The Backpack is an armor item in Fallout 76, available in two variants. The Standard Backpack was introduced in May 2019. It offers +60 Carry Weight at Level 50. To earn it, the side quest The Order of the Tadpole must be completed.
Since this quest is rather time-consuming, Bethesda added the Small Backpack in September 2019. It offers a maximum of +30 Carry Weight but can be obtained much easier.
Modifications and purely cosmetic flairs can be added to both the Standard and the Small Backpack.
Table of Contents
- Small Backpack Location
- Standard Backpack Quest
- Can you wear a Backpack with Power Armor?
- Backpack Mods
- Backpack Skins
- Backpack Flairs
Small Backpack Location
The Small Backpack was added to Fallout 76 with the Nuclear Winter update on September 10, 2019. According to Bethesda, its goal is “to help more players acquire a Backpack earlier on during their Appalachian adventures”.
The plan to craft a Small Backpack can be found in the Overseer’s Cache inside the Morgantown Airport Terminal. The Cache is located on the second floor.
To access the second floor, you’ll need a Morgantown Airport Security Keycard. When you’ve found the door leading to the second floor, turn around and go down the stairs to the basem*nt. Behind the door on the other side of the room, you’ll find a Responder corpse sitting on a chair holding the keycard.
When you’ve entered the second floor, cross the waiting area. Behind the crashed vertibird, there’s a Responder Command Post. Inside you’ll not only meet Dontrelle Haines but also find the Overseer’s Cache containing the plan for the Small Backpack. Note that this plan cannot be traded, sold, or dropped.
Crafting Costs & Carry Weight
Small Backpacks look the same as Standard Backpacks but only have 50% of the carry capacity provided by a Standard Backpack. The base Carry Weight of the Small Backpack increases at higher levels, up to +30 Carry Weight at level 50.
Small Backpacks can be crafted at an Armor Workbench and be equipped with all the same Mods as a Standard Backpack.
| Level | Requires | Carry Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10x Cloth 5x Leather 2x Steel | +5 |
| 10 | 13x Cloth 7x Leather 5x Steel | +10 |
| 20 | 16x Cloth 10x Leather 8x Steel | +15 |
| 30 | 19x Cloth 12x Leather 11x Steel | +20 |
| 40 | 23x Cloth 15x Leather 15x Steel | +25 |
| 50 | 27x Cloth 18x Leather 19x Steel | +30 |
Standard Backpack Quest
The Standard Backpack was added to Fallout 76 with the “Ever Upwards!” Wild Appalachia update on May 7, 2019. You’ll get a Pioneer Scout: Tadpole Backpack upon completing the side quest The Order of the Tadpole. You’ll also be able to craft Standard Backpacks after finishing the quest.
The Order of the Tadpole
Speak to Scout Leader Jaggy at the Pioneer Scout Camp (Toxic Valley) to start the quest. Scout Leader Jaggy is located near the Pioneer Scouts Knowledge Exams shack.
💡 Back when the quest was introduced, there were Pioneer Scouts Recruiting Posters hanging in every train station. You could read them to start The Order of the Tadpole quest that would lead you to Scout Leader Jaggy. Most of the posters got removed since then to make room for other ones. When you’re lucky, you’ll find one in another player’s C.A.M.P. But going directly to and interacting with Scout Leader Jaggy will also start the quest!
In the course of the quest, you’ll need to demonstrate Pioneer Scout Values which are Kindness, Helpfulness, Bravery, and Growth.
- Kindness: Revive an Ally: You need to revive another player with a Stimpak.
- Helpfulness: Clean Up Kiddie Corner Cabins: You need to complete the repeatable quest Operation Tide given by Scout Leader Pompy at the Kiddie Corner Cabins. In order to complete the quest, you have to pick up 5 Toxic Mutagenic Waste and then deposit it into a containment barrel at the Kiddie Corner Cabins.
- Bravery: Control Pests at Dolly Sods: You need to complete the repeatable quest Stings and Things given by Scout Leader Treadly at Dolly Sods Wilderness. Your task is to collect a Bloatfly Gland, a Bloodbug Proboscis, Radroach Meat, a Stingwing Barb, and a Tick Blood Sac. Treadly will mark possible locations to get these items on the map, but parts found at other locations will also count.
- Growth: Earn 3 Scout World Challenge Badges: You need to collect 3 Tadpole Badges.
Tadpole Badges
To complete The Order of the Tadpole, you need to get 3 Tadpole Badges (in the quest text they are called Scout World Challenge Badges). Here you’ll find a list of all Tadpole Badges and the challenges you’ll need to finish to acquire those. In the game, they are listed in Challenges > World.
