Vault 34 Vault 34 is one of the Vault - Tec vault s located in the Mojave Wasteland . Background . As part of the Vault experiment , the armory was overstocked with weapons and ammunition . It was also equipped with a great number of recreational facilities , including a full - sized swimming pool , at the cost of living space . By 2281 , it still has people living in it , including Horowitz , although most of its residents have become s and glowing one s . They are , however , still able to speak with some level of intelligence . According to various sources inside the vault , the vault became overpopulated . Foreseeing problems , the overseer had a remote link to the armory lock installed on his terminal , denying access . A group of residents demanded access to the armory , stating the right to defend themselves , which the overseer denied . Rioting broke out soon after , and the group who had demanded access to the armory stormed the exit and left the vault . Additionally , according to the Boomers historian , the Boomers used to occupy Vault 34 , but they grew tired of not being allowed to use their weapons so they left and started a community at Nellis . The fact that Pearl possesses the key to a gun case located deep in Vault 34 contributes to the credibility of this story . The main exit was then sealed and guards posted to prevent anyone else from leaving . Years later , another group unsuccessfully stormed the armory . With most guards at the main exit or armory , there was little to stop the damage that was done to other areas in the vault , most importantly the reactor cooling vents , main computer systems , and other infrastructure . Consequently , undetected radioactive gases began venting throughout the vault ; after this was discovered , panic set in . Whether by accident or design , the main exit could not be opened again , trapping the residents inside , their only hope being an automated unsealing of the vault in the near future or external intervention before they died from radiation poisoning . Layout . Outside , just in front of the entrance , is a U . S . Army truck with radioactive barrels in the back and several s will spawn . The interior itself is unique among the vaults of the Mojave , having a much longer access tunnel appearing to be a natural cave , as well as a radically different layout . Moreover , the vault interior is highly irradiated . Precautions should be made to address rads accumulated while exploring , as the player will start to become irradiated upon entering Vault 34 . In addition , be aware that a frequent theme in this vault will be new enemies appearing behind the Courier . 1st floor . This section is comprised of the vault ' s long entrance tunnel , blast door , atrium , clinic , and a few apartments . Although this vault can feel a little like a labyrinth , it is mostly symmetrical in layout , although some halls have collapsed or been barricaded , forcing alternative routes to be taken . A flooded area along the western side contains the corpse of a glowing one which the game calls a ' Vault technician ' under a desk . The corpse holds the Vault 34 security terminal password . The entry room is completely devoid of items , but an overseer ' s journal fragment can be found in the control booth . Most loot in this section is either in lockers or dressers , although first aid boxes are scattered about , as are and . There is a terminal ( Science 100 ) on the lower level , located in the Utility room , through the Clinic , which can pump the water out of one of the flooded areas . To activate the terminal without hacking , backtrack a small amount to the flooded area which will be on your right when facing the armory door . Straight down at the bottom of the pool is another dead glowing ghoul ' vault technician ' under another desk with the Vault 34 utility terminal password . Use this on the computer in the Utility room to drain the water from that same flooded area and gain access to the Security Room . In the room opposite the Utility room is another overseer ' s journal fragment . This level has access to the Armory and the Overseer ' s office . Reactor . This section has higher radiation than the rest , excluding the armory , as it contains the damaged reactor of the vault . At the end of the main hallway is a door to the flooded areas of the vault , which is inaccessible , and a small room containing a few security guards and a " True Police Stories " on the floor . The mutated overseer is in his office , standing on his raised desk with two turrets mounted underneath it . One of the overseer ' s journal fragment s is in the room also . Be warned that upon entering the room , more ghouls will break through the inaccessible door labeled " " Operations " " and attack . Under the stairs is the lightly flooded engineering level , ending in the reactor chamber itself . The terminal next to the door is used to open it , and the terminal inside the reactor itself is required for the quest Hard Luck Blues . The overseer ' s window overlooks an inaccessible part of the armory . Armory . This is a small area that begins at a staircase and ends at a hallway . One way goes to a small common room with a reloading bench and a copy of by a couch . The other way goes to the armory , with a door that needs to be unlocked through the overseer ' s terminal before it can be entered . The armory is a small , two level room , with weapons and ammunition scattered around on the floor , tables and shelves . among other ammunition . The unique weapon , All - American , is found on an overturned table to the right side of the armory , and in a Very Hard locked footlocker , is the . The upper gantry is inaccessible . To access the armory you must get two passwords from two ghoul engineers that are in submerged areas . Then you must find two terminals , the first to pump out the water and on the second terminal an option will appear to open the overseer ' s door , then proceed to the overseer ' s office which is on the right of a hall beyond the newly unlocked door . Once inside , you have to destroy the turret ( s ) and the ghoulified overseer and take his password from his corpse . Use the password to hack his terminal and open the armory door . Proceed to exit the room ( if you are searching for the armory ) and travel through the clinic . Eventually you will find the room containing many weapons ( such as missile launchers , various rifles and SMG ' s ) and the All - American Marksman carbine . Most of the weapons in the armory are in very poor condition but can be repaired with each other . Security Station A . The door to this small area is underwater , but can easily be accessed when the water is pumped out . It contains a few security guards and a set of security armor . An overseer ' s journal fragment is found on the desk , next to the terminal which unlocks the overseer ' s quarters . Appearances . Vault 34 was first mentioned in the " Fallout Bible " and appears only in " " .