"Key to the Past" is a pivotal main quest in Fallout 76, following the completion of "Flavors of Mayhem." This quest involves a series of challenging objectives that require players to explore various locations across the game's vast map. Here's a detailed walkthrough to help you navigate through this quest.

Prerequisites

Before starting "Key to the Past," ensure you have completed the "Flavors of Mayhem" quest. This will unlock the quest and allow you to begin your journey.

Upon completing "Key to the Past" and unlocking the Raider Cache at Pleasant Valley Ski Resort, you'll be rewarded with substantial loot, including Fallout 76 caps. These caps are crucial for purchasing essential items and trading with other players. Managing your caps wisely is important, as they will assist in equipping your character with better gear and supplies to tackle further quests and challenges within the game's expansive world.

Quest Objectives

The primary goal of "Key to the Past" is to locate five key fragments needed to unlock a Raider Cache. Here are the steps to complete the quest:

1. Check the Terminal at Blackwater Mine

   • Head to Blackwater Mine, located south of Top of the World, near Whitespring Resort.

   • Access the terminal inside the mine to initiate the quest.

2. Find the Blackwater Bandit's Key Fragment

   • Proceed deeper into the mine and kill Freddie Lang to obtain the Blackwater Bandit's Key Fragment.

3. Find the Trapper's Key Fragment

   • Visit the Trapper's Camp on Devil's Backbone, but the key fragment won't be there. Instead, follow the road west to Huntersville.

   • Locate Walter Griswold's corpse in the center of town to find the Trapper's Key Fragment. Be cautious, as the town is overrun with Super Mutants.

4. Duplicate the Diehard's Key Fragment

   • Travel to Sunnytop Ski Lanes and listen to Margie McClinktock's Holotape.

   • Access Vincent Fried's Terminal on the lower floor and select "Inbox" followed by "Admin Password."

   • Head to the Palace of the Winding Path to find the Admin Password in a dresser.

   • Use the Holotape Duplication Terminal to duplicate the Diehard's Key Fragment.

5. Find the Gourmand's Key Fragment

   • Search around Bolton Greens for notes on the Gourmand's Key Fragment.

6. Find the Cutthroat's Key Fragment

   • Kill David at Big Fred's BBQ Shack to obtain the Cutthroat's Key Fragment.

7. Bring the Key Fragments to Rose

   • Return to Rose at the Top of the World with all the key fragments.

8. Access the Raider Cache

   • Finally, head to the Pleasant Valley Ski Resort to access the Raider Cache. However, be aware that there have been reports of issues with the key not being under the welcome mat as intended.

     

Locations Involved

• Blackwater Mine: Located south of Top of the World.

• Devil's Backbone: Site of the Trapper's Camp.

• Huntersville: Find Walter Griswold's corpse here.

• Sunnytop Ski Lanes: Listen to Margie's Holotape.

• Palace of the Winding Path: Duplicate the Diehard's Key Fragment.

• Bolton Greens: Search for the Gourmand's Key Fragment.

• Big Fred's BBQ Shack: Obtain the Cutthroat's Key Fragment.

• Pleasant Valley Ski Resort: Access the Raider Cache.

Tips and Tricks

• Perception is Key: Pay close attention to your surroundings, especially when searching for key fragments.

• Prepare for Combat: Many locations are infested with hostile creatures, so ensure you're well-equipped.

• Save Often: Due to potential bugs, save your progress frequently to avoid losing key fragments upon logging out or disconnecting.

By following these steps and being mindful of the challenges and potential issues, you'll successfully complete "Key to the Past" and unlock the next chapter in Fallout 76's narrative.