Which Tadpole Badges are the easiest? According to several Reddit discussions when it comes to the easiest Tadpole Badges, often mentioned are Archer, Athlete, and Swimmer, followed by Mammalogist, Codebreaker, and Hunter.
| Name | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Tadpole: Archer | – Pass the “Archer” Knowledge Exam at an Exam Terminal. – Complete the Pioneer Scouts shooting test. – Craft Crossbow Bolts (50). – Repair Crossbows (3). – Kill enemies with a Crossbow (50). |
| Tadpole: Athlete | – Pass the “Athlete” Knowledge Exam at an Exam Terminal. – Have a Strength stat greater than or equal to 5. – Have an Agility stat greater than or equal to 6. – Complete athletic course at Camp Venture. – Complete athletic course at New River Gorge Bridge.- – Complete athletic course at Sunnytop Ski Lanes. |
| Tadpole: Codebreaker | – Pass the “Codebreaker” Knowledge Exam at an Exam Terminal. – Hack into skill level “0” terminals (3) – Hack into skill level “1” terminals (3) – Hack into skill level “2” terminals (3) – Hack into skill level “3” terminals (3) – Solve a nuke launch code sequence by launching a nuke |
| Tadpole: Cook | – Pass the “Cook” Knowledge Exam at an Exam Terminal. – Cook food while wearing a Chef’s Hat (10). – Cook Blackberry Honey Crisp. – Cook Brain Bombs. – Cook a Cranberry Meatball Grinder. – Cook Seared Venison With Berries. – Cook S’mores. – Cook a Sweet Roll. – Cook Yao Guai Roast. |
| Tadpole: Entomologist | – Pass the “Entomologist” Knowledge Exam at an Exam Terminal. – Complete the “Path to Enlightenment” event. – Acquire a Mothman Wing. – Take a camera picture of a Bee Swarm. – Take a camera picture of a Bloatfly. – Take a camera picture of a Bloodbug. – Take a camera picture of a Cave Cricket. – Take a camera picture of a Firefly. – Take a camera picture of a Honey Beast. – Take a camera picture of a Radant. – Take a camera picture of a Radroach. – Take a camera picture of a Radscorpion. – Take a camera picture of a Stingwing. – Take a camera picture of a Tick. |
| Tadpole: Herpetologist | – Pass the “Herpetologist” Knowledge Exam at an Exam Terminal. – Build a Frog Habitat in a workshop or C.A.M.P. – Take a camera picture of an Angler. – Take a camera picture of a Deathclaw. – Take a camera picture of a Frog. – Take a camera picture of a Gulper. – Take a camera picture of a Mirelurk Crab. – Take a camera picture of a Mirelurk Hunter. – Take a camera picture of a Mirelurk King. – Take a camera picture of a Mirelurk Queen. – Take a camera picture of a Radtoad. |
| Tadpole: Hunter | – Pass the “Hunter” Knowledge Exam at an Exam Terminal. – Kill a Radstag with a Black Powder Weapon. – Kill a Radstag with a Crossbow. – Kill a Radstag with a Hunting Rifle. – Kill a Yao Guai with an Automatic Weapon. – Kill a Yao Guai with a Shotgun. – Kill a Yao Guai with a Pipe Syringer. – Kill a Wolf with a Knife. – Cook a meal with Radstag, Yao Guai, or Wolf Meat. |
| Tadpole: Mammalogist | – Pass the “Mammologist” Knowledge Exam at an exam terminal. – Milk Brahmin successfully (10). – Take a camera picture of a Brahmin. – Take a camera picture of a Cat. – Take a camera picture of a Fox. – Take a camera picture of an Opossum. – Take a camera picture of a Rabbit. – Take a camera picture of a Ragstag. – Take a camera picture of a Squirrel. – Take a camera picture of a Wolf. – Take a camera picture of a Yao Guai. |
| Tadpole: Medic | – Pass the “Medic” Knowledge Exam at an Exam Terminal. – Craft Antibiotics (3). – Craft Disease Cure (3). – Craft Healing Salve (3). – Use a Stimpak: Diluted (3). – Use a Stimpak (3). – Use a Stimpak: Super (3). – Use a Stimpak Diffuser (3). |
| Tadpole: Swimmer | – Pass the “Swimmer” Knowledge Exam at an Exam Terminal. – Complete the Pioneer Scouts swimming test at Spruce Knob Lake. – Revive another player while in the water. – Take a camera picture of “Crocolossus Mountain” at Wavy Willard’s Water Park. – Take a camera picture of “Ssslither Slide” at Wavy Willard’s Water Park. – Take a camera picture of “Wavy Waves” at Wavy Willard’s Water Park. |
Return to Scout Leader Jaggy and you’ll get your rewards:
- 800 XP
- 200 Caps
- Crafting Item unlock: Pioneer Scouts: Tadpole Backpack
- Crafting Item unlock: Standard Backpack
- Pioneer Scout: Tadpole Backpack
- Possible random Legendary Armor
Crafting Costs & Carry Weight
The Standard Backpack has the same look as the Small Backpack. The costs to craft it, are also exactly the same. The Standard Backpack however offers 50% more Carry Weight than the Small Backpack with a maximum of +60 Carry Weight.
