I have google-fu'd this to death and can't get an answer, so forgive me if it has already been discussed or mentioned.
I did a new start and was wondering if you can get settlements without being a minuteman or dealing with Preston Garvey at all. Like I'm considering not even going to Lexington and seeing those people... so he would never be a part of my play through.
BUT, I would still like to manage settlements - do some different builds and arrangements this time around, things of that nature. I already dealt with the minutemen in a previous game.. I find them tedious and useless, other than artillery... which is useful about 1% of circumstances.
SO has anyone dealt with settlements WITHOUT ever engaging Preston and the minutemen? Basically, without getting into the roleplay of it ALL, I want to pluck the juiciest settlements to be a part of my network and leave those little piddly settlements to fend for themselves. My settlements on my terms.