During the Bethesda E3 presentation, Todd Howard stated that the developers went to West Virginian folklore for inspiration for new enemies in Fallout 76. That is clear in the designs of monsters like the Snallygaster, Grafton Monster, Mothman, Flatwoods Monster, and Mega Sloth. However, one new enemy has no such ties; the Fallout 76 Liberators. These new robotic enemies could play a major part in the upcoming game.
The Fallout 76 Liberators and What They Could Mean
The Liberators appeared in several brief scenes during the various Fallout 76 trailers. These small, four-legged, cylindrical robots appear en masse, swarming players and their bases. Each of the robots bears a glowing red eye surrounded by a red star. Chinese writing is also inscribed on parts of their outer plating. Given that the Great War was fought between America and communist China; the stars and Chinese characters clearly indicate that the Liberators are communist tech.
How these robots ended up in West Virginia is currently unknown; it seems likely that their story will be explored in the upcoming title. At present, it’s also unknown how big or small a role the Liberators will play; are they the foot-soldiers of some major communist threat in the West Virginian wastelands? Or, are they just a new enemy which will inhabit a few dungeons around the game? There’s too little information to go on at present, but there is something much more relevant that they indicate; if Chinese-built robots have ended up in West Virginia, what other communist technology is also there?
In the Operation: Anchorage DLC for Fallout 3, players got their first proper look at communist technology. Chinese Stealth Armor featured in the invasion of Alaska, for example. (Designed to counter American power armor.) Interestingly, four-legged spider drones also appeared in the DLC, though they have very different designs to the Liberators. If the Liberators are a major part of Fallout 76, it stands to reason that players may be able to get their hands on more communist-made technology… whether that be stealth armour or something new.