Lower Level Grinding (Level 1-50)
Level 50 serves as the threshold before diving into more challenging content, exploring higher-level zones, and taking down formidable enemies. Until then, you need to prove your worth, young grasshopper. This entails focusing on leveling up in lower areas and acquiring better gear to gain a foothold.
To achieve this, concentrate on participating in various events and eliminating large numbers of enemies in prime grinding locations. The most efficient events for low-level zones are Horde Events, particularly for solo players. These events guarantee legendary items, quick XP for kills, and a significant XP boost upon completion.
Thanks to the addition of NPCs, new opportunities to level up have emerged due to the introduction of fresh locations. Several of these locations are teeming with enemies and valuable loot. Lower-level players naturally require lower-level enemies to conquer, especially when venturing alone. Therefore, I have identified the best areas for different level ranges. Ensure you possess a weapon capable of handling these locations alone or find a companion to assist you. Remember, in order to gain experience, you must land a hit on an enemy.
WV Lumber Co.
This area should be your initial destination for low-level XP grinding. With the Wastelanders update, you’ll encounter Raiders instead of Super Mutants. The abundance of Raiders makes this location perfect for quick leveling and acquiring superior weapons and armor. Thoroughly explore the entire area as it is quite extensive, with Raiders scattered throughout.
Clancy Manor
Located just east of the Lumber Co., Clancy Manor houses around 20 Cultists ripe for the picking. This area can be swiftly cleared, as it is relatively smaller in size. Take note of the Cultists, as they often carry numerous stimpaks. As a low-level player, stocking up on stimpaks will greatly benefit you.
Grafton
Grafton is a hit-or-miss location, as you have to rely on enemy spawns. If you’re fortunate, you’ll encounter an abundance of Super Mutants alongside wandering Scorched. If luck favors you even further, you may come across the formidable Grafton Monster, which yields more XP and valuable loot. The monster typically appears on the west side of town, near the Train Station.
Eastern Regional Penitentiary
Listen up, this is not your typical grinding area. The penitentiary poses a few challenges that must be addressed. First, you have the outside, which is usually swarming with Super Mutants lining the walls surrounding the building. Take cover if you find yourself being sniped. Additionally, mutants wander the outside field. Many low-level players find this area difficult due to the sheer number of Super Mutants attacking all at once. Therefore, it is recommended to tackle the outside yard at your own risk.
Inside the penitentiary, you’ll encounter hordes of Ghouls. This area attracts most low-level players, with some players opting to clear the outside first before venturing indoors. However, don’t underestimate the interior. Numerous Ghouls lurk within every cell, ready to ambush you. It is advisable to use a melee weapon inside due to the lack of space and the constant threat of enemy attacks.
Charleston Capitol Building
Enemy difficulty can vary in this location, so approach with caution. The town of Charleston offers decent XP, but navigating the town takes time that could be better spent grinding elsewhere. However, the capitol building is packed with enemies both inside and outside. Begin with the interior, as it houses a plethora of raiders, super mutants, or ghouls. Prepare yourself, as each floor of the building presents a relentless onslaught of enemies. If you’re lucky, you may even encounter a few legendary foes.
Wade Airport
This is one of the few farming nodes I recommend exploring due to the considerable number of Super Mutants that spawn here. They can be found near the airplane runway as well as the parkade behind the airport building. Efficiently eliminating them will yield a substantial amount of XP.
Camden Park
Camden Park is an excellent location for players seeking Scorched enemies to slay. Stealth can be advantageous when dealing with Scorched, as they often freeze in place before detecting your presence. Begin by clearing out the parking lot, then proceed to the park. To your left, you’ll find another group of Scorched waiting to be eliminated. While not overcrowded with enemies, Camden Park still offers a decent opportunity to quickly level up.
Rollins Labor Camp
This is the first major Raider settlement you should conquer. The camp is home to roughly 15-30 Raiders, some of whom perch atop their fortress, making them challenging to defeat. Nevertheless, the ample cover in the area allows for strategic approaches. Don’t forget to loot the Raiders as they drop valuable items.
South Cutthroat Camp
Here, you’ll find a significant Raider encampment located just below the Top of the World. Raiders are scattered both inside the ski resort building and outside in a larger outpost, giving you the opportunity to eliminate approximately 30 enemies. Clearing this area will reward you with ample XP and valuable stimpaks.
High-Level Players (Level 50+)
By this point, you are well-versed in the art of survival. You likely possess legendary weapons and armor, boast formidable killing capabilities, and are ready to take on greater challenges. However, even at level 50, you may not have acquired enough perk cards to unleash maximum devastation. Consequently, the following grinding route is tailored for experienced level 50 players.
This route encompasses several locations teeming with enemies that offer generous XP rewards. Additionally, there is a chance for Legendary Enemies to spawn in these areas. Each location is home to high-level end-game enemies, such as Super Mutants, Scorched, Mirelurks, and even large exotic creatures like Deathclaws, Scorchbeasts, and Snallygasters. Feel free to peruse a more detailed description of each location and its contents below the grinding map. Alternatively, you can venture out and discover these locations on your own.
