Diamond City, also referred to as the "Great Green Jewel," is a fortified settlement in the Fens neighborhood of Boston,[1] with a population of 700-to-900 residents just prior to the events of Fallout 4.[2]
Background
The settlement was built within Boston's baseball stadium, which once hosted the "swatting sultans." Its distinctive green color is visible on the tall, reinforced wall, earning the left-field wall nickname the "Green Monster."[3]
With its own police force, public school, robust agriculture and industry, and a great deal of economic influence across the region, it is by far the most prosperous settlement in the Commonwealth. Diamond City Radio is a symbol of its prosperity and might.[3] Despite this, it is still a shantytown contained within a baseball stadium, showing humanity's struggle for survival and the difficulties involved with trying to reclaim the Boston area.
With the years of pre-War baseball long past, Diamond City was founded in the stadium's stead.[3] The settlement established itself as a safe haven for settlers of the Commonwealth, thanks to what its residents affectionately referred to as "the Wall." Later decades saw Diamond City grow into the Commonwealth's largest and most prosperous community.[4] It developed a degree of social stratification, as wealthier residents came to occupy properties in the settlement's exclusive upper stands. These overlooked the lower field, where those with less means took up residence.[5][Pub 1]
Post-War events
The stadium and its residents have experienced several significant events since the War. In 2180, the Commonwealth Minutemen defended the city from an attacking horde of Super Mutants, causing the militia's rise to prominence.[6] The Broken Mask incident that occurred fifty years later, in 2229, had a far more lasting impact. A visitor named Mr. Carter suddenly opened fire at a centrally located Diamond City bar, killing several citizens. After Diamond City security took him down, an examination of his remains revealed that he was a synth.[7] This single incident planted seeds of fear that eventually blossomed into full-scale paranoia about the Institute and its abductions.[8] Since the event, the fear has only escalated due to regular and unexplained disappearances that have persisted for over half a century.[9]
The city continued to grow despite these troubles, affecting the Commonwealth in many ways. Goodneighbor is a settlement founded in 2240 by a group of criminals banished from the city, who quickly turned the new town into a haven for activities frowned upon in Diamond City.[10] In 2272, a new restaurant named Power Noodles was established in the city market, with a Protectron known as Takahashi at the helm. The restaurant rapidly became a staple of Diamond City culture. Piper Wright and her sister Nat also immigrated to the city to found Publick Occurrences, a newspaper dedicated to changing the city for the better. Her activism has galvanized support for fixing the city's problems, such as corruption among the Diamond City security officers, poorly maintained infrastructure, and lack of maintenance on the Wall separating the city from the wasteland.[11][12]
Diamond City fell prey to a surge of anti-Ghoul sentiment, fanned by mayoral candidate Mayor McDonough and his anti-ghoul Mankind for McDonough platform. He won the election thanks to the votes of the upper stands citizens, and issued the anti-ghoul decree of 2282 in his inaugural speech. The resulting pogrom was carried out by people the ghouls once called their neighbors, and saw entire families thrown out of the city into the surrounding ruins to perish. The ghouls' abandoned belongings were confiscated by the remaining humans, pacifying the poorer residents of the field.[13] Five years later, McDonough remains in power, posing as the city's defender while secretly ensuring the city does not interfere with the Institute's plans. As an infiltrator, he is very capable in his role, although his cover is starting to fray at the edges.[14] Some residents have come to believe McDonough has been replaced by a synth, a suspicion spread by Piper and Nat as part of their investigative journalism.
Society
Diamond City is divided between people living on the former baseball field and those residing in the upper stands. The former comprise the city's laborers, craftsmen, farmers, and other workers, while the latter are caravan owners, merchants, and other individuals who control the lion's share of the city's wealth.[15] McDonough exploited this divide and favored the city's elite, who may have wanted the ghouls gone merely to improve their view.[13]
Diamond City is the only settlement in the Commonwealth that guarantees a free education to all children, regardless of their social or financial status.[16] It also hosts a non-denominational chapel open to all religious adherents, giving them a quiet, safe space to pray and worship. Power is provided by a fusion generator tower in the heart of the city's market, giving access to electricity.[Pub 2] The irony of nuclear power first destroying the world and then giving Diamond City its main advantage is not lost on the more scientifically-inclined members of the community.[17]
Food is provided to the city by independent farms across the Commonwealth, such as Abernathy Farm. However, a much larger supplier is the Codman family, who own both the orchard within the walls and the Codman family farms, which provide brahmin meat to Choice Chops.[18][19]
The community of Diamond City tolerates synths living within as long as they serve the community, allowing Nick Valentine to even run his own public detective agency. Nick gained the residents' respect by saving the daughter of the city's former mayor, Henry Roberts, when she ran away with a caravan trader.[20] Despite this and some residents respecting Nick, some other residents are shown to be scornful of synths, not wishing to affiliate with them.
