provisioners can be attacked and killed by enemies, so it is advisable to establish safe trade routes and provide protection for your provisioners. Additionally, be mindful of the carrying capacity of your provisioners, as they can only transport a limited amount of resources at a time.
By strategically setting up supply lines, you can maximize the efficiency of your settlements and ensure that each settlement has access to the resources it needs to thrive. This will allow you to establish a sustainable network of settlements that can support your needs and help you survive and prosper in the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout 4.
People Also Ask
How do I know if a supply line is active?
Once you have established a supply line, you can check its status in the workshop menu. Click on the “Provisioners” tab, and you will see a list of all active supply lines. The provisioner’s name, the settlements they are connected to, and the status of the supply line (active or inactive) will be displayed.
What happens if a provisioner is killed?
If a provisioner is killed, the supply line they were maintaining will be disrupted. You will need to assign a new provisioner to the route to re-establish the supply line. You can find new provisioners by checking the workshop menu under the “Assign” tab.
Can I have multiple provisioners on the same supply line?
Yes, you can assign multiple provisioners to the same supply line. This can increase the frequency and amount of resources that are transported between settlements. However, keep in mind that each additional provisioner will take up population space in the settlement they are assigned to.
