Fallout 76 The Slasher: How to Start & All Rewards
The Slasher update hit Fallout 76 on September 15, 2026, and it brings one of the more atmospheric seasonal events the game has seen in a while. Centered on the return of the legendary Pint-Sized Slasher myth, the content unfolds over several weeks rather than dumping everything at once. You investigate a string of masked murders, dig up disturbed graves, clear out cultist infestations, and eventually confront the imposter behind it all. Along the way you earn unique plans, a new consumable, power armor paints, and a shot at a special weapon and armor set.
This guide covers how to start the event, walks through the four main quest stages, lists the key rewards, and offers practical tips so you do not miss anything important.
How to Start The Slasher
The event begins the moment the update goes live. Open your Pip-Boy and tune into the “Breaking News” emergency broadcast station. The Debunker Radio will deliver the initial report about a mysterious group leaving Pint-Sized Slasher masks on murder victims across Appalachia. Listening to this broadcast starts the overarching seasonal quest and unlocks the first stage: The Slasher: Masked Truth.
From that point forward you will begin seeing Pint-Sized Phantoms (the Slasher’s fanatical followers) in random encounters, infestations, public events, and later in Daily Ops. These enemies can drop special Pint-Sized Phantom Loot bags that contain a mix of useful and rare items.
The story advances week by week through new broadcasts, so check the radio regularly for fresh leads.
The Four Main Quest Stages
The Slasher is structured as a four-part questline that unlocks progressively.
Week 1 – The Slasher: Masked Truth
Investigate the masked corpses left behind by the mysterious group. Locate the victims, collect the Slasher masks, and read the notes attached to them. These notes provide the first clues about the killers. Completing this stage awards the Plan: Pint-Sized Phantom Outfit along with caps, a meat hook, and experience. Collecting multiple masks also ties into seasonal challenges that can reward a Ghost Boy consumable.
Week 2 – The Slasher: Secrets to the Grave
After finishing Masked Truth you move into grave-digging. Complete public events or other activities to receive Pint-Sized Phantoms’ Maps. Follow the maps to disturbed graves, equip a shovel, and dig. Each grave yields a ritual pile with rewards and a progressive note titled “Our Mission.” You need to dig up four graves in total. Completing the stage awards the Plan: Pint-Sized Slasher Gravestone.
Week 3 – The Slasher: Out of the Shadows
The investigation expands into infestations and related activities. Clear Slasher-related content at locations such as Gauley Mine, RobCo Research Center, and Organ Cave. This stage awards the Plan: Pint-Sized Slasher Photo Frame plus a random uncommon plan.
Week 4 – The Slasher: Blood Will Have Blood
The final stage involves Head Hunt activities and the confrontation with the Reborn Pint-Sized Slasher (the imposter). Surviving the showdown and finishing the quest awards the Plan: Pint-Sized Slasher Power Armor Helmet Paint along with a random armor piece. This is also where you have the best chance at the more exclusive rewards tied to the Party Crasher version of the Slasher.
Key Rewards Breakdown
Guaranteed Quest Plans
- Plan: Pint-Sized Phantom Outfit (Masked Truth)
- Plan: Pint-Sized Slasher Gravestone (Secrets to the Grave)
- Plan: Pint-Sized Slasher Photo Frame (Out of the Shadows)
- Plan: Pint-Sized Slasher Power Armor Helmet Paint (Blood Will Have Blood)
Mask Collection Challenges
Collecting Pint-Sized Slasher masks during the first stage unlocks additional rewards, including the Ghost Boy consumable (become invisible and highlight living targets for 200 seconds).
Pint-Sized Phantom Loot Bags
These drop from the Phantom enemies at roughly a 10% rate and can contain:
- Legendary items (1–3 star)
- Ghost Boy (notable chance)
- Rare chems (Daddy-O, Day Tripper, Fury, Calmex, Overdrive, X-Cell)
- Weapons, armor, plans, magazines, and miscellaneous supplies
- Ultra-rare items at low percentages, including unique weapons and the new Severing 4-star legendary mod (+50% damage to bleeding targets)
Disturbed Grave Rewards
In addition to the story notes and basic loot, graves can yield rare and ultra-rare items from their own pool.
Daily Ops & Later Content
Once Pint-Sized Phantoms are added as a Daily Ops faction, higher ranks can reward player titles, hat plans (blue and green variants), and other seasonal cosmetics.
Final Confrontation Rewards
Defeating the Reborn Pint-Sized Slasher (especially as a Party Crasher after a Head Hunt) offers chances at:
- Super Slasher (new weapon)
- Additional Power Armor paint plans (arms, legs, torso, jetpack)
- Super Slasher Auto Axe paint
- Other rare plans and items
Practical Tips for Efficient Progress
Keep a shovel in your inventory or on a hotkey once the grave stage begins. You will need it repeatedly.
Tune into the Breaking News / Debunker broadcasts every week so you do not fall behind on the story unlocks.
Farm public events and Daily Ops regularly. They feed both the map drops for graves and the Phantom loot bags.
The Ghost Boy is worth prioritizing early. The invisibility plus target highlighting is strong for both exploration and combat.
Because the content is staggered, you do not need to rush everything on day one. Focus on the current week’s objectives and the event will guide you forward.
If you are interested in the Power Armor set and Super Slasher weapon, make sure you participate in the later Head Hunt and Party Crasher opportunities. Those have the best drop rates for the exclusive pieces.
Legacy Seasons and Season 26 Context
The Slasher update also launched Season 26: Beware the Blood Moon and introduced the Legacy Seasons system. This lets you progress a past season (starting with Cold Steel) at the same time as the current one using the same ticket pool. You can choose where to spend your SCORE tickets. The current season offers its own horror-themed rewards such as the Batty Skirt, Blood Moon Power Armor Paint, Creepy Cultist Well, and Blood Moon Weather Control Station.
Final Thoughts
The Slasher is a well-paced seasonal event that spreads its content across several weeks instead of front-loading everything. Starting is as simple as listening to the Breaking News broadcast in your Pip-Boy. From there the four quest stages guide you through investigation, grave digging, infestations, and a final confrontation. The rewards lean heavily into unique plans, a useful new consumable, power armor customization, and a couple of standout combat items.
Whether you are in it for the story, the cosmetics, or the new weapon and armor pieces, the event gives regular reasons to log in and explore Appalachia under the blood moon. Grab your shovel, keep an eye on the radio, and start tracking the Pint-Sized Phantoms. The Slasher is already out there.