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Gameplay articles
Fallout 3Pulowski Preservation shelter
Fallout 4Pulowski Preservation shelter
Fallout 76Pulowski Preservation shelter
Pulowski: Nuclear protection on a budget!

Pulowski Preservation shelters are coin-operated, one-person fallout shelters found on street corners throughout the more urban areas of the Capital Wasteland, the Commonwealth, and Appalachia, provided by Pulowski Preservation Services. They act as sources of loot, potential hiding spots against enemies, and even quest starters.

Background[]

These shelters were created by Pulowski Preservation Services, advertised as "an affordable line of personal protection products to make sure no one gets left behind," and a viable alternative to Vaults available to the common man when they're "actually needed." Taking exact change[Non-game 1] (¢25, with no dimes or nickels accepted),[1] they were a fallout shelter to be used during a nuclear strike to protect against radiation, rather than the blast wave or heat. Occupants were instructed to remain inside until radiation clears and "enjoy their stay."[2] Extended stay was impossible, as the shelter contained no provisions and no amenities beyond ventilation, a suction hose for bodily waste,[3] lights, and breathing masks at most.[4] When occupied, some models would display a lit "Occupied" signal.[5]

Pulowski heavily marketed their shelters, also partnering with companies for cross-promotions. In the Boston area partners included Slocum's Joe, the "Bostoner's choice,"[6] Yawk Brats,[7] and Fallon's.[8] Celebrities like Dick Shale were also hired to promote the shelters through competitions such as the Pulowski Preservation Shelter Squat contest.[9]

Effectiveness[]

The actual effectiveness of the shelters is dubious. A large number of shelters found after the Great War contain the corpses of their occupants, and seem to have become defunct, as they no longer require any change to function. However, they do protect against wild animals and non-nuclear weapons, as Bryan Wilks in 2277 was able to hide from the fire ants besieging Grayditch in one.[10] Some have found unorthodox uses for Pulowski shelters, such as the slavers of Paradise Falls: A Pulowski unit installed in the old strip mall was repurposed for solitary confinement of rebellious slaves, known as "The Box," used since the days of Herbert Dashwood,[11] and lockable from the outside.

They're also synonymous with confined spaces in general. Something is considered brief, if it ends "faster than a knife fight in a Pulowski."[12]

Variants[]

The shelters are present in Fallout 3, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76. They usually contain a fixed amount of items, often accompanied by a skeleton, and some also double as cultural references or comic relief.

Fallout 3[]

Pulowski Preservation Shelter
Gameplay article: Fallout 3

In Fallout 3, a Pulowski shelter is used by Bryan Wilks as shelter from fire ants ravaging Grayditch during Those!, while the aforementioned Box at Paradise Falls is part of the Rescue from Paradise side quest, where the player has to save Rory Maclaren) after taking the key to it from Forty. The door cannot be operated by non-player characters, allowing the player to safely hide from enemies until they stop searching and leave. They also protect any outside attacks, including explosions. The interior in this version of the shelter is very sparse and contains no visible Geiger counter to confirm outside radiation levels or other amenities, though Bryan does reference a suction hose for disposing of bodily waste.

Fallout 4 and Fallout 76[]

FO4 Pulowski Preservation Shelter
Gameplay articles: Fallout 4, Fallout 76

In Fallout 4, the shelters have a different appearance, colored a bright blue with a more detailed interior, including breathing masks, a control panel, and an animated internal vent. They play pre-recorded sound clips welcoming occupants. They are reused as source of loot and references, and are also slightly larger. While they still protect from any and all attacks when inside, the door can be operated by other characters, making it less viable as a hiding spot. Furthermore, the light will affect sneaking, making the player easier to discover when it is opened.

In Fallout 76, the shelters are reused, but given the more rural nature of Appalachia, they're placed in clusters in or near larger Appalachian cities. One such cluster is near the affluent villa region overlooking the now dry Summersville Lake, and has been repurposed as a secret entrance to the Riverside Manor basement and the Order of Mysteries headquarters. However, it is only active if the Veil of Secrets is worn.

Appearances[]

Pulowski Preservation shelters appear in Fallout 3, its add-on Point Lookout, Fallout 4, its add-ons Far Harbor and Nuka-World, and Fallout 76.

Behind the scenes[]

In Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, the Pulowski Preservation shelters are voiced by Elmarie Wendel. Her role as the Pulowski Preservation shelters in Fallout 76 had no new lines added and it reuses the audio from Fallout 4. However, she was credited on Fallout 76 and it was a posthumous release, as the game was released four months after she passed away.

Gallery[]

Fallout 3[]

Fallout 4[]

Fallout 76[]

Video[]

References[]

  1. Fallout 3 shelter concept art.
  2. Fallout 3 shelter interior texture.
  3. Bryan Wilks: "What's this funny suction hose for?"
    (Bryan Wilks' dialogue)
  4. Fallout 4 shelter interior shot.
  5. Fallout 3 shelter behavior.
  6. Pulowski advertisement: "Boy, I sure could go for a cup about now. Stop in at Slocum's Joe, the Bostoner's choice."
  7. Pulowski advertisement: "Getting hungry? Try a Yawk Brat once this whole thing blows over."
  8. Pulowski advertisement: "Need a fresh start? Try a fresh suit from Fallon's. Tell 'em Pulowski sent ya!"
  9. The Golden Holotape
  10. The events of the quest Those! in Fallout 3.
  11. Galaxy News Radio; The Adventures of Herbert "Daring" Dashwood and his Ghoul Manservant Argyle; Escape from Paradise Falls!: "All right. She's locked in there. They call it... "the box." First, we need to remove that guard..."
  12. The Sole Survivor: "Because we're a team, and we need to stick together."
    Cait: "I don't know. I feel like I've heard all this before, but you still let me down."
    The Sole Survivor: "Because I don't want to be alone."
    Cait: "I don't know. You're the one that got us here in the first place."
    The Sole Survivor: "Because I have feelings for you."
    Cait: "I... I don't know... Half of me wants to hug you, the other half of me wants to rip out your throat."
    Cait: "Sigh. Look, I'll cut you a deal. If you start makin' things right with me, I'll stick around. But if you're fuckin' with me, our little partnership is goin' to end faster than a knife fight in a Pulowski. Now let's get movin'."
    (Cait's dialogue) Note: These are the lines spoken should the player's affinity with Cait go from Distain to Hatred and she is convinced to stay with the player with a Red Charisma check.

Non-game

  1. Fallout 3 Advert: Pulowski Preservation Services: "Before we begin this episode of The Adventures of Captain cosmos we've got a message from the fine folks at Pulowski Preservation Services, purveyors of products there when you actually need them. It seems there's been a lot of talk these days about Vault life but not all of us have the luxury to spend so much on something that, frankly, we may not actually need. Unlike those other guys, the sensible folks in Pulowski Preservation Services have created an affordable line of personal protection products to make sure no one gets left behind. Personal protection there when you actually need it. Remember, that's Pulowski preservation shelters, simply there when you actually need them. Exact change only. And now on to our show The Adventures of Captain Cosmos, co-starring Jangles the moon monkey."
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