Every Fallout 4 DLC, Ranked (& Which Ones Are Worth Buying)

The world of Fallout 4 is huge, with plenty of quests to complete and areas to explore throughout the Commonwealth. As big as the base game is, it can be expanded further with DLCs providing extra content and, in some cases, story. From more options for building settlements to new massive areas to explore as part of a new plot, the Fallout 4 DLCs have a lot to offer those looking for more post-apocalyptic fun.

Since Fallout 4's release in 2015, there have been seven DLCs released, split between three workshop packs, three story expansions, and one high-res texture pack. The high-res texture pack was Fallout 4's last DLC and was only available for those playing on PC, doing exactly what it describes and providing higher resolution textures to make the game look better. Looking at the other DLCs available, each offers something a little different, so are they worth investing in?

6 Contraptions Workshop

Gadgets & Gizmos To Build Factories

The Contraptions Workshop DLC was the fourth add-on released for Fallout 4 and has a heavy focus on settlement building and gadgets. Its name hints at the content, as there are many machines that can be built using the objects in the pack. Contraptions allows ball tracks, machinery and conveyor belts to be built in any settlement to turn it into more of an industrial-themed factory.

Contraptions received mixed reviews from the fan base due to its niche appeal, and although many of the items included in the pack have limited use, there are some worth using.

Mannequins for armor display, along with weapon racks and display cases, are perhaps the best features of Contraptions, along with added options for conduits. There are also some great building options added, with warehouses offering more structure choices when planning a settlement.

Is Fallout 4's Contraptions Workshop DLC Worth Buying?

With the focus being so heavily on not only settlement building but making automated factories within those settlements, the Contraptions Workshop doesn't have a very broad appeal. The manufacturing elements are all but useless in an average playthough of Fallout 4, with the armor and weapon racks being the only standout objects that can be used across multiple settlements.

If you enjoy creating Rube Goldberg-style machines, you might get some fun out of this DLC. You can also implement some of the lighting fixtures into your settlement, including fun neon lights.

Other than that, the DLC has some decent ideas, not implemented too well. Simply put, unless this pack jumps out as something you've specifically been looking for, then it is fine to skip this one entirely.

5 Wasteland Workshop

Many More Options For Settlement Building

The Wasteland Workshop DLC was Fallout 4's second DLC and first workshop pack, and itaims to add more choice when building up a settlement. The base building feature in Fallout 4 was received positively by many, although there are others who find settlement building tedious.

Despite its marketing focusing on the cages and trapping dangerous creatures, Wasteland Workshop actually has several items that can make life much easier for building. Alongside the cages meant to trap Deathclaws and gorillas, Wasteland Workshop adds a plethora of new lighting options and decorations to give each settlement its own look and feel.

The fusion generator is perhaps one of the pack's most useful items, providing 100 units of power but taking up little space. But the standout feature that makes this pack worth the money are the garden plots, small areas of dirt that allow food to be grown in settlements with no exposed ground, such as Home Plate or Boston Airport.

Is Fallout 4's Wasteland Workshop DLC Worth Buying?

Just like the Contraptions Workshop, the Wasteland Workshop is an add-on pack focused on settlement building. Unlike the Contraptions Workshop, the Wasteland pack has a much broader appeal, with far more options for the average playthrough to make use of.

If settlement building can sometimes feel a little stale with them all ending up looking the same, then this DLC will definitely help with that. However, if you're looking for more story and questing, then you may want to skip this one.

4 Automatron

Fun New Plot, Quests, & Lots Of Robots

Automatron was the first DLC released for Fallout 4 and the first to add not only build elements for settlements, but an enjoyable story and questline. After reaching level 15 and receiving a distress call from a trade caravan, the Sole Survivor will arrive too late to help and must uncover why there seems to be hordes of robots randomly attacking people.

The questline is a relatively short one as the Sole Survivor teams up with Ada, a modified assaultron, to hunt down the Mechanist, the apparently evil force behind the attacks.

The unexpectedly difficult Automatron DLC is a lot of fun with some nice superhero-themed elements towards the end, especially if wearing the Silver Shroud armor set. The DLC introduces several new and interesting NPCs, as well as a new enemy faction and new locations.

After reaching a certain point in the story, the ability to build custom robots is also unlocked and is one of the highlights of this DLC with many mix and match options for robotic helpers.

Is Fallout 4's Automatron DLC Worth Buying?

Automatron has a lot to offer and was a good opening DLC for Fallout 4, adding more gameplay and some great armor options. On the other hand, it's pretty short, especially when you compare it to the other story-driven DLCs.

The DLC is more combat heavy and the final boss fight can be a challenge, with several waves of robots soon becoming overwhelming. In true Fallout fashion, this DLC also has a fun boss battle that can be skipped entirely through a pacifist route.

However, Automatron is worth it purely for the customizable robots and Ada for a companion, since she's great in combat and has a high carry capacity.