Publications
Layout
The city is split into social classes, with the rich residing in the Upper Stands, and the common people, both housed and unhoused, living in the field below. The West Stands area is abandoned.[21]
The center of the city is the market, which is approached by the main entrance stairs from the southwest. Surrounding the market are four main streets laid out along the old baselines: First Street to the south, Second Street to the east, Third Street to the north, and Home Street to the west. The poorest residents sleep under shelters in the area north of Third Street, where they tend a small number of crops (consisting of Mutfruit and tato plants).
The northern section of the city beyond these shelters features an outdoor auditorium, a Brahmin pen, and a much larger crop field. There is also a small irradiated lake to the east of Second Street, where the city's water is purified and sold by Sheng Kawolski.
Food can be harvested from the small and large crop fields or the greenhouse, or bought from vendors. Purified water can only be obtained from vendors. All standard crafting stations are available for use in the market. A bed may be rented at the Dugout Inn, or permanently obtained by gaining access to either Home Plate or Kellogg's House.
Buildings
Inhabitants
- Companions
- Residents
- Abbot
- Ann Codman
- Arturo Rodriguez
- Becky Fallon
- Cathy
- Clarence Codman
- Danny Sullivan
- Darcy Pembroke
- Doc Crocker
- Doctor Duff
- Doctor Sun
- Ellie Perkins
- Erin Reische
- Eustace Hawthorne
- Gavin Everitts
- Geneva
- Hawthorne
- Henry Cooke
- John
- Kyle¹
- Malcom Latimer
- Mayor McDonough
- Miss Edna
- Mister Zwicky
- Moe Cronin
- Myrna
- Nat Wright
- Nelson Latimer
- Nina Rodriguez
- Pastor Clements
- Paul Pembroke
- Percy
- Pete Pembroke
- Phil Wallace
- Polly
- Professor Scara
- Riley¹
- Scarlett
- Sheffield
- Sheng Kawolski
- Solomon
- Takahashi
- Travis Miles
- Vadim Bobrov
- Wellingham
- Yefim Bobrov
- Evelyn Black
- Animals
- 2 Brahmin
- 27 house cats
- Toro
- Generic
- 20 Diamond City Security Officers
- 18 unnamed residents²
- 2 Eyebots
- 1 Police Protectron (inactive)
- Former residents
- ¹ Replaces an unnamed resident while present
- ² Two residents will be replaced by faction members after completion of the main questline
Loot
- Nine Nuka-Cola Quantums are found throughout the city:
- Two are in Kellogg's house, in the hidden room.
- Two are in the Cooke residence, on the tables on the second floor.
- Two are around Power Noodles, on the counters.
- One is in the Dugout Inn, on the shelves behind the bar.
- One is in Polly's house at Choice Chops, on an end table opposite the entrance.
- One is outside Sheng Kawolski's house, on the metal shelves to the left of the entrance.
- Eight Nuka-Cherrys are found throughout the city:
- Three are in Kellogg's house, in the hidden room.
- Three are in the Dugout Inn, with two on the shelves behind the bar, and the third under the bar.
- One is in Myrna's house at Diamond City Surplus, on a table near the first-floor entrance.
- One is in Doc Crocker's house, on the wooden shelves to the left of the first-floor entrance.
- Three Join the Railroad holotapes are found throughout the city:
- One is in Abbot's house, on the metal shelves opposite the entrance.
- One is in the Dugout Inn, on a nightstand in the bedroom opposite the kitchen.
- One is in Fallon's Basement, on the dresser on the upper platform.
- Gwinnett ale brewing subroutines holotape - In the Colonial Taphouse, on a shelf under the bar.
- RobCo Fun with the Zeta Invaders mini-game holotape - In Valentine Detective Agency, on the desk in the back.
- Live & Love issue #9 - In the schoolhouse, near the beds on the first floor.
- Mini Nuke - In Arturo's house at Commonwealth Weaponry, on a table opposite the bed on the first floor.
- Big Boy, a unique Fat Man - Sold by Arturo Rodriguez.
