Field Testing

Field Testing is a main quest in the Fallout 76 update Steel Dawn.

Background
Following the evaluation of their aptitude by Knight Shin and Scribe Valdez, the Vault 76 dweller faces their final test before becoming a probationary Initiate of the Brotherhood of Steel: Carrying out a mission without direct supervision on orders from the commander of Fort Atlas, Paladin Rahmani.

Walkthrough
The quest begins automatically after completing the mission in the ATLAS substructure. The first step is talking to the Paladin, who will now decide to test the dweller's capacity to work without direct supervision by dealing with a feral ghoul infestation in the southwestern part of the Forest. This would also help establish the Brotherhood as a beneficial presence in the area, rather than just another self-interested force. It's also possible to use Charisma 4+ to inquire about an additional reward. Rahmani will note that initiation is its own reward, but give a single Stimpak as encouragement.

Since the precise location of the nest is unknown, she will direct the player to Lewis & Sons Farming Supply, where the Putnam family lives inside a renovated barn, stylized as the Putnam residence. After a short cutscene, during which the dweller is threatened at gunpoint by George, Marty and Colin, a civilized talk with the undisputed family leader Carol is held. It turns out that the Putnams were responsible for reporting the ghoul situation in the first place. And that the origin of the infestation is most likely somewhere around the Orwell Orchards.

Once again it is possible to use Charisma check 4+ to inquire about an additional reward. Carol will deny a reward, but George will hint at the dangers of radiation and give a single RadAway. Also, though an optional objective, one of the Putnam sons can be recruited for the Brotherhood, with Colin being the brain and Marty the muscle. If either one of them is recruited, they will assist the dweller during the next part of the quest.

Upon reaching the Orwell Orchards, the task at hand is to head into the basement of the Orwell family home and gain access to the Orwell Orchards bomb shelter. Once inside, the objective is to eliminate all marked feral ghouls. If either Colin or Marty were recruited, they can be given a pep talk before heading further into the bunker as well as a debrief speech after the ghouls are taken care of.

Returning to Fort Atlas and Paladin Rahmani, the vault dweller can then turn in the quest for their reward, most notably the promotion to probationary Initiate and the unique plasma gun Mind Over Matter.