The Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Fallout Ranger Unification Treaty

Highlights

The NCR Rangers in Fallout: New Vegas are a highly esteemed faction dedicated to safeguarding citizens from criminals and tribes. They have achieved this by increasing their influence through the Ranger Unification Treaty.

Signed in 2271, the Ranger Unification Treaty merged the Desert Rangers into the NCR Rangers. This integration provided them with exceptional training and advanced equipment, enabling them to expand their territorial reach and fortify their forces against the threat of Caesar's Legion.

When thinking about Fallout: New Vegas, whether a fan or simply familiar with the game, most people imagine a New California Republic (NCR) Ranger, armed with their reliable revolver or rifle. The NCR is highly respected not only in Fallout: New Vegas but also in the entire franchise. This is because they effectively function as an army established post-nuclear apocalypse, providing protection to all NCR citizens and taking action against enslaving tribes and other criminals without demanding much in return. Throughout the events of FNV, the influence of the NCR Rangers extended to the neighboring state of Nevada due to an agreement called the Ranger Unification Treaty.

As a spin-off release that came a few months after the mainline Fallout 3 game, Fallout: New Vegas was developed by Obsidian Entertainment instead of Bethesda's in-house studio. Despite the change in developers, Fallout: New Vegas has become one of the most successful games in the series largely due to its captivating story. In this game, the player character, known as the Courier, embarks on a journey to recover a package that was lost after being shot and left for dead while on a delivery mission in the Mojave Desert. Along the way, they become entangled in a complex war involving multiple factions across the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada.

A History of the Desert Rangers and New California Republic Army

The origins of the two Ranger organizations in Fallout: New Vegas, despite their similar name, objective, and renown, are actually quite distinct. The NCR Rangers, being the more well-known faction, were established in 2161 by Seth, a former captain of the Shady Sands Town Guards during the events of the first Fallout game. Originally formed as a volunteer group with a specific aim to eradicate slavery within and beyond their borders, they soon gained traction and expanded their focus to defending the people of the New California Republic from oppressive rule. Evolving into a formidable strike force, they now handle threats that exceed the capabilities of the regular NCR army, all the while safeguarding the republic's borders. Moreover, they carry out covert missions for intelligence gathering and sabotaging enemy strongholds.

The Desert Rangers, though less structured, display equal competence compared to their NCR counterparts. Composed of survivalists residing in Nevada and Arizona, this organization has been influenced by the original Texas Rangers, with the purpose of aiding and safeguarding the inhabitants of the wasteland. In their early days, they effectively protected Nevada from Raiders and other violent factions, utilizing their superior weaponry and extensive training. Nonetheless, when confronted with Caesar's Legion, who possessed superior numbers, the Desert Rangers encountered a formidable adversary.

How the Ranger Unification Treaty Came to Be

The conflict between the Desert Rangers and Caesar’s Legion served as a stark reminder that mere expertise and superior weaponry cannot guarantee victory against a larger enemy. It became evident that the Desert Rangers required additional manpower. Consequently, they cast their sights upon the NCR Rangers, who eagerly offered their assistance in the struggle against the oppressive rule of Caesar. In 2271, the two neighboring organizations solidified their alliance by signing the Ranger Unification Treaty, thereby assimilating the Desert Rangers into the ranks of the NCR Rangers.

As a result of the treaty, the Desert Rangers gained access to the advanced training and equipment of the NCR Rangers, enhancing their combat skills and tactical abilities. Additionally, the integration led to an expansion of the NCR Rangers' forces, as battle-tested and loyal soldiers joined their ranks. The treaty also extended the NCR Ranger's territorial control to include Southern Nevada, Hoover Dam, and New Vegas, effectively preventing any invasion attempts by Caesar's Legion. In commemoration of this significant agreement, a monument was erected just outside the Mojave Outpost, featuring sculptures depicting a Desert Ranger and an NCR Ranger engaged in a handshake.

Fallout: New Vegas is now available for PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.