3 Vault-Tec Workshop

Become An Overseer Of A Real Vault

The Vault-Tec Workshop offers a mixture of build options alongside a short quest that will unlock the massive underground area of Vault 88. After reaching level 20, the Sole Survivor will be able to pick up a message coming from Vault 88.

Once inside, they will meet the ghoul Overseer, who wishes to continue the vault's construction and asks for help to do so. What follows is a pretty standard quest chain to clear and unlock certain aspects of the vault, while serving as a DLC walkthrough for players.

Vault-Tec Workshop has an impressive number of build options that work well both within the vault setting and in other settlements. On top of many room options, there are furniture, decorations, additional power sources and defenses.

In particular, the Vault-Tec Population Management System is fantastic in every settlement as it allows settlers to be assigned to tasks all from one place, making settlement management much easier. As a bonus, it introduces furniture that give you the option to change your character's hair and appearance on the fly.

Is Fallout 4's Vault-Tec Workshop DLC Worth Buying?

The Vault-Tec Workshop scratches that itch many who love Fallout have of building their own vault, but otherwise it offers little else. While Overseer Barstow does offer some insight into Vault-Tec's machinations, the experiments she wants the Sole Survivor to run are often painted in a wacky light.

This can create some mixed feelings for those who know the sinister intentions behind Vault-Tec's vaults. However, this DLC is worth it for the many vault-themed build items it adds, even though Vault 88’s cave system is poorly designed.

2 Nuka-World

Huge Area To Explore & Tons Of New Gear To Find

Nuka-World was the last story DLC released for Fallout 4 and offers the largest new area for exploration. After reaching level 30, the Sole Survivor will be able to pick up a radio advertisement for Nuka-World, a pre-war amusement park, and a new location will be unlocked.

However, traveling to Nuka-World will throw the Sole Survivor into a situation where they will have to deal with new raider gangs while navigating the dangerous park. Nuka-World is massive and split into different themed areas, each with its own enemies and challenges.

As the questline progresses, the Sole Survivor can choose to either wipe out the raiders or become the new Overboss and embrace their violent ways. On top of the excellent quests and new areas, Nuka-World also has a lot of new perks, tons of new armor and weapons and some great themed decorative items to unlock.

Sdespite apparently being the new raider Overboss, the Sole Survivor will still find themselves running errands for those who are meant to be subordinates, making the whole situation feel like the Minutemen faction but with a different spin.

Is Fallout 4's Nuka-World DLC Worth Buying?

Overall, Nuka-World is a great DLC offering something a little different, with each part of the park sticking to its intended theme.

The only drawback is the raider angle, which is fantastic for those looking for an evil playthrough, but is incompatible with any Minutemen aligned players. In particular, if you haven't completed some of Garvey's quests yet, you may ruin you character's relationship with him.

However, Nuka-World is worth it for the interesting areas and idea of being a Raider boss, although obviously that won't appeal to everyone. It also adds cool new gear and weapons and many new hours of gameplay.

1 Far Harbor

Atmospheric New Area Filled With Interesting Quests & NPCs

By far the best Fallout 4 DLC is Far Harbor, the third add-on released for the game, and it's not difficult to see why this expansion has become a fan favorite. Unlike the previous story DLCs, Far Harbor has no level requirement, and can be played immediately after meeting Nick Valentine and the main quest "Getting a Clue" has been completed if wished.

The questline starts simply enough with a missing girl that requires Nick and the Sole Survivor to travel to the mysterious island of Far Harbor. The island itself is fantastically designed with a creepy fog that creates a strange claustrophobic atmosphere.

There are multiple new factions introduced which can be joined to decide the fate of the island, and the interconnecting quests have great pacing. The writing of Far Harbor is often cited as some of the best in Fallout 4, with some fantastic new characters, including a new companion, Old Longfellow.

Is Fallout 4's Far Harbor DLC Worth Buying?

Far Harbor fits in nicely with the main quest of Fallout 4 without feeling like too much of a distraction. While Automatron and Nuka-World feel separate from the main questline, Far Harbor could reasonably fit into it, allowing the DLC not to feel like an add-on but a natural extension.

The fantastic Maine-inspired foggy atmosphere is wonderfully creepy, and the length of the new content gives you plenty to do. Far Harbor is without a doubt worth buying and should be top of anyone's list when looking to enhance their Fallout 4 adventures.

Fallout 4

Systems

Bethesda's action RPG Fallout 4 puts players into the vault suit of the Lone Survivor, a pre-war soldier from an alternate future cryogenically frozen inside Vault 111. After their infant son is kidnapped, they venture out into the irradiated wasteland of the Commonwealth to scour the ruins of Boston for any sign of him. In doing so, they encounter various factions and companions and use an array of skills and abilities to navigate the apocalyptic remnants of society.