How to Find Every National Guard Training Yard Bobblehead in Fallout 4

Exploring Fallout 4’s Commonwealth can feel like a treasure hunt, especially when you’re hunting down the quirky bobbleheads that boost your stats. One of the more easily missed prizes is the National Guard Training Yard bobblehead, tucked away in a military‑style compound just outside Boston. If you’ve been wandering the map without success, this guide will walk you through exactly where to look, what the bobblehead does, and a few handy tricks to make the pickup painless.

Where the National Guard Training Yard Bobblehead Spawns

The bobblehead is located inside the fenced perimeter of the National Guard Training Yard, a small but recognizable military complex near the Cambridge Police Station. From the police station, head north along the main road, cross the bridge that spans the Cambridge River, and you’ll see a large chain‑link fence with a rusted gate on your left. The entrance opens onto a short gravel path that leads directly into the yard.

Inside the yard, the bobblehead sits on a metal crate near a row of lockers, just a short walk from the gate. It’s positioned on the far side of the training area, next to a broken sandbag wall. The spot is exposed to the open sky, so you don’t need any special equipment to reach it—just a clear path and a bit of curiosity.

What the Bobblehead Grants

Picking up the National Guard Training Yard bobblehead awards a permanent +5 boost to Perception. That extra Perception helps with V.A.T.S. accuracy, lockpicking, and detecting enemies at a distance. It’s a modest but noticeable bump, especially for builds that rely on sniping or stealth.

Because it’s a permanent increase, the benefit stays with you for the entire playthrough, even if you later change your character’s SPECIAL distribution via console commands or mods. In short, it’s a low‑effort upgrade that pays off in every combat scenario.

Tips for Spotting the Bobblehead Quickly

• Use V.A.T.S. scan mode. Even though the bobblehead is in plain sight, activating V.A.T.S. briefly highlights interactive objects, making the small plastic head stand out against the metal crate.
• Approach from the gate. Most players circle around the yard looking for loot, which can cause them to miss the bobblehead tucked against the wall. Walking straight in from the gate puts you right in front of it.
• Bring a companion. A companion can draw enemy fire while you focus on the bobblehead, ensuring you don’t get ambushed by the occasional roaming ghoul.
• Check the crates. The bobblehead is placed on top of a crate labeled “Supplies”. If you see a stack of crates near the lockers, that’s your target.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Newcomers often assume the bobblehead is outside the fence because the yard’s gate is open. That leads to a lot of wasted running around the perimeter. The key is to actually cross the gate—once inside, the bobblehead is only a few steps away.

Another frequent error is trying to collect the bobblehead while under fire from the nearby patrol robot. The robot’s line of sight covers the entrance, so it’s best to eliminate it first or use a sniper rifle from a safe distance before stepping into the yard.

Do You Need High Perception to See It?

Not at all. The bobblehead is placed in a well‑lit area, and it’s visible even at the game’s lowest perception level. However, having a modest Perception already helps you notice the subtle glow of the bobblehead’s outline when you’re far away, so the boost you gain afterward is a nice little feedback loop.

Can You Get the Bobblehead Without Entering the Yard?

Unfortunately, the bobblehead is locked behind the fence, and there’s no alternate path that bypasses the gate. The only viable method is to open the gate and walk in. If you have the “Sneak” perk, you can slip past any hostile NPCs inside, but you still need to be physically inside the yard to collect it.

Impact of Difficulty Settings

The bobblehead’s effect remains constant across all difficulty levels. What does change is how easy it is to reach the yard safely. On “Survival” mode, enemies have higher health and deal more damage, making the patrol robot a tougher obstacle. In “Casual” mode, you can breeze through with minimal resistance.

Quick Checklist Before You Head Out

• Equip a weapon that can deal with the patrol robot (laser or plasma works well).
• Make sure you have enough Stimpaks in case you get ambushed.
• Save your game just before entering the yard; you can reload if something goes wrong.
• Use V.A.T.S. scan mode once inside to instantly highlight the bobblehead.

FAQ

What stat does the National Guard Training Yard bobblehead increase?

It gives a permanent +5 boost to Perception, improving V.A.T.S. accuracy, lockpicking, and enemy detection.

Do I need a high Perception to see the bobblehead?

No. The bobblehead is placed in an open, well‑lit area and is visible at any Perception level.

Can I collect the bobblehead without entering the yard?

There’s no alternate route; you must cross the fence and walk inside the training yard to pick it up.

Is the bobblehead affected by the game's difficulty setting?

The stat boost remains the same, but higher difficulty levels make the surrounding enemies tougher, so plan accordingly.