I tried Googling it, but all I get is maximum people allowed in a settlement. What I would like to know is how many can we have? I read we have 30 options. So I thought that would be we can build 30 settlements. Now I read we can only have 3 now.

So does this mean I can only have Sanctuary, Red Rocket and the Star Lite Drive in and can't make no more settlements? They are the first 3 I saw, so started them, does that mean I can't do no more? If true, how to I unsettle them so I can make more?

Right now, I started a new game so only have Sanctuary with the Settlers you get at a beginning of a quest (I think we all know but won't spoil it for others who don't know) and Red Rocket for myself. Basically it's a home with nobody else there but my trusted Dogmeat. So does this mean I have to choose carefully for my last one?

Or I can use all the settlement options for homes, but doesn't become a settlement until I put a settler there? How does the game consider what a settlement is?

TL;DR How many settlements can we have total and what is considered a settlement?

you can use all 30 or so of those available. each will have a quest in order to obtain. some are from NPC's at the settlement. others are quests from factions or other NPC's.

So I can do all 30 at the same time and I don't have to worry about picking and choosing then? That is good to know, thank you very much.

you can... but..

I have all of them. it is great, but they keep you busy! and be smart with supply lines. I wasn't and now I have prolly 3 times number of settlements! huge nasty spider web. do it smart and 1 provisioner coming and 1 going. chain them all together that way. much easier to manage.

enjoy!

Thank you very much Dvkillar. Still early in the game for me so haven't had any supply lines yet, but will try what you suggested.

Just out of curiosity, how large are your saved games?

Me? Just started, got 10 hours into this character.

Sometimes supply lines disappear (a bug?), and you may have to set up an alternate route (or another provisioner on the same route) in case that happens. So I would suggest you keep your spider web routes for now. A little redundancy may help here.

Sorry, the question was actually directed at dvkillar since he has all of the settlements.