Mastering the Launch: How to Get Nuke Codes in Fallout 76

QuantumFlare

Launching a nuclear missile is one of the most thrilling and game-defining moments in Fallout 76. Whether you're aiming to farm high-level loot, trigger Scorchbeast Queen events, or simply flex your power across the wasteland, understanding how to get nuke codes is essential. But the process isn’t straightforward — and that’s by design. Here’s a breakdown of how to efficiently gather nuke codes and what you’ll need to do once you have them.

Joining the Enclave: Your First Step

Before you can even dream of a nuclear launch, you need to gain access to the Whitespring Bunker by completing the questline “Bunker Buster.” This will introduce you to the Enclave faction and unlock their command facilities. Once you're a member of the Enclave, you’ll be granted access to the Surveillance System Terminal — a vital tool for tracking nuke codes and hunting down launch officers.

Understanding the Nuke Code Process

To launch a nuke in Fallout 76, you must collect a full nuke code for a specific silo (Alpha, Bravo, or Charlie) and acquire a Nuclear Keycard. Here's how that works:

1. Collecting Nuke Code Pieces

Each week, a new set of nuke codes is distributed among Scorched and Feral Ghoul officers scattered around Appalachia. These code pieces are encrypted and specific to one of the three missile silos.

You’ll need:

• Eight different code pieces for a single silo.
• To identify which silo the code pieces belong to (labeled A, B, or C).
• A decrypted full code (more on that below).
  
  

These enemies don’t appear randomly — use the Enclave’s Surveillance Terminal to track their locations. The officers are marked on the map after scanning and typically put up a fight, so come prepared.

2. Decrypting the Codes

Even with all eight code fragments, they’re still scrambled. Decrypting the nuke codes involves solving a cipher, usually aided by the community. Many dedicated players post the solved codes each week on forums, but if you want to go it alone, you’ll need the keyword for the week (found in the Enclave bunker), and a solid understanding of the Caesar cipher system.

For most players, referencing a current decrypted code online is the way to go. Remember, the code resets weekly, so timing matters.

Acquiring a Nuclear Keycard

Alongside the nuke code, you’ll also need a Nuclear Keycard — a one-time-use item obtained by shooting down a cargo bot that spawns during the “I Am Become Death” questline. The bot will appear on the map, escorted by vertibots. Destroy it, loot the crate, and you’ll get one keycard.

These events are repeatable, and you can stockpile multiple keycards for future launches.

Entering the Silo

With a full decrypted nuke code and a keycard in hand, head to your chosen silo. Be warned: each silo is filled with high-level robotic enemies, security turrets, and environmental hazards. You’ll also need to complete some light puzzle-solving to gain access to the launch console.

Soloing a silo is possible with high-level gear and proper build, but going in with a team is usually faster and safer.

Launching the Nuke

At the console, enter your nuke code, choose a target on the map (like Fissure Site Prime for a Scorchbeast Queen event), and initiate the countdown. All players in the world will be alerted to the incoming blast, so expect company if you’re targeting popular zones.

Final Tips

• Weekly reset: All nuke codes reset every Monday, meaning fresh code pieces and a new decryption keyword.
• Join community groups: Many groups coordinate launch runs and share code decryptions.
• Farm efficiently: Use public teams and fast travel to optimize officer hunting.
  
  

Launching nukes in Fallout 76 is a complex but incredibly satisfying experience. Once you’ve done it a few times, the process becomes second nature — and it unlocks some of the most exciting content the game has to offer. Whether you’re chasing XP, rare loot, or just want to watch the world burn, understanding how to get nuke codes is your key to post-apocalyptic dominance.