Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (commonly truncated as Fallout Tactics) is a tactical computer role-playing game and unlike the previous two Fallout games, Fallout Tactics emphasizes tactical combat and strategy, not roleplaying. Players are not able to respond to non-player characters, but they can still trade and gamble. Instead of towns, Fallout Tactics centers around Brotherhood bunkers and missions. The bunkers serve as a central point for the Brotherhood, and players can obtain the services of quartermasters, mechanics, personnel yeomen, and medics. Characters from completed missions occasionally visit the bunkers.

After receiving a mission briefing from the general in charge of the bunker, the player’s squad can then move to the area where the mission will take place. Among these locations are towns, factories, military encampments, or even a vault. There, the player is given a map of the area marked with objectives and notes.

Killing Brotherhood members inside the bunker will spawn a hostile squad of Brotherhood members wearing power armor at the entrance. This encounter will likely end in the squad’s death and a game over. Managing to get all squad members onto the exit tile to leave the bunker will likewise result in a game-over screen.