The Commonwealth wasteland in Fallout 4 is filled with tragic stories of survival, none more compelling than the fate of the initial Brotherhood of Steel reconnaissance team. The Lost Patrol is an engaging side quest that tasks players with tracking down a missing squad through a series of faint distress signals. Successfully completing this mission requires patience, keen exploration skills, and a willingness to brave several hazardous locations across the map.
Tracking the Distress Beacons
The journey begins when you pick up a faint military frequency near the northern regions of the Commonwealth or obtain the assignment directly from Paladin Danse. Following this signal leads players to a ruined battlefield where the first member of the fallen squad can be found. Investigating the area yields a holotape containing coordinates that point toward the next logical destination in your search.
As you move from one beacon to the next, the signal strength indicator on your Pip-Boy becomes your primary tool for navigation. You will need to travel through dangerous territory, including a heavily defended satellite array overrun by super mutants. Each site tells a somber story through audio logs left behind by the desperate soldiers as their situations deteriorated.
Confronting Paladin Brandis
The final tracking sequence guides players to a secluded reconnaissance bunker hidden away in the northernmost section of the map. Inside this bunker waits Paladin Brandis, the sole survivor of the ill-fated squad who has spent years in complete isolation. Driven near madness by grief and paranoia, he will immediately draw his weapon upon your arrival, demanding to know your intentions.
This encounter marks the narrative climax of the quest, presenting a tense standoff where your words carry immense weight. Players must navigate a delicate conversation using their charisma to determine the final outcome of the veteran soldier. You can choose to diffuse the situation peacefully, execute him for his gear, or convince him to return to civilization.
Important Choices and Rewards
Convincing Paladin Brandis to rejoin the Brotherhood of Steel requires passing multiple difficult speech checks during the confrontation. If you succeed, he will peacefully yield his unique weapon and eventually reappear aboard the Prydwen to assist your faction. This option provides the most satisfying narrative resolution for players invested in the lore of the faction.
Alternatively, choosing a violent path or failing the speech checks results in a battle to the death inside the cramped bunker. Defeating Brandis allows you to loot his rare combat armor and a powerful legendary laser rifle known as Survivor's Special. Whichever path you choose, you must ultimately report your findings back to your commanding officer to officially close the investigation.