- Old Faithful, a unique Laser Pistol - Sold by Arturo Rodriguez.
- Protector's armor - Sold by Arturo Rodriguez.
- Rockville Slugger - Sold by Moe Cronin.
- Champion chest piece and right arm - Sold by Becky Fallon.
- Hazmat Suit - Often sold by Becky Fallon.
- Wastelander's chest piece - Sold by Myrna or Percy.
- Geneva's Ensemble - Worn by Geneva.
- Red Leather Trench Coat and Press Cap - Both worn by Piper Wright.
Notes
- The first time one enters Diamond City, Mayor McDonough will give a speech to a small group of residents where he proclaims "I am NOT a synth," and then praises the Wall.
- After the Sole Survivor finishes the quest Jewel of the Commonwealth, the front gate remains raised. By using a jet pack (or console commands if on PC), one can reach the platform with the crane arms above. There, one can interact with either crane, which will instantly reset the gate to its original position and then slowly raise it again.
- If the Sole Survivor completes the main quest line for a major faction, all the flags in the city will be replaced with the faction's flag, and members of that faction will be wandering the city.
- If the Institute ending is chosen, Gen 1 synths will be found in the market. If the Sole Survivor communicates with them, they state they're in the city to spread the presence of the Institute. Diamond City security will explain that the synths suddenly appeared, but as they weren't causing any trouble, they were allowed to stay. Some synths will be crafting weapons or armor, while others may be browsing the stores in the market. Myrna, who previously seemed to have an aversion to synths, allows them to browse her store, and will no longer comment about hating synths.
- On the in-game dates of Halloween and Christmas, the market is decorated appropriately for the corresponding holiday. On Halloween, the decorations include banners, plastic pumpkins, and paper cutouts of cats, skeletons, and pumpkin men. The Christmas decorations consist of strings of colorful lights and Christmas trees. Furthermore, the Christmas decorations will be displayed from Christmas day through New Year's Eve. However, in order for these decorations to appear, the Sole Survivor must visit Diamond City at least once on Christmas Day; otherwise, the decorations will not appear on any of the subsequent days.
- Four baseball bases around the city are labeled with tally marks as home plate, first base, second base, and third base; Diamond City security will occasionally encourage the Sole Survivor to run the bases, hinting that doing so would be worthwhile. Starting and ending at home plate, running over each of the bases in order will grant the Homerun! trophy/achievement. Also, the city's street names are named after their respective bases, including Home Street.
- There are two wanted posters in the city: one is next to Swatters, and another is just inside the Dugout Inn. Upon reading the posted notices, both assign the same radiant quest tasking the Sole Survivor with killing a raider, ghoul, or super mutant marked on the map at a randomly selected location. Although the notice indicates there is no reward except what is looted from the targets' corpses, some quest completion XP will be granted upon killing the marked enemy. A new bounty will appear on the posters as soon as the current one is complete.
- There is a hidden diner just outside Diamond City; see that location page for details on how to access the area and its contents. Heading west from the diner along the edge of the Diamond City roof leads to the upper section of the entrance gate (near a rubble-filled area with a skeleton, two ammo boxes, and a first aid box). From there, careful jumping or use of a jet pack provides access to one of the large yellow beams holding the main gate in place, which may be activated to close the gate. The gate will not immediately close; the player character will need to first enter an interior cell for the gate to properly close. Once closed, the player character can open the gate from the ground by simply activating it.
- Climbing the partially destroyed building outside the northwest corner of Diamond City and using a jet pack to reach the city roof affords access to a duffle bag and an explosives box to the south. Other minor loot is found on the east side of the city roof accessible by jet pack, including a large toolbox near a skeleton, a cooler, and two stimpaks and a dose of Addictol on a crate.
- Despite ghouls being banned from Diamond City, if Hancock or Billy Peabody, an intelligent child ghoul found during the quest Kid in a Fridge, is taken to the city, they will be allowed inside. Edward Deegan may also be encountered inside the Dugout Inn to initiate the quest Special Delivery.
- Sometimes while waiting in the market, an Assaultron may spawn. While not hostile to the player character, it will attack other characters in the city. It may spawn as a glitch after hacking a robot with the Robotics Expert perk and not shutting it down or destroying it.
- In the Boston Bugle Building, a newspaper article on a terminal indicates that on October 23, 2077, the day of the Great War, the team was to play Game 7 of the World Series. The article optimistically predicts that after decades of failure, the team would finally win.
