Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The Enclave is a remnant of the pre-war American government in the Fallout universe. Bethesda’s official timeline calls it “a shadowy remnant of the Pre-War American government” and identifies Fallout 2 as the game where players first encounter the faction. Its later appearances are tied to particular games, locations, and storylines—not necessarily one unchanged organization operating everywhere.
Who are the Enclave?
The Enclave is a faction rooted in the United States government that existed before the Great War of 2077. Bethesda’s official Fallout timeline describes the group as a “shadowy remnant” of that government. That is a concise identity, not a complete account of the faction’s history, membership, or motives.
The term also appears in different game-specific contexts. A surviving group, a remnant, or an Enclave-linked site in one installment should not automatically be treated as a description of every Enclave presence across the series.
Which Fallout game introduces the Enclave?
Fallout 2, set in 2241, is the first mainline game in which players encounter the Enclave. Bethesda’s timeline places the faction in the role of a threat in that story. This makes Fallout 2 the most direct starting point for seeing the group in the games.
#1 Best Overall
Where does the Enclave fit in the Fallout timeline?
The dates below are the settings Bethesda gives for the games. They orient the Enclave’s appearances, but do not constitute a full history of the faction.
| Game or setting | Year | Enclave context |
|---|---|---|
| Fallout | 2161 | Bethesda’s timeline places the game before the faction’s first major appearance in Fallout 2. |
| Fallout 2 | 2241 | The protagonist encounters the Enclave; Bethesda describes it as a threat in the game. |
| Fallout 3 | 2277 | A later game in the series; its setting is distinct from Fallout 2. |
| Fallout: New Vegas | 2281 | A separate game and setting; the timeline date alone does not establish the details of any Enclave-linked presence. |
| Fallout 4 | 2287 | A later setting in the series; the date alone does not establish the faction’s role there. |
Fallout 76 begins 25 years after the Great War of 2077, earlier than the settings of the later games listed above. Bethesda’s Fallout 76 expansions guide identifies The Gleaming Depths as an abandoned Enclave research lab and the setting for the game’s first raid. It is a concrete example of Enclave-linked infrastructure, but does not by itself show that the faction remains one continuous organization through every era.
Rank #2
- The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox
- No Starch Press
- ABIS BOOK
How should you distinguish official lore from fan stories?
Bethesda’s community feature presents The MODUS Files as a community-created story set against the world of Fallout 76. Its original characters and plot are fan fiction, not an official game chapter. It can be enjoyed as a story inspired by the setting, but should not be used as evidence of established game canon. See Bethesda’s community spotlight on The MODUS Files.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