West Tek Research Center
First and foremost, this is my personal favorite location to visit. The West Tek Research Center boasts an abundance of Super Mutants that reward a substantial amount of XP, ranging from 190 to 400 per kill depending on your buffs. Additionally, there is a chance for up to 5 legendary enemies to spawn in this area. While they won’t always appear, the immense XP gain alone makes this location worthwhile.
Huntersville
Located directly beneath West Tek, Huntersville is the next Super Mutant infested grinding spot. Here, you will face over 15 Super Mutants and once again encounter Legendary enemies. Beware of the mutants armed with heavy weapons alongside rifles, as their long-range attacks can prove deadly in the open town.
Thunder Mountain Substation TM-02
This substation guarantees the appearance of a high-level Deathclaw, either inside the power plant or in close proximity. Teleporting to this location allows you to swiftly eliminate this high-XP giving enemy before moving on. However, keep an eye out for the ants, as they can quickly catch you off guard.
Sunrise Field
Sunrise Field offers an opportunity for quick farming. Here, you will encounter 5-10 Mirelurks of varying types, 2 or 3 Mirelurk Kings, and a Mirelurk Queen lurking in the pond near the house. Dive in, maneuver around the queen, and eventually she will emerge in frustration. At that moment, take her down with a satisfying 360 no-scope shot from a pipe pistol. Eliminating these enemies guarantees a significant amount of XP, and occasionally, the queen may even prove to be legendary.
Overgrown Sundew Valley
Another location offering quick grinding opportunities is Overgrown Sundew Valley. You can expect to encounter a variety of formidable enemies here, such as sentry bots, deathclaws, mega sloths, and even Sheepsquatches (sometimes legendary!). Moreover, two different enemy factions are engaged in a turf war, providing an opportunity for you to take advantage of their distraction and obliterate them. The best part is that these enemies are high-level, meaning you will receive a substantial amount of XP from dispatching them. Don’t forget to collect Cranberries while you’re here to stock up on valuable resources.
Flooded Trainyard
Apparently, this location frequently spawns legendary enemies. Although I have personally only encountered a handful, the area still offers excellent XP gains. Expect to face Snallygasters, Mongrels, Radtoads, or Gulpers. With the exception of Mongrels, each enemy type rewards a considerable amount of XP. Simply loop around the area to dispatch them swiftly.
Crimson Prospect
With the introduction of Wastelanders, you gain access to a fantastic new grinding location inhabited by Raiders. These Raiders, high-level NPCs, yield a significant amount of XP when defeated. The location is easily traversed, housing approximately 15-30 enemies, with each enemy providing roughly 200 XP depending on your boosts. Some of the Raiders may even be legendary, so be prepared to face tougher foes.
The Whitespring Golf Club
Undoubtedly the most renowned farming location, the popularity of The Whitespring Golf Club stems from the vast number of ghouls that spawn here. The mix includes level 42 enemies (rewarding decent XP) as well as level 62 enemies. Upon entering the building, create some commotion, eliminate a couple of ghouls, and retreat to the main entrance door to prepare yourself. Brace for an onslaught as they send wave after wave of ghouls your way. It’s advisable to utilize explosives or other area-of-effect weaponry to efficiently dispatch them. Most of the time, you won’t even be able to determine if there are legendary enemies among the horde, so remember to check the meat piles afterward. Enjoy the insane amount of XP this location provides!
Quick tip: If you find yourself on a private server or a server with few other players, consider launching a nuke on this location. Doing so will yield an absurd amount of XP, with Legendary enemies appearing more frequently.
The Whitespring Resort
Adjacent to the golf club lies the resort, housing an abundance of Sentry bots waiting to be challenged. Completing a lap around the building will typically pit you against around 5 Sentry bots, each rewarding nearly a thousand XP per robot. Take a moment to swiftly eliminate them before moving on to your next location.
The Burrows
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve farmed this area for Legendaries and experience. Despite being one of the less impressive “dungeons,” The Burrows indisputably serves as one of the best grinding locations. Ghouls are everywhere, swarming from every direction. Moreover, the majority of them surpass the maximum level, enhancing the chance of encountering Legendary foes. Simply traverse the entire area, rounding them up in groups and eliminating them. A single trip through The Burrows is sufficient to level up by at least a quarter of a level, if not more.
Hopewell Cave
Last but not least, we have Hopewell Cave, also known as the “Battle of the Titans.” This location houses a Deathclaw, a Scorchbeast, and another random exotic enemy, any of which could be legendary. Defeating all three enemies guarantees a significant amount of XP and valuable loot from these high-tier adversaries. The Deathclaw awaits in the cave near the area where you spawn, while the Scorchbeast will engage you once you exit the cave. After vanquishing the Scorchbeast, head south on the road towards the Sons of Dane compound. There, you will likely encounter a random exotic enemy engaged in combat. Prepare for an intense battle and reap the rewards in the form of abundant XP.
