P
PsyckoSama
Guest
I posted this in the "General Fallout Game Discussion" forum and did not get much of a response 
. Please read it and comment.
One major complaint about Fallout Tactics is the apparent change in the Brotherhood’s attitude. It appears that they have gone from an isolationist, yet somewhat benevolent paramilitary force of high-tech survivalists to an army of extremely well armed fascist brown-shirts existing only to enforce their will over as much Wasteland as possible.
The effects of the Brotherhood’s change can be seen in both Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics. In Fallout 2 the “Western” Brotherhood had lost much of it its martial drive and prowess, shrinking into the depths of it’s own isolationism. In Fallout Tactics the “Eastern” Brotherhood had lost the moderate mindset and general sense of morality and virtue that the made the Brotherhood a force to be respected rather then reviled.
The primary question asked by those who would form the Eastern Brotherhood is one sign of the corruption of the Brotherhood. The question, should the Brotherhood recruit from outside their ranks had deep ramification. One does not build a large standing army unless he or she intends to use it, and that use is almost always conquest. The more idealistic Brothers and Elders no doubt saw the overt militant interests of the right-wing minority. They may have seen the splinter faction as a dangerous influence, as a force that could have endangered both the Brotherhood and Southern California. This may be why they were cast out, and without the moderating presence of the more liberal Brothers they were able to do as they wished.
The danger posed by the splinter faction is obvious in the “evil” Brotherhood ending of Fallout. By exterminating the Brotherhood leadership, the evil Vault Dweller created a power vacuum, and into that vacuum steps the right-wing Elders, filled with fervor and a lust for retribution. For those who have never seen the evil Brotherhood ending, it results in the Brotherhood conquest and subsequent tyrannical rule of southern California. Reminds one of the Eastern Brotherhood’s methods in Fallout Tactics, no?
Without the presence of the more right-wing Brothers, the Western Brotherhood began to decline. With out the militant edge of the right-wingers, who they had “graciously” made some one else’s problem, they lost the Militant edge that had kept them sharp and focused for over 80 years. It is this weakened Western Brotherhood that the Chosen One contacted in Fallout 2. It was only the threat of a hostile force with military and technological power in excise of their own that finally forced the Western Brotherhood from the path of self-destruction
By casting out part of their number the Brotherhood removed the balance that made them what they were. With the balance removed both sides were free to do what they wished. The Western Brotherhood started to drown in its own isolation and benevolent ideals, without the right wing to keep them grounded in reality. While Eastern Brotherhood reveled it it’s own orgy of conquest and oppression, without the liberals to temper their ambitions with morality and reason. The Brotherhood in Tactics is not the true Brotherhood of Steel; it is only their dark side aloud to run amok.
. Please read it and comment.One major complaint about Fallout Tactics is the apparent change in the Brotherhood’s attitude. It appears that they have gone from an isolationist, yet somewhat benevolent paramilitary force of high-tech survivalists to an army of extremely well armed fascist brown-shirts existing only to enforce their will over as much Wasteland as possible.
The effects of the Brotherhood’s change can be seen in both Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics. In Fallout 2 the “Western” Brotherhood had lost much of it its martial drive and prowess, shrinking into the depths of it’s own isolationism. In Fallout Tactics the “Eastern” Brotherhood had lost the moderate mindset and general sense of morality and virtue that the made the Brotherhood a force to be respected rather then reviled.
The primary question asked by those who would form the Eastern Brotherhood is one sign of the corruption of the Brotherhood. The question, should the Brotherhood recruit from outside their ranks had deep ramification. One does not build a large standing army unless he or she intends to use it, and that use is almost always conquest. The more idealistic Brothers and Elders no doubt saw the overt militant interests of the right-wing minority. They may have seen the splinter faction as a dangerous influence, as a force that could have endangered both the Brotherhood and Southern California. This may be why they were cast out, and without the moderating presence of the more liberal Brothers they were able to do as they wished.
The danger posed by the splinter faction is obvious in the “evil” Brotherhood ending of Fallout. By exterminating the Brotherhood leadership, the evil Vault Dweller created a power vacuum, and into that vacuum steps the right-wing Elders, filled with fervor and a lust for retribution. For those who have never seen the evil Brotherhood ending, it results in the Brotherhood conquest and subsequent tyrannical rule of southern California. Reminds one of the Eastern Brotherhood’s methods in Fallout Tactics, no?
Without the presence of the more right-wing Brothers, the Western Brotherhood began to decline. With out the militant edge of the right-wingers, who they had “graciously” made some one else’s problem, they lost the Militant edge that had kept them sharp and focused for over 80 years. It is this weakened Western Brotherhood that the Chosen One contacted in Fallout 2. It was only the threat of a hostile force with military and technological power in excise of their own that finally forced the Western Brotherhood from the path of self-destruction
By casting out part of their number the Brotherhood removed the balance that made them what they were. With the balance removed both sides were free to do what they wished. The Western Brotherhood started to drown in its own isolation and benevolent ideals, without the right wing to keep them grounded in reality. While Eastern Brotherhood reveled it it’s own orgy of conquest and oppression, without the liberals to temper their ambitions with morality and reason. The Brotherhood in Tactics is not the true Brotherhood of Steel; it is only their dark side aloud to run amok.
