So, you’re wandering through the Commonwealth, minding your own business, when you suddenly pick up a weird radio signal. It’s an old-school broadcast, the kind that feels like it belongs in a museum rather than a radioactive wasteland. This is the start of the Speak of the Devil Fallout 4 quest, and honestly, it’s one of the coolest additions from the Next-Gen update.
It’s not just about some shiny new metal.
It’s about the Enclave. That shadowy, remnant-of-the-old-world government that just won't stay dead. If you've played Fallout 3, this quest is going to hit you right in the nostalgia. It brings back the Black Devil, a legendary suit of X-02 Power Armor that looks like it was ripped straight out of a post-apocalyptic fever dream. But getting it isn’t as simple as walking into a garage and turning a wrench. You’ve got to make some choices, and those choices actually matter for once.
Where the Hell Does It Start?
Most people stumble onto this by accident. You’ll likely be near Wattz Consumer Electronics or maybe just trekking through the ruins when the "Enclave Radio" signal pops up on your Pip-Boy. Tune in. You’ll hear a voice—Connie—talking about someone named Richie.
It sounds like a trap. In the Commonwealth, it usually is.
You’ll be directed to the Wattz Consumer Electronics building. It’s a standard Bethesda dungeon, filled with the usual suspects (mostly robots looking to turn you into a puddle). You’re looking for a holotape. Specifically, Richie’s holotape. This little piece of plastic is your ticket into a deeper conspiracy involving a guy named The Devil.
Richie was obsessed. He wanted to find the Black Devil, a vigilante who supposedly wore this terrifying suit of black armor to protect the people. Or maybe to terrorize them. It depends on who you ask.
The Hunt for the Black Devil
After you poke around Wattz, the quest sends you on a scavenger hunt. You aren’t just looking for armor; you’re looking for the ghost of a hero. Or a villain. Again, it’s complicated.
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You’ll head to the BADTFL Regional Office. If you haven't cleared this place yet, get ready for some Raiders. They’ve turned the place into a fortress, but they’re nothing a well-placed grenade or a shotgun blast to the face can’t handle. Inside, you’re hunting for more clues about the Devil’s whereabouts.
The trail eventually leads you to Boston Central Blast Shelter.
This is where things get interesting. The atmosphere shifts. It’s cramped, dark, and feels heavy with the weight of the past. You’ll find a terminal. This terminal is the heart of the Speak of the Devil Fallout 4 questline. It gives you the backstory of the man behind the armor, a former Enclave soldier named Colonel Blackwell. He wasn't like the rest of them. He had a conscience, which is a rare commodity when you’re part of a fascistic paramilitary organization.
The Morality Play
Here is where most players get stuck. You find the armor. It’s sitting there, looking magnificent in its X-02 glory. But you can't just hop in and ride off into the sunset. The terminal gives you a choice.
You can either:
- Download the Enclave Radio frequencies. This effectively restores the Enclave's presence in the area. It’s the "evil" or "authoritarian" choice, depending on how you roleplay.
- Turn the transmitter off. This honors Blackwell’s wish to let the Enclave die. It’s the "good" or "liberation" path.
Does it change the ending of the game? No. Does it change how the armor performs? Nope. But it changes the world state. If you choose the Enclave path, you’ll hear their propaganda on the radio. It’s chilling. It’s that classic Fallout satire that bites just a little too hard.
Why X-02 Power Armor is Actually Worth the Hassle
Let's talk stats because, at the end of the day, we’re all loot goblins. The X-02 isn't just a reskin of the T-60 or the X-01. It’s a beast.
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- Tesla Bracers: You can mod this thing to deal energy damage with your fists.
- Hellfire Resistance: It has built-in resistance that makes it a nightmare for enemies using energy weapons.
- The Look: Seriously, it’s the most intimidating suit in the game. It’s sleek, it’s black, and the helmet looks like a mechanical skull.
To get the most out of it, you’re going to need a high Science! and Armorer rank. Don't expect to just wear it and be invincible at level 10. You need to invest the perk points to upgrade the plating to Mk VI. Once you do, you’re basically a walking tank. I’ve seen players take direct hits from Fat Man launchers while wearing this and just walk it off with a sliver of health missing.
Actually, don't test that. It still hurts.
The Connie Connection
One thing the community argues about is what happens to Connie. She’s the one who started this whole mess. Depending on how you handle the terminal at the end, her fate changes. If you bring the Enclave back, you’re essentially betraying the very person who helped you find the armor.
It’s a bit of a gut punch.
Bethesda doesn't always do "nuance" well, but this quest feels like a throwback to the writing style of New Vegas or the older titles. It’s about the legacy of a dead man and how we, the players, choose to interpret it. Are we scavengers taking what we want? Or are we the next generation of heroes (or villains)?
Technical Glitches to Watch Out For
Look, it’s a Bethesda game. You knew there would be bugs.
Sometimes the radio signal for Speak of the Devil Fallout 4 just... doesn't show up. If that happens, try fast traveling to Diamond City and then back to the area around Wattz. Usually, that forces the script to trigger.
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Another issue is the "Invisible Armor" bug. Sometimes, when you find the suit in the blast shelter, the pieces aren't visible on the frame. If this happens, don't panic. Just transfer the pieces into your inventory and then put them back on the frame manually. It’s annoying, but it works.
Also, make sure you have enough Fusion Cores. The X-02 is a gas-guzzler. Well, a nuclear-guzzler. If you’re running a high-agility build, you’ll burn through cores fast while sprinting. Use the Nuclear Physicist perk to keep the lights on.
Comparing X-02 to the Hellfire Armor
Since the Next-Gen update also added the Hellfire Power Armor, a lot of people wonder which one is better.
The Hellfire suit is technically more "tanky" in terms of raw physical damage resistance. It’s bulky and round. The X-02, however, is more versatile. It has better energy resistance and, in my opinion, a much better set of unique mods. If you’re fighting the Brotherhood of Steel and their endless supply of lasers, the X-02 is your best friend.
Plus, the Black Devil skin is unique. You can't just find that paint job in a magazine. It’s tied to the quest, making it a status symbol in the wasteland.
Final Verdict on the Quest
Is it the longest quest? No. Is it the hardest? Not really. But Speak of the Devil Fallout 4 is essential for anyone who cares about the lore. It bridges the gap between the Enclave of the Capital Wasteland and the Commonwealth. It shows that even the most "evil" factions are made of individuals—some of whom just wanted to do the right thing.
Blackwell wasn't a hero to the Enclave, but he became a legend to the people he protected. By the time you finish this quest, you aren't just wearing his armor. You're carrying his reputation.
Make sure you’re prepared before you head into that blast shelter. Bring a lot of stimpaks and maybe a companion like Nick Valentine—his commentary on pre-war tech and Enclave history adds a nice layer of flavor to the whole experience.
Actionable Next Steps for Players:
- Check Your Level: Don't start this before Level 15-20 unless you're really confident in your combat skills; the BADTFL office can be a meat grinder.
- Hoard Aluminum and Ceramic: You'll need massive amounts of these materials to upgrade the X-02 to its maximum potential at a Power Armor station.
- Choose Your Radio: Decide before you reach the terminal whether you want to hear Enclave propaganda or silence; you can't change your mind once the quest completes.
- Search Every Corner: The Boston Central Blast Shelter has several holotapes and notes that explain the "Devil's" true identity—don't just grab the armor and run.
- Save Your Game: Make a hard save before entering the final room of the blast shelter in case the armor pieces glitch or you want to see both endings of the quest.