As far as collectibles go, there are few more iconic than Fallout’s bobbleheads. Designed after the series mascot Vault Boy, these colorful toys will raise your character’s stats permanently, and in Fallout 4, there’s a total of 20.
These bobbleheads will range from your guns shooting harder or your silver tongue becoming sharper, so collecting them all will never be a bad idea, no matter your current character’s attributes. Finding them is the only issue, as some are sneakier than others.
Strength
Despite the Mass Fusion Buildings’ importance to many late story missions, you can earn the Strength Bobblehead as early as you want. Use the stairs and broken platforms to go as far up as the doors leading to the outside balcony, but turn around instead of leaving, and just over the railing, you’ll find the Bobblehead. On the head of a statue and close enough to the railing, you won’t even need to jump.
Perception
The early story quest When Freedom Calls will easily send you to the location of the Perception Bobblehead, it’s effectively meant to be your introduction to Bobbleheads as far as your first playthrough is supposed to go. It’s in the Museum of Freedom, in the same room Preston Garvey is holding out from the raider attack.
Endurance
Endurance is right, as you’ll have to figure your way into Poseidon Energy through the sublevels. It’s on the upper level and shares desk space with an issue of Tesla Science.
Charisma
The Charisma Bobblehead will be in the Parson Asylum, a building only accessible during The Secret Of Cabot House, the final quest in the quest lines you’ll do for Jack Cabot. It’ll be on a desk in the same room as the broken elevator and a wounded Edward Deegan.
Intelligence
The Intelligence Bobblehead shouldn’t give you much worry, just get access to the Boston Public Library and find the computer consoles in the back.
Agility
The Agility Bobblehead is located at the top of The Wreck Of The FMS Northern Star, acting like a small figurehead of the wreck.
Luck
The Luck Bobblehead is a tad south of Spectacle Island, inside a locker located in a green tugboat.
Barter
The Barter Bobblehead is up the stairs in Longneck Lukowski’s Cannery. You do not need to do the quest Mystery Meat as it’s in a different part of the Cannery, and the Bobblehead is located right next to an issue of Tales Of A Junktown Jerky Vendor, which will also increase your Bartering skills.
Big Guns
Find Vault 95 just outside The Glowing Sea, and as you fight the Gunners spread throughout, you’ll find the Big Guns Bobblehead near some furniture in one of the rooms of the living quarters.
Energy Weapons
You can’t access Fort Hagen until the story quest Reunions, and the Energy Weapons Bobblehead will be near a refrigerator in the room just before the room you prepare for the boss fight against Kellogg.
Explosives
You’ll enter Saugus Ironworks during the side quest Out Of The Fire, and the Explosives Bobblehead will be hidden just behind the Forged leader Slag.
Lock Picking
The Lock Picking Bobblehead is at the bottom of Pickman’s Gallery, surrounded by blood and remains, and just near a bonfire. This is the same area you’ll find Pickman cornered by Slab and two other raiders.
Medicine
You will have to start the side quest Hole In The Wall to get the Medicine Bobblehead. It’s on a desk in the same room that possible companion Curie will be locked away inside.
Melee
The Melee Bobblehead is at the top of Trinity Tower, locked in a cage with Strong and Rex Goodman during the quest Curtain Call.
Repair
You’ll need to head towards Corvega Assembly for the Repair Bobblehead. It’s on the top of one of the metal stairwells outside. You’ll know the right one, as (don’t laugh) it’s next to a big blue ball.
Science
Malden Middle School is, and isn’t, the location of the Science Bobblehead. Once you enter the school, you’ll quickly find that it’s really Vault 75, and you’ll start a quest of the same name. Follow the quest objectives, as you’ll need an Admin Access Keycard to unlock the room with the Science Bobblehead.
Small Guns
Gunners Plaza is an old broadcast tower and the location of the Small Guns Bobblehead. It’s locked in the recording room, and if you can’t pick master-level locks, you can find the key on the Gunners named Cruz and Ryder. Both keys are the same, so you only need one.
Sneak
Deep within the Dunwich Borers is the Sneak Bobblehead. You’ll find it between a lantern and the Station 4 Terminal.
Speech
The Speech Bobblehead is in Vault 114, which is deep within Park Street Station. You’ll find it in the Overseer’s office, which is also where Nick Valentine will be during the story quest Unlikely Valentine.
Unarmed
Finally, you’ll find the Unarmed Bobblehead in the Atom Cats Garage, being used as a hood ornament.
