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The explosive collar is a piece of headwear in Fallout: New Vegas.

Background[]

Main article: Slave collar

Available in several models before the Great War,[1] slave collars follow a simple, but deadly design: A small explosive charge encased in five pounds of durable steel. A microphone/speaker and a radio wave receiver and transmitter may also be present though models vary.[2] When remotely triggered, the receiver signals the detonation of the charge, obliterating everything above the neck of the wearer without damaging the surrounding area. The collar's transmitter constantly broadcasts its position and environmental input to the controller, meaning wearers can be constantly monitored and eavesdropped upon.[3][4][5]

In addition, the collars are designed to detonate when tampered with. Some models were sensitive enough simply trying to pry them open would cause them to detonate,[6] and all require at least a disarming signal and key to safely take off;[7] it takes quite the expert in explosive circuits to get one off without such a signal.[8][9][3][10] The collars can even be adjusted to detonate if the outgoing signal of another nearby collar goes silent.[11] Their simple design also allows for easy modification of additional electronics and even completely repurposing the collars function.[12][13] However, this simplicity can be the downfall of their wearers: the collars do not have selective radio wave jammers, meaning that rogue background electromagnetic waves can interfere with the receiver and set off the collar.[14][15]

Characteristics[]

Most commonly used on slaves as an incentive to be obedient and not try to leave without a say-so. They explode via remote trigger, but will also explode if someone attempts to interfere with the collar's wiring as it will activate a self-destruct function.

Locations[]

The Brotherhood of Steel will force the Courier to equip one when they first meet in the Hidden Valley bunker as a way to make sure the Courier does not reveal their location to the enemy (unless the Courier is accompanied by Veronica Santangelo). The captives in Dead Money, as well as Mrs. Weathers and her two children, Kenny Weathers, and Sammy Weathers from the quest Left My Heart are also equipped with them.

Notes[]

  • Elijah hypothesizes that they may have been made pre-War, used by corporations that had "compliance issues."
  • There are various kinds of explosive collars; see the overview for a breakdown.
  • Spawning this item in the console then fast traveling to another location will cause one's head to explode instantly after the loading sequence. This will happen even if one is not equipped with the collar. Giving the collar to a companion will still cause this result.
  • If one causes Elijah to explode the collar in Dead Money, one is awarded credit for the kills of the other collars, contributing to perks such as Lord Death.
  • During the Still in the Dark quest, if the player has the Jury Rigging perk, they can repair light headgear using the collar. The player will then get a message saying the collar cannot be removed, and the collar will remain in the player's inventory. This effectively allows for an infinite number of repairs.

References[]

  1. The Courier: "Where did you get the collars?"
    Elijah: "The collars. They're Pre-War tech, I suspect this great land had... compliance issues before the war. It's one of a series of models. The one on your neck? Special, easier to make adjustments. Unreliable in other ways, notably radio interference."
    The Courier: "If they're Pre-War tech, where did you get them?"
    Elijah: "A place far from here, called the Big Empty. Almost didn't make it out. Were two others there... a woman. And a man, a courier. The woman was familiar... the other... I don't know what happened to him."
    (Elijah's dialogue)
  2. Fallout: New Vegas loading screens: "Bomb collar technology existed before the war, they come in several models. Their Pre-War use was unknown."
  3. 3.0 3.1 The Lone Wanderer: "How does the collar work?"
    Grouse: "It's got a radio signal we monitor here at Paradise Falls. If a slave's going the wrong direction, we push a button, and boom. His head pops. Once you get a collar on, you can't take it off in the field. They're wired to blow if anyone tinkers with it. So don't."
    (Grouse's dialogue)
  4. The Courier: "I convinced him that staying here was more dangerous than moving on."
    Nolan McNamara: "Yes, you exploited his fear of Powder Gangers very effectively. The collar includes a microphone, you see. Part of the test. He'll keep his distance, setting ambushes, never suspecting that these bunkers house something far more dangerous to him than criminals. Well-played."
    (Nolan McNamara's dialogue)
  5. Elijah: "Are you listening? Good. From now on, when I talk, listen - and follow my instructions. Play stupid, play clever, make the mistake of saying "no?" That collar on your neck'll go off and take your head with it."
    The Courier: "Collar? What are you talking about?"
    Elijah: "It's like that Pip-Boy on your wrist, except filled with explosives. A little radio of the Old World, just needed some tuning. Do what I say, and the collar won't go off... refuse, try and run, disobey me? I'll kill you and find someone else. There's no escape from here until I let you go. The sooner you accept your situation, the better."
    The Courier: "As long as you can find me, you mean."
    Elijah: "[FAILED] As long as you're wearing that collar, you're not far from me. A press of a button, and I'll find you - I'll just listen for the explosion."
    (Elijah's dialogue)
  6. Eastern Regional Penitentiary terminal entries, Security system terminal, Inmate incident
  7. Slave collar key
  8. The Lone Wanderer with sufficient enough Explosives skill can disarm slave collars
  9. The Courier: "How about this explosive collar around my neck?"
    Ranger Dobson: "I'll be. Let me take a look at that. All this is, is a slave collar. Seen plenty of these infernal contraptions in my day, and I know just how to spring 'em. Hold still. There, it's off. Now thing is, a slave collar seems a little too basic for the Brotherhood. That's not to say I don't believe you, bu- did you just hear something?"
    (Dobson's dialogue)
  10. The Courier: "RF detonator? Give me a second.<Deactivate the charge and remove his collar>"
    Kenny Weathers: "[SUCCEEDED] Hey, you did it! Nice work!"
    (Kenny Weathers' dialogue)
  11. Elijah: "If only the others would've obeyed orders half as well as this one... should have thought of linking the collars together the first few times."
    (Elijah's dialogue)
  12. Elijah: "Good thing I installed radios in the collars, Pip-Boy's letting me pick them up."
    (Elijah's dialogue)
  13. Weasel's slave collar was modified to allow her to talk
  14. The Courier: "Radios and speakers?"
    Elijah: "Yes, music was intended to be broadcast all over the Villa... over time, however, the radio signal has decayed and emits a different frequency. Speakers and radios interfere with the bomb collar frequency, and can trigger the detonators... prematurely. It is an unfortunate side effect, one I did not anticipate. I was unable to calibrate the collars to block the signals - so you'll have to make do."
    The Courier: "Radios and speakers can set off my collar?"
    Elijah: "Yes. But not immediately. You'll hear a beep from your collar's detonator - when you do, step back, scan the area, and find the signal source. There are damaged speakers, and shielded ones... the damaged ones you can destroy at range - don't get close, you can't switch them off like a radio. The damaged speakers are sparking, ha... hard to miss. The casings are resistant to vandalism - punching or hitting them will not destroy them."
    (Elijah's dialogue)
  15. Slave collar instructions
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