How to Complete the Athens Questline in Fallout 76

[IronEagle]

The Athens Questline in Fallout 76 is one of the more intriguing story arcs added in the post-Wastelanders updates. It combines exploration, combat, and a few moral choices that affect how the local factions view you. While it’s not the longest questline in the game, it’s packed with lore and rewards that make it worth your time. Here’s a complete walkthrough and a few tips to help you make the most of your journey through Athens.

Starting the Athens Questline

To begin the Athens Questline, you’ll first need to visit the small settlement located east of The Mire, near an abandoned train yard. Look for a radio broadcast titled “Athens Emergency Transmission.” Tuning in will trigger the initial quest, leading you to investigate the ruins of Athens itself.

Once you arrive, you’ll find the area crawling with hostile robots and scorched enemies. Make sure you stock up on stimpaks, ammo, and protective gear before entering. A solid set of Power Armor or well-modded combat armor can make the difference here.

Step 1: Investigate the Athens Ruins

Your first goal is to locate a missing scouting party. Search the burned-out buildings for holotapes and terminals; these will give you clues about what happened to them. Be thorough, because some terminals contain encrypted messages that unlock side objectives with better rewards. Loot everything — there are several containers that hold high-value Fallout 76 items, including weapon mods and crafting materials you won’t find easily elsewhere.

Step 2: The Underground Lab

After gathering evidence, the quest will point you toward an underground research facility beneath the ruins. Expect heavy resistance here — turrets, Protectrons, and even a sentry bot guarding the main corridor. Using stealth can help you bypass unnecessary fights, but if you’re geared for combat, clearing the area will yield extra loot. Many players report finding Fallout 76 rare items for sale in player vending machines nearby, so it’s a good opportunity to upgrade your arsenal before heading deeper.

Inside the lab, collect research notes and data cores scattered across different rooms. They’re easy to miss, but gathering all of them unlocks an optional dialogue choice later in the questline.

Step 3: Choosing a Side

At the end of the lab sequence, you’ll meet two key NPCs — one representing the remnants of the Responders and another tied to a secret Enclave faction. Your decision here affects both your rewards and future interactions.

Choosing the Responders gives you access to a unique medical supply cache and a powerful stim recipe.

Siding with the Enclave offers military-grade weapons and a stealth field prototype.

Whichever path you choose, the storyline remains engaging and helps expand the lore around the pre-war experiments in the Athens region.

Step 4: The Final Encounter

The final mission sends you back above ground to stop an automated defense system threatening nearby settlements. You’ll need to deactivate three generators while fending off waves of enemies. Teaming up with friends can make this easier, but it’s doable solo with proper preparation. A well-modded energy weapon works best against the robots you’ll face here.

Once the generators are offline, return to your chosen faction’s contact for your reward and a unique weapon schematic — a nice addition to your growing collection of Fallout 76 items.

Final Thoughts

The Athens Questline is a great blend of story, exploration, and decision-making that showcases what makes Fallout 76 so immersive. Whether you’re a lore enthusiast or just looking to expand your gear collection, this questline delivers both excitement and valuable rewards. If you’re hunting for upgrades or simply want to trade for better gear, keep an eye out for Fallout 76 rare items for sale from other players — they can help you tackle the tougher challenges ahead.