Welcome to the Commonwealth, the post-apocalyptic playground where chaos reigns, radiation can’t be escaped, and deathclaws are the neighborhood bullies. to survive and thrive inFallout 4, you’ll need a small army of settlers in your corner.

These folks aren’t just generic NPCs; they’re your ticket to building a thriving community in a world that’s seen better days. Need the secrets of settler magnetism? We’re here to reveal the strategies that will draw more settlers into your fold, transforming your wasteland into a bustling hub of activity. Attracting settlers isn’t just a necessity; it’s an art.

Settlers gathered around in the settlement in Fallout 4

Updated July 17, 2025 by Quinton O’Connor:We’ve added a section on the more practical uses of your hard-earned settlers for those whose town-building reward doesn’t stand alone as enough reason to get out there and care about people. We get it.

What Are Settlers And Settlements

In Fallout 4,settlers are NPCswho can be recruited toinhabit and work in your settlements.Settlements are player-controlled locationsscattered throughout the Commonwealth.

Settlers are essential for the growth and prosperity of your settlements, as they perform various tasks, such asfarming,scavenging,guarding, andoperating shops.

Split screen of a settler in a clinic and a Radio Beacon in Fallout 4

Before you can start attracting settlers to your settlements, you need to gain access to the settlement-building feature in the game. To do this, you shouldprogress through the early-game main questlineuntil you reachConcord.

There, you’ll encounterPreston Garveyand the group of settlers he leads. Completing theWhen Freedom Calls questin Concord willunlock the Sanctuary settlementand introduce you to the basics of settlement building.

fallout 4 player surrounded by settlers in ramshackle settlement

After unlocking the Sanctuary settlement, verify tocomplete the associated quest, Sanctuary. This quest not only familiarizes you with settlement-building mechanics but also encourages more settlers to join your community as a result of your efforts in restoring Sanctuary Hills.

How To Attract More Settlers

Once you’ve got your very own slice of post-apocalyptic paradise, it’s time to invite some folks over.The Recruitment Radio Beaconis a crucial tool for this purpose. You can find it under thePower sectionof yourworkbench menu.

Construct oneineach settlementyou want to grow.This beacon broadcasts a signal thatattracts potential settlersfrom the wasteland.

Settler dialogue in Fallout 4 with the player

Provide Food, Water, and Beds

Your settlers aren’t high-maintenance, but they do have some basic needs. Ensure that your settlement has anadequate supply of food, water,andbeds. Build and assign settlers to food-producing resources, such as crops and water pumps.

Each settler needs at least one bed, so build enough beds for your current and expected population.

Split screen of charisma cartoon and character in sunglasses in Fallout 4

Settlers won’t come to a settlement that can’t support them.

Increase Settlement Happiness

Ever heard the saying, “Happy settlers, happy life”? Well, maybe not, but it’s still true.A happy settlementhas ahigher chance of drawing newcomersthrough the recruitment beacon. Keep your settlerswell-fed, hydrated,andwell-defended.

Additionally,add decorations, entertainment itemssuch as radios or televisions, andshopstoimprove happiness.

Consider buildingclinics, as they provide both medical services andincrease settlement happiness.

What Can Settlers Do For You?

Apart from the obvious - populating those settlements to give you a sense of civilization-rebuilding satisfaction -there are several more tangible things for settlers to offer, and they’ll be available for you to tap into on a routine basis.

Farmingis probably the major go-to. Food is good! Food isneeded. you’re able to alsomake money on a passive basisthrough settlers. Those of us with theSurvival Modeenabled will treasure another bed tosleep - and save the game - in.

If a settler isassigned to a first aid station, you can rely on them to treat your protagonist’s injuries to the best of their ability. This includeshealing, lower radiation,and evenhandle addiction issues.

You canmake your own merchantsby giving settlers shop-running duties. Want stuff fast from reliable sources? Need additional inventories to cycle through daily? Here you go.

Merchant settlers will offer their wares even outside “normal business hours,” too.

How To Recruit More Settlers

As you explore the Commonwealth, keep an eye out for potential settlers. Many NPCscan be recruited by interacting with themandconvincing them to join your cause. Some may have specific requirements or require completing certain quests.

During your travels, you may come across NPCs who are under attack by hostile forces.Rescue them by eliminating the threatsandoffering assistance. In many cases, they’ll express gratitude and be willing to join your settlement in return for your help.

How To Increase Your Charisma

Charisma is a key attribute forrecruiting,attracting, andretaining settlers.

Charisma dialogue options can be particularly helpful in convincing people to join your settlement, but more importantly, thehigher your Charisma stat, themore settlers you’re able to havein your settlements. So be sure tolevel up your characterandinvest pointsin the Charisma attribute.

To boost your Charisma additionally, invest inCharisma-related perkssuch asInspirational,Cap Collector, andLocal Leader. Additionally, wearCharisma-boosting gearlikesuits, dresses, glasses, orhats.

Collecting theCharisma Bobbleheadcan also permanently increase your Charisma. It is in Parsons State Insane Asylum, located in the basement, in Jack Cabot’s office.