The Key to the Past main quest in Fallout 76 serves as a major turning point in the Raider storyline given by Rose at the Top of the World. Players must navigate multiple treacherous locations across Appalachia to assemble five key fragments from former raider gang leaders. Completing this lengthy task unlocks a hidden raider cache packed with valuable rewards and advances the main narrative progression.
Locating the Blackwater and Trappers Key Fragments
Your journey begins at Blackwater Mine, where you must access the terminal inside to track down the first fragment. Deep within the mine shaft, defeat the mutated Freddie Lang to retrieve the Blackwater Bandits key fragment from her body. Afterward, head over to the Trappers Camp to locate clues that direct you to Huntersville, where Walter Griswold's corpse holds the next fragment.
Duplicating the Diehards Fragment
Securing the Diehards fragment requires visiting Sunnytop Ski Lanes to inspect Margie McClintock's terminal and holotape. After acquiring the admin password from Vincent Fried's terminal, you will learn the original key was destroyed. Travel to the Palace of the Winding Path to use the Holotape Duplication Terminal, generating a fresh key fragment from the archives.
Conquering Wendigo Cave and Big Freds BBQ Shack
The quest takes a challenging turn as you venture into Wendigo Cave to recover the Gourmands fragment. Prepare for a tough fight against the Progenitor Wendigo residing in the dark caverns to loot the fourth key piece. Next, travel to Big Fred's BBQ Shack to confront David Thorpe, now a Scorched enemy, and claim the Cutthroat key fragment.
Unlocking the Top of the World Raider Cache
Return all five key fragments to Rose, who will direct you on a final trip to investigate records in Charleston. After searching the Crime Log Terminal at the Capitol Courthouse, make your way to the Pleasant Valley Ski Resort basement. Grab the cache keycard hidden under the floor mat to bypass the laser grid and access your reward.
