Exploring the expansive Mojave Wasteland in Fallout New Vegas often leads Couriers to unique subterranean structures, each containing its own tragic history and localized horrors. Among these hidden pre-war installations, Vault 22 stands out as a stark contrast to the surrounding desert due to its dense, overgrown greenery and aggressive mutated wildlife. Navigating this subterranean jungle requires a solid strategy, a keen eye for hidden entryways, and proper preparation to handle the dangerous airborne spores within.
Finding Vault 22 in the Mojave
Locating this overgrown vault requires traveling into the hills situated northwest of the New Vegas Strip and directly west of the Bitter Springs area. The entrance is instantly recognizable due to the vibrant, thick vines and tropical flora bursting out of the rusty steel cavern structure. Adventurers should watch their steps when approaching the main elevator shaft, as the surrounding crags are frequently patrolled by aggressive giant mantises and hidden spore creatures.
Once you step past the threshold, the local map reveals a multi-tiered layout consisting of five distinct levels connected by a central stairwell and a broken utility elevator. Repairing the elevator requires a sufficiently high Repair skill score, which grants players a much safer method of moving heavy equipment between floors. Exploring every corner thoroughly will reveal crucial keycards needed to unlock the lowest research decks where the true secrets are kept.
Essential Quests Tied to the Botanical Vault
Several major factions and independent entities across the wasteland will send the Courier into this leafy labyrinth to retrieve forgotten scientific research. The most prominent mission is titled There Stands the Grass, which is given by Thomas Hildern at the Camp McCarran terminal building. This quest tasks you with downloading invaluable agricultural data while deciding the ultimate fate of a missing brotherhood scientist named Keely.
Additionally, members of the Brotherhood of Steel will direct players to this location during the multi-stage faction questline Still in the Dark. For this objective, you must scour the hazardous oxygen recycling systems to find replacement parts for the faction's deteriorating bunker ventilation network. Balancing these overlapping goals allows players to maximize their rewards and reputation gains across multiple groups in a single trip.
Surviving the Overgrown Danger Zones
The primary threats inside Vault 22 are the Spore Carriers, which are mutated human victims camouflaged perfectly as stationary plant clusters along the corridors. Using incendiary weapons like flamer fuel or plasma rifles is highly recommended to quickly incinerate these creatures before they can ambush your squad. Fire also proves incredibly useful when executing Keely's plan to ignite the volatile gas pockets trapped within the lower maintenance tunnels.
Before attempting to clear out the toxic gas chambers, ensure that your companions are waiting at a safe distance near the stairwell exit. Firing a long-range energy weapon or tossing a grenade into the infected room will trigger a massive fireball that clears the blockage instantly. Successfully surviving this environmental hazard allows players to safely download the data and escape back to the surface with their hard-earned spoils.