| Level | Requires | Carry Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10x Cloth 5x Leather 2x Steel | +10 |
| 10 | 13x Cloth 7x Leather 5x Steel | +20 |
| 20 | 16x Cloth 10x Leather 8x Steel | +30 |
| 30 | 19x Cloth 12x Leather 11x Steel | +40 |
| 40 | 23x Cloth 15x Leather 15x Steel | +50 |
| 50 | 27x Cloth 18x Leather 19x Steel | +60 |
Can you wear a Backpack with Power Armor?
No, it is not possible to wear the Standard or Small Backpack with Power Armor. The backpack is unequipped when you’re entering a set of Power Armor.
In the initial announcement of the Backpack, Bethesda said: “Your backpack will remain visible over your outfits and armor, and while you won’t be able to see it while wearing Power Armor, you will still benefit from its carry weight bonus and the current utility mod you’ve applied”. This was corrected at a later dater, adding that you can’t wear it with Power Armor.
Backpack Mods
6 of the 8 plans for backpack mods can be purchased from Possum Vending Machines for Possum Badges. Possum Vending Machines can be found at Camp Adams and the Pioneer Scout Camp.
The other two are occasionally sold by Minerva or can be bought from Mortimer at the Crater Core, respectively Samuel in Foundation.
| Mod | Effect | 1 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | How to get |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armor Plated | Lowered Carry Capacity | +15 | +30 | +45 | +60 | +75 | +90 | Possum Vending Machines (5 Possum Badges) |
| Increased Damage Resistance | -5 | -10 | -15 | -20 | -25 | -30 | ||
| Chemist | Reduces all Chems weight by 90%. Does not stack with perks. | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | – Mortimer (350 Gold Bullion, Raiders Reputation at least Friendly). – Occassionally sold by Minerva. |
| Grocer | Reduces the weight of all Food and Drink by 90%. Does not stack with perks. | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | – Samuel (350 Gold Bullion, Settlers Reputation at least Friendly). – Occassionally sold by Minerva. |
| High Capacity | Increases Carry Capacity | +10 | +20 | +30 | +40 | +50 | +60 | Possum Vending Machines (8 Possum Badges) |
| Reduces Energy and Rad Resistance | -10 | -20 | -30 | -40 | -50 | -60 | ||
| Insulated | Increased Energy Resistance | +15 | +30 | +45 | +60 | +75 | +90 | Possum Vending Machines (5 Possum Badges) |
| Lowered Carry Capacity | -5 | -10 | -15 | -20 | -25 | -30 | ||
| Lead Lined | Increased Radiation Resistance | +15 | +30 | +45 | +60 | +75 | +90 | Possum Vending Machines (5 Possum Badges) |
| Lowered Carry Capacity | -5 | -10 | -15 | -20 | -25 | -30 | ||
| Refrigerated | Decreased Food spoilage rate | -10% | -20% | -30% | -40% | -50% | -60% | Possum Vending Machines (8 Possum Badges) |
| Lowered Carry Capacity | -5 | -10 | -15 | -20 | -25 | -30 |
Is there a Backpack Jetpack Mod? No, currently there is no Backpack Jetpack Mod available in Fallout 76. If you’ve seen players running around with a jetpack on their backpack, they are e.g. wearing the Secret Service Armor. There is a jetpack mod for the Secret Service Chest. Additionally, a backpack can be worn. The jetpack and the backpack overlap, so it looks like a backpack jetpack.
Backpack Skins
Backpack Skins are cosmetical mods that change the look of your backpack. Alternating skins can be bought at the Atomic Shop for (usually) 500 Atoms each. Additionally, several Backpack skins are earnable through quests, events, community events, the S.C.O.R.E Board, and some other occasions.
