How to Farm Religious Relics at Shade Hill Church in Fallout 76

[IronEagle]

If you’re looking to add some unique collectibles to your stash in Fallout 76, Shade Hill Church is one of those spots you don’t want to overlook. Nestled in the northern reaches of the map, this abandoned church is packed with interesting loot, and with the right approach, you can farm religious relics efficiently. I’ve spent a fair bit of time here and picked up a few tricks that make the run much smoother.

Finding the Church

Shade Hill Church isn’t too tricky to locate once you know where to look. It sits just outside the small town of Shade Hill, slightly north of the main road. From a distance, the steeple is usually visible, which makes it a handy landmark if you’re exploring nearby. Personally, I like to approach from the west side, where there’s a small clearing that lets you scout enemies before you get too close.

What to Expect Inside

Once you step inside, you’ll notice the interior is surprisingly intact compared to other derelict buildings. Most of the religious relics are tucked away in side rooms or behind pews, so don’t rush through. Take your time to explore each corner. In my runs, I often spot old hymn books, chalices, and other collectible items. Some of them are just for show, but a handful are tradable or can be scrapped for valuable components.

One tip I’d add is to keep an eye on the floor—some relics can spawn in seemingly empty spaces. It’s a bit like a scavenger hunt, which makes the farming process a lot more fun than just grinding for random loot.

Enemy Spawns and Combat Tips

Shade Hill Church isn’t completely safe, of course. You’re likely to encounter ghouls wandering through the pews or lurking in the basement. If you’re soloing, I recommend bringing a good melee weapon combined with a couple of stimpaks, since the narrow spaces can make dodging tricky. When I first farmed here, I underestimated the ghoul spawns and had to retreat a few times, so don’t get overconfident.

For those in a group, coordinating with a friend can make clearing the area almost effortless. One player can handle crowd control while the other focuses on collecting relics. And remember, enemies can respawn after some time, so if you’re planning multiple runs, pacing yourself is key.

Efficient Farming Route

Based on my experience, the fastest way to farm is to start at the main entrance, sweep the nave from left to right, then move to the side rooms and basement. There’s a chance that some high-value items might appear in the altar area, so check there last. I like to loot everything I can carry, then head back to my stash to unload before another round. This keeps inventory clutter low and maximizes the number of relics you can collect per hour.

Speaking of inventory, you might be surprised how quickly your backpack fills up with Fallout 76 items. Even if you’re only grabbing small relics, they stack up fast. Organizing your loadout before a farming run helps avoid constant backtracking, which saves a lot of time.

Alternative Methods to Acquire Relics

If you’re short on time or just don’t feel like running around Shade Hill Church, there are other ways to get similar collectibles. Some players use third-party services like U4GM to acquire certain items quickly. I personally prefer farming in-game for the thrill, but I know a lot of folks turn to these platforms to complete their collections without grinding. Just keep in mind that relying on outside sources might feel less rewarding if you enjoy the scavenger-hunt aspect of the game.

Timing and Respawn

Relic respawn is another factor to consider. From my observations, most items respawn within a few days of real-time, so you can plan your runs around that. Early morning or late-night sessions seem to have fewer players around, which reduces competition if you’re in public servers. I usually set a reminder and hit the church every couple of days to keep my collection growing steadily.

Personal Tips and Tricks

A small tip that has helped me is bringing a couple of companions if you’ve unlocked them. They can carry extra items, which is a lifesaver for long farming sessions. Also, watch out for environmental hazards—some corners are prone to ghouls popping out unexpectedly, so moving slowly and checking each room carefully pays off.

One thing I really enjoy about these runs is the sense of discovery. Even after farming the church multiple times, I sometimes find a relic I missed before. It keeps the experience fresh, unlike some of the more repetitive farming spots in the game.

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