- big televisions meant for Diamond City in the game files completely modeled, textured, and with their own entries, but left unused. There are
Companion comments
When at this location, companions make comments.
Location comments | |
---|---|
Character | Comment |
Cait | "If we're looking for some action, I'm bettin' we'll find it here." |
Codsworth | "So this is the famous Diamond City. I suppose I hoped to find more of a gem than a dusty home base. Civilization "in the rough" if you will!" |
Curie | "Are we going to see this baseball game? How exciting!" |
Danse | "It's a shame these people have to live in fear, sheltering in this old stadium when all those perfectly good buildings are still standing outside." |
Deacon | "Diamond City. Watch what you say. If the Institute chose one place to infiltrate - we're walking right into it." |
Hancock | "Diamond City, huh? You know they ain't real fond of Ghouls in this town." |
Nick Valentine | "Even good people do crazy things when they're scared. Ought to be Diamond City's motto." |
Piper | "It's big, loud, full of corrupt officials and brown-nosing citizens. But it's home." |
Preston Garvey | "Mayor McDonough has always been against the Minutemen. I never quite understood why." (entrance) |
"Things are looking up around here now that McDonough's gone." (entrance after killing McDonough) | |
MacCready | "Haven't been to Diamond City in years, but I'll tell you... nothing's changed." |
Strong | "Stinks like humans here." |
X6-88 | "Good place to stock up on supplies, if you can stand the smell." |
Appearances
Diamond City appears in Fallout 4. It is mentioned in the Fallout 4 add-ons Automatron[22] and Nuka-World,[23] as well as in Fallout Shelter.[24]
Behind the scenes
- Diamond City is modeled on the real-world Fenway Park. The Wall is based on the real-world location of "the Wall" or the "Green Monster," popular nicknames for the left-field wall at Fenway Park. In the real-world Fenway Park, there is also a large Coca-Cola sign approximately in the same location and style as the Nuka-Cola sign in the game. Likewise, the Mass Fusion billboard mounted on a building behind the Wall mirrors the placement of a large real-world advertisement for the Citgo gasoline company made of neon lights. Finally, there is a single red seat in the northeast bleachers near the GNN sign, representing the "Lone Red Seat" where Ted Williams hit the farthest ball in Fenway Park history in 1946, 502 feet from home plate.
- Nathan Purkeypile designed much of Diamond City's layout, lighting, and cluttering.[Dev 1][Dev 2] It was the first location he worked on for the game, as the developers knew from the beginning that they wanted iconic stadium lights, and that the main quest would point towards the stadium as a "beacon" or landmark that could help the player navigate the Boston area.[Dev 3]
- Atop the press box serving as the mayor's office above the main entrance are five red flags reading "World Series Champions" with the years 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1918. Banners displaying these years also hang from the stands at intervals on the south and west sides of the stadium. In the Fallout universe, the team never won the World Series again after 1918, and the Curse of the Bambino was never broken. In the real world, the Red Sox finally won the World Series after an 86-year drought in 2004.
- The team's retired numbers in the game, as seen on the bleachers below the Nuka-Cola sign, were 1, 4, 6, 11, 13, 21, and 33. The first three of those numbers are equal to retired numbers of the Boston Red Sox, and belong to Bobby Doerr, Joe Cronin and Johnny Pesky, respectively. Diamond City resident Moe Cronin also shares his last name with Joe Cronin.
Bugs
- Sometimes, when using the exterior lift from the mayor's office, then activating the second button before the elevator reaches the bottom, the guard rail will extend as if the player were to disembark, then retract upon arrival as if the player is still riding the elevator. Activating the elevator and leaving Diamond City, or entering a building before the elevator stops moving and reloading the game, may fix this.
- moveto.player after selecting the companion's refID can also rectify this issue. Sometimes, when using the elevator to the mayor's office with a companion, the companion may be transported to the green trash can at the base of the main entrance stairs in Diamond City, and become stuck there. Walking outside of Diamond City to the Fens (manually, without fast-travel) will sometimes free the companion in this situation. Using the console command
- Any items placed in the mailboxes, including the one in front of the Sole Survivor's Home Plate residence, will be displayed as owned. Stealing will then be the only way to access the items.
