Quick Links
Hornwright Industrial Headquarters is a large building inFallout 76that you will come across when exploring the Forest, which will give you the Motherlode side quest when you approach it. You can then start the quest by accessing the archived messages on the terminal in the Headquarters.
At one point in the game, you will need to get a Senior Exec ID card to progress. And to do that, you will need to take the Senior Executive Exam to obtain it. The answers to this exam could get a little tricky. Follow this guide closely to complete this quest without breaking a sweat.
Updated July 17, 2025, by Andrew Scariati:If theFallout 76 boom brought you back to Appalachiato search Hornwright Industrial HQ and finish the Motherlode, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve added further step-by-step details to fill in the gaps and included alternatives if you want to spice things up. Here’s everything you need to know about The Motherlode in Fallout 76.
Explore Hornwright Industrial HQ
Follow the quest marker to the entrance of this building; expect several Scorched, ghouls and super mutants in it.
Super mutants and Scorched might spawn when you arrive. You can join in on their fight or let them continue attacking while you slip past.
From here you have two options for how you may enter:
The second path is better, as you will need to head into the lobby area to progress The Motherlode in Fallout 76.
This is also a good area tofind Mole Miners to farmfor a variety of materials and gear.
Once you are inside thelobbyof the building, you will seean office that belongs toYvette Wiesmen.
Access her terminal to read the archived message dated9/29/77. Be sure to avoid the toxic water on the ground once you’re done.
This will end your miscellaneous quest and officiallystart the MotherlodeFallout 76 side quest.
Search Penny’s Office For Info About The Motherlode
You will be asked to go up to thefifth floorto searchPenny’s office.
Expect the building to be swarmed by the previously mentioned monsters.
Once you make your way into Penny’s office, you will need to access her terminal and read the message dated9/30/77.
Find ID To Access The Upper Floors
From here, you must acquire anID cardwhich will give you access to theelevators.
Head one floor down to theHuman Resources Department.
You will find a bunch of terminals there that control the hiring system for the firm.
You will need to gethired as an executive by taking the Hornwright Industrial examand obtaining an ID Card.
Once you are in the HR department,look for another room inside that department.
You will find some cabinets containing theID card printer.
However, you will not be able to print anything just yet. To do that, you will need tobecome a Corporate-level Executive.
There are several ways to become a Corporate-level Executive, which include searching the building for the completed executive resume or looking for theanswers to take the exam.
However, you need not search for the exam answers.you’re able to easily ace the testby using the answers that we have included in the next section.
In hindsight, the answers seem obvious. The only thing you need to do istake the side of the company at all times.
Senior Executive Exam Answers
Access the HR files at the second-floor terminal and selectPenny’s Resumeto add it to your inventory to use in the test room.
Deposit the resume once you’re done with the exam questions below.
Once you are ready, head to the terminal to begin the exam. There arefive questionsin total.
With that complete,you can now print the ID card using the printer.
Explore The Upper Floor For The Motherlode
Head to the bottom-most floor and find an elevator.Use your ID card hereto access the exclusive executive floor.
Once you are on the executive floor, head tothe room on the left to find the External Connections System.
It will prompt you to find theRepair Beacon.
Repair Beacon
you’re able to begin the search for the Repair Beacon by moving up to the nearby steps and interacting with ared terminal.
Since this terminal is not marked by the quest marker, you might struggle a little bit to find it. The giveaway will be thebody of the dead scientist next to it.
Once you find it, select thePower Struggleoption, and you will receive the code of the beacon,36984.
You can use this code on thekeypad opposite the area of the terminalto get the security dispenser.
Call Up The Motherlode
Once you have the security dispenser in your hands,exit the room, and head to the far end of the floor, to the other laser grid wall.
You will find anelevatorbehind the laser grid.
Board the elevator, and it will take you to the room where you may place the security dispenser into the Beacon Launcher.
The launcher is not marked by the quest marker, but you will be able to find it in apuddle of toxic water.
Since the radiation is high here, you should take precautionary measures by wearing aRadiation Suitor taking someRad-X.
Upon inserting it inside, you will cause a huge machine to pop out of the ground. It will be theMotherlodeitself.
Once the Motherlode departs again, make your way up the stairs to itsDocking Station Dispenser.
The mission will end, and you can collect your rewards afterward.
150
50
Plan: Combat Rifle
One
This is one of the rare quests thatallows you to farm Ultracite Ore, which is one of the most valuable resources that can craft weaponry and armor of the highest level.