Those are the backpack skins that can (or could) be earned without spending Atoms:
Quest & Events
| Skin | Name | How to get |
|---|---|---|
 | Tadpole Backpack | A reward for finishing The Order of the Tadpole. |
 | Possum Backpack | Plan: Pioneer Scout Possum Backpack can be purchased from Possum Vending Machines for 3 Possum Badges. |
 | Arktos Pharma Backpack | Received during Event: Project Paradise if the optional objective to use ARIC-4’s shutdown code is completed. |
 | Blue Ridge Caravan Backpack | Plan: Blue Ridge Caravan Backpack has a 5% chance to be a reward at Event: Riding Shotgun. |
 | Chally the Moo-Moo Backpack | Plan: Chally the Moo-Moo Backpack has a chance to be a reward at Event: Grahm’s Meat-Cook (6,25% chance with the best performance, 4,19% chance with good performance, 2,13% chance with bad performance). |
 | Safari Crocolossus Backpack | Plan: Safari Crocolossus Backpack has a small chance to be obtained from opening any type of Mole Miner Pail during the seasonal The Hunt for the Treasure Hunter community events. |
 | Safari Gorilla Backpack | Plan: Safari Gorilla Backpack has a small chance to be obtained from opening any type of Mole Miner Pail during the seasonal The Hunt for the Treasure Hunter community events. |
 | Camo Backpack | Plan: Camo Backpack has a small chance to be obtained from opening any type of Mole Miner Pail during the seasonal The Hunt for the Treasure Hunter community events. |
 | Cultist Backpack | Plan: Cultist Backpack is a reward during the seasonal The Mothman Equinox event. |
S.C.O.R.E Board & Other Events
| Skin | Name | Season/Event |
|---|---|---|
 | Ghillie Backpack | Season 1 (Rank 32) |
 | Armor Ace Backpack | Season 2 ( Rank 86) |
 | K.D. Inkwell’s Chronotron Backpack | Season 3 ( Rank 92) |
 | Flamethrower Tanks Backpack | Season 4 ( Rank 92) |
 | Alistair’s Chronotron Backpack | Season 5 (Rank 92) |
 | Lone Wanderer Backpack | Season 8 (Rank 92) |
 | Skippy’s Tool Bag Backpack | Season 10 (Rank 82) |
 | Skull Box Backpack | Free for Fallout 1st in March 2021 |
 | Brotherhood of Steel Backpack | Limited-time Community Event “The Coming Storm” |
 | Mr. Fuzzy Backpack | Twitch Prime Survival Bundle #1 (available until December 31, 2021) |
Backpack Flairs
With Backpack Flairs, you can add even more personality to your character. With the Steel Dawn Update in November 2020, Bethesda added two Backpack Flair slots that can be filled with these cosmetic items.
You can choose whether you want to hang flairs on the right side, the left side, or both sides of your backpack.
How to apply Backpack Flairs
Backpack Flairs work like other mods. To apply a Backpack Flair, you’ll need to use an Armor Workbench. Open the Modify/Repair Menu, click on your Backpack and choose which flair you want to add on the right and on the left side. You can also hang the same flair twice.
How to get Backpack Flairs
Most of the already available flairs are S.C.O.R.E Board rewards. A few were available exclusively for Fallout 1st members or in the Atomic Shop. And the Brotherhood of Steel Backpack Flair could be claimed by all players for free in July 2021.
| Name | How to get | |
|---|---|---|
 | .50 Round Backpack Flair | 250 Atoms |
 | Brotherhood of Steel Backpack flair | July 7-20, 2021 (Free for all players) |
 | Mr. Fuzzy Backpack Flair | July 7-August 8, 2021 (Fallout 1st) |
 | Red Rocket Backpack Flair | Season 3 (Rank 32) |
 | Armor Ace Helmet Backpack Flair | Season 3 (Rank 86) |
 | Platinum Backpack Flair | Season 4 (Rank 6) |
 | Brickhouse Backpack Flair | Season 4 (Rank 22) |
 | Armor Ace Backpack Flair | Season 4 (Rank 72) |
 | K.D. Inkwell Backpack Flair | Season 5 (Rank 6) |
 | Alistair Backpack Flair | Season 5 (Rank 22) |
 | M.I.N.D. Overlord Backpack Flair | Season 5 (Rank 54) |
 | T51 Helmet Backpack Flair | Season 6 (Rank 15, Fallout 1st) |
 | Silver Shroud Backpack Flair | Season 6 (Rank 16) |
 | Grognak Backpack Flair | Season 6 (Rank 92) |
 | Zetan Ship Backpack Flair | Season 7 (Rank 16) |
 | Zetan Backpack Flair | Season 7 (Rank 62) |
 | Vault Survivor Backpack Flair | Season 8 (Rank 62) |
 | Skull Flair | Season 9 (Rank 6) |
 | Ultracite Flair | Season 9 (Rank 12) |
 | Gold-Dipped Grenade Flair | Season 9 (Rank 62) |
 | Decapitated Doll Head Flair | Season 10 (Rank 8) |
 | Rusty Wrench on a Chain Flair | Season 10 (Rank 12) |
 | Union Power Armor Helmet Flair | Season 10 (Rank 62) |
