Nuka-Cola Quantum (Fallout 3)

Nuka-Cola Quantum is a reformulated Nuka-Cola Classical which is based on a probabilistic recipe which may or may not include certain ingredients depending on when it is drunk. It also has the added ability of raising the PC's action points.

My Bottles Don't Glow!
Unfortunately for users on lower-end computers, or those who have turned down effects due to FO3 crashing, the endearing blue glow of Nuka-Cola Quantum is not clear unless HDR is on. One way to tell if the Nuka-Cola is a Quantum when HDR is off is by looking at the label on the bottle; the regular Nuka-Cola bottle's label is red, and its emblem is styled to look like that of a Coca-Cola bottle. The Quantum's label, on the other hand, is brown, although it takes close observation to tell the difference (see the comparison picture in the infobox). The alternative method is to simply move the crosshairs over the bottle and see if the "Take" option reads "Take Nuka-Cola Quantum".

A mod is available which changes the default Quantum texture to be highly visible even without HDR.

Bottle locations
There are a total of ~93 bottles located in preset locations in the game. See the following table for a full list of locations.

In addition, there is a random encounter on the map in which a traveling salesman will offer to sell a Quantum for 100 Caps (50 if a Speech Check or Barter Check is passed). This can happen a theoretically unlimited number of times, but he will only sell a Quantum once per encounter. It is also possible to cheat using the Console "~" and type in player.additem 000284F9 [Amount of Quantums].

Also, when accessing one of the 152 Nuka-Cola Vending Machines scattered indoors and outdoors throughout the Wasteland there is approximately a 10% random chance of finding a Nuka Cola Quantum. The contents of Nuka-Cola Vending Machine load the first time you enter a cell and never reset. Thus to maximize this chance you should save before entering a new cell and travel to the vending machine. If it doesn't contain a quantum, load and try again. Remember, outdoor cells encompass several map markers, frequently.

With this in mind, it should be possible to get ~120 extra Nuka-Cola Quantum bottles with extreme dedication. The reason extreme dedication is a prerequisite is that some locations have two vending machines, meaning a 1 percent chance of getting 2 Nuka-Cola Quantums (and a 20 percent chance of getting one). Further some vending machines are hard to find or are located deep inside an environment, so getting to them to determine the contents takes a lot of time. And to top it off, some locations like the Chryslus Building have 3 or more vending machines in certain cells. You're welcome to try to get 3 or more Quantums, but given the astronomically low probability (0.1 percent for 3 machines, 0.01 for 4 machines), this seems an exercise in futility. Ultimately, ~120 bottles (from vending machines) is a fair estimate of your net haul if you get approximately two bottles at every location with 2 or more Nuka-Cola Vending Machines, and 1 bottle at locations with only 1 Nuka-Cola Vending Machine. This number should be obtainable even if you make a couple careless mistakes (such as blundering into an outdoor cell early in your playthrough and then later realize it contained a Nuka-Cola Vending Machine).

(On a side note, the DLC: The Pitt expands the game, and there are more added in the radiated city of Pittsburgh. For future reference, please put all Nuka-Cola Quantums from The Pitt under the bottom section of the chart labeled 'The Pitt')

A full list of the ~92 preset Nuka-Cola Quantums in preset locations follows.

Appearances

 * Nuka-Cola Quantum has only appeared in Fallout 3, as they were a test product shipped locally from the Factory.

Trivia

 * The concept of adding radioactive materials to a soft drink is also familiar in history.


 * Nuka-Cola Quantum's proposed slogan "Take the leap... enjoy a Quantum!" is a pun dealing with the expression "quantum leap" which originates in nuclear physics, thereby hinting once more at the nuclear-centred pre-war society as well as a reference to the television show Quantum Leap.


 * It is unknown how Quantum would have compared to other spin offs such as Cherry Nuka Cola, because Quantum was released to the public only hours before the bombs fell. The shipment to Old Olney did not even arrive in time due to an accident beforehand. The Super-Duper-Mart and Paradise Falls shipments are still intact however.


 * According to a few characters, drinking Nuka-Cola Quantum makes one's urine glow for up to a week. The isotope used to make it glow is apparently Strontium, which "gives it that extra kick." To others, it is said to feel like "Drinking a regular Nuka Cola, then downing a handful of sugar and subsequently punching yourself in the head".


 * Information on the research terminals at the Nuka-Cola Plant identify isotopes with codes of UR993, CE770, CE772 and CE774 as being tried unsuccessfully in earlier trials. The codes suggest that the isotopes are either of Uranium (U) or Cerium (Ce), but the numbers are too high to be atomic numbers (but perhaps not in the 2077 Fallout universe). One of the isotopes killed every single person who had tested it, while another caused few, although some, serious effects for a soda. All that the Nuka-Cola Company sent to the families of the deceased was fruit baskets, possibly referencing the carelessness of corporate America to the average citizen.


 * If you drink a quantum sometimes your character will fart.

Related Pages

 * Nuka Cola
 * Ice Cold Nuka Cola
 * Fallout 3 drugs and edibles
 * Nuka Grenade
 * Custom-built weapon components

YouTube Videos
Ranger Compound's hard to reach Nuka-Cola Machines njZ3XMt-zSs

Chemicals Lists
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