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In addition to collecting as many unique items as I can, late (late) in this most recent run of Fallout 3, I've been trying to get at least one sample of each kind of weapon and armor. It's not like I'm running off a list (as I am with the uniques), but if I know of something that I don't have, well, I want it.

One of those items is the Rivet City Security Uniform.

Now the obvious answer is to just whack one of the guards. And I would -- I have, in fact tried it, sneaking (fully hidden) and with a one-shot-kill weapon (MPLX Megasurge). I specifically tried to whack the guard outside Rivet City, as he seemed to be the most "exposed."

However, his compatriots (including the officer in charge of handing out water with Broken Steel) still turned red and, as soon as I stopped sneaking, opened fire.

I don't want Rivet City mad at me (at least, not until I commit mass murder), so what's the safest way to go about getting me some of that sweet, sweet Security Uniform goodness until then?

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5 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

The easiest way to do this is to engage in a trick known as Reverse Pickpocketing. In short, what you need to do is plant a higher quality suit of armor on the individual wearing the gear you want (measured by defense rating). They'll then equip this armor, leaving you free to pickpocket the gear they're wearing. The Metal Armor and Helmet are a good choice for this, because of their high DR value, and relative low cost. Other options include any other Combat Armor variant other than the Security Uniform, or of course, any Power Armor.

An alternative is to make use of The Mesmetron to stun/hypnotize a guard and demand they hand over their stuff. This may end violently however.

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I've done quite a bit of reverse pickpocketing, but was concerned about doing this to the generic NPCs. Will the game reload the same generic NPC when I leave/re-enter the area? (Doing so to, say, Harkness isn't an option because he's somewhere in the Commonwealth by now ... ) –  John Rudy Aug 31 '10 at 1:31
I'm not sure. But there are several named guards besides Harkness IIRC, and of course, if that fails, there's always the Mesmetron. –  LessPop_MoreFizz Aug 31 '10 at 1:35
This is probably the safest way in general, if you're earlier in the game than I am. As it turned out, for me it was easiest to do while systematically slaughtering all of Rivet City ... –  John Rudy Sep 4 '10 at 22:45
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If you haven't yet reached Max Level, picking up the Mr. Sandman perk will allow you to slaughter sleeping Rivet City Guards left and right, as long as you please. No one will be the wiser.

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If you've got Broken Steel, then after you recover, there are rivet city guards defending the memorial against Enclave, and they often die.

If you fast travel there, you can watch, and pick up the pieces afterwards.

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Dang, too late (have long since finished BS), but that would have been the easiest way to do it! –  John Rudy Sep 3 '10 at 15:33
@John Rudy AFAIK they will keep on spawning, so if you've got that far you should be able to get as many uniforms as you want. OTOH maybe they stop after you complete the BS missions? –  Douglas Leeder Oct 11 '10 at 20:46
I just waited until I committed mass slaughter and got one then. :) –  John Rudy Oct 12 '10 at 1:31
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Stand on one end of the bridge to Rivet city with a good sniper rifle, kill the guards at the door, steal uniform, run, and don't come back for 3 days!

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With the mothership zeta add-on there is one crazed rivet city guard all alone,you can easily kill him(her) and take the armor.

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Could you provide a bit more detail? Where is this NPC located? –  LessPop_MoreFizz Oct 3 '12 at 18:53
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