- Unlikely Valentine, two Triggermen may spawn in Diamond City each time you travel to the city. Most of the civilians in Diamond City will attack the mobsters. There is currently no fix for this issue. After completing the quest
Gallery
Concept art
From E3 2015 and The Art of Fallout 4
References
|
- ↑ Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p. 288: "Before the Great War, the area Diamond City was based on was a popular baseball stadium known as Fenway Park, leading to its grounds becoming a location which multiple people flocked to as it provided a great deal of protection from both the elements as well as a symbol of civilization which dissuaded nefarious groups from attacking. As time went on, it developed its own minor economy, and individuals of greater or lesser means stratified themselves in a society which had both prosperous “Upper Stands” and an area known as the “Lower Fields” where the rest of the residents lived."
- ↑ Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Collector's Edition pp. 433-438: "[9.08] DIAMOND CITY MARKET
This is the most well-known, well-defended settlement in the entire Commonwealth. Located in the remains of Boston’s revered baseball stadium, the city houses several businesses and scores of people in divergent social classes. Every resident shares a common bond; they survived under the shadow of the great green wall—that monument to the ingenuity of humankind and their consummate protector.
[01] All Faiths Chapel
A multidenominational church open 24 hours a day, run by the friendly Pastor Clements. Sit on a pew in the church to gain benefits of the Quiet Reflection perk.
[02] Publick Occurrences
This location is named after the newspaper, which is written, edited, and published by Piper. Her little sister Nat sells copies at the front of their office. She also publishes stories, such as “The Synthetic Truth,” and is currently on the outs with the mayor. Inside the office, you can read her terminal notes and steal some chems and ammo.
[04] Fallon’s Basement
This premiere (and only) clothing store sells a variety of prewar attire at the best prices, as well as helpful outfits, like hazmat suits. The proprietor Becky Fallon tells everyone she’s a direct descendant of the original Fallon family. Aside from a large supply of cram, the only item of note is a Holotape you can listen to regarding the Railroad.
[05] Power Noodles
This noodle bar was built up against the fusion generator tower in the center of the settlement, where the pitcher’s mound was. The Protectron chef, Takahashi, has a single phrase—“Nan-ni shimasho-ka?” or “What would you like to have?”—and a single item to trade. Noodles, naturally.
[10] Swatters
“A swatter never runs out of bullets!” as Moe Cronin is fond of saying. He runs this store specializing in baseball equipment and almost nothing else. Barter with Moe to obtain a unique bat, and speak to him for a couple of quests that can net you some Caps.
[13] Chem-I-Care
This is a popular establishment, thanks to the genial owner, Solomon. Selling a complete variety of chems and healing supplies, Solomon may have convinced the populace that the benefits of his wares outweigh the risks. Pick the lock of his house (Novice) for a few more chems to steal inside.
[14] Mega Surgery
Despite the corrugated roof, this is a state-of-the-art medical facility offering healing, cybernetic grafts, and even facial reconstruction. Fancy a change in appearance? Sit down under Doctor Sun’s scalpel! There are some other goings on here too; check the listed side quest before descending into the surgery cellar (Advanced).
[15] Choice Chops
Fresh Brahmin meat is available from the sullen butcher, Polly (who’s a frustrated poet), or Mole Rat meat if you’re feeling adventurous. You can break into Polly’s house (Novice) if you want to hack her terminal (Novice).
[18] The Wall
The great green wall has protected Diamond City for as long as anyone can remember. Only Abbot spends time here keeping the stage from falling into disrepair, the Brahmins fed, and the wall painted.
[22] Science! Center
The foremost center of scientific experimentation and discovery in Diamond City, run by the enthusiastic Doctor Duff. Her colleague is a little tired of Duff’s prattling. Take a quiz with Duff if you want. Snoop on Scara’s terminal (Master) if you can.
[27] Dugout Inn
This is the primary watering hole of Diamond City. Many of the residents go here in the evenings to grab a drink. Occasionally, the place has guests who are traveling through the Commonwealth, as there are rooms available (and mattresses to sleep on) for 100 Caps. Though the Russian twins who run this place are identical in their features, their personalities are completely different.
[30] Colonial Taphouse
The snobbish denizens of the upper area sip their alcohol from this establishment. Receive a dressing down from Wellington in the exterior seating area, then head inside for a pint and a punch if you’re not careful. Look for the Holotape and a floor safe (Advanced) behind the bar.
[32] Codman Residence
Break in through the door (Advanced) to the home of the oldest family in Diamond City. The Codmans own the orchard."
(Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide/Map)
- ↑ Nathan Purkeypile on Twitter (archived)
- ↑ Nathan Purkeypile's portfolio on ArtStation
- ↑ The History of Bethesda Game Studios (reference starts at 1:11:01)