The Arizona Killer quest in Fallout: New Vegas serves as the definitive high-stakes assassination storyline for players aligned with Caesar's Legion. Tasked with eliminating New California Republic President Aaron Kimball during his visit to Hoover Dam, players must navigate heavy security and military presence. Successfully completing this objective requires careful planning, strategic stealth, or precise technical execution depending on your preferred playstyle.
Infiltrating Hoover Dam and Meeting Your Contact
To begin the operation, players must travel to the Hoover Dam area and make contact with Cato Hostilius, a Legion contact disguised near the site. Cato provides essential intelligence on the President's scheduled arrival alongside an NCR disguise to aid in blending into the crowd. Avoiding detection by NCR Rangers is critical, as their heightened perception allows them to see through disguised faction armors.
Primary Assassination Methods and Targets
The primary target of the mission is President Aaron Kimball, who arrives aboard the presidential vertibird known as Bear Force One. Players with a 50 Explosives skill can obtain a specialized bomb from Cato to plant directly onto the aircraft before Kimball finishes his speech. Alternatively, skilled marksmen can take up a sniper position on the surrounding towers to eliminate the target from long range using stealth.
Engineering Sabotage and Alternative Tactics
Players possessing a 50 Science skill can access a computer terminal near the anti-aircraft gun to reprogram the defense systems. Reprogramming the turret causes it to automatically target Bear Force One upon its arrival or departure, destroying the vertibird instantly. Another subtle tactic involves reverse-pickpocketing C-4 explosives onto an NCR engineer's helmet and detonating it when he stands near the President.
Escaping the Area and Reporting Success
Executing any of these methods without triggering immediate hostility allows players to slip away from Hoover Dam undetected. Once President Kimball is confirmed dead, players must return to The Fort to report their success to Caesar or Lucius. Completing this critical milestone secures the Legion's advantage and paves the way for the final battle over Hoover Dam.